OK, so what's your solution, then?

The real solution is to Outlaw the training that the megas do. They make it into a driver mill and they accept anyone and I think the quality of the training in general is probably not very good.

The best answer is for owners to teach their drivers how to drive. I have taught several people how to drive and I made good safe drivers out of them.

Believe me, if the owners teach how to drive, especially a guy like me that has to fix it if you break it, you're going to be an excellent A1 safe driver.

And you will just shake your head at the guys in the automatics as you float right through your gears.

 

How does the subsidy system actually work? I hear people talk about it, but I’m curious where the $ comes from and how it’s doled out.

This topic interests me because you have some people that say these companies invest a lot of money into training new drivers- and then you have people saying they profit by churning out students every week thru government subsidies. Basically, 2 totally opposite opinions.

I’m just curious which is actually true

 

They do both. The invest money into the training so it is more "efficient" and therefore make more money. It costs to house and feed a person through training. The longer it takes the less profit there is. Can't shift well enough to pass the test and need a few more days training? Just spec an automatic truck instead.

They don't just make money from "teaming" a new driver they also get money from the Government for "training" the driver. Teaming a driver like that should cover the cost in itself? The new driver dosn't need to stick around after that, the company can make more money by finding another person to train.

 

The initial training is not the big issue, it's how these companies treat their drivers after that. Turnover at Megas is through the roof because these companies do not respect their drivers. They think our time has little value and that we should do work for them for free at times. Most new drivers quit because they won't accept that sort of treatment. If these companies would take better care of their drivers then they wouldn't need CDL mills.

 

There is no one size fits all solution. However, the megas do not train for safety. In fact, they train to minimize chances of litigation. Their so called "trainers" aren't qualified either. Couple this with the fact that they self insure which gives them the option of putting any fool behind the wheel fresh from the DMV is a recipe for disaster. One only needs to spend a few days on the road to see exactly what I'm talking about.

 

Correct .... your problem

 

Experience is the only way to learn it seems, and the only way I ever learn anything I think.

 

No CDL until an applicant can demonstrate backing into parking spaces at a truck stop. The parking space must be one that requires a 90-degree back and not one that allows a 3 mile straight back from the other side of the county and across 2 public streets.

Seriously, increase the number of hours of training required for CDL and make the testing process comprehensive, with no more than 5 minutes for pre-trip. The road exam would be more like an "upgrade test" at some carriers. Much more strict licensing requirements & standards and virtually no non-Citizen, non-English speaking CDLs. Restrict the supply of CDLs severely. This shouldn't be a job you can do in 3 weeks after leaving your goat herd in the mountains of Trashistan. If the DOT officer can't understand you at the scale house or roadside, you're going back to the goats.

 

I'm sure it would never happen to you. When it does, don't tell us about it.