Just helped a Rookie

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by jammer910Z, Oct 21, 2019.

  1. jammer910Z

    jammer910Z Road Train Member

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    I'm doing an early morning loading and I'm sitting in the dock getting jostled by the forklift.
    Another truck comes in to load and had to hit a hole 2 spots down from me.
    We are the only ones here... There is a football field of room to turn around and do a drivers side back.
    NOPE.

    Pulls up and winches that thing sideways for 10min blindsiding it.. but eventually gets it twisted into position after GOAL about 10 times (Credit for that).
    Its a heavy load, so they like the tandems slid to the rear before loading.
    He pulls his pin, slides to rear, backs up... tandems move back to tuck.

    Over and over and over again.

    I get out and ask him if it's giving him problems, and "Can I help you?".

    He said "They wont lock down, and I have to move these to the rear".

    I hit the rail with my flashlight.
    Reached in and knocked the bar UP to allow the pins to release.
    They fell directly into the hole.

    He said, and I quote... "Is that all you have to do? THAT WORKS? "

    I said, "Yeah.. you're good to go".

    My goodness.
    He was appreciative and welcomed the help.
    What are they teaching these young'uns?

    Maybe I should stay to help him move them back to legal weight.
    He's gonna be screwed.
     
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  3. JoeTruck

    JoeTruck Heavy Load Member

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    They teach them to pass the road test, then put them in a truck to figure it out on their own. If they survive the first year that's good.
     
  4. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

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    Go and talk with him a little more, explain it to him if you have time.

    Good on you for helping.
     
  5. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

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    sad and so true.

    and the "push them thru the mentor time", i wonder how much is actually taught as well?

    we hear story after story of mentors wanting to run as a team, to earn the MENTOR the money.

    teaching or apprenticeship is lost, in the quest for the almighty dollar, and too as a result, one to many screw ups on the newbies part, get's him/her fired.....where does/did the blame ultimately fall on..???
     
  6. dosgatos

    dosgatos Medium Load Member

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    The new driver.

    The new driver is a consumer paying for training/advice/transfer of experience with up to one year of their priceless and irreplaceable life (the contract).

    The trucking company and trainer are selling services to the new hire.

    When I spend my money (earned by trading my experience and hours of my finite life) I expect product quality and service.

    When I started at a mega, I told the instructor at orientation I would not get on a truck with a young trainer with only 3 months experience doing it for the extra 4 cents.
    I wanted an old experienced driver who did it by the book. I only had four weeks to learn everything necessary to hit the road solo. I got what I asked for and learned what I needed.
    Sounds like the new driver is a poor consumer.
     
    Last edited: Oct 21, 2019
  7. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

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    exactly
     
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  8. Numb

    Numb Crusty Curmudgeon

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    no, not the driver. you don't know ,what you don't know.

    how does he know he is being taught properly if he has no idea of what is being taught?
     
  9. buddyd157

    buddyd157 Road Train Member

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    but sadly, IT IS the newbie that gets canned when he messes up a good percentage of the time.

    it is to be "expected" or "assumed" by the employer that he was taught, either in school or with his/her mentor.
     
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  10. dosgatos

    dosgatos Medium Load Member

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    I know how to ask questions and I'm not passive. Some people are doormats.
    I may not understand the product but I also know when the vendor/salesperson is equally ignorant.
    Personal responsibility.
     
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  11. dosgatos

    dosgatos Medium Load Member

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    Don't assume anything.
    Trust yet verify.
     
    Rideandrepair Thanks this.
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