Mentor/Trainer shortage?

Discussion in 'Swift' started by CuriousG, Sep 23, 2014.

  1. ryan5464

    ryan5464 Light Load Member

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    Dec 9, 2013
    Conway, AR
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    My way of thinking is, if the money was right, then it would be worth taking the extra time to teach someone. If the money isn't, then I might as well just drive alone
     
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  3. Luse

    Luse Medium Load Member

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    Middle of nowhere Montana
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    Only reason I did not mentor with Swift, I did not believe in the way they do it. The mentor should never drive. All he/she should be doing is watching and advising the student. Nothing more nothing less should be no teaming, but hey that's just my stinky opinion.
     
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  4. Lepton1

    Lepton1 Road Train Member

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    I do think there are crossover skills from offroading. General driving skills apply. I also bring into play skills I learned sailing, skiing, climbing, and other sports in terms of hand-eye coordination, reading a line, relaxation for control, fear management, etc.

    Come to driving a big rig with respect and you'll do well.

    I'm not sure how CRST's trainer gig works.

    The money for the trainee's first 50 hours behind the wheel is about the same as if you are solo, as you need to be in the passenger seat during that time. Sometimes you will need to "super solo" in order to deliver a load on time, where you will drive a few hours to get the trainee within range of making delivery and then log On Duty while the student drives on his or her hours.

    After their first 50 hours behind the wheel, at your discretion, they can qualify to run as a team for the balance of their required 200 hours behind the wheel. During that time you are paid for all miles, so your income can double.

    When I first learned to drive in 1977 my brother taught me. I had no schooling, just got my permit and jumped in his truck and was driving from day one. He stayed in the passenger seat whenever I drove for the first couple of weeks. Then I tested at a company terminal (Smythe Van Line) and he started to spend more and more time in the sleeper berth as he became comfortable with my driving.

    While I can certainly see the argument for a trainer to never be in the sleeper berth, I can also see the argument for using the team phase of training as a weaning period. Even though I may be in the sleeper berth, I'm usually not sleeping much during the first week or so of team driving. I'm basically on call whenever the student needs help. I may feign a need for a cigarette break, knowing a difficult section is coming up. I'll set an alarm clock or have the student alert me when we are approaching Parley's Pass or coming in to the New York area.

    I'll be a jack-in-the-box during the first couple of weeks of team driving. Toward the last of it I'm backing off from being proactively engaging with them, letting them get their wings. There's nothing sweeter than laying the sleeper, knowing the trainee is needing to downshift from upper range to low range on a steep grade, then he nails it and he says, "Yes!" Moments like that are what it's all about. I didn't have to be up there actively coaching him, he's got the fundamentals and now it's a matter of repetition.

    Another matter regarding team driving during training is just to familiarize a trainee with the concept of how to function in a team. How do you manage your hours with one another? When and where can you shower during a long haul? How do you organize the cab for efficient changeovers? Is there pressure to drive when you are tired or can you stop the truck to rest (YES!)? How do you handle pre trip and post trip inspections while teaming?

    Experience with teaming I think is a good thing for the student. It's also the phase to slowly "let go" and let them swim. Toward the end they are doing much of it on their own and I'm simply giving them a critique after the fact.
     
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  5. Eckoh

    Eckoh Medium Load Member

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    Aug 26, 2014
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    #### i want a trainer like you
     
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  6. Rex012

    Rex012 Light Load Member

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    Apr 12, 2014
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    I'm thinking of mentoring.... being home every night sucks lol
     
  7. LadyTrucker99

    LadyTrucker99 Heavy Load Member

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    Lexington, NC
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    I think quite a few mentors and owner op mentors have quit...that is part of the shortage...
     
  8. drivernick141

    drivernick141 Bobtail Member

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    Sep 21, 2014
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    Yes, trainer gets all the miles the truck moves. Look for about 4500 miles a week team. Or come work with me and make bank.
     
  9. blsqueak

    blsqueak Road Train Member

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    I am sorry to say this again, but it seems that you care about the money, not about the training. If I was a student, I would hope that I would not get you as a mentor. Sorry, but after over 20 years in the business, I have seen it all, and the only good mentors, they care about the teaching, not the money.
     
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  10. blsqueak

    blsqueak Road Train Member

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    buckeye lake, oh
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    Lady, yes we have. I am still here, but will not train anymore. L/O and the cut in pay and the wear on my truck.
     
  11. Lepton1

    Lepton1 Road Train Member

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    Yukon, OK
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    I think it's alright mentoring in a company truck, as I'm doing. However, if I was an O/O I wouldn't want to have the transmission thrashed. No matter how talented the trainee, there will be a learning curve with shifting. The truck is getting the "benefit" of grinding on a daily basis.
     
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