After 3 Months, I’m Quitting

Thanks for all the advice. However, I’ve decided to hang it up. I seem to be only getting worse. I spent 35 mins trying to back a few days ago to a door and I only ended up in a worse spot than when I started. I have to say it was fun while it lasted. Best of luck to all you guys out there!

Kevin have you considered using your CDL for other employment? A big advantage of a CDL is there is so many jobs out there that require a CDL. Garbage collection, snow removal (if applicable) dump trucks, mixer trucks and much much more.

I actually returned to driving a city/campus bus as I had a Class B before I got the Class A. Not my ideal job and the pay is lousy but at least I can do it. I tried one last time to get a job driving a truck solo but I failed the driving test. That was definitely the last straw and I will never try trucking again. Even the tester told me to stay away from trucking. I really admire you guys who can drive so well. It’s indeed a special talent.

Thanks for all the advice. However, I’ve decided to hang it up. I seem to be only getting worse. I spent 35 mins trying to back a few days ago to a door and I only ended up in a worse spot than when I started. I have to say it was fun while it lasted. Best of luck to all you guys out there!

Kevin have you considered using your CDL for other employment? A big advantage of a CDL is there is so many jobs out there that require a CDL. Garbage collection, snow removal (if applicable) dump trucks, mixer trucks and much much more.

Dude I swear to god if I can learn to back, you can as well. I actually learned to back when I was a wheel lift operator for AAA.

When I started at AAA 6 years ago, I had the same mentality. I loved the job but couldn't back cars into spots. I got hard on myself and told myself that I couldn't do it.

Fortunately, years later, I am now impressing my instructors at CDL school with my backing.

The best advice that was ever given to me is steer TOWARDS your problem in the mirrors, and just get loosen up your hands. Remember that you want to SET the angle and then chase. Stick, move, and reset your wheel. Don't leave your wheel turned or the trailer will get away from you and you won't be able to get the tractor back infront of it.

If you give it time, I promise a light bulb will go off.

That’s awesome, man! I’m happy to hear of your success in CDL school. I actually struggled in CDL school. I started driving a manual and after I couldn’t get the hang of it, my instructor suggested I switch to automatic. I appreciate your advice and your story but at this point I think I’m a lost cause and that’s ok as I’ve come to accept that fact. Best of luck in your training and I’m sure you’ll be a successful driver!

Dude I swear to god if I can learn to back, you can as well. I actually learned to back when I was a wheel lift operator for AAA.

When I started at AAA 6 years ago, I had the same mentality. I loved the job but couldn't back cars into spots. I got hard on myself and told myself that I couldn't do it.

Fortunately, years later, I am now impressing my instructors at CDL school with my backing.

The best advice that was ever given to me is steer TOWARDS your problem in the mirrors, and just get loosen up your hands. Remember that you want to SET the angle and then chase. Stick, move, and reset your wheel. Don't leave your wheel turned or the trailer will get away from you and you won't be able to get the tractor back infront of it.

If you give it time, I promise a light bulb will go off.

It’s indeed a special talent.

Honestly, it's not. Backing is a learnable skill for pretty much anyone, and you just haven't found a teaching method that works with your individual learning style. Ultimately we're all doing the same things, even though the words and concepts we use to describe them might be different. So it's a matter of finding a way of thinking about it that makes sense for you, and that you feel confident with.

I had been driving Class A CMVs for nearly a year, and backing well enough to get by, when I stumbled across this guy's videos. For whatever reason, his approach and concepts really clicked for me, and actually made me look forward to chances to apply them for myself. https://www.ltlmentor.com/

There's nothing wrong with walking away from this profession and pursuing something else, but if you do still have the itch, I'd encourage you to poke around youtube until you find something that resonates with you, and then see whether you want to give it another try.

I don’t know if Kevin is still with us, but I’m going to chime in on this anyway.

Today marked the end of 9 months driving for me, total. I’ve improved my backing a lot, but it’s still a challenge. Today, I had a delivery to Elizabeth, NJ to a facility that was a little tight but not super difficult. Backing into the dock absolutely kicked my butt. Must have done 20 pull ups while many other drivers watched me struggle. But I got it finally and I’m sure others were shaking their heads at my ineptitude. But most of the time I do okay. Sometimes I even amaze myself. It took a lot of perseverance to get to this point, and I still have a long way to go. Many are the times I was literally in tears when I finished a difficult back up, drenched in sweat. I’m so glad I didn’t give up.

Ok, Anne, “If you don’t give up and you don’t give out, you may just be alright.” What song?

I don’t know if Kevin is still with us, but I’m going to chime in on this anyway.

Today marked the end of 9 months driving for me, total. I’ve improved my backing a lot, but it’s still a challenge. Today, I had a delivery to Elizabeth, NJ to a facility that was a little tight but not super difficult. Backing into the dock absolutely kicked my butt. Must have done 20 pull ups while many other drivers watched me struggle. But I got it finally and I’m sure others were shaking their heads at my ineptitude. But most of the time I do okay. Sometimes I even amaze myself. It took a lot of perseverance to get to this point, and I still have a long way to go. Many are the times I was literally in tears when I finished a difficult back up, drenched in sweat. I’m so glad I didn’t give up.

Ok, Anne, “If you don’t give up and you don’t give out, you may just be alright.” What song?

"In The Living Years" ... by Mike & the Mechanics ~ for the alter ego guy!!

~ Anne ~

ps: Another good one: Don't Give Up~!

Thanks for the encouragement. It’s great to hear that you’ve improved so much. I was actually never able to successfully pull the truck to a dock while on the road. I remember there was one where I tried over an hour and I still couldn’t get it. As was the usual I let my teammate do it and she did it with no issues. So it’s not for a lack of trying on my part. Instead of improving I was getting worse. I looked like a complete idiot. Luckily, my teammate always saved me because otherwise I would have to contact dispatch and tell them that I couldn’t back it in. But im glad to hear you’re having much greater success than I. Best to you, sir!

I don’t know if Kevin is still with us, but I’m going to chime in on this anyway.

Today marked the end of 9 months driving for me, total. I’ve improved my backing a lot, but it’s still a challenge. Today, I had a delivery to Elizabeth, NJ to a facility that was a little tight but not super difficult. Backing into the dock absolutely kicked my butt. Must have done 20 pull ups while many other drivers watched me struggle. But I got it finally and I’m sure others were shaking their heads at my ineptitude. But most of the time I do okay. Sometimes I even amaze myself. It took a lot of perseverance to get to this point, and I still have a long way to go. Many are the times I was literally in tears when I finished a difficult back up, drenched in sweat. I’m so glad I didn’t give up.

Ok, Anne, “If you don’t give up and you don’t give out, you may just be alright.” What song?

7 month's for me. Started and still on the DG account. I feel your pain. I honestly don't know where I would be right now if I started on docks.

It's a serious crutch for me since I can park at most DG's for the night even if it's not my stop. I've done 0 night time truck stop backs and 2 day time backs in 75k miles/ 7 month's. lol.

I went to Roehl's GYCDL program and didn't make any progress with backing in week 2 and we both agreed to part ways. I went to a private school with 28's. Then to Schneider's academy and was able to nail the 45's pretty fast.

The thought of a night time truck stop back or tight dock gives me nightmares.

I've been training for 8 years now and I've had some students who were seriously lacking in the backing. One guy couldn't even straight line back after the 2nd week. They all ended up getting their license, some just took an extra week or two.

You did get your license? Well that means you can back, just not consistently. I truly believe your issues are 95% mental and only 5% skill. Which isn't difficult to fix you just need a specific kind of trainer and a very tailored teaching style. I would love the challenge. I wish you luck in your new career path but I wouldn't discount what you did manage to accomplish in your short time driving despite the challenges.