Rookie needs advice...

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Barman, Sep 2, 2014.

  1. Barman

    Barman Bobtail Member

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    Nov 26, 2012
    Oklahoma
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    Hey guys, I've got a situation that I need some advice on.

    I got my CDL A in August. I started driving for a company on the 14th of August. I went out with my trainer the same day. Over the two weeks I was with him, I observed several unsafe situations with him driving or him telling me to conduct unsafe operations. I brought it to his attention and got the shoulder shrug. I took it to the company, and they pulled me from the truck for safety reasons. I was sent home while they look for a new trainer. It has now been since the 27th of August since I've drove. I talked to my company and they told me to expect to be back on the road soon . Thing is, this is the third time they've changed my date to return. I was supposed to leave Sunday, then today. Now they're saying not until Friday at the earliest since my new trainer is now delivering a load in Oregon. I live in Oklahoma.

    It seems to me that they don't have a real trainer for me and that I'll be sitting at home for a while. I need to get wheels turning again. Should I stick it out and wait for this new trainer to finally appear or should I move on? And if you think I should move on, how do I go about leaving my current company?

    If I leave my current company I'm wanting to move to flat bedding. Being from Oklahoma, I'm looking at Melton and maverick.

    Any advice or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
     
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  3. Balakov100

    Balakov100 Road Train Member

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    Temple, TX
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    omlahkma


    Where is that?
    Can't say I've ever heard of it.
     
  4. Barman

    Barman Bobtail Member

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    Nov 26, 2012
    Oklahoma
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    Typo...posted from my phone. It's been fixed. Should have read Oklahoma.
     
  5. jbourque

    jbourque Heavy Load Member

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    Oct 25, 2012
    south english iowa
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    next time try to be a little less frank when you talk to your company. dont forget you are the new guy not your trainer, poo runs down hill. hope you get to work soon
     
    Chinatown Thanks this.
  6. CrappieJunkie

    CrappieJunkie Wishin' I was fishin'

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    I'd wait but while waiting id see what's available
     
  7. sazook

    sazook Road Train Member

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    Springfield, MO
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    They started looking for a new trainer for you coming into a holiday weekend. A lot of guys would have been home and just heading back out today. I wouldn't worry too much if i were you. Not yet at least.
     
    Barman and BrenYoda883 Thank this.
  8. Powder Joints

    Powder Joints Subjective Prognosticator

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    What was the trainer doing you thought was so unsafe. When a trainee starts out whining, well its just not going to go good after that, more than likely.

    I'm not saying you were not right, you may have been. But without hearing the whole story its hard to side one way or the other.
     
    Tonythetruckerdude Thanks this.
  9. Barman

    Barman Bobtail Member

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    Nov 26, 2012
    Oklahoma
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    I don't want to get into too much detail. But when the dispatcher and safety pulled me from the truck, I figured it wasn't just me thinking it was unsafe. My trainer moved the vehicle with me in the top bunk, no harness, after we arrived at the shipper. Wouldn't have complained, but he moved more than just around the yard. He moved us down the interstate to a truck stop. I woke up sliding out of bed when he was getting off the interstate. He made 2 u-turns on divided highways, and tried to get me to make one. Texting while driving. Posting statuses on Facebook while driving. Driving on my logs after being told to switch active driver on Qualcomm. Telling me to ignore cars in my mirrors and go ahead and change lanes with cars next to me. This is just a short portion of what happened.

    i don't want to sound like I'm whining. Or that I don't understand that at times you have to do things that others see as unsafe. But I saw these, as well as safety and my dispatcher, as unacceptable.
     
  10. Tonythetruckerdude

    Tonythetruckerdude Crusty Deer Slayer

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    This is my question also....not trying to get into your business , but it would really help to know what the safety issue/s were. Also , how experienced is the person training you...less than a year / more than 5 years / over 20 years etc.... But if you do decide to make a move , I would give them at least a 2 week notice of your plans . leave with an explanation of why you're leaving. If the issues are real ( not saying they aren't by any means) then no one can expect you to learn the safe / correct / and professional way to drive u8ndxer those conditions....IMHO....safety trumps everything.....PERIOD.
     
  11. Tonythetruckerdude

    Tonythetruckerdude Crusty Deer Slayer

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    Good info there....I agree that all of those things are pretty bad , except maybe the U-turns....are they advisable...nope....but sometimes they are actually the safest option you have ( in some cases)....that's another topic though. The rest of those thing would have caused a really big problem with most folks...especially the texting / fb crap. Driving on your logs is illegal , and he's asking for trouble changing lanes that way.....if they can't hook you up with a trainer that wants to train....then you're much better off seeking other employment....even if its not trucking , its better than dying , or causing and innocents death.....just my opinion though....Good Luck!
     
    dennisroc and Barman Thank this.
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