Trainers? - What should new guys be looking for in a trainer?

Well IMHO when it comes to trainers and showers. It really depends on you. See, if you waste a lot of time doing stupid stuff like wandering around etc, then that's less time for showers. So don't waste your trainer's time and youll probably get more showers. Most of the trainees I encounter don't really have a good grasp of time management and that's something I end up having to teach too. The less time you waste during the day the more time you will have that night. Piss off your trainer and he just might start doing things to piss you off hoping you will quit and he can get someone more reasonable on his truck. Its a 2 way street folks.

 

Regarding asking for a new trainer, it will depend on the company. I know it's a fairly easy process at Swift. You are assigned a Driver Development leader when you are in training, someone at the home office you can contact by phone or on the Qualcomm. Outline the issue(s) and they'll route you to the nearest terminal or truck stop for getting assigned a new trainer. I've heard of trainees going through several trainers before finishing their training. It works both ways, a mentor can ask for a new trainee as well.

Regarding going the O/O right off the bat, I'd strongly recommend against doing that no matter what, unless you have prior experience in or around the trucking industry. Far better to be a company driver for at least a year or two, with a successful track record and let the company pay for your learning experience. After a couple of years you will at least have experienced a couple of winters, slow seasons, have a general idea of where freight is good for your type of van or flatbed or tanker, experienced a few roadside repairs or self repairs, and have a general idea of how to drive a truck economically and keep it running (and I recommend you try to make a game out of trying to get the best fuel mileage possible as a company driver if you want to become an O/O).

 

If you actually get to pick and choose? Try to find someone easy going,patient and doesn't make you nervous.Someone you can be around 24/7 and not get in a headlock. I had a hothead trainer.Every where we went ,yelling out the windows,squareing off with other drivers in truckstops because he didnt like their backing techniques.Dont get somebody that treats you like their b.... Some trainers will push you to speed and modify your HOS.While they sleep... have you running on their E log.Ideally find somebody safe,that can teach you well.I dont know what else to say,basically dont get an a...... JMO

 

Well stated. A trainee shouldn't put up with blatant anger management issues or manipulation of HOS. As soon as that "bovine fecal tissue" raises its ugly head then get with your driver development contact and request a new trainer. Let them know what happened and document it as best you can. The more trainees that complain about a particular trainer will mean the company will HAVE to correct the situation either by removing the trainer from training altogether or having a serious sit out discussion. Either way is a "win win" for the next trainee that may get on their truck.

In my case I put up with a trainer that should have been reported. I sucked it up and went through the complete training program with him simply to get it over with. In retrospect I should have reported him.

Now, as a trainer, I feel a greater responsibility to pass on the right way of doing things. I just graduated my first trainee and received a few texts from him and his wife thanking me for teaching some fundamental ways of being a professional on the road. I'll feel good when I see him and his wife teaming in another year or so, successful and safe.