Dont forget to use the J autothrottle key also.
Further - my personal experience is eratic. No one else on the board talks about it but if there are enemy fighters in the mission, the tanker acts eratic & tries to steer you into its fuselage.
Set up a mission in which no fighters are involved & see if you can dock then.
Keep in mind though, even if you successfully dock, you are still a loser for involving yourself in this.
[This message has been edited by chumley (edited 08-05-2002).]