Argument With Trainer. Need Help!

If I read this correctly you pulled into a gas station that I assume wasn't meant for trucks then had to back out to get out? Did you have to back out onto the road?

If so I don't blame your trainer for being upset that is a good way to get in trouble.

As for the fighting sometimes living in a small space will do that I'd try to settle your disagreements and finish with him. You said he is a million miler so he obviously knows what he is doing, you should probably listen to him better. There is a good chance he know more than a GPS at times.

Yes Bobcat Bob. I did pull into a gas station that wasn't meant for trucks. I acknowledge my wrong doings in that. I had to back up to face the exit, no I didn't back onto the road.

I understand and give him that respect. I say good morning to him everyday. I would say he knows more than the gps if he didn't continue to get us turned around and put me in risky situations like residential areas.

I spoke with the trainer before we left Loves truck stop. He was still angry. Funny to me because at his age I don't see the reason in that. But that's beside the point. He didn't want to talk. He said let's get going so he could drop me off. I told him I'm not moving the truck until I apologize. I explained why I yelled and apologized for doing so. Told him that's not my character. I'm the type of person that talks out issues to see if they can get resolved, if not then so be it, at least I tried on my end.

As I was talking, he opens up and we have a conversation. We put last night in the past and I told him if he still wants me off the truck I will go. Made a little joke about him forfeiting his trainer pay to another trainer because I was going to be at this company for a while. We came to a mutual agreement and have decided to continue the training.

Last night was completely unnecessary. I have learned a lesson on being fatigued and planning wisely. Thanks for the responses, you guys gave me another view on things. I will try and always keep my cool even if he is wrong. At a Pilot in Boonville, MO exit 101 70w now because I'm running on recaps and have to wait till midnight for more hrs. Short drive day today only 3hrs. I will have 10hrs recap tomorrow to drive on

I suppose that would apply to manual trans more than autos?

It applies to both. The truck being auto or manual doesn't change the fact that using the Jake in inclement weather can lead to a jack knife.

Banks, how do you get in the right gear in an auto? By going 20-30mph below the posted speed limit?

I don't have time to read all this, just want to add something for anyone training. When you're driving it's your ship and your CDL on the line. Your logs are your responsibility. If you need to stop, stop. Communicate with your trainer. Ask questions. If there is something you don't understand, ask.

If all else fails call dispatch.

Good luck.

Banks, how do you get in the right gear in an auto? By going 20-30mph below the posted speed limit?

On the newer Peterbilts and KWs that I've seen with the gear selector on the steering column, you pull it forward or push it back. That'll select the gear you want it to be in. If you down shift and hit the accelerator it'll automatically upshift.

On trucks that have the gear selector on the center counsel, there are usually buttons on it that will upshift and down shift.

It varies by truck. Ask your trainer how to manually control the gears on the one you're driving or post a picture of it and somebody here might know.

I spoke with the trainer before we left Loves truck stop. He was still angry. Funny to me because at his age I don't see the reason in that. But that's beside the point. He didn't want to talk. He said let's get going so he could drop me off. I told him I'm not moving the truck until I apologize. I explained why I yelled and apologized for doing so. Told him that's not my character. I'm the type of person that talks out issues to see if they can get resolved, if not then so be it, at least I tried on my end.

As I was talking, he opens up and we have a conversation. We put last night in the past and I told him if he still wants me off the truck I will go. Made a little joke about him forfeiting his trainer pay to another trainer because I was going to be at this company for a while. We came to a mutual agreement and have decided to continue the training.

Last night was completely unnecessary. I have learned a lesson on being fatigued and planning wisely. Thanks for the responses, you guys gave me another view on things. I will try and always keep my cool even if he is wrong. At a Pilot in Boonville, MO exit 101 70w now because I'm running on recaps and have to wait till midnight for more hrs. Short drive day today only 3hrs. I will have 10hrs recap tomorrow to drive on

I am happy for you that things worked out.

I spoke with the trainer before we left Loves truck stop. He was still angry. Funny to me because at his age I don't see the reason in that. But that's beside the point. He didn't want to talk. He said let's get going so he could drop me off. I told him I'm not moving the truck until I apologize. I explained why I yelled and apologized for doing so. Told him that's not my character. I'm the type of person that talks out issues to see if they can get resolved, if not then so be it, at least I tried on my end.

As I was talking, he opens up and we have a conversation. We put last night in the past and I told him if he still wants me off the truck I will go. Made a little joke about him forfeiting his trainer pay to another trainer because I was going to be at this company for a while. We came to a mutual agreement and have decided to continue the training.

Last night was completely unnecessary. I have learned a lesson on being fatigued and planning wisely. Thanks for the responses, you guys gave me another view on things. I will try and always keep my cool even if he is wrong. At a Pilot in Boonville, MO exit 101 70w now because I'm running on recaps and have to wait till midnight for more hrs. Short drive day today only 3hrs. I will have 10hrs recap tomorrow to drive on

I am happy for you that things worked out.

As am I . . .

I'm never a 'nail biter' per se, but this?!?! Kinda yeah, haha!

Happy for you as well, 2sides.

~ Anne ~

Glad you guys were able to resolve issues. Very dangerous to have pulled off into an area without checking it, not made for a truck. His truck, his rules. I would never have talked back to my trainer. I was also very fortunate to have gotten an excellent trainer though. I was taught to use the functions of the truck, ie the Jake's, downshifts, gear selection, speed. Etc.

I don't know if it matters, but Knight does have a curriculum and program that the trainers are suppose to follow, with daily and weekly progress goals to obtain.

Weather you're aware of it or not, you are learning from your trainer, you may be learning what not to do, or what to do because he is forcing you to do it. Your logs for example, you just learned a valuable lesson about managing your HOS and route planning. In fact, one of the questions in our loaded call is "do you have enough HOS and is it compliant".

Your trainer has a very short time with you. The rest of our training is essentially solo. You will have a training DM , but you are essentially a solo driver at that point. If you're doing all the driving and backing now, that's actually beneficial.

If your trainer has a million miles incident and accident free, and 20 plus years of service, he obviously is doing something that works. Irrelevant of his personality, I personally would be picking his brain on how he accomplished that. A lot can be gained by appealing a bit to his accomplishments. "Hey, you have a wealth of experience, I appreciate being able to learn from you, what would you say is the best method for backing up in this situation?"

If I hadn't kept asking questions, I probably wouldn't have gotten as many answers as I did.

It looks like you had the "come to jesus meeting" that was necessary. I hope you two can stick it out until you can go solo. I had a trainer that was real cool and laid back, however I really didnt learn a damn thing about driving the truck from him. Best of luck. CJK

Thank you everyone for your input. I have gained even more knowledge and awareness now from your comments. It was my fault I let my 70 run that low. I understand now what the Vets on here say when ppl complain about the trainers and/or company. Most of the time it's not the company or trainer. Newbies come in with a certain expectation and when it doesn't go how they thought it would they blame others. I just experienced that. It's what I make of it. My success is based on me, noone else. Instead of complaining, analyze the events and see what I could have done differently. Just had a life lesson on that

Doesn't matter if I think he is annoying, which he really isn't. Its my attitude towards the situation. He is trying to teach me and I misunderstood his words. In the end it wasn't that serious. Learn as much as I can from him. Pick his brain more. He is a seasoned driver and it's a ton of knowledge I can gain from him. I'm glad I went through this with him, the outcome could have ended differently with another trainer.

Davy A. He is filling out a daily and weekly progress sheet. I took a peak at it and there is nothing negative he wrote. I'm actually doing good.

Today was fine. We had a good conversation for the 187 miles I drove. Just personal chit-chat.

Thanks again yall!! and drive safe!