Abilene Motor Express....A New Place To Call Home

As bad financially as I am right now, I couldn't take the $200 from you. Nice gesture, but I wouldn't feel right taking it.

But, I do hope to get you as a trainer. I won't need much, but always listen. I know I have bad habits and may not do things as you would, but that is how we learn.

I'd rarely turn down a complimentary meal, though. LOL

 

While I certainly understand your point of view, and respect it, these trainers basically open up their home for trainees... Sharing meals together is, or can be, an important part of that experience. And could make it more enjoyable.

And while I am sure no one is forcing food down anyone's throats, learning to eat better while OTR is a good, and very practical, lesson to learn too. As well as a lot of good conversation and fellowship happening that might be different than driving down the road.

As to the money side, many of us here are very blessed in many different aspects of life. Others coming to trucking are not that fortunate.

I came to this industry later in life and could afford to accept the training pay I was receiving. But had I tried this 20 years ago when I was the main bread winner to a wife and two young children... That $200 might have paid for school supplies or helped meet the rent bill until I was earning a full paycheck. And spending less on convenience foods while training helps in that area as well.

Kudos to @JohnBoy for "paying it forward"... With a several simple meals, a couple small rewards for completing a training stage, and, most importantly, passing along those 38 years of experience.

Priceless... Indeed!!!

But don't tell JB I said this...
I don't want him to get a big head about it.

 

As for one, I have OTR experience. Albeit 6 to 8 years ago. MacDaddy is dead right. That truck is the drivers home. Your residence becomes a "vacation home". When a driver gets his/her truck, we move in. Literally. Then, you agree to train others. Some do it for the extra money, some do it out of the kindness of their hearts. JohnBoy is in the minority. I've personally seen it too many times.

 

I am with you on sharing meals and to a larger extent someone's experience of living on the road. I just couldn't bring myself to allow that person to pay for the meals we shared though.

This isn't directed at anyone, but personally, I wouldn't enter trucking and accept training pay if I knew it wasn't enough for me to survive on. I am all for bettering oneself and improving your circumstances, but not at the "expense" of someone else. I used those quotation marks as I understand that it may not be seen as an expense to the trainer, but it would still be taking from someone because I didn't have my own.

For the record, I blame my parents for instilling the values of standing on your own two feet and not relying on anyone else.

 

Going for the Advanced Training Certificate

 

And yet the Master played it off all cool like and told the trainee... "Yup, one day grasshopper, you too will be making such awesome backs."

 

You can't guarantee their earnings . No offense .