Need Advice On How To Handle A Bad Trainer

Welcome to the world of CR England training. If you go into it thinking that you are going to get 'training' you will end up being disappointed, and feeling miserable. Go into it thinking that your husband's job is to run lots of hours, and gain a little experience while he has a more experienced driver at his side to whom he can ask questions. It is an indoctrination into the world of trucking. Probably not what you wanted to hear, but it is what it is. I have heard much much worse stories about CR England trainers than your husbands.

You husband could report you 'trainer' to the TC, but I would not do this, for a couple reasons. He has already done 2 weeks, and he only has 2 weeks to go. Secondly, there is absolutely no guarantee that he will receive a better trainer than the one he has now. There are plenty of worse trainers at England. 3 ) There is always an excess of students waiting to receive trainers. If he does get a new trainer it is likely to add an extra week (at least) to his graduation team.

If you do go this route make sure he keeps it professional. His gripe should be with the fact that he is not receiving proper training. Leave all gripes about hygiene, personality conflicts, or anything else that the trainer is doing illegal out of it. Basically try not to be a snitch. (if that makes sense)

As for not completing the evaluation forms, My trainer filled out the form at 2 am as I was being dropped at SLC. It is not right, but it does seem to be the way things work. Just try and grin and bear it for another two weeks. Don't get upset.

-Good luck. There are lots of others in similar situations.

 

When I finished my training with Werner I had to fill out an evaluation of my trainer.I would state everything his trainer is doing wrong and illegal.Some may cll it snitching I say it could help get the problem fixed.There are enough idiots trying to screw up the system w/out more idiot trainers teaching bad habits if they are training at all.A big majority are trainers to get more miles.As long as that is the norm things are never going to change.
After I finished my training w/CTL I had a phnoe interview w/safety and had to answer random questions on pre-trip and pump procedures before I could get a release.Also was asked questions about my trainer.

 

Honestly I don't buy into all the negativity surrounding C R England. One thing I did before Robert made this decision was do a lot of research including on this particular forum. I noticed that there was a lot of whining regarding this company so I started looking at the people who where making the posts and the majority of the time these people only comment when they have something negative to say. I also noticed a lot of people complaining about C R England then admit they never worked for them but that this what they had heard.

For example you say there is an excess of students waiting to get a trainer yet everyone that was in Roberts class were on the road with a trainer within three days. Not the weeks that I have seen several people claim they have waited in other threads.

As far as the beginning of what you said Robert has maintained contact with some of the people in his class and I know for a fact it isn't par for the course what he is experiencing now. Some trainers do train and do an excellent job of it.

I'm not trying to be argumentative so sorry if it comes off that way.

 

How much longer is he going to have to spend with this guy? Can he stick it out for a little while longer? Maybe remind him that once this is all done, he's never ever going to have to deal with this guy again, so just try and look past it.
If not (which is totally understandable) I think he should try and contact someone at CR England in the training department to talk about what can be done. Or maybe he should tell his trainer that this isn't what he thought it would be and he would like to go home, or back to a CRE terminal or something. Then try to get lined up with another trainer.
If worse comes to worse, there are other companies out there that would hire him.

 

He has two more weeks with the guy. That is why we were having this discussion on the phone today. I told him that on the bright side unlike the military two weeks is a cake walk. Anyone who has ever had a bad NCO in the military knows they can make life hell and sometimes you have years with them as compared to two weeks with some trainer. The thing that brought it all to a head is the other night the trainer saw a picture of me and made some lewd comments. Robert has been fuming since then. He can take a lot of crap but gets protective when it comes to me. Seems like the guy is just trying to push buttons.

 

Whatever he does he's got to back it up. You know this idiot will say whatever he can to make it sound he was the best trainer Robert was ever going to get. Have him take photos and keep records. Once he gets enough evidence to support his claims if he chooses he should go politely into the office and ask for another trainer. It's really a shame that anyone has to go through an experience like the one you describe.

I've been saying all along for some time now that driver training is an area that needs improving. A driver goes to school to get his or her CDL and then should go on to a company to learn the business. But you have the big companies that take advantage of the situation and cut cost by letting inexperience drivers train because they want the penny's it pays.

My idea is to have another endorsement on the CDL and regulate the programs at the companies by the DOT. At my company a driver trainer is one of the best driver at the terminal. He or she has many years with no accidents or incidents. The company pays them more, like an $1.00 an hour, and treats them and their families to a yearly retreat all expenses paid. All the drivers look to the driver trainer as an instructor no matter how many years the other driver has. We have some drivers with 30 years or more that do not want the job but still respect it. I wish that all drivers could experience a good working program and I'd bet a lot of problems would go away.

 

No need to turn this into a big deal, just have him call whomever oversees the trainers and request a new one immediately and do it without emotion or accusations. Yeah it sucks but getting his own truck (to lease I assume) is key not pictures, evidence, accusations. After he gets away and is own his own then he contacts whomever in a professional manner regarding his experience with super trainer. Eye on the prize.

 

having talked to a bunch of CRE drivers over the years your fiance is going to have a bumpy ride..If he's going to lease the truck..do not bank on his income for a long while..

Petey

 

That guy should not be a trainer, I wouldn't blame your fiance at all for requesting a new trainer, and if CRE tries to play it off like its no big deal, he should deal with it for two more weeks, than thats not a company I would want to work for. I understand you have to deal with #### sometimes but their comes a point when its just rude and unprofessional.

 

I am glad your husband got a trainer in a timely manner. I hope he continues to be lucky. Not everyones experience will be the same. I can only tell you what my experience was like. I have spent about 2 weeks of my life waiting for CRE trainers. As for people in Robert's class having better trainers then your husband, that is great. I hope your husband's class continues to get the best of the best and everyone is still with the company 90 days from now.

As for me, I know there are much worse trainers out there. Much Much worse. Actually my trainer was probably not much worse that your husband's, but I have heard some stories about people who have come back from phase 1 training that make me want to cry.

-Good luck.