What qualifies a trainer?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Ducks, Sep 6, 2009.

  1. Ducks

    Ducks "Token Four-Wheeler"

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    What training is given, and what expectations are placed upon trainers?

    A friend of mine recently completed training, and after almost three months out with his trainer, he backed the rig only a handful of times, planned only one trip, never learned how to issue a comm check to pay a lumper, and was not provided with the necessary Qualcomm macros for daily reporting. Several times during his training period, he mentioned this to his trainer (who was unhappy that Fender was having trouble floating gears), and said that HE was the trainer and he'd cover those areas when it was "time".

    Well, the time never came and now Fender is solo. He handles the truck well, but has had to consult with his dispatcher several times on procedural issues. Last week the dispatcher asked who trained him and who the dispatcher was. My friend answered factually and said nothing personal about the trainer or his experience with him. (There were several other issues, but aside from talking with the dispatcher a few times, Fender decided it was best to just suck it up and consider it part of his "boot camp" experience. He didn't want to be considered a whiner... or possibly lose his job over a personality conflict.)

    But it makes me wonder. While my friend admits that his trainer was a really good driver, I think he sucked as a trainer. Is length of service the only qualifier for trainers? Are they given any training or guidance in what needs to be covered during a new driver's training experience? How does the company distinguish between poor training and a trainee's ineptness?

    I'm curious.
     
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  3. cherokeechief

    cherokeechief Light Load Member

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    well here is what happens. with some companies it differs, but with most, having a trainer and trainee in a truck they see it as a team situation. and they use it as such since they do not have team drivers. some of their loads require a load to be at a location in a specific time frame that only a team can do. so the trainer and trainee get treated as a team.
    here is where that becomes a bad thing. some drivers that become trainers think of it as a way to make more money. they are paid by the mile while the trainee is payed by the day. so with the companies that have no teams it makes them more money.
    it is sad that there are some trainers that all they think about is money, and making more money. they do not care if the trainee learns anything it is just for the money.
    now there are some trainers that want to help the trainees learn the ropes and do a good job. but most of the companies are making rookies trainers with only 6 months experience. this is a sad thing because anyone with only 6 months on the road should not qualify to train. they have not driven in every situation that there might be. some have not even drove in the winter time yet. but for some reason a company thinks only of the bottom line, filling a seat and don't care how it is done.
    a driver should have 2 years or more on their own in a truck and have a great safety record with no wrecks and no violations before becoming a trainer.
    also at some companies they do not pay a trainer anything extra.
    now at companies that pay a trainer extra for training will watch and make sure that a trainee is properly trained. they will set up a plan and stick with it. these companies have team drivers so the trainer and trainee are not pushed in to doing team runs, which allows the trainer to do what he is suppose to do. and the trainee will learn more and understand what has to be done when they are assigned in their own truck.
    schnieder had a training program that after being with a trainer the trainee was put with another trainee with equal knowledge and ran like a team. this allowed them to learn from each other and better each others' knowledge, then they became solo drivers or stayed as a team.
    not sure if schnieder still does this but they use to.
    alot really depends on the company that has the training program.
    some are good and some are bad, and then you got the ones that just really suck.
    so it is more or less taking a chance when you get a trainer and what company does with their training program.
    everyone is differant.
     
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  4. tinytim

    tinytim Road Train Member

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    In three months he wasn't able to pick up the procedural stuff and trip planning? And I guess the company doesn't issue any manuals at all for the procedures. Sounds like an interesting situation.

    I don't know what companies look for in a trainer but I do know that with a year and a half experience I don't feel even close to being ready to do that. And from what I hear, I would do a much better job at it than a lot who are training.
     
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  5. notarps4me

    notarps4me Road Train Member

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    What qualifies a trainer?

    Some co's 6 months exp....:biggrin_2556:
     
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  6. danelady

    danelady Light Load Member

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    Wow...3 months! I went through 3 trainers...being with the first two women trainers was like being pulled through the eye of a needle. One was a 70yr old battleaxe who kept commenting on what kind of mother I was,ppfffft! The other was pissed that she wasn't a man and kept containers of pee in the truck which she would throw at other drivers' trucks! She also brought her 'wife' in with us and I had to sleep on the top bunk even when we were moving! I was a blithering idiot from the nonsense they put me through. I was finally put in a truck with a guy...a good teacher..unfortunately since I had taken up so much time with the other nimnulls I only had 10 days with him. He was on a dedicated route and I think dedicated drivers need to diversify their routes for the sake of the student in order to teach trip planning. I memorized the complete interstate from Phoenix to Albuquerque to Denver and back again but when I went solo I was at a loss cause I wasn't given the same dedicated route,go figger...big time stress there. I just kept my thinking cap on tight,asked alot of questions and I fell asleep alot studying the map. One good thing with a dedicated trainer is all the backing that must be done..I left him capable of backing into anywhere and I thank him to this day. Those first two trainers I had came close to breaking my spirit,and I would have walked away from a job I really love. Even though I wasn't with my final trainer long he did give me my confidence back...which gave me strength. By the way...his trucking company was 'Ten Commandments Trucking'! Its a shame to see what is passing for trainers out there...but if you can stick it out till you're solo,not hit or kill anyone,everything else is easy to learn if you focus on what has to be done,and ask questions. I did my share of apologizing too,when I went to the wrong address,or other stupid stuff. Shoot,I haven't done the lumper thing in so long now I forgot,myself. This is just my experience,I'm sure other trainers can chime in and tell ya what the criteria for being a trainer actually is.
     
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  7. Scuby

    Scuby Heavy Load Member

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    A good trainer takes the time and has the patience to teach the paperwork,polish the skills the trainee is suppose to get at the Truck Driving School, and the how the company prefers things to be done. A trainer can't do that in the sleeper with the curtains closed. I use to work for Greyhound behind the counter and to be a trainer a driver had to have ten years with the company before they could even apply to be a trainer and thats if you qualified.
     
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  8. Ducks

    Ducks "Token Four-Wheeler"

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    Actually, he's learning fast now that his dispatcher is explaining the when-to's and how-to's. Fender's no dummy. The reason he wasn't exposed to a lot of the procedural training is that the trainer insisted on driving during the daytime and would also step in when dealing with shippers and receivers (including backing into the docks). He made it known early on that he was IN CHARGE. Fender drove only at night and, I think, used only to crank out 550-700 miles a night.
     
  9. notarps4me

    notarps4me Road Train Member

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    Maverick was above and beyond on the trainer requirements. You needed 2 years with them and a spotless record with an acceptable fuel mile avg. I wish more co's took better pride in who became trainers. It would help eliminate a lot of driver problems out here.
     
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  10. Ducks

    Ducks "Token Four-Wheeler"

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    That was my advice to my friend as well. Learn what you can from what the trainer offers... and once solo, talk with other drivers. Ask questions. Listen and learn from their experiences. The good part is that he's a very social guy and knows that regardless of how many years he will be in this business, he'll never know it all. :biggrin_25519:

    I don't think a day goes by that he doesn't talk with other drivers and learn something new. Plus, when the experienced drivers start telling their "war stories", he gains confidence knowing that they've encountered difficulties along the way as well.

    God bless all you drivers who will extend a hand to a new driver. It makes a world of difference to these guys.
     
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  11. Ducks

    Ducks "Token Four-Wheeler"

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    I agree, tarps. And I wish companies would understand that just because someone's a good driver, s/he's not necessarily a good trainer. A trainer needs to be able to develop a plan, implement it with some flexibility based on the trainee's abilities, and exhibit a reasonable amount of patience. This is an entirely different skill set than driving a truck -- and I don't think companies (trucking and otherwise) always understand that.
     
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