Company asked if I might be interested in training, anyone done it?

Such eloquence to define it so accurately.
I teamed. Partner got sick. Took another company driver MS to LA/ Frisco. He drove out. We changed and he discovered he could not sleep in a moving truck, always solo before. I told him no problem, sit up, lie down read, dream. Somewhere between Monahan's and El Paso he learned how to sleep in a moving truck. Sometimes instruction has to be force fed. Some chores are not worth doing.

 

Here's a scenario for you:

During the initial "incab overview" you pointed out the 5th wheel release switch and had a 5 minute conversation about it. On the first uncouple, you have the trainee lower the landing gear and hang up the air lines. When the trainee goes for the 5th wheel handle you say:

[Trainer]: We'll do that from the cab, hop in the drivers seat. (both get into truck)
[Student]: Why aren't we releasing the 5th wheel?
[T]: We do it from in here, fire up the truck.
: Why are we turning on the truck?
[T]: Because to relea-
: Oh, we need to release pressure on the locking jaws (trainee release tractor brakes)
[T]: No, set the brakes
: (sees air gauges just below 100) Oh, we need to build air (shoves fuel pedal to the floor)
[T]: (clenches jaw) Set the br-
: I don't get what we're doing,
[T]: (clenches jaw further) (sets brakes) We're releasing the 5th wheel
: Why can't I just use my cheat sheets?
[T]: You can but this step isn't on the cheat sheets
: Why are you getting so huffy?!?!?
​

In this case the student wasn't listening, but the trainer wasn't doing a good job of controlling the situation. The better way to handle it would have been to calmly ask the trainee to slow down and listen to the full explanation before asking anymore questions. Or just stay silent until the trainee's stream of consciousness ends. By getting visibly frustrated the trainer increased the stress and anxiousness of the student and degraded the training environment.

Scenario 2:

Trainee was taught to hold the steering wheel at the bottom when backing, so when he moves the wheel counter-clockwise his hand moves to the 'right' while the steers move to the left. You're used to describing the position of the steers relative to center. How do you adjust your instruction?​

Scenario 3:

Trainee is approaching a round-a-bout to make a "right turn". The only other traffic is a pickup truck to the left that's between 200 and 400 yards from the round-a-bout. Just before entering the round-a-bout the trainee comes to a panic stop.
[T]: What are you seeing that I can't?
: There's a vehicle coming.
[T]: You mean the pickup truck?
: Yes
[T]: That was your right of way.
(pick up enters and clears roundabout)
: I've seen cars just shoot right through, you can't criticize me for being "too safe"

How would you explain that unnecessarily yielding your right of way can encourage traffic behind you to do something stupid to move around you?
​

Scenario 4:

It's the start of the second day. You and the trainee (late 50s, early 60s) head in at 0500 to shower with a plan to start pre-tripping at 0600. You are in the passanger seat at 0555 ready to rock and roll. Trainee gets to the truck at 0605 and stows his shower gear. You ask "Is there anything you need before we start?". Trainee says no and you do your start of day activies (checking messages, reviewing trip plan, doing the pretrip, etc). After he finishes the pretrip at 0645 you say "When you're ready, we'll pull out to the left and head to the truck stop exit". Trainee releases the brakes and pulls onto the highway. Within 1 mile trainee asks where the next rest area is. You tell him there isn't one for the next 50 miles and ask why. He says he needs a restroom - NOW. You direct him to take the next exit and turn around and go back to the truck stop you just left. He gets to the restroom just before having an accident. When he gets back to the truck he is upset. How do you handle it?​

Training can be very rewarding - both emotionally and financially. It can also be incredibly draining. My trainee this week worked hard and applied himself to learning. I ran 14 hour days in order to give him the time to learn his craft. Doing the same loads I would have been doing 10 hour days. I was happy to give him the time and effort. The first two days of this week were the same as the week before. This week's trainee handled them like a champ while the {redacted} the previous week was crying I was pushing him too hard. It was hard giving that {redacted} the same effort, but I did because that's my job.

I train because I like teaching, not because of the money. Training usually doesn't increase my earnings per hour, just total hours worked. Even if it did increase my pay per hour worked, it takes some internal fortitude to stand out in the rain for 45 minutes working on backing into a spot you could hit in 60 seconds. It takes even more 'internal fortitude' to stand up to other drivers, yard jockeys/dock workers (worse), and OPs (worsest) who are rushing you.

If you're a Pumpkin, PM me and I'll give more advice.

 

Why does most of that text have a line running through the middle?

 

I have no idea.

edit
turns out if you put [ ] with an S inside it creates a strike through. I have no idea how to fix it.

 

I wouldn't do it for an extra $2000 per week!

 

Fixed it for you. Top right the Tx is "remove formatting," just highlight all the text and click that button.

 

I'd think long and hard before becoming a trainer nowadays, and I've always trained people at every job I ever had.
If the person is of a different sexual orientation, ethnic background, gender or religious persuasion I'd probably refuse to train them. It's sad because I enjoy speaking with those with different views as myself. But just one false accusation and you'll lose your job.
I've unfortunately seen this happen several times. Why risk it?

 

Nope… It makes me cringe even thinking about doing something like that… I would rather become a “lot lizard” to make extra money!! Hahahahaa

 

But, if you have to ask your trainee how to do something, maybe becoming a trainer is not for you.