Hello Prime drivers, and future drivers

how long you have to a driver at Prime to become a trainer

 

See above. 90 days after going A-seat, solo qualified with no accidents.

It's one thing for someone with some real experience, but a brand new driver? IMO, nothin' like someone who has been truckin' for exactly 3 total months total trying to tell someone else "how it is."

 

Dumbest thing in the world I have ever heard. Trainer after 90 days.

I'd have no fault with that if it was a driver, new to Prime, with over a year of experience. Preferably more.

90 days after training and going solo... That's the blind leading the blind. Could be worse, it's either Stevens or CRST that throws two trainees together as a team. I've heard other drivers call it Dumb and Dumber.

 

I know every driver wants to make more money, but I'm not sure how comfie I would be with a 90-day driver to "teach" me the Way of Truck Driving....

 

After being here at the HQ for almost 2 weeks I have been able to comfortably evaluate a few things. As far as trainers go, too many are in it for the wrong reasons: IE MONEY ! ! ! if you want to be a trainer, you had better have a more noble reason, such as teaching and mentoring a new trucker. This might take a minute to explain...

Truckers who do it for the money will only commit to team driving, leaving the teaching and mentoring to be done only by their example. How many truckers do you think really set a great example for newbies to follow? Is this the way you think a newbie will become a good driver that you will be able to trust on the road when your $million load gets close to theirs on a downhill? There is alot more to it than driving, and in the end the trainee will more likely resent the trainer more than look up to them... The 10% though....

Truckers who come to train newbies with a more noble reason will take it more personally. They will ensure that the trainee has the tools and mentoring to go solo and make them proud. These trainers care about their "product" IE The trainee and will put effort into teaching them what they need to know to become productive and trustworthy drivers out there.

This is a basic principle that I have learned from 20 years of military leadership experience as well as 6 years as a trainer/instructor in a few different environments. I am talking to my fellow newbies and hopefully helping them make good selections when it comes to instructors and trainers. They are also helping me transition into civilian work culture

 

First thanks for your service, bro!

I ran across some jerk a couple of years ago that was back at SPRIMO for the TNT class - becoming a trainer. Holy Cow!! This clown was still playin' the harda%% NCO gig... reminded me of the nonsense that DIs pull in basic. Bet he was plannin' the "beatin' on a trash can with a club" version of the ol' alarm clock at truckin' reveille! LOL!

 

2 1/2 years of being a DA civilian instructor has helped smooth those edges. I also retrained myself the last year I was in. Definitely no DS stuff here, as I am a mellow "Old" man of 43. hehe.....

 

Man I hope I get a good trainer that wants to teach and isnt just there to drive team and make money off me and hopefully isnt a dang psycho drill sergeant.

 

Keep in touch with your FM. If the personal dynamics aren't working, a change can be made.