Not Gonna Lie... What The F%*K Did I Get Into?

This is kicking my BooTay. I knew it was gonna be tough-And I'm a pretty tough guy. But these 10.5 hour days, coupled with 3.0 hours of commute time each day coupled with grinding gears, getting yelled at (some), and trying to wrap my head around the stupid offset backing and tonight I'm wondering... WTF? I take a little solace knowing I'm not the only one in my class. And I know-I'm going to have my 'aha' moment backing up... but I need that sooner rather then later. Tomorrow we get 'evaluated' on our offset. I have no idea what that means. Today, a couple of times, I go into the truck, pulled it out, and BAM-got it in there... and then... totally oversteered and got all frustrated. Tonight I'm going to enjoy a couple of cups of Sleepy time tea before bed (no caffeine). I've not been sleeping well even though I'm forcing myself to bed... *sigh*. Tomorrow is another day.

Some times you have to pull the brake and take a deep breath.

I feel your pain. Of the three backs we are doing the offset is the biggest challenge for me. I cannot judge nor do I trust what I'm seeing on the mirror.

This made me giggle. Yep, that's how tough it is starting out. We always say the perfect candidate must have thick skin.

Just take it a day at a time. That sleepy time tea will do you good, I drink it often for a better night sleep.

I feel your pain. Of the three backs we are doing the offset is the biggest challenge for me. I cannot judge nor do I trust what I'm seeing on the mirror.

It'll take time but after practice you'll be backing like a pro. The key is patience. And you won't be faulted if you set the brake and do a walk around. It's a breather that has helped me and I started driving in '73. I still do a walk around if the area isn't comfortable. Good Luck!!

J, congrats on taking the plunge. First of all remember the reasons you did in the first place. I don't know anything about your situation so this is a general commentary. Most people feel the same as you do. They are into something completly different for them and are out of your comfort zone. That is a good and bad thing, depending on your determination. Everyone grinds gears even after driving awhile. Things just happen. Instructors come in all types. They are looking for your ability to think and learn to recover under stress, as much as evaluating your progress. All training situations have built in evaluation points for obvious reasons. Don't stress over it. When you get frustrated take a breath and relax and go back to it. Your learning to do a task and master the concepts at this stage, not become highly proficient at it. Use your commute time to your advantage. To unwind. You can do it if you have the desire, otherwise you would not have made it to this point. Feel free to come here and ask or just vent. We'll all be pulling for you.

One of my instructors told me a trick that worked real well for me. Once you stop cut the wheel all the way opposite the direction you want to kick your trailer. Then back up 15 or so feet. Cut it back the other direction another 15 or so feet and steer it in. "Or I'll eat that cone"

Hope that helps or at least it'll get you closer.

You'll need to steer out of that second cut a little sooner than you think. (At least that's where I did all my over steering)

Good luck guys/gals

Watch one or two of the "gluttnous" videos and you will be reminded of why you are doing what you have chosen to do. She always improves my state of mind. I think you said you liked them.

Thanks guys. I know I'll get it. It was just a frustrating day yesterday. And today very well may be another. But hey, I'm up, alive, and it's gonna be fantastically beautiful day here in Central Florida!

Gonna share something from facebook from yesterday:

Me: Not gonna lie... This is easily one of the toughest things I've ever done... My Cousin: What ?????? Me: Cuz-How have you missed that I'm in school to become a Truck Driver? My Cousin: Oh That. I thought you meant something more difficult.

#facepalm

Thanks guys. I know I'll get it. It was just a frustrating day yesterday. And today very well may be another. But hey, I'm up, alive, and it's gonna be fantastically beautiful day here in Central Florida!

Gonna share something from facebook from yesterday:

Me: Not gonna lie... This is easily one of the toughest things I've ever done... My Cousin: What ?????? Me: Cuz-How have you missed that I'm in school to become a Truck Driver? My Cousin: Oh That. I thought you meant something more difficult.

#facepalm

J: think about it this way. Backing is the one skill you will never master. For every 3,000 miles you drive forward you will only drive backwards 1 mile. There is nothing to get stressed about. Every single driver out there has days when they can put that baby in first shot, then days when they couldn't hit the broad side of a barn if they tried. Its just one of those funny laws of trucking. Take a deep breath, set the brake get out and walk around. visualize where you want the trailer to go, then put it there. You can do it! Also remember; practice does not make perfect, it only makes proficient. Keep at it! Happy trucking Trish