Our worst nightmare trainer/trainee scenario

cr England does it all the time. in their 90 day training program. the 1st phase 30 day you are out with trainer. 2nd phase they put u on a truck with an additional 2nd phase student that only graduated moments before u. so basically both of you are out there teaching each other about trucking even though you are working as a team. in trucking this is a every day occurrence if u can pass the trainer test they let you be a trainer. the trainer I had with swift just used me for miles and didn't teach me jack. when it came time for me to back up he would make me get up and he would back trk up. when I asked for help on backing he told me to attend a class on swift yard. that's how I learn to do a lot of things. and I wasn't the only one in the same spot of trainers just using for miles and not teaching.

most companies use students as a form of cheap labor and don't care how they get their loads there until something happen.

 

My take on the situation with so many bad trainers is that they don't know how to TEACH. From my own official trainer, to stories from other trainees and folks that have posted here, it seems that most trainers use the Teach-By-Shouting method with a little Teach-By-Belittling to mix it up a bit.

IMHO it doesn't matter whether a trainer has 1 year or 10 years experience, if they suck at teaching then they are a poor trainer. Period.

I say this from the perspective of having been a teacher and guide in one of my many past professions. The problem is that nobody is teaching the trainers how to train. For example, as I understand it you become a trainer after X number of months with a company, X number of miles, and maybe a few days learning the basics of training. All of that training seems to be focused on the nuts and bolts in a classroom with no practical "hands on" experience training instructors that are acting like students. They aren't run through scenarios of how to deal with students in stressful situations, then they are put in a truck with a student and they go all "Marine Drill Instructor" mode and have no positive value for their students.

Show me a shouting trainer and I'll show you a trainer that isn't confident in their own abilities. Train the trainers to train.

 

So when does a driver transition from being a 'rookie' to being 'experienced' and able to train? What's the cutoff?

Also, I firmly believe that there are some people that have no business being behind the wheel of a motor vehicle, trainer qualifications notwithstanding.

 

I think the company I'm with will have a patient, understanding, good trainer with 15 yrs at same company. That's what I've heard and I have no reason to doubt it yet. I'll know Sunday evening.

 

It will depend on the company. Between a couple of months to a couple of years. Most of the majors seem to be in the 4-8 month range, as far as months driving for the company before becoming qualified to be a trainer. You also need to have a minimum number of total miles and meet some other parameters (no or few accidents, good on time percentage, etc.).

I'd take a trainer with 4 months company experience if he was a good teacher and also knew how to drive over a 10 year veteran that couldn't teach his way out of a kindergarten.

It might be worthwhile for any trainee that is interviewing their trainer when they first meet them to ask them point blank, "Have you had any experience being a teacher or trainer in any other field before?" Get a sense of whether they have a clear idea how they are going to teach you. If you start hearing vague bovine fecal tissue like, "Well, you just have to get behind the wheel and drive, that's all...".... then it's probably a clue you need to ask the company for a different trainer.

 

Cause at. 23 CPM they can afford the accidents if they happen. Rolling the dice and pocketing the MOOOLLLAAAA. THATS WHY!!

 

I wouldn't actually call this a worst nightmare scenario. Nobody died

 

I lucked out. Although my trainer has only driven 2 years, he takes pains to make sure I know what I need to do. He and his truck are also clean and neat.
He's a pretty good teacher. We're both ex-army so know the work has to get done safely and in a reasonable time.
And has a good sense of humor. Necessary in order to stay sane.
Mary

 

^ I'll bet he's had experience with training before he got into trucking, perhaps in the army? If so, and ex-army, that's a good combination. A teacher with experience training folks for high stress and high risk situations.

The sense of humor IMHO is a must.

 

I know I lucked out.
He said I nag him about the same stuff his wife does.
I tell him he sounds exactly like my son when he's fussing at stupid drivers... even the same exact words.
Much easier to laugh then stress out.
Mary