A Thread for the Trainer

I have a question for all the trainers here. Have you ever been in the sleeper and woke up either by the motion of the truck or your student, and found yourself in an emergency situation? Needing your attention ASAP!! If so would you care to share what happened and what you did to fix the situation?

 

I'm in a CDL school right now. They are teaching just enough to get my CDL.
This is why "GOOD" companies have a training program where you will drive for a few weeks with another driver. This is where you will learn how to drive.

 

A good Map Book (for Trucks) and a good GPS (for commercial trucks) will help him out a lot. That and trip planning.

 

I disagree. Lay off the GPS. Maps are the oldest and best methods of navigation. GPS will get you in trouble, especially for those who are inexperienced. I've seen experienced guys rely on the GPS too much then pass on through areas we're not allowed.

My Garmin 465T, a truck GPS, has routed me on roads I'm not allowed to even be near much less go on. Get a Motor Carrier Atlas and call the shipper/receiver for truck specific directions.

 

Your right... that is why I said map "and" gps.
You find your route on the map or from the receiver and then set the route on the gps!
That way the gps will "tell" you the directions to turn and you don't have to try to use maps while your driving.

 

if you are fresh out of training it will be 275 to 300 hours with a trainer

 

i figure training school will only prepare you for the road and you learn everything once your out there

 

Dude no offense to you,Im sure your a good guy,but why have you been w/4 different trainers.Ive trained for years and never had somebody get off my truck,or thrown anybody off my truck.But from your attitude that I seem to be catching on here,you might have been the first.You seem to think when you step on the trainers truck you should be catered to.Doesnt work that way.You are a quest,and you would do well to remember that.If your not tough skinned enough to take a few minor irritances for a short time,your choosing the wrong profession.

 

Well said Sir!
I was a trainer many years ago for Swift and May...
A driver trainers job is not just to show him/her how to operate the company truck, do paper work and bump a dock but also to truly teach them how to live OVER THE ROAD!

I am getting back into the truck for an outstanding company after 10 years of being out of it working in law enforcement. I am looking forward to the change and helping out any new driver when I can.

I will be the one grinding a pound of gears down the road! =)

Drive safe all!

 

kissthatfrog, I agree with you. I was a driver for two years. I only had to kick one person off my truck, and that was because he was driving wreckless and I tried a few times to correct him and he would not listen. I will not have someone on my truck that is going to put my life as well as other drivers lives at risk on my truck. I also agree with you that if I had a guy like this on my truck, he would have been kicked off. ANY company I have trained for or seen trainers drive for, have always said that the student DOES NOT have the qualcomm in the front with them while they are driving. The student is just learning how to drive that truck, they dont need to take their eyes off the road to read messages. I never had a problem with a student not understanding how to use the qualcomm. If you have issues with the trainers now, you are going to be in for a rude awakening when you get into your truck and start driving by yourself for the first time. You will learn real quick that a bad attitude will get you NO WHERE in the trucking industry. Good luck.