So since passing my test back in July not really had any experience apart from delivering tractor units around the country…then all changed…
“would you like to do a double man shift going down to Bournemouth…” wow double man a proper class one driver with me to follow his lead…“sure”
So from Burton to Bournemouth the main driver drove and then I took over to Southampton>Havant>Burton (Base).
I know I needed convincing myself that its all going to be fine and yes it was. The driver complemented on my driving however getting to base it was a awkward reverse into the bay and I was all over the show…it was midnight and we were both tired so he took over and plonked it in with some magical over the top trailer swinging left and right…maybe one day!! Deliveries were very easy with just cage drops at three stores using the tail lift and picking up empties with recycling.
Then another opportunity this week presented itself…just some local runs for a truck hire company…in all 4 trailer swaps which were either getting MOT’d or being returned…Did really well with all the deliveries and no issues with the trailer swaps…I mean this was my first day by myself and just given a sheet of paper and to get on with it…
However…the first boo boo…first thing at the shift…turned left from the yard when I should have gone right…(New Truck Net sat nav and my fault I panicked a little as did not let it adjust…should have also put Waze (nice GPS App) on my phone as well). So down the road I saw that it was getting close to a dead end…So a loading bay on the right so pulled into there and reverse back into the drive of another unit with gates slightly further back locked…nice and straight in the loading bay…nice reverse upto the gates behind…space to turn right again…I don’t think 44feet of trailer and 10 feet of tractor is going to swing round…Panic…company whose loading bay said the gates at the other unit wont open for an hour…plus there were cars all over the show…
Only way out was a 90degree reverse turn…have I got a clue…not a chance…I mean only did reversing to pass my test…would I attempt like heck no!!
An old boy happened to drive his artic to a yard further along the road (had I known I should have got them to open up so I could reverse) I asked him politely he said he will direct me…but in doing so I could not listen to what he was saying as he was doing a banksman job…in the end he took over and did the reverse although he did not find it easy…told me not to do that again and off he went. See my picture to illustrate…
Then another pickle…missed my turning on the way back to base…so carried on hoping the be able to have a easy turning…was luck on my side…nope…so right, right, straight and then left again was the way forward…So on my straight bit the road was not really intended for 44feet of trailer although just had to get round the telegraph pole and it was plain sailing…just kissed the mirror on the pole cleared…was going to proceed a bit more then lightbulb moment…yep guessed right…telegraph pole in between trailer and tractor…phew nick of time…a little reverse, cleared the pole and finally on the right track…
Lessons learnt…plan your route…stop and know where you are going…
I did do some tight turnarounds in tight yards…more like u turns…is this the way forward when you miss your turnings??
Advice and Comments welcomed
Oh also another agency I signed up with has given me 4 shifts next week with the Eddie Stobart working out of Tesco Crick… wish me luck
