Leaving with trainer tomorrow, what to expect?

Soak everything up like a sponge.. Whether your trainer is good or bad certainly makes a difference, however he has probably been at it for a while. Pay attention to detail because you're gonna miss that guy the day you get your own truck. I still remember my training and the minute he dropped me off at my truck, I felt like the most isolated and lonely guy in the world. Have fun and be safe and just know that most of the guys out here will help and answer questions for you in any situation you may find yourself in.

 

System transport trainer craps himself...let's hope that doesn't happen!

 

Yes, I second that about not being afraid to ask other drivers for help. For the most part people are helpful. If you run into one that thinks they're above you, then just shrug it off and ask the next person.
Depending on your trainers experience they may not have all that much to offer you. The more things they let you do yourself the better. Just be open to their suggestions and not get offended if they have a different way of doing some things.

 

If he try's to get you to put your underwear on backwards be very suspicious. Just sayin.

 

#1..Dont be so dang judgemental as some new drivers seems to be.

 

Pay attention to what your trainer says, then, and this is most important, cross reference it with the advice here. We'll tell you the truth and perspective from all angles. As silly as it sounds coming out of my mouth (via text), I think a lot of the guys here probably care more about how you're trained than your trainer probably does.

 

Remember this is his truck and he is the captain of it. The company has entrusted the truck to him. He is responsible for keeping the truck, trailer, load, him and you safe. Big job. Also remember that this is his home while on the road. Not everyone has good housekeeping skills. Keeping up a clean truck inside takes daily discipline and work. I know very few men who had good housekeeping skills off road which translates to not giving much to on road housekeeping. My first trainer with Roehl was outstanding. Clean and very easy to get along with. Being a female, I had my worries about getting a bad trainer. Learn lots from him and he is still a good friend. Second trainer for just a week was from hell (7/7 driver). In it for the money. Inside of the truck was nasty. Couldn't say one good thing about what I had just learned from being with the other trainer for over a month. If he could he would tear me down. Good thing it was only a week. If who you have been assigned to is not a good match, speak up to the company. They might not want to change trainers because it is a hassle but remind them it is to their best interest to train you right.

 

hope he doesn't want to wear each others underwear... Two guys in one small space for weeks maybe months any thing can go...

 

I went through System's 8 week "training" program for CDL grads a little over a year ago. They technically required your trainer to ride shotgun while you were driving the first 3 weeks, but neither of my trainers in the first 3 weeks did. My first trainer was an Owner-op only interested in money and wanted to run team from Day 1. He was also psychotic and would scream and yell quite a bit among other problems. My 2nd was a decent laid back old guy, but maybe a bit too laid back sometimes unwilling to help when i asked.

My 3rd trainer was trying out the training gig for the first (and last) time and did well, but he would never be quiet. I #### you not i would be trying to sleep and he'd be trying to teach me stuff. He was also a cross dresser which was a little strange, but he never made any moves on me and never cross dressed while i was on the truck with him. The grown out painted nails,long hair and stuff made it pretty obvious what the deal was. I still say he was the best trainer i had out of 3 in the 2 months i trained.

I can pretty much guarantee you will be full on team driving by the end of week 3 at the latest and that is not a mile limit per day it is a minimum. I drove a couple 500+ mile days in the first couple weeks just because I felt like it.

You may get the trainer that is the exception to the rule, but i wouldn't count on it so I'll leave you with two pieces of Advice my Uncle of 38+ years OTR experience gave me which got me through that hell they call training.

1.This is only temporary

2.You can learn something from everybody. Some will teach you what to do and others will teach you what not to do, but you can learn something from everyone

Good luck FNG

 

No way in hell would I be a truck driver today if I had to do this.