New Driver entering training, curious about etiquette

@Moosetek13

 

A WHOLE month....on a trainer's truck?

CON-GRA-TU-LA-TIONS!!!!

I got only 4 1/2 days with my trainer on his truck (& no -- that was NOT with Swift).

-- L

 

If you are just getting into CDL school then it will be awhile before you are out with a mentor, presuming you pass the CDL school.

I am probably not the best person to ask what not to do, or what to do.
I just did what the mentor said and tried to diplomatically correct him when I thought he was wrong.
Which is to say, when he gave me the opposite directions when directing my movements because he sometimes got left and right mixed up.
I would shy away from politics and religion and anything that is said on social media. No need to offend, which is so easy these days.
That was 14 years ago, so...

Your best bet is to take some time during the CDL training to talk to people there in the terminal.

 

Keep in mind you know nothing about the job. It's your trainer's home and truck, not half yours & half his. He make all the decisions about schedules, routes, and if you are making progress. Just because your trainer does it, it's not necessarily company policy or federal regulation even if the trainer says it is. Look it up in company manual or federal regulation. The shortest path to a solo truck is through your trainer's recommendation. If he says we touch our nose before turning left, then touch your nose before turning left. You are responsible for everything when you are behind the wheel. You won't avoid a ticket or avoid getting fired by saying "but the trainer told me to do X." You aren't in the truck to feel comfortable, but to learn the 95% of the job you didn't learn in CDL school.

Bring as few things of yours into his truck and be prepared to sleep with everything you bring in your bunk. Never sleep on the top bunk while truck is moving. You could find yourself waking up in the road after a short voyage through the windshield. For the love of all don't touch your dang phone while you are in motion & in the driver seat. Getting a ticket for that is as bad as getting a DUI.

Pull the dang truck forward after you fuel the truck or expect to be beaten halfway to a coma. Fuel pumps are not parking spaces. Fuel pumps are for fueling only. Even if you see 9 other drivers parking at fuel pumps you should never do it.

 

CDL School:
In every group, there’s a room full of sheep, the village idiot, and the supertrucker in training. The sheep are timid, the idiot craves an audience, and the supertrucker knows everything about everything and will argue with the instructor and attempt to talk down to all the noobs. Do not be afraid. Do not give the idiot any attention. Do not get mixed up with the supertrucker and his gang of flunkies.

The Trainer’s Truck:
Lots of trainees have the biggest problem with the whole ordeal when they get into the trainers truck. You will have a contact in the office. If the trainer or the truck smell like arse, call your contact. Don’t get into a nasty truck.

Lots of times, trainees have this need to like everyone and want everyone to like them. So they start being nice, telling their entire biography. If the trainer is a button pusher prick, they just told the prick where and when to push buttons. Keep your business your business.

Luck in battle.

 

Best advice I've seen so far.

 

TripleSix is apparently the offspring of a Vulcan and a Klingon. The epitome of logic and reason combined with the heart and soul of a warrior.

 

A bad trainer is any trainer who can’t explain why he does something a certain way, but he does it because he was taught that way. Sure sign that your trainer graduated the Dumb and Dumber program. He doesn’t know, his trainer doesn’t know, that’s just what they were taught. If your trainer can do the job, you can learn from him. But understand, that trainer is meat in the seat, a steeringwheelholder at best. If you ask why and trainer can’t explain, ask here. The goal isn’t to just be a steeringwheelholder, but to actually be good at what you do.

If you get into the truck and the truck is messy as hell, trashed out, human waste and old food stuck everywhere, don’t get into that truck. You should be able to smell it. If the trainer smells like he only showers when it rains, don’t get into the truck.

Some trainers can read people pretty well. I already told you about how many students talk too much and keep your business your business. If you are a young person and the trainer tries to guess your age, that’s your business. Don’t be rude, but don’t respond…just nod thoughtfully. If the trainer says, “You look like you are 25,” respond with, “that’ll work.” If he asks, “Where are you from?” say, “Estados Unitos.” “Did you vote?” Probably. “Trump or Harris?” Classified. “Gay?” Happy. “Black?” That’s a primary color. “What did you do before you came to this company?” (Answer the question you wish he asked) Yes, I am hungry.