Said i'd never do this......

sadly i agree wtih the statement about some drivers with 30 yrs exp still be in training....

 

all I know, if I was new...and it was dead of winter and we were in say Wyoming in one of Wyomings famous storms....then I sure in heck would want somene with at least 10 years exp to drive us safely thru it...not that a less exp. driver cant...just saying more is better...lol

 

I agree with BlackW900.

Dick,

I for one think you should not be a mentor. To begin, you are using your students and it is not right. In addition, making them sign a contract is wrong in my book. Set some ground rules and let it be that. Also, try get on a different account where you do not have to run team. My belief is training should be done running solo miles.

KH

 

Are you training?

 

The whole training process is messed up IMO. The really important things can't be taught anyway. No matter how good the trainer, how receptive the trainee and how long the training period you'll never encounter every situation. The important thing is for the trainer to be able to determine if the new driver will be able to deal with things the right way. That doesn't matter much either though if the companies are intent on putting square pegs in round holes.

That said, the more experience the better. I had a very short training period with a guy who had about 15 years experience. I learned a lot more from him that I could teach anyone at this point for the simple fact I haven't experienced that much yet. I still run into situations where I immediately remember something he said.

 

Dick,

I believe 25% do it for the mileage and the other 75% do it to train existing drivers to become better drivers. As a student coming out of school, you have not hit a dock, did tricky backing let alone a lot driving. I do believe that a good teacher will produce good results and it shows. Just look at Evertruckers postings from the Crete section, Trucker Steve from May, and JJRanch when he trained at Central. All have produced good truck drivers because they wanted to teach, not because they have to in order to get on a dedicated account.

KH

 

Dick is very comfortable "bumping the back" now, though!

 

For some reason I feel safer knowing the student is driving....