Comments on: GOAL – Do you do it? http://www.truckdriversnews.com/goal-do-you-do-it/ A blog made for truck drivers by a truck driver Fri, 12 Mar 2010 16:38:02 +0000 hourly 1 By: Trucker Steve http://www.truckdriversnews.com/goal-do-you-do-it/#comment-1156 Trucker Steve Tue, 03 Nov 2009 10:47:06 +0000 http://www.truckdriversnews.com/?p=3052#comment-1156 I too agree with Todd. The reality is most people will not GOAL so here at May trucking we teach them to get in the habit of making corrections going forward. never back if you can't see (line of sight on driver and passenger side) I too agree with Todd. The reality is most people will not GOAL so here at May trucking we teach them to get in the habit of making corrections going forward. never back if you can’t see (line of sight on driver and passenger side)

]]> By: Jason Cox http://www.truckdriversnews.com/goal-do-you-do-it/#comment-1153 Jason Cox Sun, 01 Nov 2009 09:44:57 +0000 http://www.truckdriversnews.com/?p=3052#comment-1153 Thanks Todd for the comment. Yes, I guess you are right if it is a wide spot, no other trucks there it would be ok to back in. I guess I should have explained myself a little more. But, the way my luck is if I didn't go and take a look, something would suddenly appear...People walking around don't think sometimes, and will pop out in an instant, also I have seen it a million times, you pull up to a spot and set yourself up and the truck behind you can't sit and wait. Even though you got the 4 ways on and are moving in reverse they still go behind you. Thanks Todd for the comment. Yes, I guess you are right if it is a wide spot, no other trucks there it would be ok to back in. I guess I should have explained myself a little more.

But, the way my luck is if I didn’t go and take a look, something would suddenly appear…People walking around don’t think sometimes, and will pop out in an instant, also I have seen it a million times, you pull up to a spot and set yourself up and the truck behind you can’t sit and wait. Even though you got the 4 ways on and are moving in reverse they still go behind you.

]]> By: Todd McCann http://www.truckdriversnews.com/goal-do-you-do-it/#comment-1151 Todd McCann Sun, 01 Nov 2009 05:45:28 +0000 http://www.truckdriversnews.com/?p=3052#comment-1151 This is great advise, no doubt. Still, I only GOAL if I can't see where I'm backing at night. If I've just driven by a spot and can see into it clearly, why would I get out? I think this falls under the category of "forget everything you learned in school" that you spoke of in one of your recent posts. Sure, it's great advise, but sometimes it would just be overkill. As far as helping another driver back in, I only do so if the driver is clearly having a rough time with it. Once again, an extra set of eyes can never hurt, but I don't lend my eyes if a driver appears to know what he is doing. Now spotting for a backer is great, but trying to "help" by telling him/her which way to turn the wheel usually causes more confusion than it's worth. Please don't take me wrong here. I'm into safety as much as the next driver. But my whole goal is to tell folks the truth about trucking. It's true, there would be fewer acccidents if everyone actually did GOAL. The truth is also that few drivers do it and many times it's just plain unnecessary. I mean really, the books teach you to always GOAL, but even a rookie doesn't need to if he's got a wide open dock or parking space with no trucks or other obstacles within shouting distance. Then again, with some of the backing jobs I've seen out here, maybe some people should always GOAL. At least if they're anywhere near my truck. This is great advise, no doubt. Still, I only GOAL if I can’t see where I’m backing at night. If I’ve just driven by a spot and can see into it clearly, why would I get out? I think this falls under the category of “forget everything you learned in school” that you spoke of in one of your recent posts. Sure, it’s great advise, but sometimes it would just be overkill.

As far as helping another driver back in, I only do so if the driver is clearly having a rough time with it. Once again, an extra set of eyes can never hurt, but I don’t lend my eyes if a driver appears to know what he is doing. Now spotting for a backer is great, but trying to “help” by telling him/her which way to turn the wheel usually causes more confusion than it’s worth.

Please don’t take me wrong here. I’m into safety as much as the next driver. But my whole goal is to tell folks the truth about trucking. It’s true, there would be fewer acccidents if everyone actually did GOAL. The truth is also that few drivers do it and many times it’s just plain unnecessary. I mean really, the books teach you to always GOAL, but even a rookie doesn’t need to if he’s got a wide open dock or parking space with no trucks or other obstacles within shouting distance. Then again, with some of the backing jobs I’ve seen out here, maybe some people should always GOAL. At least if they’re anywhere near my truck.

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