SHOULD mentors pay for their students food?

There is a difference between giving a guy a break, helping a guy out, rewarding a teammate, and supporting a guys bad habits. None of which was the subject line of this thread. I know how we get things twisted around here.

The question was, "SHOULD mentor pay for their students food?" The answer is not only no, It's hell no. No student should go into a relationship expecting the mentor to provide for you. You want to team up and learn a trade, that means you bring something to the table. Part, just part, of that something is the ability to be responsible, handle your business, and contribute to the situation.

One huge issue I have with the mentor-student situation, is these companies dropping their problem on a mentor. Never mind, it could be the other way around, in that the company is dumping the a crappy mentor on the student. That too does happen. But were discussing the derelicts that think they can enter the trucking profession, and everybody else is going to be their surrogate Daddy.

 

Some of the trainees have never had to budget money. Some come straight out a moms, and some are fed by food stamps. That said, how do they learn if nobody makes them learn.

 

This is a big hell no. Your their working and earning your way. I'm not your parents!

My company treats students good and making $60k your first year is cake... After the first week you should be plenty good. No need to give hand outs.

 

Being a newbie, I do not expect a mentor/trainer to buy my meals, I am not in grade school anymore, we won't be dating, and I am not sharing my shower with you, so it is dutch treat. I am not opposed to either buying a meal for both if they choose to, but it should never be expected. Now that I am looking around, every company out there offers advances, so there is no excuse, other than not being responsible.

 

Whatever I cry all the time in my truck. Feels alright.

 

Avoid advances like the plague. I know some drivers use advances regularly, but it is FAR better to get a little cash cushion by eating rice and beans than get stuck in a revolving advance scenario. Besides which, you learn some financial discipline getting that cushion.

When I finished my training at Swift I had $2,000 in my bank account. By comparison my mentor was constantly on the phone cussing out his fiancee about finances and living from advance to advance, all the while spending at LEAST $50 a DAY for sit down meals and not having any food in the truck except energy drinks and chips.

 

I've decided to give up eating. It's putting a real dent in my wallet lately too. Those $15 lunches gotta go.

 

Wallets can be a culinary nightmare. If you are only putting a dent in your wallet try steaming it before frying, roasting, or broasting. Properly done you should be able to cut your wallet with a butter knife.

 

I dont think its the mentors responsibilty to buy food, having said that my mentor for Schneider bought me more food than i could eat, think i gained 20 pounds while out on training.

 

If I'm getting paid for the miles the student drives, the least I can do is toss them a 99 cent cheeseburger once in awhile.