Trainer training methods

.... coffee out my nose!

Ego is one half the equation. The other half is drivers trying to protect the wrong space. By that I mean drivers in medium to heavy traffic that are attempting to reduce following distance so they don't "get cut off" by another vehicle. That's just wrong on so many counts, especially when driving a big rig. In heavy traffic back off and have plenty of space in front of you, then you can go at a steadier pace and have the added benefit of creating space that vehicles can use to merge and get on and off exits. They can't "cut you off" if you offer plenty of space in front. Show me a trucker that whines about getting "cut off all the time" and I'll show you a trucker that is tailgating "all the time".

 

Training a new driver is more then driving down the road. It's teaching them how to live on the road and what to expect. I trained for Roehl and did not run team loads. What good is a "trainer" in a bunk sleeping....none.

I watched a new driver from Roehl hook up to a loaded trailer at a consignee that I had just dropped that BELONGED there and start to drive off. I stopped him and asked what he was doing. His reply was he needed a empty and had to get moving to get loaded at ANOTHER place and he was running behind.

I asked him about pre-tripping, as I had just dropped that LOADED trailer and how long had he been driving. Three days on the road.

His trainer?? ASLEEP in the bunk and never stirred.

The student left with me.

 

I don't disagree. In reality, though, there are as many ways to screw up as there are drivers; one 'bad' decision at the wrong time, and you're toast.

I'm a big fan of the Smith System http://www.smith-system.com/downloads/Drive_Different.pdf and I combine it's techniques with as much isolation from the other nitwits that I share the roads with as I can get. As much as it pains my oversized ego to admit it, I can screw up just as quickly as the next guy and I'd prefer that no one sees it when I do.

 

... reminds me of the pretty blonde that left with the guy that talked to her while her boyfriend was studying wood grain up real close at the bar...

 

Many students have left that were here before me and all I know is they all.say the same thing.
CDL school is just that, your only there to get your license. When you get a job its a whole different world and you might as well forget everything you learned in school because its not the same. Its nice to have space to learn but as you said he was up with every sound that means he was not to comfortable with a student driving him. Im a student (with a CDL but still a student for years im sure) and im also a great back seat driver lol the teacher made me the helper cause of it lol
Dont down shift on the hill whats wrong with you. Stop befor th stop sign, both hands on the wheel, my favorite how is it we forget the rules of the road just because we are new to driving a tractor trailer, no you cant turn in to that lane way over there guy said I do that in my car lol
#### I need to get to work this site is more addictive then facebook lol

 

You beat me to it.

 

Sounds like another knucklehead "trainer" who only sees students as a source of income.