Profile For Mike D

Thank you for the replies and input! I have decided to hold off on asking for a new trainer since today marks the end of the first week of me in the truck. Company policy is we are to try to work out our differences before going to the company. We've been talking since I posted, and we've sorted most of them out. I'm now starting to do 75-80% of the driving and working towards doing 95%+, so his unsafe habits will not be as big of an issue.

He's very knowledgeable, for the most part a very patient and good trainer in his approach, and I do like that he doesn't believe in running the truck as a team operation because he can train if he's sleeping. Company policy is the first 2 weeks it's a solo truck, and the remainder of the time it has to be agreed on mutually by the trainer and trainee.

Now, a training update:

I've been struggling with the backing, and today, our first customer was extremely tight, and the trainer asked me "this is going to be extremely tight, so you're welcome to do it if you want, or I will. Just please don't do it if you're very uncomfortable because that's when accidents happen." I looked the space over as we were approaching the docks and said I didn't think this was the time to try such a tight spot. The next customer was tighter than anything I had tried before, and I had a great approach getting as close as I could to the trailers. While we were waiting for another truck to pull out, the trainer got out to guide me and when he looked at the door, wouldn't you know it was one of the only 2 doors that has to be blind sided because of where the empty trailers were parked. I was thinking "man I can't catch a break." We're on a manifest load now, so we have 6 stops in total, so I can do plenty of backing on this load.

See I'm trying to decide if I ask for a new trainer and tell them why, or if I just report the behavior after my training is up. I can deal for the next 3 weeks, and the company is fairly small. I'm not trying to rock the boat, and I realize part of his job is to try to break me or at least push me to my breaking point. I wish him the best of luck with that one since I was in the Navy, and my stepfather growing up was extremely abusive. I can take a lot and feel like it might just be best to hold out the three weeks and then talk to someone.

I haven't posted in a couple days because I'm trying to figure out how to handle some things with my trainer. I figure maybe some of the veterans on here can give me some pointers.

My trainer has been swearing and calling me names like "don't be a f*****g retard" I was in the navy, so whatever, but what I can't tolerate is feeling as if my safety is being put in jeopardy by him tailgating and and texting while driving along with other unsafe driving practices.

I was dying reading your posts. Good luck tomorrow, you'll do great I'm sure!

I guess I should get to sleep since 0300 will come pretty quick and I'm getting behind the wheel for the first time fully loaded with my trainer.

Which company did you choose to train with?

Wel Companies is the company I chose.

So, the last week was spent with a local trainer who helped hone some city driving and backing a bit more.

I met my trainer this afternoon, and we picked up a load to go to Macon GA. He didn't have much time left, so we only went a few miles.

We went over the training expectations and timeline.

He showed me how to slide the tandems, check in with a shipper, and went over some trip planning.

In the morning I'll be driving, and I'll update as I can.

Should be meeting my road trainer today! I was told to meet him at 12, and it's 12:20, so I'm guessing he got held up and isn't in yet, or he's not done with his 10 hour yet.

I'll start a training thread once we get going, and I have a chance.

That's actually a really smart move... the backing off by $20 each week. It will be tough but so worth it once you're completely off advances. You could probably even just go $10 off a week and be fine. I'm proud of you guys that start from the bottom like this and show your dedication; you're an inspiration for guys like me. I look forward to reading about your journey (please do a training blog) and wish you success. Check in when you need to and we will provide all the help and encouragement we can.

Thanks!

The people on this site are amazing! I'm still learning my way around the site, so once I get with my trainer, I'll figure out how to start a training blog. I've always been a hard worker, and never have I taken a hand out. I've been homeless and worked 2 jobs to get out of it.

So, I graduated CDL school last week, and I started orintation today.

It seems the people so far are pretty upfront and honest with things. I definitely like that my recruiter used to be a driver, and his situation coming into trucking was much like mine. I'm dead broke. He gave me some tips on how to limit my expenses since I had $20 left when I left home.

They give us company vehicles to use to drive to the stores and stuff, so once I'm eligible to get an advance, I'll take it to get my bedding and toiletries. Meanwhile, I'll use what's at the hotel.

Nothing really special to say about day one of orientation. I'm pretty sure the last time I filled out this much paperwork was either when I joined or left the Navy...

Since I've read many many people say "don't take advances," I'll add I'm taking the full $100 they allow us the first week, then I'll drop it back to no more than $80 the next week and keep decreasing by at least $20 until I'm not using it anymore. Like I said, I came with $20 to my name, and I actually overdrew my account to have that $20.

Hate to dredge up a zombie thread, but I was just wondering if you're still with WEL? I graduate CDL school this week and chose WEL as my company. I'll be at orientation a week from Wednesday.