Abilene Motor Express....A New Place To Call Home

You may encounter a trainer that "encourages" you to drive in a manner you are not comfortable with.

If that happens just remember its your license on the line not his so just ignore him. He will get over it.

 

Just tell them that. At least you know that there are trainers that may want to do that and you can prepare yourself accordingly.

I didn't know beforehand and would have done some things differently had I known.

 

Speaking of which... I was on the Gatorade circuit for a bit here recently and noticed that they are no longer sending the "do not take refers to Gatorade" messages when you are sent to Blue Ridge...

Someone has been reading our thread... LOL

 

In mine too... They could have easily said we tried but sorry... And I would either be screwed and really complaining or wishing I had gone with another company...

That's part of the 38 CPM no one can see.

 

First, if you are sleepy to the point of being unsafe, communicate that to the trainer... Part of the training is building up the stamina that you need to drive long hours under different conditions and yes, sometimes tired too... and know when you need to stop for safety reasons... No one will make you drive in unsafe conditions... Remember, the trainer is in that truck too and I am sure he would prefer to arrive safely too.

Second, if tired enough you are, sleep you will.

 

The thing that really concerns me is the lack of communication from Abilene about this. What is their official policy? No one can tell me. Leaving it up to individual trainers to determine specific company policy seems vague, careless, unprofessional, and dangerous to me. Maybe I am just being naive. But in my opinion any company that allows rookies to team drive right off the bat is just being reckless and greedy. I mean, can anyone tell me what the benefit of team driving during training is to the trainee who signed up to be a solo driver? Especially right out of the gate? And especially without giving them a heads up about it? From my perspective, team driving increases the bottom line of the company and the trainer, but does nothing for the trainee. Anyway, I think it's best that I pursue other opportunities. Thank you to everyone who has provided so much information. Take care.

 

No one is saying we drive in unsafe conditions.... One learns the difference between being a bit tired, which caffeine helps, and driving in an unsafe sleep deprived state, for which the ONLY fix is sleep. I've pulled over for a cup of coffee to "get me through" to the drop and I have pulled over to just take a nap because I knew caffeine wasn't the right answer. During training you learn the difference and how to read your own body and what it's telling you what you need.

Personally, I know when I am tired and how to power through if needed... But, and more importantly, I know when to pull my butt off the road and just sleep.

When it comes to safety the company doesn't compromise. But one can't "be tired" every day either... Cause you won't be making any money.

As to training in a team setting.... That varies from trainer and trainee... I didn't team until later in my training program...

90% of the job is driving straight forward.... One doesn't need a trainer in the passenger seat for that and they are just three feet behind you if you do need help.

Actually, with a couple of my trainers, I actually preferred it when they were in back and sleeping.... LOL