What's my Trainer going to expect of me?

AP: You're a step ahead of me, but I've been reading here for a while.

First of all, you sound like the amount of stuff will be okay, but for the basics, look here:
http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...-drivers/16652-packing-list-for-students.html

As far as your trainer, it will depend on him. Can't hurt to ask him upfront because, honestly, no one here can tell you how he'll be. I've read of terrible trainers and really good ones and most people don't mention the ones in between.

The one other bit of advice I can give is if you have a need and it's not being attended to, first ask nicely, then ask firmly... then post here. People here are good folk. If you're driving for who I think you're driving for, they helped out one of your fellow students just a few weeks ago.

Good luck to you... and I love your sig line.

 

For the first week or so you should be running on a solo schedule, which means you both sleep that the same time. After that you will be expected to run more as a team, so you will be sleeping while your trainer is driving and visa versa.

Have fun trying to sleep on some of these roads, they can get very bumpy (to the point of actually lifting you off or throwing you out of the bunk).

Mt trainer had most of the space already occupied, so my stuff stayed in my bags. I put them on the seat when I slept up top. He had a cooler but no other cooking stuff, so if you have an oven you both might find it useful.

Yes, you will be expected to learn trip planning, you will do most of the backing, you will help keep the truck clean, you will do pre-trips...
You are there to learn, so expect to do most of the work.

A dump within 20 minutes? May not happen unless you can find a place to pull over and do it in the dirt. Sometimes places to stop are few and far between (like several hours). But, I never had that happen to me. I made sure I ate well, and the truck stop food is generally very good. I never had a problem with the runs, or anything like that.

It is easy to over pack, especially if you go by some of the threads that tell you what to bring. I brought a lot of stuff that I never used. Make sure you have the basics - clothes for a week or so (you don't usually get to wash them more often than that), toiletries, etc. A clipboard, pen, flashlight, gloves. A good all-weather jacket is very important.
Make sure you have plenty of socks and underwear, since they get stinky faster than outerwear. A couple pair of jeans and a few shirts are fine, since you don't need to change them as often unless you are in really messy conditions.

Don't bring more than you can fit in those 2 bags. Space is really tight with 2 people, and your trainer will be taking most of it.

A few DVD's, books and music is good to have as well.

 

Remember, this is HIS truck. You have two eyes, two ears and one mouth. FOR A REASON.

As was mentioned, every trainer is different. It would be nice if you and your trainer could become "best buds," but don't expect it to happen. If it does, fine.

I don't know if you have any experience at all or not, but I can tell you that he does NOT want to hear: "well, this is how we used to do it." Another thing he won't want to hear is, "but in school, they said we should to it this way."

Good luck! With a bit of common sense and some diplomacy, you should be in for a good learning experience.

 

It would not be a bad idea to post who you will be going with,the name of the carrier,cause then people here can be watching your posts..,all the major carriers here are covered.,and the regulars here that post obviously are for the most part "satisfied." If you post which carrier,and they give you flak you don't want,so what?-Hell with em,-they do not sign your paychecks.. Best of Luck..

 

Good luck, most of the info your getting is good. All i can add is be open minded and safe. dont be afraid to ask questions and if you feel uncomfortable with any thing like downhill or ice etc, get with your trainer wake him up if needed. Also dont bring to much stuff,there is always the chance of break downs or changing trucks and you dont want to be somwhere with piles of stuff to tote around. keep posting

 

if you are "going to school next monday" you won't be meeting a trainer for awhile yet

 

Keep in mind he won't be sleeping while you are driving . He'll want to see how much you've absorbed in school. I wouldn't worry about taking crock pots or dvd's or anything else that would cut into your learning progress. I trained with Werner and my trainer and I are very close friends to this day,I know his wife and kids .I was extremely lucky and got a great education . We did dedicated Wal-Mart and Sam's Club in Minn,Wis,U.P. ND and SDak. in the winter. I spent my free time learning while he drove and made sure I got enough sleep. When he got comfortable with my driving is when he slept ,before that I did all the driving.Hopefully you'll get a good trainer thats not doing it just for the extra money.

 

A decent trainer will use the first couple days to evaluate your skills and see what your strengths and weaknesses are. He will possibly even ask you what you think your strengths and weaknesses are.

Since this is one of the worst trucking companies ever, he's probably had very good students and very bad students so he probably learned over time not to expect anything and just go with it.

 

as a trainer let me say this dont be afraid to ask questions and ask them when they come to you ask me now i can tell you what i know later we have to make sure its the same thing we both are talking about as someone else said be up front from the start listen and learn but above all BE SAFE