Fears of a getting a bad trainer

I helped a elderly lady in Montreal one time she was absolutely terrified of tunnels and stopped in front of me . I got out when I saw her crying and asked what was wrong. I told her to follow me and brought her across a bridge to exit Montreal . Some people have phobias that completely disable them I found out that day.

 

Don’t worry about the trainer. Nine out of 10 they’ll be fine. The real learning will be after you’re released anyways. Just get through it.

 

And if they can’t do that maybe request an older guy. Older truckers are usually pretty chill.

 

I got lucky and never had one, but I’m not sure any companies still do that. Did 30 days at driving school in my hometown and went to Watkins and Sheppard in Missoula for another 2 weeks and passed all the tests and they threw me the keys to a crappy Volvo. Not saying a trainer wouldn’t have been helpful in some tight spots I found my way into but at some point you’re out there to sink or swim on your own.

 

Yep. I found out from our compliance dept, that I have to be in some form of "on duty" to fuel. They could tell I was fueling off duty. Didn't even know it was a thing. Learn some things by mistake.

 

Well some very small (under 20 trucks) don't have "training depts" they have trainers and older drivers that help the new people learn. I work with a company that does that here in AL. All of us O/Os and older drivers try to teach them what they need to learn but sometimes it doesn't work and they are told to hit the bricks.