Has Anyone Ever Been A Yard Dog?

Starting a job driving a yard goat, was wondering if anyone knew the ins and outs of yard hostling. It seems pretty boring but a consistent pay check, regular overtime, and weekends off it's I'll gladly take the boredom.

I have been a yard hostler as a bid job for a grocery chain. It is a good position if you do not mind hussle for most of your shift. You will earn experience in backing up and communication skills because the 2 way radio never seems to go silent. I applaud you for still trying to fit in the trucking game. Just be patient, take your time, expect the normal ups and downs, good days and bad days and you should be fine. Don't lose your temper or walk away from this one or you are running out of options in trucking.

Yes, at a Target DC. I enjoyed it. We had a good mix of hustle and boredom. It was kinda fun to romp and stomp in the goat in order to get the trailers docked quickly.

I just started a job as yard spotter. I think other than backing, the skills will depend a lot on where you are working. Probably at some places they will just tell you what trailer to move where, other places they may expect you to take more responsibility for managing the yard.

Starting a job driving a yard goat, was wondering if anyone knew the ins and outs of yard hostling. It seems pretty boring but a consistent pay check, regular overtime, and weekends off it's I'll gladly take the boredom.

Great to see you back in the CDLA world, Zach~!!

I think this is an EXCELLENT opportunity for you, tbh. One of our dear friends, J.Reding on Facebook and YouTube, drove for years .. Wilson being his last OTR gig, and they offered him a hostler (yard dog) position, and HE LOVES IT!!!!

Kudos, man. Keep us in the loop~!!

I just started a job as yard spotter. I think other than backing, the skills will depend a lot on where you are working. Probably at some places they will just tell you what trailer to move where, other places they may expect you to take more responsibility for managing the yard.

Yep, my hubby filled in for the night yard guy last week . . . and there was a little bit of 'coordinating' the trucks on the roads for him, too. He actually liked it .. just not so much the hours; being 1800 to ?!?! LoL.

Actually, if the position comes open, I bet he will jump on it also. KH, you should diary this! I love learning, as y'all know....

Stay blessed, and safe, both of y'all~!!

~ Anne ~

Every time I see one of these guys, I think it looks like a fun job and you would get really good at backing. I wish I could do it for a few weeks just to get the experience in backing. Im assuming the skills from it would transfer to a truck? Those guys haul a$$ around the yard and can park a trailer in seconds. I thought I was weird for thinking it looks like a lot of fun.

Based on what I've observed, that job looks anything but boring. Those guys are go-go-go constantly. As navypoppop noted, communication is a key. Assume any radio transmissions you make can be heard by everyone at the facility, so it's essential to be professional and keep your cool at all times. Good luck!

Every time I see one of these guys, I think it looks like a fun job and you would get really good at backing. I wish I could do it for a few weeks just to get the experience in backing. Im assuming the skills from it would transfer to a truck? Those guys haul a$$ around the yard and can park a trailer in seconds. I thought I was weird for thinking it looks like a lot of fun.

Well I guess it could be that we're both weird, but I like it. I was just thinking yesterday that the thing about the job for me is that I always look forward to backing the next trailer, no matter what else is going on. I kind of hope that something's in the way or something so that it will be a challenge, but even if I just set up for a straight back in, it's still satisfying.

You will learn how to pull a flawless 90 alley dock from right or left side. These skills will sorta help you if you go back OTR , but keep in mind that the yard goat turns on a dime whereas a larger truck, eh not so much. I had fun when I did it quite a few years ago. The only issue was that the AC was horrible.

Been there, done that! The job is all about safety. Show up for work on time and don't cause too much damage, and you'll have a job as long as you want!

The move requests were all communicated via an in-cab computer. You click to confirm each step of the move, and when completed, you go to the next one on the list.

Pay attention to trailer and door numbers. When things are busy, it's easy to make a mistake.

I should update my bio. This picture is about 2 years old. Since July 2019 I've been a P&D driver for Estes Express.

The picture is cool (to me, anyway) because it was a summary of my driving career up til then. Started OTR through USA Truck's sponsored program. After about 2 years moved to LME (now defunct) as a linehaul driver for another 6. After a brief stint as a hostler, joined Estes.

Good luck and have fun!