Trainer Troubles

So I got my trainer on Friday.I drove all day, no problems with that, my problems are as follows: he keeps asking me "what the@ $!# did they teach you in school" and telling Me that they need to quit hiring guys from Fox valley, tells me to ask questions yet when I ask he makes me feel as if I am the dumbest person in the world for asking, I am now afraid to ask a question and I'm with this guy for about 10 more days. Any suggestions from y'all would be appreciated. Thanks.

Only 10 more days? Bear with it man. What you are dealing with now is just the tip of the iceberg as to what you will face when you get out one the road.

Only 10 more days? Bear with it man. What you are dealing with now is just the tip of the iceberg as to what you will face when you get out one the road.

My main issue is I can't learn from someone that won't answer my questions. In order for me to make it in this industry I need to learn it. Not being a whiner and maybe it will get better I will just have to see.

He could be a crappy trainer or he might be the kind who wants to see if you've got any balls and will stand up for yourself. One thing about this industry, you can't be arrogant and think you know everything but you can't let it run you over either.

Being tactful but standing your ground, next time he goes off, just be firm (not disrespectful) but tell him look, I get that you may not like me but I'm here to learn and you're hear to help me learn. Something to get him to understand you're not gonna take it all the time and that you have certain expectations too.

Try having a heart to heart with him and really open up. If that doesn't work just get through these final days. You don't want to complain about him or throw a fit about it to the folks in the offices. You do not want to Rock the boat.

You're almost there. Be strong and get through it. If there's something that you need answered you can always ask us.

There is that. I did yesterday he hasn't been that bad so far today but its still early

Try this, Caleb. Most people like to talk about themselves. Use that as a "key" to the real information.

For example, "What is the heaviest load you hauled?" This can lead into balancing the drives & tandems. Dealing with scales when you're heavy.

"How long was the longest trip?" You're dealing with hours of service. If you're lucky, how to fill out paper logs, wink, wink.

"War stories" can work into things you tell need to know. Just be sharp in asking about things. And this tactic might make you a friend!

Everyone above is right and Errol really nailed it. People do love to talk about themselves. Do exactly as he suggested and ask him questions about his driving history - craziest load he ever had, closest call he ever had - stuff like that. And of course go outside of trucking. Find out what interests him and let him talk about that stuff.

If you can make him feel like there's a connection of some kind between you, like a common interest, he'll change completely.

Also remember that when you are done with this portion of your training, you will still have lots to learn. There will always be situations that will make you nervous or you don't know how to handle a situation. The key to this is to remain calm and cool then call for help.

I used to install and upgrade telephone systems and we had 2 rookies. I gave them one piece of advice, "Never let the customer know you do not know what you are doing. Here is the phone list, call for help."

Take your time and you will not hit anything when in tight places. When you get in a hurry you hit things.

Its hard to give advice on this kind of stuff especially when we dont know you personally and what you can and cannot take. thick skin... can you talk crap back without getting confrontational lol.

how many guys has he trained? he may have his own experiment hes got going on...

People will surprise you man. you can have the most stupinating lookin fellow that can blow your mind with knowledge and the smartest looking girl you found out was a un learned man...

in any case. you dont know me... so you dont know my personality yada yada and trust me the way you read may not be the way I type. in more than one way. you may read slow I may type fast... you may read with dillusional commas I may not place them where they are supposed to be. you may think Im mad I may be otherwise.... its hard to know someone...

but at any rate. if YOU were Me or if I were You or if you and I were to change places like in the movies and I wasnt you up until right this second. I would be trippin out tryin to figure out what happened but also I would have 10 days to calm this guy down. wuchu mean you told em t'quit hirin guys from... you get a lotta bad guys or what? tell me bout em... nows hes finished compalining about me for a minute and hes telling me what all the other guys did that was wrong and Im learning from the paragraphs hes spittin out about other guys and Im noticing what I have in common with them or him.

I wouldnt hit him. thats a no no. I wouldnt threaten him. thats a no no. I wouldnt argue with him. thats a no no. but you may find out he likes the argumentive type. it may put him in a good mood to know the guy he is with will get his back if he jumps out of the truck... lol.

ask him whats the best kid he ever had as a student (even if your 75) your still a kid, once you go solo your still a kid. until someone moves you up your a kid and then your a junior and then after a while and maybe youll neve be a Senor... its all on who you are in person.

whatever you do dont lose your job over someone that needs to get socked up... someone else will do it