Ride along training

My trainer was in the passenger seat for the 1st 7 days , and as I
understand it , that's how it's suppose to be.

Also , with Swift it's 240 hours behind the wheel , which for most takes 5 - 6 weeks
( you need to allow for resets , home time or waiting on a load etc. )

 

There was no home time scheduled into my 6 weeks out. Though I did get a weekend when my trainer had to go get blood work done.

I did also get to babysit a load for a weekend while he went home. We drove it nonstop from Washington back to Illinois hoping to drop it at the yard. But no luck. I think he planned it... knowing if we ran hard he would have two days home before the receiving time.

Mikeeee

 

All the years I trained/Mentored with Swift...we were out for 10 and took 2-3 off at home. I only took students that hailed from the Sacramento/Reno/Bay area so we could both have "home" time!

The "training schedule" was much different then!

 

I was offered the oppurtunity to be a trainer when I had about nine months in but, I turned it down. I never said anything about holding anyones hand. I said that when a student starts they should be driving and the trainer should be training. Then as they PROVE themselves as a capable driver you can start team driving. I definatly dont think they should ride shotgun for the first week, they'r there to learn to drive, you cant learn much from watching.

I personally could not sleep with a brand new driver was driving. I know what schools teach or I shold say don't teach. They basically give you what you need to pass the test and get your license. Why do you think we often hear of students getting in wrecks while the trainers in the sleeper berth. Right as I was going out with my trainer my company had a student roll a truck on a exit ramp. The trainer was in the sleeper berth sleeping. They where both ok but, they BOTH lost thier jobs.

I know I am still considered a noob and there's alot about trucking that I have yet to experience. I was just trying to give the op advice to find a good company that will train him to succeed in the trucking industry. Not train him to be another steering wheel holder like the driver mills are pumping out with there team training operations.

 

Hello, I am thinking seriously about going to train with crst. I don't know about the team part of it. And sleeping..Is it very hard to sleep while the truck is moving? Do you hear the radio etc? I have trouble sleeping and don't want to get into that and kill someone..What's the sleeper berth like?

 

The company I'm working with now has the trainee do all the driving while the trainer rides in the passanger seat logging on line 4.The trainer puts the trainee in a motel at night and he sleeps in the truck.Usually only takes a couple of weeks to complete OTR training then you go to one of the main terminals for pump-off training. If you are training and running as teams as a lot of Mega-Carriers run you when you are not driving and the trainer is you are to be in the bunk.(Bottom Bunk at that.)