15 year-old CDL here , trainer treats me like a rookie

How long are you expecting to be with the trainer and how important/replaceable is the paycheck? The shortest "distance" to getting away from the trainer is usually to continue and get it over with instead of starting over with a new trainer or new company. Make sure to say clearly "there's no need to talk to me like i'm an idiot." Which is not the same as "OK" but with a ton of resentment and a bad attitude in your mind. Many of us are in trucking to avoid people and we don't develop the people skills that are necessary in other jobs. Do you think the trainer is actually trying to insult or belittle you or he's poor at communicating? There's always a difference in the order of which things need to be done and a some difference in how certain things are to be done. Is it possible to adapt how you do things to his way for the short period you have to be around him? I understand you know what you are doing. Some trainers are either so old they cannot change, or so new they have never had to change. It's pretty rare to change the trainer or the company. It is hard riding with a trainer, especially if you know what you are doing. Try to stick it out, for your sake.

 

I'm about to go through some training to get my CDL back after being off the road for 12 years. Hopefully I don't experience any of the macho attitude, and if I do I'm gonna have a lot of scars on my tongue.

 

I'm sure this isn't permanent. You'd have to state some examples on what exactly the issues are. If they are nitpicking or something that the trainer has concerns with. I would say the same thing that I tell the new people. As long as the trainer isn't doing anything dangerous or illegal, just bide your time and you can do things the way you want to.

 

I would just swallow my pride. I would grin & bear it because this is so temporary.

 

If the paycheck is that important than as stated above swallow pride and get through it.

 

Your "experience" means nothing to those, who is going to hire you. I've had "experienced" with 10+, 20+ years behind the wheel when I just started to drive looking for team, and boy oh boy...

What I've wanted to say is, if you need the job, DO the job.. learning, listening, repeating, following.. etc. If you need your "experience", don't please complain how "great" you are. I've seeing it all, and feels like there is something fishy.

 

Hey, at 15 years old, you should be glad you're in a truck at all,,,what ? OH, you had a CDL for 15 years,,,never mind. With 15 years, why are you with a trainer ? Is that what a "refresher course" involves? I'd tell them to cram it with walnuts.

 

Easily one of the best posts ever written on this subject.

Cue the music

“Take a mortal man, put him in control…”

So, the trainer talks to you in a condescending manner. That’s cool, let it slide… he has the advantage for now. Don’t speak. It’s just words.

“But Six, I am a card carrying Man and I don’t take kindly to…”

Words. Just words. The average woman will destroy the average guy with just words. Don’t be average.
The Oak does not shudder when struck by a Bamboo. As long as your trainer hasn’t told you that you will be his bewitch, stick with the plan.

Luck in battle.

 

You have to remember. Just because you've been out there that long. Doesn't mean you have all the right skills.

Not to drag things up. But trainers deal with all kinds. A person with 7 years and a million miles. Might not have been shown things. That they needed to know in the first year.

That said. A trainer should still be treating you like an adult. I'd suggest. When you are stopped for the night. Try and have a polite conversation. Voicing your concerns and seeing if you can come to an understanding. He may have been dealing with so many kids. Who come out. Thinking they know it all. That he doesn't even realize. That he's doing it.