Trainer training methods

Coming from someone who's only been looking into companie's training methods/periods (because I will soon be entering into one), I think you really need to look at the whole picture. I see companies that only offer a week or 2 of training. I see companies that offer more than 8 weeks. I think part of the argument here is how long is long enough with a one on one trainer? All the companies I've looked into (not saying all that exist) that offer team training is after a period of one on one training. If a few weeks of one on one training is acceptable as a training period, then how is team training after that a detriment? I'm sure that after I receive my training, I'd be very glad to drive on my own, but have a trainer within arms reach to assist me. Sleeping as a team is a concern, but as some here have mentioned, not all companies drive you hard as a team, it's still about the learning experience.

Before I'm assaulted as being a dumb student trying to defend crap companies that team students from the start, I'll repeat, that's not what I'm saying. I just believe that people should look at the whole picture before condemning every company that has team driving as PART of their training.

 

The biggest issue with team operations is sleep. If you can sleep in a bouncing truck, you'll be ahead of the game. People who can't sleep will become increasingly tired as the "training" period continues (of course, once the "trainer" is in the bunk, you are no longer training but, rather, practicing).

The primary purpose of the HOS regulations is to ensure that drivers are well rested because research has shown that tired drivers tend to make stupid mistakes.

I, personally, will condemn "every company that has team driving as PART of their training" because my experience and knowledge leads me to believe that it is an extremely dangerous practice. However, it's your life and I firmly believe that you have the right to risk it in any manner you choose. BOL

 

If you can't drive without grinding gears because a "trainer is in the jump seat", as a trainer I sure wouldn't crawl in the bunk.


Crawl,walk,run.

9-14 days with a trainer is training, being used to generate money as a "training team" for the company is not "training". If a trainer gets mad because you grind gears the first few days, that person is not a trainer.

jmo

 

I realize that was probably a typo or auto-correct thing, but that was priceless. I had visions of Jason and the Argonauts, one of the better B movies....

 

Trainer is not required to be in the front at all as it is on the job training but CDL training your instructor must be in the front seat at ALL times while you are behind the wheel. Not all but most trainers are #### because all they are after is the money and using you to double the miles for a fatter paycheck and could careless if you learn anything at all.

 

Your right "it WAS" the way , but not so much anymore just like bias belt tire and split rims. And I'm glad for that!

 

you can train without being in direct line of sight.

Laying in a bunk, you can "feel" and sense how the student is driving. You feel all the grinding, the good and bad shifts etc.

Next time as a student, don't just think about crashing out immediately, lay there and sense how your trainer is driving. You might learn a thing or two.

Want to really test yourself. Get a mug of water. My trainer used his coffee cup. Set it on the dash and went to bed. He'd eventually take the cover off it too. The unspoken word was, "don't spill my coffee." Try driving that way.

 

That water things gonna depend on your truck, wouldn't it? You get a real freightshaker and even the 30 year super trucker himself couldn't keep all that water/coffee in.

 

I guess I missed out on the trainer. Passed my written test short time later took the driving test about 10 am at 1 or so went and picked up an old 8630 for dad in the cabover IH. The next day I went to the sale barn at conway with my uncle, when I told him I think we got a load I heard him say son pack em' in till the hides hangin' out you got to be in nebraska in the mornin. Dont give me that you don't know how to get there crap you been with me a hundred times. Use the pay phone when you get there call me I tell you whats next. heres 500 for fuel and eats hope you aint real hungary. You keep your rubber side down feed lot bound and we get along fine. Or was my training riding around with him every chance I got?

 

You really should TRY something before you complain about it.

My 2007 Century seems to be just as quiet as a lot of the peterbilts and KWhoppers I have driven in the past.

Nicer in ways too.

No brand of truck is without it's faults.