Put Your Phone Down And Help!

This might rub some the wrong way, seeing how I'm still a rookie, but nothing about this job bothers me more than seeing a driver struggle to maneuver or park at a truck stop and there will be at least a few "fellow drivers" standing around, laughing and making jokes or recording it on their phones so they can post it to YouTube. the thought of actually helping the guy don't even enter their mind. they're just waiting for something bad to happen.

where's the respect? we all started out the same. we've all had our bad days. we've all done dumb things with the truck. I'm not saying run over and help, but dang it you should at the very least not allow the situation to get any worse. if you see the guy about to get stuck, or hit something, maybe another truck, then do something! give a shout, wave your arms or tug your horn. why would you stand there and watch instead of making an effort to prevent an accident? what if it were your truck that got hit while a bunch of damn idiots stood around laughing? I know if it were mine, I'd be just as mad at your dumb ass as the guy driving.

just my opinion, but it disgusts me how many drivers out there just seem to take pleasure in seeing other drivers struggle and fail. this isn't an easy lifestyle. showing a little respect and supporting each other in times of need would go a long, long way.

Personally, I HATE when people try to “help.” I either get three guys back there waving their arms around and giving totally different signals, or I **** off the guys helping because I don’t trust them a bit and will still get out to check even if they are signing to continue.

Besides, if I’m helping you, and you still bump something, in this day and age it’s not impossible that I’ll get some blame too.

I don’t record, I don’t laugh (because I’ve been there too), but I’ve stood around waiting for a guy to get backed up and not helped.

We are told that even with a spotter, the driver is responsible to Goal. I have had many people help me. I have helped a few myself. If to many people are helping Pic the one you want to follow.

I didn't say help. I said don't stand there and laugh. and if you can prevent an accident by shouting a warning, why wouldn't you? it may not be your responsibility, but it would be the decent thing to do.

Brian you are rather worked up about this. The title of your post has the word Help in it.

I never have or never will make fun of anyone. I agree that’s wrong and ignorant. No one was born knowing how-to do this. I’ve actually had words with morons making fun of a student struggling to back...I get it.

Helping is a rather gray area. If I see someone struggling, I’ll ask them if they need help before I assume they do. If I see an accident about to happen, air horn if I’m in the truck, waving arms and screaming if I am not.

Yeah, I dont want your help.

Sorry if I sound like a tool for putting it that way, but...

First, if I hit something, I'm still responsible. Much better for me to get out and look and possibly take 20 minutes to park.

Actually, I had a line of trucks cursing me all over the radio just a few days ago in Indiana for taking so long and holding up like five trucks trying to get by.

Bump 'em! I had to get it done right. Sorry about the wait, but I prefer being growled at (or even laughed at) for taking so long rather than for hitting something.

Second, I currently cannot back worth crap! My trainer has a habit of constantly directing my backing. And while it's in good-nature and he still thinks he's helping me (no matter how many times I explain it) the net result is that I am now better than ever at following directions and hand signals. But I still suck at backing.

Now, if I'm gonna hit something, hell yes, by all means, stop me! But the help part... Someday I'll figure it out.

And as for the laughing, well, at least I can provide some entertainment for a few minutes.

I'll be "that guy"...

I laugh... I laughed at myself when I was struggling, you can bet I'll be laughing when someone else struggles into a spot. And when you quit struggling you'll get the joke and possibly laugh as well.

Yes if they are actually going to hit something I'll hit the horn.

No I don't offer to help. I didn't want help when I was in that position and even asked a few people to get back in their truck. I'm responsible for me getting into the hole nobody else. And at this stage if you tried to help me I'd feel like you were trying to take my toys.🤨

Everyone struggles in the beginning. You can choose to smile and laugh at yourself or you can get all bent out of shape about it. Either way it's going to be 6 months to two years of which ever way you go.

Yeah, I dont want your help.

Sorry if I sound like a tool for putting it that way, but...

First, if I hit something, I'm still responsible. Much better for me to get out and look and possibly take 20 minutes to park.

Actually, I had a line of trucks cursing me all over the radio just a few days ago in Indiana for taking so long and holding up like five trucks trying to get by.

Bump 'em! I had to get it done right. Sorry about the wait, but I prefer being growled at (or even laughed at) for taking so long rather than for hitting something.

Second, I currently cannot back worth crap! My trainer has a habit of constantly directing my backing. And while it's in good-nature and he still thinks he's helping me (no matter how many times I explain it) the net result is that I am now better than ever at following directions and hand signals. But I still suck at backing.

Now, if I'm gonna hit something, hell yes, by all means, stop me! But the help part... Someday I'll figure it out.

And as for the laughing, well, at least I can provide some entertainment for a few minutes.

You sir, are on the right path🤔

I prefer to back without help, BUT do like for others to signal if. am getting to close to something. This past week, I had four well intentioned drivers all shouting instructions from all sides of my truck. All it did was cause more stress. It was difficult to do, but Ignored them and listened to my finisher only. As for laughing at new drivers and thinking it is funny? Just proves there are ass$&*^'s everywhere.

I've never wanted help. Though if someone has offered it I just go with it and give them a thankful nod.

And I've been on both sides of the "helping" discussion. When I was with my first company I literally got in this woman's truck and put it In the door for her. Now hind sight being 20/20 I wouldn't do that again. However at the time my warehouse guy's begged me to do it because she had been trying for damn near an hour and they wanted to get a move on wwith unloading. And she directly asked me if I would because she just couldn't figure it out. Stupid move on my part because had something happened I would've been screwed. Now fast forward to this last year when I was doing jockey work. I sat and watched countless drivers back Into our docks. Many many time blocking driveways. And so many of those times they've asked if I could either assist or put the trailer in the door for them. My only answer now is nope. Two reasons. One my company has a policy against such things. And two, when I think back to that woman I helped before, what did she learn by me doing that? Nothing. New drivers need to learn. I'll make sure they don't screw up my equipment next to them, but helping I just won't do anymore.

But your spot on about the ones recording it to post on YouTube if something happens. It's ignorant and childish.