How much time can one expect to spend with a trainer?

Basically it really depends on your ability to drive the truck and get to where your going safely..
So it could be a week or it could be 4, all depends on you..

When I trained with Schneider I was out with a trainer for 1 week..

Yes they have double bunks..

 

If the trainer is riding "shotgun" you each have a bunk. If they run you like a team, you will take turns on the bottom bunk. Bring a sleeping bag. They will turn you loose to drive on your own when the trainer feels like you are ready whether it be weeks or hours.

 

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY: YOURS IS ON THE TOP ROOKIE!!!

bottom bunk has a little more room...

 

Each individual company will have a set of guidelines.

Some as low as a week. Some as long as 6 weeks. Some even use mileage to calculate your training period. You should expect at least 100 "driving" hours with a trainer, depending on the overall training methods used.

There are no set guidelines to determine the length of training required, yet.

 

The biggest difficulty in being a trainee is having to maneuverer around the personality of your trainer -

When I trained for dick simon I would cruise the inbound class of rookies and talk to them all - if no one meshed - then I did not take a student. If I found one that had common interest - and could communicate well - then I took them.

This not only ensured my sanity - but created a friendly environment for the student.

all to often you hear the horror stories of how billy bob the rookie from Alabama is crammed into the truck of ahkmed the militant muslim and they wind up wanting to kill one another in about 2 days...


do yourself a favor and try and hang out with the trainers for a day prior to committing.

If someone is serious about training - they will understand.

if they just want to get rolling then they probably are motivated more by the increased mileage they will get paid for. (i.e. you are a cash cow to them).

 

Also when it comes to a trainer Make sure you get the training you need.

A few years back I ran into the girl with Covenant and she was trying to back into a dock After painfully watching this I went over to her and stood on the running board and directed her into the spot. She was on her first solo trip and her trainer never let her back. ( trainer had no patience for the job)

And then again I have seen some people that always complain about their "Trainers" notice the "s" Those are the ones that need to go back to Mcdonalds

 

well those are the ones that always blame others for their own crappy lives - I tend to not use the McDonald's analogy since my wife has worked for them since she was 17...

she has made a career there - and has 2 stores under her wing.

(and she makes more than a lot of truckers I know ! )

 

Trainers will give a recommendation to the safety department when it is time to "test out." What this means is the trainer has decided you have the necessary skills to be upgraded to a first seat driver and start making more money for yourself.

Of course if the trainee fails the upgrade test then he will be re-assigned to a "finishing trainer" for an additional period of time.

As has been said already each company will have different guidelines in place when it comes to upgrading a trainee.

Normally fresh from school trainees can expect 4 to 6 weeks of otr training before being tested for upgrade.

 

Got me to thinking........

Using SNI as an example ....... I think they pay $300-$400 a week during "training".......... even if the new driver is good...... what would their motivation be to upgrade a student, since the trainee would now be eligible to recieve more money?.........

I know I have read several stories about the students/trainees basically running as a team with the trainer for the 4-6 weeks (trainer asleep, not training) ........

any thoughts?