Seriously, some of the guys just show up and take whomever. Others talk to driver services to get a heads up on who is available. Some of them will pick a couple out of the class and talk to them before hand to weed out someone who might be a bad fit for them. You as a student also have a voice in it. If you know before hand that your mentor is not a good fit, say so. Just make sure it is for the right reasons.
I try to make it to the termunal to talk to a few people (the ones that run orientation) but if I can not make it there in time, they know what I am looking for and what u expect. I am currentky a l/o otr mentor, but due to things that have come up, I am on my last student for awaile. I will also be going back to being a company driver due to personal/family reasons. I really don't want to give up the truck I am leasing, but my family comes first. I may go back to being a mentor in the spring time, but that all depends on my wife's health. My biggest suggestion I tell all students (both mine and other mentors students) do not let the mentor try to scare you by saying that I am your only chance or try to have you do things that you do not feel comfortable doing. my buggest thing is safty. I will not do anything to put my life or someone elses life in danger. I want to go home to see my wife and daughter and not to be brought home in a casket. If you feel that something is being done unsafly, ask your mentor about it. If you are not satisfied with the answer, contact your DSC. If you can not get ahold of him (in Syracuse its Dave), call back and press 0 for the operator and ask for Larry (the safty man, nice guy and knows his stuff). You as a student do have a voice on how things are done in the truck, do not let the mentor push you around. Be safe and good luck.
In case some of you have not seen this: http://www.thetruckersreport.com/truckingindustryforum/swift/136848-new-folks-listen-up.html Good luck, guys. Nonsmoker dude: if you insist on a nonsmoker, you might be waiting a while. I hope that's not the case, but I will warn others: the more qualifiers you place on an acceptable mentor, the longer it will take to get one. Ladies, if you insist on a nonsmoking female trainer, you better not give up that 7/11 job until you know for sure your mentor is on her way to get you. Then pray there are no fundamental personality differences that will make it an intolerable situation. Just sayin.
Well like i said i can get along with almost anyone. I am sort of a quiet person i enjoy my solitude. kinda anti social too. im not the type to B*%@H & complain im there to learn a job from the mentor. just as long as the mentor aint tryin to shaft me & teach me badly i will have no complaints. Thanks Lee
Long Shot Sorry to hear you are haveing a string of bad luck. Hope the wife gets better & you get to keep your tractor. Thanks for all the insight you have given Lee
Well, the wife told me today that she needs me home. So, I made the deceision that I will be home by thid monday night. The student I have will be going with another mentor (a former student of mine from about 5 years ago). I know he will be in good hands. My family is more important than the the highway. Best of luck to all the new guys.
