After 2 Years, My List Is Complete.

Topic 33215 | Page 1

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NaeNaeInNC's Comment
member avatar

So, from day one of TNT training at Prime, I struggled hard with backing. I can't back a Pete to save my life. In my 38k miles, I had exactly ONE back that sailed into the hole without me having to fight it in.

I kept a mental list of EVERY BLOODY PLACE that I struggled with. Two days ago, I went to the last reciever on that list. PFG in Valdosta GA. I was so frustrated with my trainer, myself, and the truck on that day, that it almost made me hang up the keys. I made me ugly cry.

Two days ago, I pulled up for delivery, having not recognized the name or location, realized it was the last place on my list. I was even given the same door.

Back in off the active street, with soft dirt that had been rained on for hours next to the street.

I got it in, first try, dead on, one GOAL, one pull up. I may have cried a little this time for a much different reason.

I even called my trainer, to laugh at myself. He had remembered the incident as he delivered there last Monday, but couldn't remember if it was me, or the student after me.

It made me smile, when he told me he struggled a bit with it this time.

Do any of you have "the list" like that?

TNT:

Trainer-N-Trainee

Prime Inc has their own CDL training program and it's divided into two phases - PSD and TNT.

The PSD (Prime Student Driver) phase is where you'll get your permit and then go on the road for 10,000 miles with a trainer. When you come back you'll get your CDL license and enter the TNT phase.

The TNT phase is the second phase of training where you'll go on the road with an experienced driver for 30,000 miles of team driving. You'll receive 14¢ per mile ($700 per week guaranteed) during this phase. Once you're finished with TNT training you will be assigned a truck to run solo.

Deleted Account's Comment
member avatar

Awesome job! It doesn't have to be pretty getting it in there but it sure feels nice when it goes in so perfect.

Do any of you have "the list" like that?

I sure do! When I first started where I'm at it took some adjusting to the 53' since at PFG I only pulled a 28'. Initially I swore I'd never go back to some places. For about the past year I've made it a point going to some of the harder docks just to add some excitement to my day. Reinhart/PFG in Omaha NE is one of the tightest docks we hit. Many of the google reviews talk of witnessing trucks or the railing being hit. This pic is taken from Google, but red truck is backed in the dock. Not too much room, especially if you're backing between 2 trucks.

0449133001685144400.jpg

Other one I've avoided until recently I did just the other day.

0019829001685144475.jpg left down that alleyway

0027996001685144526.jpg hit dock to your left at an angle. STAY OFF THE GRASS, DONT HIT GARAGE.

0845662001685144616.jpg

0086377001685144663.jpg

This time I surprised myself by nailing it perfect on my first attempt. A couple years ago when I went multiple times it took atleast 5 minutes to get the correct setup. After you're done you must back out blind into alleyway behind you to get out otherwise you'll run over a homeowners lawn who also added boulders to protect their yard. It's a small town of 600 people so I wasn't too concerned just take it nice and slow getting out. The loader was extremely shocked, especially since the driver for the other grocery chain here goes there every couple weeks for the last 6 years and still takes 10 minutes. I told her it was mainly luck, and I'd probably struggle hitting a straight back the following day.

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

RealDiehl's Comment
member avatar

dancing-banana.gif

Progress, progress, progress!

Progress; improvement; advancement.

Whatever you want to call it. It is the drug that successful people get high on.

That's one of the best things about being a driver. There are always challenges to overcome and areas where improvements can be made.

If you are willing to tackle those challenges head on, like NaeNea and Rob have shown, success is it's own reward.

I know my reply here isn't exactly helpful or insightful. But highlighting positive behaviors and celebrating victories makes us feel good.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Banks's Comment
member avatar

That's awesome!

When I first started, it took me about a week to do a 45 in a way that fedex found acceptable and even then, I think my instructor have me a pity pass. Now, it's my preferred method of backing up and it's my usual go to for hooking a set. Everytime I talk to him, he brings up the ulcers he got in exchange for training me...

I don't have a list of places that frustrate me, but there are a lot of buildings that do. Most of the time, the determining factor for me is how much does the run pay.

NaeNaeInNC's Comment
member avatar

That would give me hives. The way I back, I would be moving three inches, GOAL, move three more, GOAL.... Etc etc

Awesome job! It doesn't have to be pretty getting it in there but it sure feels nice when it goes in so perfect.

double-quotes-start.png

Do any of you have "the list" like that?

double-quotes-end.png

I sure do! When I first started where I'm at it took some adjusting to the 53' since at PFG I only pulled a 28'. Initially I swore I'd never go back to some places. For about the past year I've made it a point going to some of the harder docks just to add some excitement to my day. Reinhart/PFG in Omaha NE is one of the tightest docks we hit. Many of the google reviews talk of witnessing trucks or the railing being hit. This pic is taken from Google, but red truck is backed in the dock. Not too much room, especially if you're backing between 2 trucks.

0449133001685144400.jpg

Other one I've avoided until recently I did just the other day.

0019829001685144475.jpg left down that alleyway

0027996001685144526.jpg hit dock to your left at an angle. STAY OFF THE GRASS, DONT HIT GARAGE.

0845662001685144616.jpg

0086377001685144663.jpg

This time I surprised myself by nailing it perfect on my first attempt. A couple years ago when I went multiple times it took atleast 5 minutes to get the correct setup. After you're done you must back out blind into alleyway behind you to get out otherwise you'll run over a homeowners lawn who also added boulders to protect their yard. It's a small town of 600 people so I wasn't too concerned just take it nice and slow getting out. The loader was extremely shocked, especially since the driver for the other grocery chain here goes there every couple weeks for the last 6 years and still takes 10 minutes. I told her it was mainly luck, and I'd probably struggle hitting a straight back the following day.

OWI:

Operating While Intoxicated

Pianoman's Comment
member avatar

I love this! I never had a list but I do remember a few places that kicked my butt my first year. I've never had an opportunity to go back to those places but every once in a while I look back and think how much easier this job is for me now that I've gotten several years under my belt. I don't have a list of locations but there are specific situations that have gotten so much easier over time like detours and construction for example. There is alot of construction under way on the way to one of our yards and one side of the road is completely closed right now making it a one way. It's a mess getting TO the yard and if we go this way we literally have to hop a curb while making a left turn onto the road the yard is located off of. There were a couple times I forgot about the one way and started heading back the way I came and literally had to pull a u turn in the middle of this already tight and under construction intersection. When I was new that would have been pretty challenging and nerve-wracking but these days it didn't really bother me that much. It was more of a "Wow Paul wtf were you thinking" and then I turned around and moved on without really thinking about it.

I also think about how I used to trip plan then vs now. If I'm going somewhere new I plan my directions and find the entrance to the place I'm going but beyond that I don't really get too concerned if something doesn't go exactly according to plan. I'm confident enough in my abilities that if there's a road blocked or the entrance I chose was the wrong one I know I can wing it without getting myself into trouble.

HOS:

Hours Of Service

HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
PJ's Comment
member avatar

I used to have a list of chemical suppliers. It was three catorgies, Heck yeah any time, ok, and heck no not for anything.

I guess I’ve been at this long enough now it doesn’t bother me. Give me the load and I’ll figure it out.

A couple weeks ago that idea about bit me. They sent me to a granite dealer in downtown Charleston WV. It took me 20 minutes to fish it in, but the workers were impressed. 2 of them bet lunch I wouldn’t get it in period, others thought it would take close to an hour. They based their opinions on prior deliveries.

The owner noticied a different name on the truck and asked if he could contract with me directly. He guaranteed a load every 2 weeks. My thought was I have this to look forward every 2 weeks, no way.

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