Trainer vs No Trainer

Well... A trainer would actually have you doing it and hopefully doing it correctly vs. mere book learning. There is a difference.

You didn't tell us what sort of trailer you were pulling until just now.

Point being; there are things that a trainer can teach you that you weren't taught in school.

Sounds like you went to a pretty decent school though.

 

We had two professional drivers as professors at the technical college I attended to get my CDL. They both ALWAYS said they weren't teaching us to be drivers...they were teaching us to PASS THE CDL TEST. That really is a big difference. I had over 2500 miles in the seat when I was finished with that school and got my license. That's when the learning to drive and be a driver actually started. I spent 5 weeks with a very good trainer and thanked my lucky stars for every mile and minute I spent with him. After a couple years I finally began to feel I was beginning to get the hang of it but I'm still surprised at how much I'm still learning. I can't think of a single driver I've ever talked to that thought it was a good idea to go out solo without having spent a decent amount of time with a trainer. That's ma storeee an ahm stickin toit!!

 

I would say trainer is better. Even if the school did teach you a lot it is always good to get more experience and help from someone that has been doing it longer then you. But then again there are a lot of trainers that shouldn't be trainers. But still its nice to have someone to show you the company ropes at the very least.

 

Right or wrong yes or no that is the million $ question if you've never ever done over the road driving and deliveries i'd say its essential to have a trainer however how long you get trained on the road is the question when i went out with a trainer itwas only for 8 days, then i was on my own and i took to it like a fish does to water but not everyones the same . Then again you can get some really crummy trainers too and they'll give you a bum rap just cause they don't like you or cause they claim you didn't follow there directions. What i thought was interesting though was i was with a company in Utah at the time i was looking at other transport companies not that i didn't like who i was with but i was thinking of moving to Kentucky so i thought i'd check up on a few other companies who opporated out of there anyways i call i recruiter up and they were raving on about how i'd have to go out with a trainer i said i'm already driving right now and doing pick ups and deliveries why do i need a trainer for, maybe i'd train the trainer huh? Oh she just goes its company policy i wonder how many drivers they've scared off with that attitude?

 

Allow me to use an analogy from my current career field.

Just because you went to a CCNA bootcamp and passed the test, doesn't mean you are fully ready to be a lead network administrator of an IP network. Passing that test means you meet the minimum industry qualifications.

Passing the CDL test is the same. It shows that you are qualified at a minimal level to operate a CMV on public highways.