Has the design of how students are being taught shifted? From being 100% within classroom to basic training in classroom (shifting, proper lane turning left and right, pre-trip, logbook, backing and parking, coupling and uncoupling, etc. ) and completion of training by hiring company?
AFAIK, most short-duration schools are CDL schools and teach the basic skills needed to pass the DMV test for the CDL. I know of a five-week community college CDL course that has three days of classroom, then the rest is all in trucks, on the range, driving, backing, etc. All of the things you mention, shifting, proper lane turning left and right, pre-trip, backing and parking, coupling and uncoupling, etc., are taught in the truck, not in the classroom. We had classes in logging and FMCSA regulations and laws. CDL classes are something less than "driving school." It helps to be able to pick up knowledge on the fly, because lots of the learning in trucking is structured that way, or so it seems. I'm sure there are longer-duration more expensive schools out there that are more comprehensive, but that wasn't my experience. Some schools go as far as skid pad training, which would be cool to do. I would have liked more comprehensive structured training at my first job, but it was what it was.
You can only hope. The way I see it they will always be the same and that's to get the student a cdl in a hurry. I'd be real surprised if they really taught any defensive driving and the ins and outs of being on the road. I can remember when schools just got started and the bigger top companies would not hire a driver from school. Their outlook was they would rather teach a new driver than have one come through with a bunch of bad habits. There's many places here that I have expressed what I would like to see in driver training. I believe it starts at the school and should be connected with DMV, Driver training from the company training all the way until the driver is on his own. I also feel that company driver trainers should have to get an endorsement from DMV meeting all the standards set forth by law. The companies should recognize the extra work required of a driver trainer and pay more, all the time. And last but not least the company should have periodic inspections by DOT to ensure their program is running correctly. Could you imagine a driver coming out of training and they know about defensive driving, operating the truck, maintenance for the truck, safety, laws, loading and unloading, and all the other general requirements that a driver does. When the driver is done with training he or she is completely ready for the road. Maybe some day.
CDL schools are there to teach you just enough to pass the test at your DMV and get a license. You learn to drive with your first trainer, usually at a training company.
The school I am attending has two phases, the first is dedicated to teaching you what you need to know to pass the CDL test, once you have your CDL you then learn to deal with longer trailers, shifting, and other advanced skills. The classroom portion teaches logging, defensive driving, load security, HOS (two days spent on HOS), accident procedures, driver qualifications etc... This is the comprehensive 160 hour class, they do offer shorter refresher and CDL classes but the 160 hour class is pretty all inclusive.
Don't assume all new drivers go out with trainers. A few people from my class, myself included, went to small companies straight from school and went straight on the road alone with no further training. I am local. I know 2 guys from my school went OTR as a team together straight out of school with no experience or further training. And a couple others went out on their own right away
That's the way most of us see it. The problem is when you get a trainer that has 6 months driving and is there only for the money.
You guys seem to think that trainers are there to train, from what I can see they are there just to make sure you don't destroy the truck and the trailer.
