Riding with a trainer

Takes sometime getting use to,not easy living in a truck with someone you don't know but it can work its self out.

 

Be nice to em or he'll throw you out of the truck and leave you stranded...just do your own thing, drive,drive and drive..

 

I'd like to see someone put me out in a strange place a thousand miles from home. It would be like trying to give a cat a bath!

 

No matter what, most important advice "always have money for a ticket home" before during and after training, you never know what could happen that makes you need to be there

 

Maybe my trainer will be a buxom 20 year old long haired blond who slips ruffies in my coffee.

 

Well, it is hard, but as one guy said here already it doesn't last 4ever... and as someone else said, you'll be thankful you have him/her there with you. There is a lot you can learn EVEN from a trainer that doesn't know anything. One gentleman I had the pleasure of speaking with by the name of Tim, told me that a truck driver had 6000 things on their mind, so to have someone else helping you think about those things while you're still getting your feet wet is a blessing. Any trainer will tick you off at times, even ones you get along with, just remember YOU'RE the student... even if he might still be one too. Truck Driving is an eternal leaning process.

 

Two dudes in a Miata together..........Yeah, nothin gay about that.....

 

I think everyone is nervous about it at first. You really just have to hope for a good trainer.

I enjoyed the time with my trainer. I even stayed on the truck with him for two weeks longer than I needed to after I road tested out of training. It was easier due to some scheduling conflicts in trying to get in the truck with my friend who I teamed with after. I still talk to him once a week usually if I'm actually awake during the day. Not all of them are the guys you hear about in the horror stories about trainers.

 

Want some advice?
Defer to your trainer. You are in his/her home. Respect that. You are a guest.
Every chance you get, ask questions. Pick their brains.
Bring something along that will give you quiet time when not on duty. A book, PC, phone, etc. It will distract you while you're sitting there doing nothing and relax you.
Be patient. It's all part of the process and you'll be much better for it when you're done.