A CDL is not a passport to a job.

Well, I suppose there is something to be said for passing on what you have learned before you've had time to forget it! But, I really don't think it's too fair on either the "trainer" or the trainee. I'm learning something that I never realized before; that one major lashup finishes your career. Now I understand why GasHauler said "Protect your CDL".

On the other hand (and this is probably about par for the time regardless of the country) I paid a guy about $3000 to teach me how to drive a truck. He taught me how to pass a test that gave me the equivalent of a nice, new CDL (as someone else has said, the minimum requirement to do the job) and then his job was over. It was then up to me to drag myself from raw recruit to professional driver in whichever way I could. In those days not only did I not know the answers, I didn't even know the questions to ask in order to get the right answers. Drivers then, I seem to remember, were a bit more callous than we are now. They were, in the UK at least, the first ones that had had to pass a proficiency test to get their CDL, and they were quite proud of their status and equally eager to rub a greenhorn's face in his own mediocrity. (The generation before them had no need. Getting a licence was as simple as walking into a post office and requesting one.)

In any case, that is all ancient history. Now I'm 25 years in, and I have no intention of ever leaving anyone in the cold. If a newbie wants advice, I'll give it, or if I don't know the answer, will do my best to find out. And if a newbie DOESN'T want advice, I'll still give it, in the hope that I can drill something into his skull before he damages himself or someone else. As has been discussed on other threads, the professional's obligations extend far beyond his own job.

This thread seems to have taken on a life of it's own, and I'm glad I started it. I have learned from it myself, and I hope that some of it's original intended audience have had a chance to look at their attitudes and think about their goals and ambitions. We may be more difficult to herd than angry cats, but wherever we work and wherever we come from, we have common cause, and that makes us a part of something great, the worldwide community of truckers.

 

TREE.

Nope. In 25 years you will not know it all. Unless you learn faster than me, of course. I think the guy is right, btw. Pull out that CDL, look at it and be proud of the fact that you are a professional. Then put it somewhere you can see it while you are driving and remember your obligation to your professionalism with every wheel you turn.

 

Staying alive is arrogant? Wow!!! Thanks, anyway. Reminds me of Top Gun. Arrogant? I like that in a pilot.

 

Whatever. Knock yourself out, and welcome to my ignore list.