New Folks, Listen Up!

Darn those red cruisers...

 

was told at orientation this week that they have nlw made 9 monthes the minimum for becoming a mentor.

 

Nine monthes should be at least one winter and 18 monthes... That is dumb and dumber training I hope big bus man you get a good one and your not his frist trainee...

 

They need to say you can be a mentor after you go solo. Some new drivers could do a better job than some of the "Career Counselors" I have met.

 

Thank you Injun for all of your helpful advice. My husband has 120 hours in so far and he is really enjoying it. His mentor is a really good guy and has even chatted with me once on the phone. They have been moving a lot and he is glad to have a job. Thank you again for all of your wisdom for the newbies and their wives.

 

A lot of students get out here, the first 2 weeks everything is all good, after that they think its there truck, they want to create their own fuel route, a few nights ago I told the student we are going straight to the final because its a high school (it 1a.m.) delivery appointment is 8a.m. now everybody know what it will be like trying to pull a 53" in a high school at 8a.m. (goodluck)
So I went to laydown while he drivers. About a 1 hr later I notice we were slowing down and pulling off the interstate, then we stop so I got up and ask if everything ok, he say yes he's going to park at the truck stop. And he set up for a blind side. (A student with 3 weeks out doing a blindside at a pilot at 2 a.m. on the east coast with nobody out there spotting. Him). I told him get back on the interstate we going to the final find somewhere in that parking lot to tuck the truck until they ready to off load, I'm not pulling in there at 8 a.m. having to deal with school bus, parents dropping kids off etc.

After 2 weeks these students start acting like they really know what going on, but it never fail first week out solo that's when they realise they didn't really know.

 

For the new students comming out, MOST (I said most not ALL) of these mentors will not tell you to do something that's going to get someone hurt or killed, listen and pay attention, Especially the older students in their late 50's and 60's very stubborn, seems like they have a problem with someone younger than them to tell them what's going on. I have no problem with anyone age if you decide that's the age you want to come out here doing this so be it but keep in mind the person training you might be younger than you and he is in charge. (I don't train no one in that age group because I know how they are)

 

I agree, we (students) are guest in your truck and should do it your way when we are in your truck. When we get solo in a few weeks, then and only then we make the decisions. You are right, students that are older have a hard time taken instructions, but there are mentors that don't know how to give instructions as well.

My suggestion to you is to teach your student. I bet if you had explained to him the reason you wanted to go straight to the school he would have understood and learned something. Instead you did not teach. You said "go straight to school and park.". He should have done that, but he would not have learned your reasoning as to why he should have done that. Therefore, I think you are both at fault here. He was a poor student and you did not do a good job teaching.

 

how long is the training or how many hours do you have to be with your trainer and what is the pay while still in training. once upgraded what will be a avaerage weekly pay for an inexperiance teams

 

I still have a while before I can go to school - unfortunately - and get started driving, be it here or another company. It's good to know that there's someone like Injun(and a couple others) that are committed to making sure us greenhorns don't get abused. I'm worried about getting a trainer that doesn't like me or that is gross or abusive. I'm not a pushover, but I won't stand for being ill-treated.

Thanks for everything you do to help new guys, Injun. You're an asset to these forums and to Swift. I'd like to shake your hand some day.. maybe I will!