Left Old Mentor

Well it was really hard to do this because I don't want any conflicts. But when I got to Jurpa Valley today my former mentor tells me that he us going to take his car home and get his brakes fixed and to watch the truck again. Ok I'll be quick about this. I went into the terminal to meet my new driver manager (when I upgrade), so he asked how many times I have asked the truck since our conversation a week ago. And I tell him only one more time. He said I want you off that truck and I'll find you someone who will get you ready for upgrade. Then he asks for my driver number and says how can only have backed up 2 times in 123 hours? I told him that the mentor wants to do it all the time. So anyway I have to go through about 3 upper level managers and then get sent back to the driver coordinator and she sets things rolling to get me another one who will pick me up on Thursday morning and start with the new mentor. So I have 77 hours left until I upgrade. This will be a tall order. Anyway I talked to him on the phone today for about 45 minutes. So we have a lot in common, not to mention the age gap is a lot less. 66-30 vs. 66-59 is better. No more annoying rap videos. Now before there is a big ruckus about that, I don't subject others to my music. I use earbuds so common courtesy (which seemed to go out the window) is only appropriate. Weither I'm on his truck or not.

Ok I'll update later.

Raptor

Personally I think it's better to move drivers around to different mentors and I've had discussions about that with some of the people who run these training programs. I think it's insane to stick two people together 24/7 for weeks or even months at a time. It's a miracle more people don't get choked to death in their sleep.

Plus, I think it's best to learn from several different instructors because everyone has different teaching styles and ways of doing things. You're going to learn a lot more from a variety of instructors than you will with just one, and you'll likely maintain a higher level of sanity at the same time.

Personally, all of this seems painfully obvious to me but none of the training programs have implemented any sort of a rotation.

Personally I think it's better to move drivers around to different mentors and I've had discussions about that with some of the people who run these training programs. I think it's insane to stick two people together 24/7 for weeks or even months at a time. It's a miracle more people don't get choked to death in their sleep.

Plus, I think it's best to learn from several different instructors because everyone has different teaching styles and ways of doing things. You're going to learn a lot more from a variety of instructors than you will with just one, and you'll likely maintain a higher level of sanity at the same time.

Personally, all of this seems painfully obvious to me but none of the training programs have implemented any sort of a rotation.

I feel the exact same way, learning multiple ways to to achieve the same goal is often the best way to learn something new to you. Brett we really need a like or upvote button, no need for a dislike or negative button just the positive one.

Raptor, sorry about the difficulty with your Mentor. Hang tough and plow through it. I'm sure your DL will make sure you get results with the new Mentor. This subject comes up all to often in my opinion. Too many L/O's are just looking for the extra$$$ and have little or no ability/ interest in training new drivers. It's not just Swift, this comes up with trainees all across the board. I really do not know the solution. Apparently these Companies need more trainers than those that are truly interested in, and capable of properly training new drivers. I can't believe you are the first one that has had problems with this individual. And I'm not sure how many "strikes" these trainers are allowed against them before they are removed from that position. Look forward and not back. You'll be solo in no time

You did the right thing Raptor. Don’t look back...

I'm glad to hear it!

I have said it here before, but I am not a fan of lease ops training. Personally I feel I am employed by company x so I should be trained on company x's owned truck. I think a lot of lease ops see it as free money and could care less about the student.

Raptor that really is a painful thing to go through. I have seen it on many occassions, and yes it happens at all companies. I have been going through much of what your talking about with a friend of mine recently. The trainer in my opinion should not be a trainer. I coached my friend through those difficult scenarios the best I could and that nightmare is over. She survived, and so will you. I also agree totally with Brett, we all have our own style of doing things and sharing our knowledge. The more perspective you take in the more choices you have. This will be a positive for you in the end. G is spot on, don’t look back!!

I don't know whats worse, never getting the chance to backup or being forced to endure rap videos. I think the latter.

Then he asks for my driver number and says how can only have backed up 2 times in 123 hours?

I feel ya Raptor, I backed up exactly 4 times during my entire 205 training hours before my upgrade. I was also with an O/O. Wish it had been a company driver.

This is why I decided to become an awesome trainer!!