How about some tips from trainers on how to be a good trainee..

I'm not an Averitt trainer, but was one in the military for a number of years:
- Introduce yourself. get to know the student a little bit and let them know a little about you BEFORE you start driving. (Talk over coffee, meal, etc...) Goes a long way to finding out likes/dislikes before it becomes a problem on the road. This way you can also set the guidelines/boundaries...
- Outline your expectations. They will most likely have a syllabus from the company, but if you add to it, then let them know what you are going to be expecting from them and what they can expect from you.
- It's your truck, but share it. Don't give a student one little cubby to hold everything in. Also be ready to compromise. The student is not you and may not like the same things you do. (Music, TV shows, etc...)
- Have patience. You are going to get asked the same question a few times until a student finally "gets it" and be prepared for those odd questions. If you don't know, fine; You can't know everything (so-to-speak) but find out, and let them know the answer.
- Be yourself. You don't have to be a D$#k to get your point across. Firm but fair, if need be... and don't be a hypocrite, if you talk about it; DO IT...
- Even you can learn. you can learn from someone regardless of age/experience. So don't let your ego get too high. Your company wants you as a trainer for a reason, but you don't know it all.
- There is a fine line between personal and professional. Do your level-headed best not to cross it. It's your reputation and they're safety on the line.
- Repeat, repeat, repeat. (elogs, procedures, paperwork, backing, etc...) make sure that they know it before leaving.

 

Beano.

It works.............

 

Puff puff pass. Don't bogart.

 

Dont take this wrong I know I dont know everything and when I think I do I will hang the keys for good.

I started out with Swift. My trainer was a L/P driver and I was his first trainee in his new O/O spec classic xl... Excellent guy (my only good experience with Swift). We talked a bit and he told me what to expect and what he expected of me..Gave me ample room to store the very lil I had, and told me to make myself at home. He told me the first week if not more he would not sleep while I drive.

We hit the road and I thought he looked a bit tired.. He let me drive and I had been driving for a bit and he was happy with my driving (I had drove without a cdl a bit in relatives cattle trucks before going to school) so when we come up to cabbage he let me take his truck down the pass.. Shortly after that he said he was going to lay down. We pretty much ran team with the exception that he did sit in the passenger seat quite a bit talking to me, quizing me and giving me good guidance.

The things I tried to do is always be ready to work when I needed to,, Tried to make it were he was never waiting on me. And I ALWAYS made sure the sure he had fuel before it was his turn to drive and truck looked over good. I also set up and watched him drive and come up with scenerios of things happening.. It was very easy to friend him and I feel he done the best he could by me in the time he had me...

With that said its my opinion between school and training you learn just enough to be dangerous..lol

 

When my trainer was in the sleeper I hit the rumble strip on purpose....just to keep him on his toes.

 

Six hit the nail on the head...then Joe drove it home...can't stress enough how important it is to a trainer , to have the trainee listen , ask questions , even if they sound dumb , keep that line of communication open and flowing , can't stress that enough.

 

Are you training people to get a cdl or mentoring them after they get the job?

 

I was trained by my Father and also did Training at my last Carrier. 1st rule for a Trainee this one is from my Father who had 3 Million Accident Free Miles when he Hung them up. You LISTEN TO YOUR TRAINER. It doesn't matter if he tells you to do something that seems Way out of the Box LISTEN TO THEM. He showed me more tricks in the time I was with him than I ever would have learned in 40 Years. Why he learned from guys like HIM aka Old Time Drivers. My Father was driving when the Interstates where still being Built across most of the Nation. He and I also taught our Trainees 3 simple rules Never Expect the Jake Brakes to Work all the Time that saved my ### Multiple times. The 2nd was RESPECT the DOT Officer you would be amazed how far saying Yes Sir to a DOT officer will go when your getting Inspected. Last one and this is a Big one. YOU are the Face of your Company LOOK RESPECTABLE. I always showed up at all my customers appointments in Nice Jeans Polished Boots and At least a Polo Shirt. My Father carried Button Down Dress Shirts he would wear into customers Offices. You present a Proper Image to your Bosses Customers be amazed how OFTEN YOU ARE ASKED TO COME BACK. At my Last Carrier I was always the First one sent into a NEW CUSTOMER why I had Pride in my JOB and in HOW I LOOKED. I got a lot of new steady Customers for my boss doing just those things.