being trained vs being used

Sounds like Squire?

 

Yes it's bad- few companies and trainers can seem to overcome the pecuniary incentives. Greed, no other reason.

 

Yes, its bad, but it is why they do it. They want the "cheap" labor bad enough that they will do it that way. What do you get out of it? Training. Its worked that way for a long time, and is not going to change soon. If you can find a company that doesnt do it that way, that might be a sign of a good company. I was driving by myself within an hour of getting on a trainer truck for the first time, he went back in the sleeper and took a nap...nothing like being thrown right into it. I think for most people with a good head on there shoulders they will be ok, but some of these guys out here, have no business being behind the wheel to begin with.

 

why not?are you not using them for you're training?do you intend to stay there till you retire?or are you looking for a dedicated ,high paying local job?if your trainer goes too sleep in the bunk before your ready to team,he's an idiot.

 

The idea that trainer/student running as a team is about the money. The question of ethics is a personal issue.
In a perfect world A trainer should run team loads when a driver good enough to drive. The scary stuff like city streets and parking when student has been observed doing that well.

short answer: no, and team running is teacher/student activity

 

Each company has their own system. I cannot speak for others. I can speak for only the company I train with.
Stevens requires each student to go thru three training phases. Phase one is 5 weeks with a trainer. Phase two is either with a finish trainer or another student.
Phase three is called 'Grad Fleet' and you run as a solo driver (and are paid per mile as a solo driver)
In phases one and two, you are paid a weekly flat rate. In most cases that is $350 per week.
In the phase one training, a student is required to drive in all five regions of the country, 'bump' a dock in the NE, run two mountain passes without a jake and one with a jake, and drive at least 8,500 miles.
All training trucks are required to shut down at least 8 hours per day. This is generally when the trainer and student sleep.
When I am training, I am always in the jump seat. I NEVER sleep when the trainee is driving. My job is to observe, direct and facilitate the new driver into becoming safe and accomplished before sending them onto phase two.

I have heard over and over where I am 'using' the student to gain miles and money.
It's a lot easier to driver without a student, but I enjoy what I do.
Depending on the week of the training period, a truck can move anywhere from 750 miles per day, up to 1,000 miles per day (last two weeks).
I allow the student to drive as much as they want (so long as they do not become over tired). Usually, a student will end up with 10-11,000 miles in that period, drive 6 or more passes and do a LOT of backing.
The more a student gets to drive while on my truck the more I can help them. Often there are many miles of highways without a lot going on, but then comes a situation where I can advise them. It may last all of a minute or less, but no one knows when it will happen.

So do trainers 'use' their students?
Not where I'm at...at least not that I've ever seen.
But I can't speak for other companies.
BTW, I have never had a student on my truck longer than the minimum 35 days. There are the stories of where a trainer will keep a student for weeks just for the miles.
Poppycock! I can have a new student anytime I want. Often I will drop one and pick up another in the same city.
I want them to complete their requirements and move on as soon as possible.

 

wwwhhaaaaa......

I went to a tech college in 90 for truck driving. 6 weeks long. Got into a truck on Jan 3 for 4 weeks.

When the road dictated it, the trainer was there. When all he was doing is watching the bugs meet the windshield, he went to bed.

If he needed me to watch as he did something navigating through a city, he did.

Train when you need to, pick up what you have to. My trainer had me route planning with in 3 days.

You have a lot to do on the road. It helps a lot if the student driver takes a little initiative and starts to just do some of these things too.

Makes the time go by quicker for both involved.