Ask For New Trainer, Or Suck It Up?

It's sad we can't put down our phones...even truckers. I was headed up to Seattle with a student and happened to be following one of our company trucks when all of a sudden cars started spinning and parts started flying everywhere. Turns out my fellow truck driver from my company who happened to be a trainer and was driving at the time (after the accident it was told to me by an investigator that he was texting at the time of the accident) rear ended another semi who was slowing down for someone on the side of the road. When the texting trainer reacted his first instinct was to hit the brakes, problem was he didn't have time to hit the clutch. The transmission exploded into a million parts all over the road.

Fortunately everyone survived this accident, a good career was lost in the aftermath

Moral of the story ... yea you guessed it

And yes, I have only driven maybe 2 to 3 hours the past week. He blamed the weather, and I didn't push it, because some of those days, I was glad I wasn't driving to be honest.

I got done with my training, and upgraded in November. My first winter, I was scared poopless, on more than one occasion, and at times, I wished my mentor was still on the truck with me. And this winter, I am still scared poopless at times. And next winter, will most likely be the same. But I am also more confident in my skills, and how my truck handles.

You are in a position, to be able to cut your winter Driving teeth with someone sitting next to you, whether this person, or a different trainer. I would embrace that.

And yes, I have only driven maybe 2 to 3 hours the past week. He blamed the weather, and I didn't push it, because some of those days, I was glad I wasn't driving to be honest.

I got done with my training, and upgraded in November. My first winter, I was scared poopless, on more than one occasion, and at times, I wished my mentor was still on the truck with me. And this winter, I am still scared poopless at times. And next winter, will most likely be the same. But I am also more confident in my skills, and how my truck handles.

You are in a position, to be able to cut your winter Driving teeth with someone sitting next to you, whether this person, or a different trainer. I would embrace that.

That is why I started when I did, I just didn’t plan on starting during the storm of the century. I thought I would rather ease into it. :)

I would prepare now for that phone call on Monday by gathering as much accurate information as possible - direct quotes if possible, time of day and date also. When you can give them precise information like that they will be far more willing to believe you. Because there are definitely students who will exaggerate the problems or even be the cause of the problems but place blame on the trainer. We come across people like that in this forum from time to time, people who have never done anything wrong in their lives and everyone around them is an idiot and are clearly to blame for all of their problems.

So you want to make your case the way you would in court. Give them accurate facts and let them know you're simply looking for someone reasonable to work with.

Now if you really, really want to lock this in you should try to record some of his rants. It seems like he's ranting most of the time, so this shouldn't be too hard to do. Hearing about his behavior from you is only 10% as powerful as seeing it or hearing it for themselves.

In the NFL this past year there were a ton of cases where players were accused of domestic violence. Only two that I know of are out of football, and possibly permanently - the two who were caught doing it on camera. It's just so much more powerful and real when you see it or hear it. If you can even get one or two of his rants recorded on your phone it will change everything for you and might spare a bunch of students from enduring this guy in the future.

Even if you intend to stay with him I wouldn't tell the company everything is fine. I would let them know what's going on and how he's behaving, but that you're willing to endure it for a short time.

How long is your training period with this guy?

Another thing to think about is what about the next student? As the trainer, he should be the shining example of doing it the right way and leading by example, as previously posted. This one should not be a trainer. Is he a lease guy or not?

I would prepare now for that phone call on Monday by gathering as much accurate information as possible - direct quotes if possible, time of day and date also. When you can give them precise information like that they will be far more willing to believe you. Because there are definitely students who will exaggerate the problems or even be the cause of the problems but place blame on the trainer. We come across people like that in this forum from time to time, people who have never done anything wrong in their lives and everyone around them is an idiot and are clearly to blame for all of their problems.

So you want to make your case the way you would in court. Give them accurate facts and let them know you're simply looking for someone reasonable to work with.

Now if you really, really want to lock this in you should try to record some of his rants. It seems like he's ranting most of the time, so this shouldn't be too hard to do. Hearing about his behavior from you is only 10% as powerful as seeing it or hearing it for themselves.

In the NFL this past year there were a ton of cases where players were accused of domestic violence. Only two that I know of are out of football, and possibly permanently - the two who were caught doing it on camera. It's just so much more powerful and real when you see it or hear it. If you can even get one or two of his rants recorded on your phone it will change everything for you and might spare a bunch of students from enduring this guy in the future.

Even if you intend to stay with him I wouldn't tell the company everything is fine. I would let them know what's going on and how he's behaving, but that you're willing to endure it for a short time.

How long is your training period with this guy?

Wow. I literally just sat down from digging out two voice activated digital voice recorders just for that purpose, and I planned to set my phone to record video next time he has me drive.

My original plan was to talk to training Monday morning and then him Tuesday morning before we hit the road. Maybe I will not say anything to him until after I record his rants.

I am with him for roughly 4 weeks, or until we mutually agree I am ready.

The post I made is directly from my notes, though I don’t have dates and times, as I started from memory Friday. I could put most of it to dates and times from the logs though.

Another thing to think about is what about the next student? As the trainer, he should be the shining example of doing it the right way and leading by example, as previously posted. This one should not be a trainer. Is he a lease guy or not?

No, all their drivers are company drivers as far as I know.

LDRSHIP?.......What is your take on this situation? After all, you are the Wolding Guru!

Get a picture of him texting and driving. automatic termination at many companies. then blackmail him into teaching you everything he should be. and tell him to be nice about it.

You can tell i got South Philly Italian in me.

Sounds like a plot line for a trucking crime drama!

Get a picture of him texting and driving. automatic termination at many companies. then blackmail him into teaching you everything he should be. and tell him to be nice about it.

You can tell i got South Philly Italian in me.