Small Vs. Large Training Classes

Kentucky and Indiana don't require alley docking.. in fact, very few states actually require it, which I think is screwed up because that's what we do most, but it is what it is.

Kentucky and Indiana don't require alley docking.. in fact, very few states actually require it, which I think is screwed up because that's what we do most, but it is what it is.

Interesting. I saw everyone talking about practicing it and assumed it was for the CDL.

And I agree, I’m sure I’ll alley dock more than parallel park.

Most of my trainees were not required to or ever taught alley docking when they got their CDL. I can so relate because I'd never done it either when I started at West Side.

I really struggled with backing only because I didn't know how to set it up consistently, which is the most important thing. Oh I could parallel park on a dime, which I never needed to do.

Believe it or not, a driver trainer with US Xpress helped me get it sorted out. I was at Mohawk near Calhoun GA which is easy and roomy, and I couldn't hit the side of a barn that day lol.

He approached me, asked if I was new (of course I was lol) and asked if I'd like for him to help me. He asked where I was from and immediately knew why I was struggling.

He said he had a new student with him and said he would like to show us both how to more consistently set up. He stood outside the truck and talked me through the setup while his student watched and listened. I nailed it first try with no pull ups.

I was SOO grateful and it made the difference between night and day for me. It was that eureka moment turning point.

I'll never forget that guy and the method he used is the one I use now to teach my trainees how to set up for an alley dock, both sight side and blind side.