Advice on what to do about a bad mentor

As others have said, report him. He has no business driving, let alone training! I replaced my first trainer, and it was with Swift. They set me up with a new trainer, who was much better! My first one was no where near as bad as the one you have though. It just became obvious after a certain amount of time that he didn't think women should be driving trucks and was not teaching me the stuff I really needed to know. The guy was also a complete idiot, only had 6 months under his belt, and was a pig.

 

Dam, been reading a few posts about BAD mentors at Swift. Has me a little worried as I'm scheduled for orientation on Jan 5th in Phoenix. I hope I dont get an A-hole mentor. I turned down a job at Watkins and Shepard just because they dont have training after orientation. But if I get stuck with an A-hole that doesnt properly train then Im gonna be pissed.

Hey Injun, will you be my Mentor?

 

When he wrecks texting and you are in the top bunk... you will go through the windshield and see what he hit first hand right before the great white light.

Texting in a commercial vehicle is a $2500 fine and 10 pts. for a reason. No company will tolerate it as it's a huge liability on them.

I'm not sure how I would handle it. I know I would get out of the truck. I know I would be strapped in the bottom bunk because of his careless actions. Protecting your own life and career is more important than covering him. If you talk with him he'll probably make things hard on you or at least try.

Your only option is to reveal just what you told us. Maybe talk with your safety guy for advice? Do you have a cell phone? Snap a picture of him texting and driving and then you will be in control of the situation.

He sounds like one of these yahoo's that mentors just for a bigger check. He could care less about the student. You would do the trucking community a favor by getting him removed.

Remember your chain of command. If no satisfaction with the DM, talk with the operations supervisor. Still talk with the safety guy. He needs to step in.

 

Take it easy Jake. All mentors (DM, planners, grease monkeys) are human. In other words, it's all random chance as to whether you get a good mentor, or something you avoid steping in the gutter. (very unpleasent on hot days). Although, in my experience, the odds of a scumbag planner are extremely high....

 

Company policy has it explained what to do.

Follow that policy.

 

DickJones was your mentor?

 

Ditto here too, if I have to take a leak, and some trainer told me I couldnt. Well... Lets just say he might find himself standing on the road side waving buh bye to his truck. Thats a non issue, and if you think about it. Can you imagiane yourself as a full grown man standing in your bosses office saying "he wouldnt let me go pee pee" Can you imagiane that? Cause I would have knocked the flying fork out of that guy before it ever got to that point. It just sounds puss to cry about something like that lol.

 

#### Johnny, you can't catch a break!!! I would definitely let your driver coordinator know what has been going on. The crap your mentor is pulling is illegal and should not be tolerated. Hopefully they will get you hooked up with a better mentor to finish out your 240 hours. There are some good mentors in the system but some douches still exist.

 

That's why people don't always do what they are told. But yeah, just tell the truth.

I guess I could see it for the scale, assuming they give you attitude when you politely remind them they shouldn't be doing that. As for something like how they exit the truck maybe you should learn to mind your own business instead of looking for a reason to tattle.

 

As a former Trainer/Mentor...all I can say is, it is your future and your life you are risking by NOT reporting your Mentor. You have several good posts here...do it correctly and with facts, don't be whiny about it, be square.

Your Mentor has no one that will "cover" for him...he is only trying to intimidate you to be just as dishonest as he is. If you stay on his truck and learn his bad habits, you will carry those habits forward into your driving style and a bad habit is the hardest to break. Learn the right way first, then you can find the easier way to do things as you gain experience.

Yes, report him to Driver Services, Safety! Odds are fair that he is "somewhat protected" by his DM (who you are working for as a supervisor while on his truck)...so avoid that person to complain to...you have a more direct supervisor in Driver Services. If you are not out of Phoenix...their phone number is 800-800-2200 ask for Driver Services!

Good luck...sounds like you might be needing some right about now!

Merry Christmas