I had planned on becoming a trainer here at Prime all along, and if you missed the posts in reply to U2exit's questions, here is a recap. I have been an instuctor for the US Army teaching leadership, vehicle recovery, and heavy construction equipment operation with a combined 6 years of instructor experience, resulting in attaining the Master Instructor level. It would just be natural to bring my abilities to this job as well.
The TnT Class is just less than one day, and requires simulator training as a part of it. The class was okay in the area of prepping you to select a student and try to set up the situation to get along. Establishing rules and being clear about the standards on the truck, as well as what is expected from the student were good things to learn. Where I feel it fell short was with the specific tasks that must be taught. They have, however, come up with a binder that has all of that information, which is not too bad. I would prefer more of a lesson plan with more detail about the task and how it is performed and graded, but crossing over to the civilian world I realize that things aren't quite the same. I got that out of the way and got on the road. The FM got me rolling after the class, and after my first load had me headed to FL, where I picked up my first student who needed 1600 miles to upgrade.
I picked up Fred (changed the name for privacy reasons) and we got a load from St. Pete to Denver. After a few questions as we went to drop off the previous load in Auborndale I got the feeling that this guy doesn't know everything needed to upgrade. When we got to the drop yard, he had no clue how to drop the trailer, or hook up to the empty. He didn't know how to do the drop trailer or pick up trailer reports, nor did he know how to manage his logs. Now before you start thinking he is an idiot, let me tell you that he is not. His driving skills were above expectations, although his shifting was rusty, his driving, entering and exiting the highway, and his city driving were all up to speed. I feel comfortable letting him drive. After some further questioning, I found out that his previous trainer had purposely kept from teaching him all of the tasks necessary to upgrade, and his purpose was to keep Fred on the truck at $600 a week for as long as possible (slave labor so to say) to make some more money. I know this because Fred has picked up what I am teaching him and retaining it, and executing these tasks without supervision later. As far as driving is concerned, and backing as well, he is trained and proficient for the most part, but truck management and QC management are tasks that were never taught to him. The trainer had never even taught him how to trip plan!!!!!
Now, I am not one to go for this slave labor thing that some do, and some of you might think I am crazy, but I just couldn't do it to him at $600 a week. It would be like taking advantage of the other trainers set up. I offered him to run through June at a % split (privacy here please) after expenses. I think that is fair, as he could walk into the Mill bldg and upgrade right now. I do not want this to happen, because Fred would become one of those guys that turn in their truck and tell bad stories on here.
As a progress report, I can say that he is now proficient at hooking and dropping trailers, as well as managing his logs. Fred is learning how to trip plan, and with each trip we take, he becomes more proficient at using the Atlas, calculating fuel and time requirements. I am happy to help Fred become a good driver, and can only hope that Fred leaves my truck he will make me proud and do great things.
Class starting 25 Oct 11
Discussion in 'Prime' started by silenteagle, Oct 24, 2011.
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