Roadmaster/Tampa

Good afternoon everyone. New guy to the forums and "hopefully" a graduate of Tampa Roadmaster next Monday. Little background on me: Retired Deputy and getting into career #2. Found a FB post about hiring truckers, applied and was called in just a few days. NOW, let me explain what happened after that process. First and foremost,,, I AM NOT BASHING Roadmaster, just want to explain MY circumstances. Im no spring chicken, I KNOW how marketing and getting "butts in the seat" work.

1) There was just a tiny bit of deception on their part when I was first contacted by the recruiter. I was told practically immediately, and I quote: "Im doing your pre hire interview right now Wade." Was I excited? Darn right I was, but Im not stupid either. Anyhoo, go on with the questioning phase and this is where I should have kept mum on something. She asks "Are you on any medication?" I immediately put my "cop shoes" back on and said "Tina, you are violation HIPA violations, but I will answer it." She proceeds to tell be about rules and regulations..... Ok, I get that. Couple more questions then comes back to the medication I take. Asks me "What is the reason you take it?" At that point, I became more firm and flat out denied to answer that because, well, it's none of your #### business! She remained calm and we moved on with the process. Spent a week filling out this and that, sending it back. Started school two weeks ago.

2) Week 1 Friday you bobtail around the yard. They call it "bobble head Friday" and I completely understand why. LOL

3) Monday you start taking a trailer around the yard. (Just a quick note: Was warned about instructor... we will call her Olive Oil for now...and her "methods" of teaching.) Well, guess who my four guys draw for an instructor????? You guessed it. I'm first up. Still getting the hang of it and we take off. Will say, Im a quick study and consider myself a good driver. I KNOW what's hanging off the back of my truck and I KNOW I'm here to learn I tell myself.
Shift to 4th, to 5th, button up, 6th. Button down, get to 5 then to 4th. Start my turn and she says "you didn't go out far enough." I reply "ok, Im watching it" and she IMMEDIATELY BARKS BACK... "don't debate me." I replied nicely "Im not debating you." Well as I turn she says "watch, your tandems are going to hit the grass." I reply (and probably should have never said this) "wanna bet." Well, this pissed her off to no extent and when I approached the stop sign she says "two blades of grass you fail." Ok, I say to myself....I see how this is gonna go. Couple more laps around the yard and we are still LEARNING mind you. Well, she explains the ins and outs and after second lap says "you ready to go on the road?" I reply "heck yes, no better time than the present." Im fine, she still hits me on every turn..."you arent going out far enough." I mentally take a note,...when you want to turn,,go a foot or two more,,,,,and keep driving. Merge onto Hillsborough, exit to 301 South. Theres a quick merge there. Signal, check mirrors n traffic, but now theres a car in the median wanting to merge too. Being cautious (yet safe) I hold my lane a bit longer before the merge and she comes unglued! Merge, merge now! I reply firmly "There's a car in the median." She replies: Quit arguing with me and I immediately throw it right back at her, I'm not arguing with you! I can feel the tension at this point, KNOW her and I just aren't going to get along. Let me quickly explain, Im a grown man, was a deputy sheriff AND TRAINED NEW PEOPLE AS WELL. I AM NOT GOING TO HAVE SOME WOMAN BARKING AT ME WHILE I AM DRIVING.! Look, I respect the fact she was a trucker for 14 years, I get that. I KNOW she's better than I am, but "your" teaching methods are horrible. I am NOT just basing that on my 1hr experience with her. For the rest of the week I watch her from the back grabbing the shifter to help while barking at students. Barking at two students enough that they physically lock the hell up and can't recover or operate the truck. And she calls herself a trainer?????? Not in my book lady, not in my book at all!!!! Next morning I get the unlucky draw of her again, but say to myself "do your best, dont even respond to the wrinkly mean woman." No sooner do I start the pretrip she moves me with another instructor (thank God) and my road work was GREAT! He was calm, relaxed and when I screwed up, explained what I was doing wrong and helped. Same with the other three guys in the back. At lunch, my other three buddies that were with Olive Oil come up to me and say "you gotta hear this." Well, no sooner did I walk off with difft instructor, Olive Oil and the rest get in the truck and she says "I couln't take another day with him" meaning ME!!!! W T F how unprofessional can one be? Well, enough is enough, I go to administrator and ask for a sit down. We go over what I just typed and as a final "demand" I say "I DO NOT want to be in a truck with Olive Oil my remaining two weeks. They immediately granted it!

3) etread videos are slow, but you learn alot of great info

4) daily log book provided and students help each other with them. Easy to learn

5) All other instructors were very approachable, very knowledgeable and helped us out with anything you need help with.

6) They want you to get all 160 hours, but worked with me through a Dr appt I had and a day that I would miss due to family court.

7) So far so good. Just go in with a good attitude and willingness to learn. Just keep away from Olive Oil.

8) Tanya does NOT do your applications people. You are an adult, YOU fill them out, turn them into Roadmaster, THEN she turns them in and works with the difft. companies. Im tired of my fellow students say "she isn't doing crap for me." NO,,,,you be an adult and fill out some paperwork you fartknockers. Geeez.