Questions for trainers.

The majority of mega carrier/starters start begging drivers to be trainers after only one year because it's so rare for anyone to stay past two. Then the newbies keep getting bad trainers, and so the cycle of perpetual turn-over continues.

Many of these guys do it only because it ups their pay, they have no interest in the actual work involved in training.
Not to mention they lack the personality for it - - if they have a personality at all.
It's one of the biggest problems the industry faces IMHO.

 

There you go problem solved! Great idea there. My bad I didn't read all the posts....but since you don't see them too often I can understand your delima. Its hard to watch folks that are really trying to make an effort to learn the right way but instead, they are held at a disadvantage b/c someone is only concerned with their pocketbook. I admire your dedication to detail and willingness to help your fellow "newbies" we ALL had to start somewhere, but I still have to repeat that while you have the necessary skills as far as the inspections , and all of the paperwork goes all which are very important...you still lack the time behind the wheel and to me that is the most IMPORTANT of all in order to be a trainer..please don't be offended by that comment but in order to "train" you must 1st have the everyday experience to draw from,and with 1 year you're just not quite ready. I say this with all due respect too! Good luck in making your choice... If you ever have a question please pm me and I'll try to help if I'm able!

 

I trained for PAM for 10 years and 100+ trainees. At PAM they turn drivers with 6 months into trainers, that way they can train their replacements. To get into training watch another trainer backup their trainee, then go and ask questions about the training prosess. But you will always have to have a teaching phase of mind. You would get trainees that can do whatever you ask of them, or ones that needed it repeated often. You would have to relate how to backup. You wanted to be a MATH teacher, so if you can put setup into math terms it will be easier.

 

I am a wannabe and I say: IF YOUR HEART IS IN IT... DO IT!
I was a teacher and teaching is a two way street, you will learn by teaching and become a better driver... by teaching how to pre plan, how to make the most out of a week, how to deal with a dm, with backing up your skills will improve because you will have to re examine how you do things.
If you HONESTLY feel like helping the NEWBIE your one year experience coupled with caution and patience is a FAR BETTER OPTION than him or her with an ignorant arrogant super trucker who could not care less.
By the way, I am going into training on the 8th of Oct. and all I ask for is someone with good skills who WANTS to teach me, because if the TEACHER is not willing...

 

Driving a truck is a HUGE responsibility NOT to be taken lightly! BUT it is NOT SURGERY, you don't graduate from medical school in 20 days, it does not cost $3000, you don't get to operate solo on the 2nd month

 

The analogy fits. Either profession can have the same ugly end result if not executed correctly ... death!

 

By then you know better

 

Yes you are correct there TooGroovy...but you missed my point completely. Now when you have driven totally as far as I went backwards in 32 years of driving a truck , we'll try and have a conversation on what it takes to be a PROFESSIONAL driver.... not some "cowboy" sitting in front of a computer screen. To the Op I'm am not referring to you as a 'cowboy"..but to this "PINOCCHIO NOSED" gentlemen/lady who makes comments on something that he/she knows absolutely nothing about!