What do students do to get washed out of their training or by coach ?

The drug test gets half of them. They failed to come to TTR and ask about the hair test.

Then there's the big guy that ate two stacks of pancakes and a half bottle of syrup, 1/2 lb sausage and washed them down with two mountain dews, then chain smoked all the way to the physical. He can't figure out why his BP is 180/110 and blood sugar 400.

Then there's the guy that shaves the wrong side of his face every time he looks in the mirror. Backing is a little more challenging.

Then there is the guy in the back row that got out of prison last month and has two outstanding warrants in the meantime.

Then there is the guy after one week out is missing his mommy!

As you see if you can get by all that and have just a teeny bit of sense you are a shoe in!

Good Luck!!

 

never trained anybody, i said trained not helped and by what you guys are saying glad i didnt. that has got to be a really hard job.

 

That's the easiest one to spot. Hasn't even left home yet, and he's already requesting home time.

 

i waited until i had a out bound load then would start plotting my back haul

 

Usually anything illegal or anything that puts you in immediate danger. Otherwise you will most likely be given the benefit of the doubt and allowed a few mistakes here and there. If after a week or so you just aren't learning anything or are completely unsafe then they may recommend you discontinue your training.

Ask your trainer ahead of time what they expect of you and try to follow those guidelines.

It also works both ways. If you feel you are not being trained properly or just plain don't get along with your trainer then you also need to speak up. You also want to make absolute sure that your trainer isn't making you do anything illegal or anything that you feel uncomfortable with. Remember that your license is your bread and butter and you don't want to do anything to put it at risk. This is also your career that you are training for and if you feel that you are receiving proper training then you are ultimately hurting yourself.

There are some trainers out there that just use students as a team driver or to gain miles. If you find you are running more than 4500 - 5000 miles a week then chances are you are being used as a team driver. Some newbies may think that 2000 miles a week is too much but that's not so. They just aren't used to driving for a living quite yet. You maybe asked or required to drive 11 hour shifts. This maybe tough for some at first and if its too much or you get tired then you need to speak up. Don't drive tired trying to impress your trainer! Talk it over with them and let them know that you just aren't quite used to it yet and need to take a few short breaks in between.

Whatever happens out there don't be afraid to communicate with your trainer. If for any reason they aren't listening to you or are making a big deal about it then you need to place a call to safety immediately and let them know what is going on.

There are a lot of good trainers out there but there are also a few mixed in the crowd that aren't worth a ####! The only way the company is going to know is if the trainees are speaking up and letting them know what is going on. If you feel you have to report your trainer for doing things improperly keep in mind that there is a good chance someone has made a complaint about them before and the company is keeping a closer watch on them. Let your company know what is going on. Its not being a "tattle tale", its more of a quality control issue.

For those of you that are attending company schooling, use this to your advantage. During the day and night you will have trainers coming and going from the terminal and if you have the opportunity strike up a conversation with them. If you find someone you like or someone you think maybe compatible with you then speak up and either request them as a trainer or have them ask to train you. This allows you to not just be thrown into a truck with a random stranger and hope you get along. Also ask to see their truck. Check it out, see how they live. Is their truck clean and organized or it is a pig sty?! You can also talk to other drivers coming and going and see if they have anyone that they recommend or if they had a good experience with a particular trainer.

Keep in mind guys/girls that this is your career and you need to be proactive for yourselves. These companies, (especially the mega-carriers) see thousands of drivers come and go and most don't last very long, so they aren't necessarily out to help a lending hand or watching out for your best interests. With that being said its also important to meet and talk to the folks in the office and introduce yourself. Sometimes if they have a face with a name then they will be more apt to remember you and in the future maybe a little more willing to help you out. Be friendly, be professional! Differentiate yourself from the other shlubby truck drivers that they see on a daily basis. A well mannered, nicely dressed, professional acting driver is going to be a breath of fresh air for them. This will also help for you to stand out and be remembered by the folks in the office.

 

We had about 40 people in our orientation and when it was time for the medical test we were left with about 12 people.

 

Pulling out of a dock on red!!!

I can't tell you how many DOT bumpers on our trailers are bent backwards in the middle...

How can you do that? Even on a green I walk back and check that the hydraulic lock is released.

Mikeeee

 

Always wondered about how the bumpers are like that but self explanatory, people do not pay attention.