what can I expect from a trainer?

[another newbie]

I was wondering if some folks might tell me about the experiences they had with thier trainers.I will be heading out on the road for a few weeks with a company trainer and I was hoping to get a general idea of what to expect.Any advice you could give would be great!!Thanks alot!!

[Big_Dave]

I was wondering if some folks might tell me about the experiences they had with thier trainers.I will be heading out on the road for a few weeks with a company trainer and I was hoping to get a general idea of what to expect.Any advice you could give would be great!!Thanks alot!!
1. Some companies have a questionaire that newbies fill out. This covers some personal stuff like 'do you smoke', etc.... That way, they can try to pair you up with a trainer that is somewhat compatable to you.

2. Take notes! You're gonna be learning a lot of stuff in a short period of time.

3. DO NOT be afraid to ask questions!

When training, you're not supposed to be running like a team truck. You should spend at least 1/2-3/4 of the time behind the wheel. When you're training, your trainer is SUPPOSED to be in the passenger seat, NOT back in the bunk sleeping. When your trainer is driving, you're supposed to be in the passenger seat taking notes, asking questions and observing how your trainer 'does it'.

[another newbie]

Big Dave thanks for the help.Hopefully I dont find my trainer in the berth all day long!!

[Big_Dave]

Hopefully I dont find my trainer in the berth all day long!!
If you do, request another trainer!

[another newbie]

If I request another trainer won't that get me into some serious trouble with the company Im trying to impress?It would be a valid reason but still isn't it just a newbies word against an experienced driver?I would be afraid of getting fired :yikes:

[Big_Dave]

If I request another trainer won't that get me into some serious trouble with the company Im trying to impress?It would be a valid reason but still isn't it just a newbies word against an experienced driver?I would be afraid of getting fired :yikes:
I doubt it would get you into 'serious trouble'.

I'll let someone else that's had 'trainer problems' fill you in on how to deal with that.

One thing though......ALWAYS cover your azz! Document problems, etc.....

[nitestar]

No ,Another-Newbie that won't get you into serious trouble. It will show you are serious about learning.
You may be asked for verification, the notes you will take will back you up.
Don't be afraid to use the phone to voice a concern about something, but don't nit pik.
If you feel you are not being taught like you think you should be, by all means call and let your dispatcher know, If you don't learn it is you that will suffer down the road.

You are not part of a team.
You are not to do his or her laundry.
You are not expected to buy dinner or any meals..
You are not to do the unloading and not get paid for it.
You should be able to make the calls to dispatch after a week or so.
You should be able to get directions from the customer. "
You are to be trained.
Your job is to learn
You are a people and should be treated as such.


Do not be on the cell phone when driving.
Be sure to set it up with family that YOU will call them once or twice a week to keep them posted. This schedual should be agreed on by you and your trainer.Don't run into the TS to make a phone call to say howdy. this will not set well and could cost you dearly in the long run.

I trained for a while and for the most part I loved it. I was always impressed with a new driver that took notes and asked questons. The notes and questions kept me on MY toes. It for one, made me think of the things I did as habit.

Before I took on a new trainee , I always made the company pop for a motel room. I wanted to set the mood for learning and to get aquainted and to learn as much about my trainee as he or she could about me.

I tried to get them to relax and to not try to impress me with how great they did in school. Or which section they excelled in. I would in short order find out in the truck.

If at any time I thought we were having a communications problem I would suggest to them about changing trainers.
This was in no way hurting them but I felt I gave them a better chance at learning to being a good safe driver.

Ask the company or the trainer if they have been trained in and use the SMITH System.
If so you will learn a lot .
If not watch out for bad habits to be passed on to you.

READ the company Hand book. That will be your bible to a successful partnership with the company.

[another newbie]

What is the SMITH system?I haven't heard of it before now. Thanks for the other great advice :)

[nitestar]

The Smith System is a program that was developed to help ALL drivers to be better and safer on the highways.
Not just truckers
The program I used had lots more to it than I could ever pass on here.

It teaches you to look to the horizon and every place between the hood and the horizon.

It teaches you to see things you don't notice usually.

How to tell the diference between a fresh or stale green or red light.

How to be prepared for traffic jumping out from a parking spot.

Just so much to learn and it is mostly common sense,

It is things that other people learned by observing or from a hard lesson learned by having an accident and the Smith System will show you how to avoid the problems.
Also videos are used.
I think the Smith System is the best and I took the course before I became a trainer. Glad I did.

[newbie2828]

five keys to remember that i learned in cdl school and am still learning now as a new driver about the smith system-- just completed my first week with a driver trainer.

remember:
All
Good
Kids
Like
Milk

Aim high in steering
Get the big picture
Keep your eyes moving
Leave yourself an out
Make sure they see you

this is what ive been taught to remember.each one is pretty self explanitory.if ya have any questions about each let me know ill explain best i can.

[nitestar]

Newbie 2828 said
remember:
All
Good
Kids
Like
Milk

Aim high in steering
Get the big picture
Keep your eyes moving
Leave yourself an out
Make sure they see you

Glad you posted that, I couldn't remember that .
It is the rules to drive by.

It has been a long time since I trained. It ended in 96.

[another newbie]

thanks for the advice, will right it down in my notebook so that I can take it with me.Start driving in a few days,gotta go through orientation first :zzz: ...will be back friday night and then out again Monday.Will let ya all know how it went.Thanks again for the help.I don't feel as nervous as I did a few days ago!! :D

[Foxfire]

Check all of your mirrors frequently. Never make a move if you are not SURE that you can do so with no problem.
Listen to that trainer and like has been said, take notes. Watch what the trainer is doing when behind the wheel. Learn to feel the truck and what it is telling you. It will tell you all kinds of things, like when to shift, if it is having trouble, etc. Learn to take a good look at the area you are pulling into before you make the turn. Look all the way around and decide how you are going to get out before you get in there. I always called it "scoping out my escape route"....lol
If your trainer tells you he/she is going to bed while you are behind the wheel, find a place to park. When the trainer gets up then you drive on. Trainers are NEVER to get in the bunk to sleep while you are driving!
Keep your area clean. Find the trash bag or can and put all trash in there. When you get out of your bunk, make it up. A tidy living area makes both of you feel good. This is also teaching you how to keep your own truck neat and clean. Put your gear away before the truck moves.
Pay attention to everything around you. If you see that child playing ball in the yard up in front of you then you are prepared to stop suddenly if that ball bounces into the road and the kid follows it. Don't worry so much about the way you drive, worry about the way others around you drive.
The list goes on and on and one day you will do these things naturally. Right now you are there to learn and not let something going on at the house prey on your mind. Deal with it when you get home. I guess the best advice I can give is PAY ATTENTION! It will save your behind every time one way or another. Good luck!

[another newbie]

Hi all, Foxfire thank you for your reply and advice :) ,I will be sure to start scoping it out as soon as I get the chance.Just got home from Nashville and I have to wait a week for my trainer to get available :zzz: ,that's how it works out I guess.Im excited but I didn't realize all the testing I'd have to do AFTER my training is done.Another road test,defensive driving test,80 question written test,a stage 2 road test,blah blah blah....yikes!!Will let ya all know what my trainer is like when I finally meet them.Bye y'all :) :p

[southernman]

If your going with CR England,request a driver with more than 3-6 months experience.

[LugNut]

what can I expect from a trainer?To be trained how to drive a truck and manage time on the road. ;)

[Mr. McFeely]

READ the company Hand book. That will be your bible to a successful partnership with the company.This will save you more trouble than you can imagine. Good advice.

[dominopizzadrvr]

Ever had a colonostomy,if not don't expect that. Meals paid for and 3-6 beers a day,well i would'nt really expect that either. Just trying to put some funny in this post. :D