Feel Like Such A Disappointment When Backing

Reaper gets stage fright:

What happens is when he is there i freeze up and forget everything possible. I get so stressed and screw everything up. Then he gets mad and that just makes things so much worse.

This is very similar to the freeze-up with the CDL examiner. You'll need to develop the knack of ignoring him. Like nearly everything else you do with a truck, focus on the job at hand. Also, allow yourself to get a "big head", imagine you're an expert with an adoring crowd watching. Listen to that announcer in your mind, "He shoots! He scores!"

Finally, this is peanuts. Just wait till you're on your own and you're trying to stick it into a slot in a crowded truck stop lot with two trucks waiting for you to get out of the way. You will feel all those eyes watching the rookie. (But in reality, few people really care, as long as you don't bump their truck.)

It will come with practice. And remember, no matter how good you get there will be times where it just all goes or the window. One time when I had a student observing me, he watched me nail a really tight back in one smooth motion (doesn't happen often lol) then 2 hours later I couldn't straight line into a spot to save my life! Lol. It happens. Just try not to let it bother you and remember, you got this.

Reaper,...I think you are basically on schedule to achieving basic adequacy by the time you are promoted to solo status. It's all you can realistically expect. And like others have said, and I agree, anytime you back your trailer and you don't hit anything, there is no cause for disappointment. You did your job.

Reaper, I was exactly where you are 6 months ago. I drove and did everything fine until my trainer woke up. Then I got nervous and started making mistakes. Believe me when I tell you it got so much better when I went solo.

My very first solo load was a drop and hook from the caves in Springfield. Not outside in the yard, in the cave. I had to drop the mty in one spot and then pull the loaded trailer out. It was not easy, took my almost an hour to spot the mty. And it took me another 45 minutes to get the loaded trailer out. But I wasn't anywhere near as nervous as I was every time I tried to back with my trainer. Backing has come in fits and starts since. I'm getting so much better, but there are still times when I can't hit an easy straight back. I told a guy once I had no idea why I was having so much trouble. He said "because you drive a truck." That little bit of wisdom comes to mind every time I just can't seem to do it.

You'll get there, man. I promise you'll get there if you stick with it.

We've ALL been there ! Nerves are a mofo. Just keep doing what your doing. Take your time. Safety will take calls all day from people complaining "your driver took forever to back into a spot" over "I just hit something."

Here is something I witnessed and learned about having bad backing days. Anybody can have them. While I was in school. We drove to truckstops frequently. We stopped at the Pilot in Lebanon, TN. Kinda catty corner across from where we were parked there was an open spot. A veteran driver with a million miler sticker on the side of his truck setup to go into the spot. His setup put him at nearly a straight line back. Maybe 10 degrees off. This gentleman had to do like 6 pull-ups to put it in the parking spot. After third one he kinda looked over to our group and just shrugged his shoulders. EVERYBODY has those days where you struggle to get it in the hole. As the others have stated, they do get fewer with time. But they will always happen.

Here is something I witnessed and learned about having bad backing days. Anybody can have them. While I was in school. We drove to truckstops frequently. We stopped at the Pilot in Lebanon, TN. Kinda catty corner across from where we were parked there was an open spot. A veteran driver with a million miler sticker on the side of his truck setup to go into the spot. His setup put him at nearly a straight line back. Maybe 10 degrees off. This gentleman had to do like 6 pull-ups to put it in the parking spot. After third one he kinda looked over to our group and just shrugged his shoulders. EVERYBODY has those days where you struggle to get it in the hole. As the others have stated, they do get fewer with time. But they will always happen.

Sounds like me (except for the million mile sticker) when I try to park at a TA / PETRO with the angled lines. Talk about getting in your head.... for some stupid reason I have to do multiple pull ups every time I park in a slanted space. You've just got to have thick skin and be able to laugh at yourself.

Here is something I witnessed and learned about having bad backing days. Anybody can have them. While I was in school. We drove to truckstops frequently. We stopped at the Pilot in Lebanon, TN. Kinda catty corner across from where we were parked there was an open spot. A veteran driver with a million miler sticker on the side of his truck setup to go into the spot. His setup put him at nearly a straight line back. Maybe 10 degrees off. This gentleman had to do like 6 pull-ups to put it in the parking spot. After third one he kinda looked over to our group and just shrugged his shoulders. EVERYBODY has those days where you struggle to get it in the hole. As the others have stated, they do get fewer with time. But they will always happen.

Sounds like me (except for the million mile sticker) when I try to park at a TA / PETRO with the angled lines. Talk about getting in your head.... for some stupid reason I have to do multiple pull ups every time I park in a slanted space. You've just got to have thick skin and be able to laugh at yourself.

And I do much better on slants...even blind sides than regular spaces lol

Thanks everyone for the confidence boost. Im definitely feeling better and still more than ever refusing to give in the towel. I know i can do this. Just a few more weeks!

Reaper, a confession: somewhere during my Swift school, I seriously considered dropping out because of that &*%¥©≥=#@ backing cr@p.

Stick with it!