things to learn when training

Trainer should let you do all of the backing.

 

The biggest problem most students have is that they HEAR instead of LISTEN. Theres a huge difference in hearing and listening. Listening is hearing with a goal or purpose in view.


If you want to make sure that you get the most out of your training, learn how to listen and practice listening. Now, if I tell someone to learn how to listen and to PRACTICE listening, and he responds by saying, "I am a good listener", he is not listening. Can you explain why? (Trick question for OP, give OP the opportunity to answer first. Thanks, gang)

 

You should be able to slide the tandems and get heavy loads legal. Don't just let your trainer stand outside and lock and unlock pins.

 

Check that 77smartin....the trainer should help you while you are "learning" to back , by letting the rookie watch him/her back a couple of times , then ease the rookie into it on a place by place basis. I'm sure that's what you meant though.

 

True. Learn to do it by yourself and learn the rocking methods, hammering those pins, locking pliers, etc.

 

I'm a newer driver (9 months solo + 3 weeks company training, 6 weeks OTR with trainer) and here are some of the things I wish I was taught or payed more attention to during that phase of training:
- tandem adjustment and 5th wheel
- backing tricks and when to avoid backing if not necessary
- truck stop and general trucking etiquette. Don't become one of the clueless ones.
- dealing with shippers and consignees directly.
- budgeting yourself OTR as much as it is possible while in training
- how load weight will affect the handling and traction in the truck on different surfaces
- truck parking options depending on where you are and what time of day
- ask about everything - that's what they are there for.
- time management and hours management
- logs (how does the 14 work exactly, when to take your 30 minute break, when to reset, and Qualcomm macros if you are using Q.C.)

Lost goes on and on....be a sponge and be proactive.

 

There is a fine line between dealing with a trainer you dont like and dealing with a bad trainer. If a trainer does anything unsafe or DOT illigal, report him and get a new trainer. If you have personality differences...try to deal with it if you can depending on how bad. Be respectful, and take thier instruction, but dont let them make you drive unsafe.

 

There is so much for you to learn. You just need to learn as much as you can. Some of those lessons you will need to learn more then once. The short answer is SAFETY. You need to learn how to drive safety. Anything else is secondary.

Do not drive as fast as you can. Drive as fast as you feel safe doing so. Do not follow too closely. Trucks take forever to stop. Cars will cut you off and then brake for no apparent reason. Speed kills.

Learn how to fuel and where to fuel. More and more companies are requiring you to fuel at certain points to only carry enough fuel to get you to states that have cheaper fuel or to get you to their terminals to fuel.

Learn your companies break down rules. Who do you call? Where is your insurance in case of an accident.

Learn how to drop a trailer. It isn't as easy as it seems. You will find that out if you happen to follow someone who lives the trailer land gear too high or too low.

Learn the real world way to do a pre-trip and post trip. Then forget that and do it the way they taught you in school. But do learn why you are checking the hubs. Learn why you are checking for breaks or cracks in the wheels. Learn what sounds are normal and which tell you that your turbos are going out.

Learn what to do at a weight station. What paper work you have to bring in. How to talk to the fine officers. Learn what roles you can take around the station if you can be sure of your weight. (I didn't tell you that.)

And finally, learn the difference between a lot lizard and a fellow, an very pretty, driver. That will save you a face slap.

 

ANY time you are sitting somewhere where other trucks are backing into nearby spaces, observe the different ways different drivers setup for the back. Observe how easy or difficult they end up making the backing maneuver work. There may be 5 or 6 different styles for setting up for a particular back, but only 1 or 2 will be as effortless as possible, beginning to completion.

Some drivers develop a "preferred" setup style, and if it works for them consistently, great. It may not be the way you learn to prefer in a similar situation. But you really need to learn to recognize when a driver has initiated the setup incorrectly and is doomed for failure or very difficult and dangerous back at best ... and then instill that into your mind as something not to do.

You learn a lot by doing, but you can also learn a lot by carefully observing others and paying attention to the details of the setup and the backing.

Don't expect the trainer to cover "all" the various aspects. He may forget some, he may neglect to recognize a teachable moment or he may be a weak/bad trainer. You're on the right track with your query to learn things to look for or ask about at opportune times. Make notes here while perusing this forum. As you read through many of them, you will pick up on key points. Good luck and best wishes in your endeavors.