When am I no longer considered a new driver?

that's very true.. which explains why a lot of times as winter comes to a close and the spring begins to move in, why when 70-plus degrees little humid in the southeast many people have their air conditioners on you see people rolling along with winter fronts on...HEHHEHHEH

 

@otterinthewater i have a serious non “gotcha” no trouble intended question to ask because I’ve always been curious and you’re the first person I’ve known that could ask. I’ve followed you peripherally on this site since you joined, I’m not sure we’ve ever talked but I see you around.

So I’m wondering, you’ve driven tractor trailer less than a year (if I’m wrong correct me) yet I think you’re a trainer. Do you feel you’re qualified to be a trainer when you haven’t even driven a year? My understanding is that most guys become trainers 1 for the money and 2 because no one else will do it.

It just piques my interest, no harm no foul if you don’t want to answer. And for the record June will be 22 years for me.

 

Great question. Thank you.

EDIT: this is really long. I did my best to not be defensive. Probably failed. LOL
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I think putting a rigid box around anything and conforming to that shape keeps people from advancing at their own pace.

In my particular case I started driving farm tractors when I was 12 (as soon as I could reach the pedals) working on my uncles farm back east during summer vacation. I hold racing license’s for cars and motorcycles. I’ve been a race school instructor and run tech for events. I’ve driven a variety of class 8 vehicles in the toter-home and garage coach classification since the early 1990’s. Lastly I’ve pulled (bumper pull) 20-40’ trailers every weekend for decades.

Being a trainer is a natural progression for me and my skill set. I think the real test isn’t the amount of years or miles someone has driven but how they can control the vehicle and how they can explain and teach the skill sets required. I’m not qualified to train drivers who are at a super high level, but new drivers or drivers that require some evaluation I feel I’m more than qualified.

As far as why I train. Yes it’s for the money. Without the increase in pay I’d gladly run solo. I also think from what I’ve read that a large amount of trainers are only in it for the money. I think that’s patently wrong. I evaluate each student and try to teach them to act professionally and to operate the vehicle in a safe manner. I make myself open to their calls 24/7 even after we’re done training. What bothers me with the new breed of drivers isn’t that their dumb or whatever. Theyre not. What matters is few actually train them. It’s the mileage mule BS. CDL school doesn’t teach you things like not to do your 30 in the fuel island plus a million other things. Backing is a big issue. Trainees act like there’s a secret to it. Not really it’s just practice and figuring out why you missed the hole. Then taking that experience and working it into a program that works. Every student is different so adjusting it to them is pretty easy.

Every student I’ve had has been so excited to learn. I mean really stoked to start a new career. To make money and be a pro. The problem I see is that no one treats them like a valued member of the driving fraternity. I do.

Your second part was about no one wanting to do it. Some do it fo the money, yes. Some do it because they’re lonely. I do it because I feel like I can help some people. But, ya... I mostly do it for the money.

Oh ya. I’ve a superhero amount of patience. That helps.

Lastly @johndeere4020 when you see me again please introduce yourself. I bet I could learn a thing or two from you.

 

A driver is when you can maunuver in tight city areas, throw iron in 15 mins., act & look like you have pride in what you do and know when to rethink something that could be a bad idea.

 

You obviously never had a Wyoming, eh? Talk about bitter. They ain't no Kentuckian!

 

Very interesting, this deserves a longer thought out response which I lack the time to provide right now, I’ll get back to you.

 

@johndeere4020 . Otter can correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe he has had his own business before also. And got into driving because he wanted to, not as a last resort job. From what I have read from him he seems to have a fair amount of common Sense also. I think his attitude to the job and other life experience probably play a large role in why he is successful at what he is doing.

 

I was just skipping around old threads and came to this one.

When I was a newer driver I was trying to figure out “what to do.”

I think the biggest change for me is I’ve stopped thinking that way. It’s now more about knowing what not to do. Sounds a bit counterintuitive, but my reality says it works. Weird.

 

Makes sense

 

Nice to hear from you Zoltan! I hope you’re well in Vegas.