Out with a trainer??

Now say in my situation I've got over a million miles accident free (late 80's early 90's non verifiable expierience except for the awards that were given) and with the advice from several on this forum I am just finishing my refresher coarse at an approved school. Would they let the Trainer make the decision to run the truck as a team if he felt that the traniee was ready for this? The school is approved by all three companies on my short list. Swift, Crete and Prime.

 

Conway pulls doubles and triples.

 

I can only speak for the Prime experience. I think JCW spent a couple of days practicing w/ the trainer's truck on the pad when the trainer was in SpringMO for classes (when he picked him up). He may have spent one day observing JCW, but the rest of his time out (all but the last week of training w/ that trainer) was spent rolling as a team. And how. Avg over 5k/week.

 

Saia, Old Dominion, Estes also pull doubles/ triples

 

I would recommend adding it. I added it and tanker at the same time. You never know when you may need it.

 

Don't get caught with those though.

 

If you are a kid, bright-eyed with a fresh driver's permit. OR an adult with a fresh permit, you have to spend 6 MONTHS (in OK) driving w/ a licensed driver before you can get your permit "upgraded" to a driver's license. I'm not even going to comment on the current state of OK's graduated licensing for teens. *shudder*

IMO, sending new CDL holders out for 2, 4 or 6 months out with an experienced driver (as long as they are compatible) is not a bad thing. Obviously, 6 months is way too long for some, but WAY too short for others. Those are the ones that should rethink their career choice.

In JCW's case, he is an army veteran who fixed tanks, yanked tanks out of holes, and otherwise took care of the army's mobile land fleet. He spent the last *mumbletymumble* years fixing other people's cars. Constantly driving different vehicles. His first trainer thought he was ready at 25,000 miles, but Prime said "finish the 40K." Actually, we are both pretty happy with the way things turned out (except for the 2 months out, but we are making up for that). His second trainer (first one had to turn in his lease truck, and JCW was 5k short on miles) probably taught him more in that 1.5 weeks about the business side, than his original trainer did in the other 6.5 weeks.

But as with anything. You can make the experience a total and complete PITA, or you can DECIDE that you are going to have an ok time and get through it. A LOT of it depends on your attitude. Yes, I agree, there are trainers that shouldn't be driving, much less training, but for the most part, it should go smoothish. If something isn't right, call your company contact.

 

I had a pretty rough time out with my trainer (46 days Jan to Feb 2008 ) at Covenant. Now I know that seems short to some here and maybe the training has increased since then. But I am a good driver and haven't had any problems. I am also a very fast learner though and for some I'm sure 46 days isnt enough. I wont say that time with a trainer will necesairly be a great expereince. Mine wasn't but my trainer did know what he was doing and trained me well. He was just a terrible person to have to spend 46 days straight with.

 

If you can get past some peoples disgusting living habits and stick it out for the sake of experience and training, you'll be fine.

 

But if you're not learning and the trainer isn't training you then you need to find a new one.