Going out with my trainer today, a bit nervous.

Just remember that it is his truck and home. Be respectful. He has agreed to train and take strangers in his truck. He is responsible for the truck, trailer, and load all while keeping you and the others on the road safe while you learn. If your personalities don't match speak with the company about a different trainer. You are there to learn not take abuse. Don't get upset if he doesn't let you back the first day. He wants to first wants to see if you can get the idea of going forward first. First couple of days you will be nervous. It's natural.

 

His truck / His rules. Don't fall for the "oops dropped the soap trick".

 

I don't think they'll be showering together, LOL.


Don't be nervous OP, you have an experienced person watching your back. The time to be nervous is the night before your first solo run.

 

Fool me once, shame on you.
Fool me twice....

 

This is spot on.

Bear in mind that you aren't in school anymore. As a professional driver your responsibility is to get the load delivered safely on time. Do not dawdle or delay. When the alarm goes off for you to get up and start work then get up. For example, let's say you are on solo phase of training (such as with Swift) and you finish a day of driving at 7:00 pm and will take a 10 hour break. That means at 5:00 am the next morning you are going to be expected to already have done your ####, shower, and shave; had breakfast; prepared your coffee, drinks, and snacks and log in precisely at 5:00 am for your pre trip inspection. This means you'll likely need to set your alarm for 4:00 am or earlier to be ready to work. Once your pre trip inspection is finished you are putting the wheels in motion.

As a trainer there is nothing more aggravating than getting a trainee on the truck that is constantly late to log in for pre trip inspection, oversleeping (in which case I'll drive and they don't get to work as long as I have legal HOS available), dawdling during restroom breaks, or taking an hour or more for their 30 minute break. Delivery schedules in this industry are calculated based on a driver running at governed speed on the open highway with minimal breaks and only taking a 10 hour break (not a 12-14 hour break).

When it comes to sleeper berth time be responsible about it. Your job is to sleep. When SB time is finished you had better be rested and ready to work. SB time does NOT mean you are yakking on the phone, playing video games, or otherwise spending hours of time and finally dropping off to sleep with only two hours to go before you need to be up in time to WORK.

Do NOT bring the five piece matching set of Gucci luggage. Do NOT bring ironed shirts on a hanger. Bring a couple of duffle bags and be prepared to have limited storage space in the truck. Have clothes and equipment ready to WORK. Have plenty of warm clothes you don't mind getting dirty. Chaining up is dirty, wet work. Muddy yards and truck stops is normal.

Respect your trainer. Listen to what he has to say. Take a deep breath and relax.

The first big problem with shifting is over revving or letting the foot completely off the pedal to let the rpm's fall way below the target rpm. Sit in the driver's seat with the truck parked and practice how LITTLE you have to move the throttle to get between 1000 rpm and 1500 rpm. REMEMBER that when you shift.

The second big problem with shifting is getting it out of gear and hesitating in the center of the range (while goosing the throttle way too high) then trying to jam it into gear with a Mohammad Ali jab. NEVER jab at the gear. GENTLY be CONSTANTLY pushing or pulling into the gear you want as you GRADUALLY vary the rpm's with VERY LITTLE movement of the throttle.

Good luck to you.

 

Im thinking its also a good idea not to be eating any truck stop chili dogs, too much broccoli, pickled eggs, Fried chicken, or cans of pork and beans?

 

Amen to that!

Bear in mind you are in an enclosed space, so mitigate excessive body odors. Avoid foods that might sneak up on you and cause unplanned emergency evacuation drills.

 

I hope you don't get a trainer like the guy that started a thread awhile back about http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...-here/39618-werner-trainer-craps-himself.html. I seen your thread and reminded me of that one. I still chuckle when I go back and read it. I am not making fun of you in any way. Good luck and hope it goes smooth for you.

 

Learn as much as you can and Remind yourself that it is only 3 weeks.HAVE SOME FUN WHILE YOU AT IT.

 

These old gearjammers here lol,just like the lounge at the truckstop....BS BS and more BS