My CDL Trainer

It is sad how little is done to ensure a positive training experience is being provided and its not like the driver training is not being paid... at upgrade we compared notes....there was no written review btw... and the same story all over...no backing..filthy conditions...the night shift all the time...and having to listen to somebody ignorant nonsense that have no thing to do with the job at hand...

 

Seems they STILL have a problem,

yet it never gets resolved.


I wonder why ?????

 

Sorry, bud. PSD only.

As far as your friends on those not so clean trucks, I would recommend that they take pictures of the cab and bunk areas (or video) and email them to their Fleet Managers AND Stan Kasterke (The training guy) You could even include Steve Larson (Slarson@primeinc.com) and request to head back to Springfield to get a new PSD instructor. I am all for cleaning up the PSD instructors and EJECTING all of those dirtbags that don't follow the rules. Rules by the way that have been very very very clearly spelled out to ALL of the instructors and trainers. Pee bottles, excessively dirty trucks, driving midnight to 6am in the beginning are all violations that should be taken seriously.

Anyone else reading this that is going to any company, if you get assigned to a dirty truck or a dirty driver, report them immediately... at the yard if possible. Don't go empty handed, take some proof with you. (pictures or video)

 

I was under the same impression about night driving students, but set straight by Stan.

Students can drive any time day or night if the instructor deems conditions are good. The instructor is sitting next to them and the students should be rested with the truck stopped at least 10 hours a day.

It's TNT that has restrictions on night driving the first week. Trainees at that point are driving their own shift and do not have anyone sitting next to them. Like PSD eased into more driving hours they have to be eased into their own overnight shifts a few hours at a time.

If they can't handle overnight shifts, they should consider a different line of work... Especially in Reefer Div.

 

...and you know what? You're right. You should speak up, and especially your friends. However, they're the one's afflicted with the "dirty truck" problem, and they are the one's that need to carry the flag in this fight.

Two things... first, you keep on throwing around how much money you're spending for this. Let's set this straight. Stay for one year after you go solo A-seat, and it's free. You won't be spending a dime.

Second, if you start threatening management back in Springfield, I'm sure they'll call you on it. Those folks don't suffer fools, and won't be threatened. I believe you'll find yourself spending all of those dimes very rapidly. Without a CDL, or a job. Think this through very carefully. That being said, you and your friends have a valid point, and may be able to make a very welcome and good change in the program for the better. I agree, all new instructors and trainers should be on probation and part of that should be regular inspections of the cleanliness of their tractors. Think about how you present this to management... go in with all guns blazing, threatening them will not get you anywhere.

Now... here's the other part of the story. I talk to instructors and trainers, and one of the huge reasons I refuse to participate are the stories I hear of filthy students who do the most disgusting things in the sleepers while their instructors/trainers are driving. The most recent one was the TnT trainee who crapped in one of his trainers towels, and then stuffed it behind the bunk.

Yep... it's all on the instructors and trainers. It's never the students.

 

Remind you and your friends you had one week to decide if training was not right for you. That was plenty of time for these problems to present themselves, and for you to ask for a new instructor. You have no one to blame but yourselves for not reporting the problems and continuing in a situation that makes you uncomfortable.

You're not employees... Not even hired yet... Even as a PSD.

watch your step there Norma Rae. Deal with your own problems, make your own complaints. you can advise your friends, but I wouldn't stick your nose in their problems or complaints to management... Or lump them in with your complaints.