Switching instructors

your previous time shouldn't reset. just ask for another trainer and explain that he is not patient enough for you. 10 days is not a long time to be out with someone though so make sure your not just nervous and anxious. its easy to do when starting out.

 

You cant get out and open the hood while sitting in a dock/truck stop? Practice on your own.

Have him show you once or highlight the things you are not sure about identifying and ask him to clarify them... The take it upon yourself to
study it yourself.

How long did you wait for an instructor? I waited over a week and did probably 5 pre trips a day out on the pad... That's FIVE demonstrations done myself i a rotation to the groups we were divided into, and then watched as each person did their turn 5 time rotated.

I got my instructor, he told me he would show me once... Then it was up to me to practice. He wasnt going to force me to practice, but told me he would kick my butt if i failed that portion of the test.

 

If you don't take some initiative and be proactive about your own training, how can you expect your trainer to see you as more than a warm body? Open that hood and start getting to know that motor. If you are at a truck stop and your trainer will not tell you what's what, ask around a little. Don't be afraid to say you're trying to learn. I will guarantee you that within three trucks, you will find someone willing to help. If nothing else, this might shame your trainer into actually teaching you something.

While you don't have to be a mechanic, you should know what's going on with that motor under normal conditions so you will know when something isn't right with it. It's easier and cheaper to fix the problem when it's small than to wait until the engine blows. You should know where the various fluids go, how to change lights and how to change wipers. At the absolute very least.

 

I'm not trying to sound critical of you. Have a frank discussion with your trainer. Tell him exactly what you said here.

Ask him to show you once... In detail. And then practice on your own. Get up an hour early, or sitting in a dock... Etc.

If he won't even show you one time (if you ask outright) then he sucks.

As for backing, it's the instructors prerogative. A lot of them wait until you get back to the practice pad before test out to teach this. It can be frustrating in the real world when business and other drivers are waiting on you to get out of their way. I've watched a trainee meltdown a simple park because two other trucks were patiently waiting to exit the truck stop while he was setting up and trying to back into a spot.

Some guys swear by waiting to teach it on the pad under practice test conditions... Have you pass the test, then teach the finer points under real world conditions during the training phase.

 

Open up the Prime fuel book... There is a whole lot of mechanical info in the back. You just have to sift thru it.