Can't take it anymore....new drivers you are not slaves

And to think "I" bought my trainer lunch. smh.....

 

Where did he advocate "tell the boss what to do?" I must have missed that part. He comes across as a trainer any driver would prefer to have.

 

Right in that post is part of the very essence of the problem among trainers today...those who like to think of themselves as "the boss."

 

Little south of El Paso.......

 

With today's Interstate system and truck stops there is practically NO reason why you will -have- to skip a shower for a day, let alone two days. Stuff happens and I can see where on the rare occasion you might have to skip a day, but to go to a third day? No reason for this at all. During those previous two days, did you not have to fuel? Did you not have to take your down time at the end of your hours for the day? Let me guess ... you were trained running as a team.

Sorry man, but poor hygiene is most certainly worth making a fuss over. Stinky drivers are one of the reasons the stereotype of ... well, stinky drivers ... perpetuate in our industry. I'm not sitting next to a skank driver for any reason. Planning for time for proper hygiene is part of proper trip planning and trainers worth their salt plan accordingly.

 

The whole "boss" thing depends on where you're working. If an owner/op is training you, then they're the boss, sure. At these big companies, your trainer is not your boss. When I went out, my trainer was my trainer and my "boss" was a phone call away. Granted, it's his truck and I agree to follow the rules of his truck, but other than the basics, it isn't whatever he says goes. I think that whole "boss" attitude does more harm than good. Training should be an involved team effort. My mentor always used to say "we're on the same team" and I really took that to heart. When he heard other drivers talking crap about someone he'd even say to them "I thought we were all supposed to be on the same team." Why drivers, new or veterans, attack each other and get a big head is beyond me. In my opinion, teamwork mindset is best. It doesn't matter who you work for or how long you've been driving. We're all on the same team.

I also think for loyalty cards it also depends on the company situation. If you aren't and owner/op and your company is paying for the fuel you've got no good reason to let the trainee use their loyalty cards.

 

I like this right here. I am so sick of these vet drivers putting these new drivers down. I had to bite my tounge so hard the other day at the TS. Its like, ok, so youve been driving for 353 years. What do you expect the industry to do when you die. stop running? No, you WILL be replaced. I understand its different now days, but that does not mean all new drivers suck.

 

When you agree to work for slave wages you are in fact a slave. Don't like the wage being offered? Don't take the job!

 

We don't allow grammar and spelling nazi's around here. Thank you!

 

The companies don't help the situation in the way they pay student drivers, the amount of time trainers have under their belts (in some cases only 3 months), and in the way they skip disciplining problem trainers.

I dealt with my first trainer and his obvious attitude that women didn't belong in trucking for 4 weeks. It was when he started doing things to try and deliberately make me fail that I spoke up and asked for a new trainer. I got one, and he was great. I learned a lot from the second trainer. I did learn things from the first one, but he had no business being a trainer. Only 6 months experience, I was his first student, and he had the wrong attitude.

That being said, I knew going into this that it was not going to be a cake walk, that it was going to be tough, and I dealt with it.