Becoming a trainer and..

It would probably be best if you resign the training position. You will most likely be better off.

Some people are just not cut out to do that. Nothing wrong with that. I have been asked several times to train. I know that’s not for me. This is your first trainee, if your this agitated, clearly it may not be for you.

 

If my company told me I had to train, I would say "Sure, no problem, but I have to go home and take all my stuff off the top bunk so there's room" then turn the truck in.

 

Excellent idea Six.

Maybe TTR should have a section with CDL tests called “so you want to be a trainer”

 

I would make a terrible trainer.
A good friend used to run the mechanic schools at the local community college and was also over the driving school, he tried hard several times to get me to hire on and do the driver training part. Their truck had the bed removed out of the sleeper and iirc 6 students at a time road, no way would I even consider it. lol

 

Ask yourself, enough to die for???

 

All I have to say is Leviticus 18:22.
You can as a trainer turn down a student, just like a student can turn down a trainer, but be very careful how you phrase it in this day and age.

 

I don't drive yet so I don't have any experience in the trucking world in regards to this. But I was a manager for many years. And like your bosses, I hired many new employees (trainees). I expected my trainers to do their job and train them. Period. Without concerning themselves with what happens in their trainees personal lives, no matter what that was. You are not their friend. Set expectations and boundaries (without being an ahole) to your trainees immediately when your introduced. This includes your expectations and boundaries in regards to behavior. Alot of drama will be avoided by doing so. Most newbies are too shy to express what their expectations are so ask them what their expectations are. You should allow them that respect too. And if anything doesn't match up with yours, negotiate a compromise on things that are reasonable and on things that are not negotiable be honest and tell your trainee it is not. I think it's a pretty good way to establish mutual respect right out of the gate.

 

Not the same you dont take them home and put them in your bedroom with you, at the end of the day you say see you tomorrow. Does not work that way on a truck cab, lock yourself in a broom closet with them, that would be closer.
If you've never been a driver OTR you can not possibly imagine whats it is like to be locked in a cab with someone you do like, let alone someone you have fundamental differences with. You just can not imagine.

 

LOL I see what you mean by the broom closet reference. I'm sure that's very difficult. No I haven't been OTR, but I did have an experience being locked up in very close quarters for 4 months. Some of the people were mentally unstable. Loud and lots of idle time and chatter in a confined space. It wasn't in a US prison or jail. Not pleasant. But I got through it.

It just seems if trainers wouldn't concern themselves with whether they "like" their trainees or their trainees "like" them, then a lot of interpersonal conflict could be avoided. They are the professionals. They spend 4 weeks together then part ways if they both do their jobs right. It's not like they're going to send each other Christmas cards every year. Same thing in regards for trainer and trainees having fundamental differences and attitudes about life and the world, which I'm assuming you are talking about. Trainer and trainee are not friends. Don't talk about sex, religion, and politics. That's the trainer's responsibility to establish boundaries with the trainee right up front. This seems logical to me.

I'm sure it's difficult as you pointed out, but I suspect there are trainers in the industry that are adept at it and have good soft skills. As I'm sure there are many that don't.