Just In The Nick Of Time

from JoeUser Forums

Sometimes timing is everything.

Backing a big rig into a tight space such as a parking spot is no easy task. It takes a great deal of practice and skill to get good at it and to not hit anything on either side while doing it. Some drivers are better at it than others and some just plain suck at it.

Rookie drivers are notorious for backing accidents. It's the single most common accident rookies are involved in. The easiest way for them to avoid such an accident is to get their ass out of the seat and walk back to look and make sure they aren't going to hit the trucks on either side of the spot they are trying to back into. Sadly many simply won't do this easy and safe thing because they don't want the other drivers watching to think they're a rookie, or they're just plain lazy.

Of course backing into someone's truck sure doesn't make them look like a seasoned pro.

A few minutes ago I was walking out of the truckstop after getting a nice hot shower and some lunch and I saw this rig trying to back into the spot to the left of my rig. A quick glance showed me that he was inches away from hitting my truck and backing straight for it.

I quickly ran over and banged on his passenger door to stop him. At that point his trailer was less than six inches from my fender. Needless to say I was a tad pissed off. I yelled at him to get himself straightened out and set up  correctly because if he hit my truck I was going to be kicking his ass across the parking lot.

He pulled up, set up again, and started backing up again without bothering to get out of the truck to look at the situation. He was now heading directly for the hood of the truck to the left of the parking spot. I climbed into my own rig and laid on the air horns to stop him yet again.

I keyed up my CB and instructed him on what to do to get himself in the right position, but he failed to follow my intructions at all and instead made one more attempt to back into that other rig. I stopped him again.

At this point he gave up and drove on around the parking lot. One of the other trucks that had been sitting and waiting for this bonehead to finished whatever he was going to do then pulled up, set up, and backed smoothly into the space the bonehead couldn't.

Had I lingered any longer in the shower or over my lunch I would have been greeted by a smashed truck when I returned. Even another 30 seconds would have been too late to stop the rookie from smashing into my rig. That would have really ruined my day. And his.

I need a beer.

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2,830 views 17 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
I am one that sucks at it. And the reason I do not drive big rigs! ;)
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top
I am one that sucks at it. And the reason I do not drive big rigs! ;)
Sins of a Solar Empire II
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
These double posts suck. Sorry
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top
These double posts suck. Sorry
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:LOL:

Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
Good grief! I'm still 'green' on reverse parking, but I think I would do a better job!LOL! Thank heavens you made it out in time!
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top
Wow, defenitely great timing. Mason, if you don't mind me going abit off topic, I heard on the radio today about a possible truckers strike against gas prices possible on April 1st. It would seem that the story is spreading and that more and more truckers are saying that they would join as well to strike for 1 week unless the Gov't does something about the gas prices, maybe cut back on some of the taxes. Have you heard about this?
Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
I can reverse park alright, even with a little trailer on. But I have tried with a caravan a couple of times and failed miserably.

I'm glad the bonehead in question didn't hit your truck, mate.
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top
Good grief! I'm still 'green' on reverse parking, but I think I would do a better job!LOL! Thank heavens you made it out in time!
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Yeah I'm glad I caught it in time.
Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
Wow, defenitely great timing. Mason, if you don't mind me going abit off topic, I heard on the radio today about a possible truckers strike against gas prices possible on April 1st. It would seem that the story is spreading and that more and more truckers are saying that they would join as well to strike for 1 week unless the Gov't does something about the gas prices, maybe cut back on some of the taxes. Have you heard about this?
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There has been talk of a strike for quite a while now. I wouldn't take it too seriously. We are seeing some pretty lean times right now due to high fuel prices (we use diesel not gasoline), but honestly a strike isn't going to fix it.

We're just trying to get some media attention paid to our situation. While strike talk does get their attention we're looking at better options for some really affective action such as a targeted boycotts of each major oil company for a set period of time, a major work slowdown which would both reduce fuel consumption as well as slow the economy to the point that it would draw more media attention, or even a freight blockade of Washington.
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
I can reverse park alright, even with a little trailer on. But I have tried with a caravan a couple of times and failed miserably. I'm glad the bonehead in question didn't hit your truck, mate.
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Backing a vehicle that's 75 feet long or longer into a space with only a few inches of extra room on each side is no easy task. Stupidity such as this guy demonstrated doesn't make it any easier.
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top

There has been talk of a strike for quite a while now. I wouldn't take it too seriously. We are seeing some pretty lean times right now due to high fuel prices (we use diesel not gasoline), but honestly a strike isn't going to fix it.

We're just trying to get some media attention paid to our situation. While strike talk does get their attention we're looking at better options for some really affective action such as a targeted boycotts of each major oil company for a set period of time, a major work slowdown which would both reduce fuel consumption as well as slow the economy to the point that it would draw more media attention, or even a freight blockade of Washington.
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I see. Its interesting the things one learns when listening to the news. I was unaware that truck drivers insurance depends on your credit and that with the credit crunch going on and you mentioning how things a bit slow for you lately that you could find yourself having credit problems and thus having your insurance go up and with gas prices going up that sound like a lot of hurting for you and all other truck drivers. And eventually that hurting with pass on to the consumer. Talk about you domino effect. I hope things go OK for you but if a strike is imminent and necessary to do something about rising gas prices, I with you all the way if you chose to join in. Sometimes sacrifices must be made for the better good.
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top
There has been talk of a strike for quite a while now. I wouldn't take it too seriously. We are seeing some pretty lean times right now due to high fuel prices (we use diesel not gasoline), but honestly a strike isn't going to fix it.We're just trying to get some media attention paid to our situation. While strike talk does get their attention we're looking at better options for some really affective action such as a targeted boycotts of each major oil company for a set period of time, a major work slowdown which would both reduce fuel consumption as well as slow the economy to the point that it would draw more media attention, or even a freight blockade of Washington.I see. Its interesting the things one learns when listening to the news. I was unaware that truck drivers insurance depends on your credit and that with the credit crunch going on and you mentioning how things a bit slow for you lately that you could find yourself having credit problems and thus having your insurance go up and with gas prices going up that sound like a lot of hurting for you and all other truck drivers. And eventually that hurting with pass on to the consumer. Talk about you domino effect. I hope things go OK for you but if a strike is imminent and necessary to do something about rising gas prices, I with you all the way if you chose to join in. Sometimes sacrifices must be made for the better good.
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Actually the stuff about our credit affecting our insurance is just another example of the media getting it wrong. Our DAC report affects our insurance rating but while the DAC report is covered under the fair credit reporting act it has nothing to do with credit but rather with trucking work history.

The mainstream media are a bunch of morons who rarely know what they're talking about.
Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top
The mainstream media are a bunch of morons who rarely know what they're talking about.
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Indeed. Unfortunately, it only is apparent when we know what the subject is, and know about it. Too often they come across as experts, when they are really just unknown drips under pressure.
Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
The mainstream media are a bunch of morons who rarely know what they're talking about.Indeed. Unfortunately, it only is apparent when we know what the subject is, and know about it. Too often they come across as experts, when they are really just unknown drips under pressure.
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Yep.
Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top

Actually the stuff about our credit affecting our insurance is just another example of the media getting it wrong. Our DAC report affects our insurance rating but while the DAC report is covered under the fair credit reporting act it has nothing to do with credit but rather with trucking work history.

The mainstream media are a bunch of morons who rarely know what they're talking about.
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That's why i figured I mentioned it to you. I figured something didn't sound right there. Thanks for clearing that up. Who better to ask about trucker information and doubts than a truck driver? :)

Still if the strike goes on and you chose to join, I'm with you 100% buddy.
Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top
Actually the stuff about our credit affecting our insurance is just another example of the media getting it wrong. Our DAC report affects our insurance rating but while the DAC report is covered under the fair credit reporting act it has nothing to do with credit but rather with trucking work history.The mainstream media are a bunch of morons who rarely know what they're talking about.That's why i figured I mentioned it to you. I figured something didn't sound right there. Thanks for clearing that up. Who better to ask about trucker information and doubts than a truck driver? Still if the strike goes on and you chose to join, I'm with you 100% buddy.
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Honestly, I don't feel that a strike will work or is even the best option. We've been batting around some other options, some of which I think are better ones. I am personally more for a slow down than a strike.

If every trucker in the country, or even a large percentage of them, would just slow down and run the speed limit (or less) and run 100% compliant with all of the federal and states rules we could easily bring the economy to it's knees without actually breaking any laws.

I feel the best way to draw attention to our situation is to make our problems the same problems of every man, woman, and child in this country. When store shelves are empty because the truck that was running 100% legal didn't make it to the warehouse in time maybe people will complain enough to get things fixed.
Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top
Sounds like a plan.