Best Amount Of Time To Be With A Trainer?

I know there is a wide variance of opinions on this, but for the average person, how long do you think is appropriate to be out with a trainer? I am talking about a trainer OTR or regional driving, not pseudo training that is actually just teaming.

I have seen it anywhere between none (but on site training) to 3+ months through various conditions. For argument's sake, lets say that it is a pretty good company and trainer.

 

My personal opinion ZERO, but if you feel the need for one, compare it to flying a plane, most people need 15-20hrs to solo a plane, shouldn't take that long in a truck when you can actually stop when overwhelmed or fix something that breaks. Jmho

 

Until your ready. These days, training periods are too short...contributing to more under qualified, inadequate steering wheel holders on the roads.

 

I agree and think TransAm has the right answer of 12 days.

 

Until the experienced (5 years) trainer, who is proficient at training, (as you said @YoungGuns - NOT teaming) . . . is comfortable that you are OK to safely perform the job without supervision. May vary wildly by driver. 3 weeks to 3 months.

 

Id consider that acceptable if I had to. This weeks and months crap though, Never.

 

training is usually a month or so which isn't enough as I see it.the majority of accidents on our roads are caused by new drivers that were turned loose too soon.you should be out with a trainer untill you feel 100% safe to be on your own.

 

I like the example of flying a plane. The CFII that taught me to fly told me a CFI's main role is to protect both the student and the aircraft while the student masters how to operate the aircraft safely. The same is true for learning to drive a truck. It should not take more then 3 weeks to do this. Backing and things like sliding tandems for weight purposes and how to do paperwork should not take that long to become proficient in to go solo.

 

I'm a CFII, MEII and EIEIO, that's why I use the example!

Be safe!

 

Let me take a stab on that last one:

Every Idiot Earns Interest Only?