New Trainer at CRST needs advice

Have patience with students, remember they are just learning, on the money issue? That's on you, maybe something you could mention when picking up a new student? "Hi, my name is ??, Do you have enough money to feed yourself? Can you call someone that can help you with this, before we head out?" Making mistakes is how we learn, if they screw up shifting, let them know it's ok, reassure them it will get better, remember to teach, good luck

 

Stop by Dollar type store an buy big box of corn cereal that will feed student without breaking your bank every day?

 

When I trained with my trainer at Swift he had been driving for 23 years and was very fair about everything. He owned his rig outright so I was making him alot of money. Even though I had budgeted for food myself he would buy me food even wheni did not want it LOL I bet that was from his mom always telling him to be a good boy and eat LOL. He spent a lot of time in the seat while I was driving and even when we went to team he was always up when I needed him. I really think that is a key to be there all the time. Never once did I have to ask for help he was always anticipating my needs (this comes with time). If we were waiting on a load he would take me to a truck stop in the back and have me back in over and over again all diffretn ways so when I left I was comfy doing it.

 

Sounds like you found a unicorn from what I've been reading.

 

OP you were once new,be patient and treat the trainees like you would wanna be treated.

 

What I didn't learn but needed to know. How and when to scale a load. How to properly figure and set the tandems. Where the vehicle limits are. How tight a spot can I get in and out of. How different load heights in the trailer affect cg in corners. Use of thru lanes in metropolitan areas. California rules. Hard and emergency breaking (I realize you can't be hard on the equipment) how much room is the minimum no matter how good the conditions. What does the truck feel like on slippery surfaces?

Those are just a few things I've learned on my own. All should have been taught IMHO.

 

I had 2 trainers each for 2 weeks thats the way the company did it. Money was not a real problem for me but the first trainer made me feel unwelcome. He would make a sandwich for himself and eat while I was driving. So when we would stop I would go get me something and eat it in front of him. He was and a hole to say the least I never learned from him he was a new trainer who I told to stop training. The second one was the exact opposite he made me fill welcome in his truck fixed things in a crock pot made sandwiches and I learned from him. I would have not stayed in trucking if it wasn't for him. Just my 2 cents

 

When your student climbs into your truck for the first time you need to have your driver seat turned towards the passenger side. You'll need to be wearing knee high white socks with flip-flops along with just a red speedo. Look your student directly in the eyes as you slowly rub your bare chest. That student will know from that moment on he just made the worst mistake of his life when he decided to work for CRST. Unless of course that student swings that way, which in that case YOU just made the worst mistake of your life. Assuming its the former, it's best to let students know they made a bad decision up front instead of letting them find out after training.

 

If the student is financially hurting, tell him to stock up on Ramen Noodles and instant coffee. Microwave use is free at truckstops.