Calling all trainees/former trainees

Be honest with them, ask them if they have questions, make sure they understand what you are trying to tell them, also ask them for constructive criticism on how you might be able to be better at what you are trying to do too.

 

Great topic Vin.

I was in the same boat as you when I started driving, about an hour or so into day 2, my trainer said, "I think you got this, I'm going to bed."

Within the first week, I was learning how to control an 80,000 lb vehicle in white-out conditions with about 8 inches of snow on the road at night going up and down the hills of the WV Turnpike, on my own, while my trainer slept like a baby. I still don't know how I didn't need the seat surgically removed from my butthole.

I'm going to follow along here and hope you get some good responses from both trainers and former trainees. More than likely, I will only train one person, but she will be my partner so I want to make sure I train her right.

BTW, did you get your trainer class done yet? I'm doing mine this Tuesday in Markham.

 

I think you already have one of the greatest traits for being a trainer......You are a very patient person. I wish you the very best.

 

as a person trying to get on with us i hope i get a trainer that lets me do backing at truckstops for practice and i hope you do that with your trainees

 

Teach how to put on chains. My trainer didn't and I had to do it for real on Donner this past winter. I know some say just shut dowm, but... It wasn't that bad.

 

Whenever I got a new trainee I would drive day 1. I would let my trainees get situated in the truck and just chill out the first day. Most trainees have a lot of anxietey when they get in that truck and are intimadated. I wanted them to relax and just get to know a little about them and put them at ease. Then we would get a good nights sleep and let them get a fresh start the next day. It seemed to work pretty well with my students.

Also let them practice their backing skills whenever possible. They cant get too much practice when it comes to backing. Allow them to start with empty areas of the truckstops and just worry about the lines on the ground. Its a lot easier to learn without all the stress of prying eyes and hitting something. Gives them the opportunity to get a little confidence before having an audience.

Good thread, great attitude, you will do well!

Good luck brother.

 

Be careful with chaining, USX does not require it so if you get in ANY accident, someone slides into you for exa,mple, it is a preventable since you decided to chain.