The truth about training at KLLM...

Discussion in 'KLLM' started by RoadToad69, Sep 3, 2012.

  1. RoadToad69

    RoadToad69 Mistress of Mayhem

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    Sep 20, 2007
    BFE, TX
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    I decided that since I am on a tell-all mission on another thread here, that I might as well jump all the way in.

    So, in this post I will outline the truths about the KLLM training program...or, rather, the way it is constructed....so that anyone entering training with KLLM goes in with their eyes wide open.

    Prior to the inception and acceleration to the lease-purchase program at KLLM, L/P operators were not allowed to be trainers. Today, it is my understanding that the majority of the trainers at KLLM are L/P operators. So let's look at how this change came about.

    When L/P operators first petitioned to become trainers, there were several issues to be addressed - insurance for one, pay for another. To keep this simple and not turn it into a novel...when L/P's were first allowed to train, it was decided by a meeting between the company and a very small representative group of L/P's that L/P's would pay....yes PAY....the company $198/wk for the privilege of having a trainee on their truck and being allowed to be trainers.

    I was asked several times if I would become a trainer. I turned it down every time. Let me tell you why:

    When you start getting into the trainer's pocket like that, you set up a very dangerous situation. You set up a situation where the pressure to the trainer is to throw a trainee behind the wheel and push them too fast. They are costing you money and the only way you have of making the financials come out in your favor is to get them running as many miles as quickly as possible....regardless of whether they are ready or not.

    IF you are training CORRECTLY....for the first 2-4 weeks, depending on the trainee...how quickly they learn, their inherent skill level (as opposed to the acquired skill level), etc.....you will not be getting many, if ANY, extra miles because, as a trainer, you will need to be in the passenger seat supervising, guiding, giving feedback. This means that for the first 2-4 weeks, each week, you are going a minimum of $198 in the hole.
    Now...it IS possible, theoretically speaking, to make that loss up and come out ahead in the last 2-4 weeks the trainee is on the truck. The trainee receives a flat training rate of $400/wk during this training period. They are not paid per mile. The trainer, however, IS paid per mile. So, IF freight is decent and you stay running...you can THEORETICALLY make up that initial loss. However...as we all know....freight has been slow for some time now. Then you are looking at the world of reefers which includes a majority of live load and unload...which eats your time. The reality is...theory doesn't work in that world. Add to that mix the fact that the human animal is both lazy and greedy by nature and.....bingo....you have a recipe for disaster.

    What you have, in reality, is a program where far too many of these trainers throw the trainees behind the wheel and run the h### out of them from Day 1. Why settle for a loss for 2-4 weeks when you can run the dog out of them from the get-go and make a profit or at least break even from Day 1? Seriously? Which one do YOU think is going to happen?

    Think about this as well: DOT Hours of Service regulations say that when you are in the passenger seat, you MUST log that time as "On Duty - Not Driving" and that it counts against the 70 hour rule. So, either you have trainers who are not up in that seat supervising, guiding and TRAINING these trainees....
    OR
    You have trainers who are falsifying their logs so that they are staying up in the jump seat training and then still driving a full shift.

    I said from the beginning that I considered the setup of this training program dangerous and I maintain that position today.

    So, trainees, if you are thrown behind the wheel and provided very little training.....
    Are provided training but subjected to a sleep deprived trainer who is hostile, grumpy, verbally abusive and short tempered....
    Have a trainer who reports to the training supervisor that you need additional weeks of training in order to keep you on the truck....

    Now you have a pretty good idea why.

    And, by the way....I don't care what your trainer tells you to do.....logging by miles driven rather than by actual driving time is ILLEGAL. And if you do it, get in an accident, and DOT downloads the computer on the truck during the investigation....THEY WILL FIND OUT AND FRY YOUR ### UP LIKE A CATFISH ON SUNDAY.

    RT
     
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  3. WMGUY

    WMGUY Road Train Member

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    this is how most training companies work, swift charges .05 a mile for the lp to train, and then that trainer buys a new pickup or big house that he will never see and make the trainees run hard and dangerous to pay for crap that idiot trainer bought, and the trainee suffers for it..

    not all are like this but most are
     
  4. Cranky Yankee

    Cranky Yankee Cranky old ######

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    Jan 31, 2012
    Green Bay Wi
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    transam doesnt charge the lease operators
    but seeing i had to back 2 trucks in for newbies last week they dont train them either
     
    DrtyDiesel and Jarhed1964 Thank this.
  5. llarryb

    llarryb Bobtail Member

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    Jul 23, 2012
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    Well, great, just when I was moving towards a decision to head for Jackson MS.....Guess I'd better re-think on my my first trucking venture..
     
  6. littleluggerslady

    littleluggerslady Bobtail Member

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    If ONLY we had a thread like this 11 weeks ago!!!!
     
  7. 123456

    123456 Road Train Member

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    we did,

    sorry you missed it...
     
  8. littleluggerslady

    littleluggerslady Bobtail Member

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    Sep 3, 2012
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    LOL!! Well he##. Shows how well I do MY research!!


    ETA: I just clicked on the link and it didn't lead anywhere?????
     
  9. LP 1

    LP 1 Bobtail Member

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    May 3, 2011
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    :biggrin_2553::biggrin_2553:
     
  10. hairball77

    hairball77 Bobtail Member

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    I trained at KLLM with an L/P driver last year.He was a great trainer and we had a good time.I told him that I only got 4 hours of road time at school.The first week we had trips with enough time on them that I did all the driving in the daytime with him in the passenger seat answering all my questions and making sure I was being safe.We ran as a team after he was confident I was being safe.After 3 more weeks,I did all of the night-driving for a week.I also did most of the city-driving and backing whenever my log allowed it.I failed my first upgrade because of nervousness and Willy talking the whole time.I went out for another 2 weeks,passed my upgrade,and here I am.Did I learn everything?No,but I was taught how to be safe,how to back,and how to manage my logbook.I know I got lucky with getting a great trainer who trains as a way to give back to trucking.I still talk to him a couple times a week.I've heard bad stories about trainers from every company.
     
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