Waiting For A Trainer

Hey everybody I have a question to ask. how long would you guys wait for a trainer before looking for alternative companies? I've had my CDL since the 19th and have been waiting ever since. From what I have been told there is a shortage of trainers in the company and last I heard the wait list was at 15 people. They said they go by first come first serve, whomever got their CDL first would go out with a trainer first. So far I know of at least 1 person who tested after me who has been out with a trainer since the day before thanksgiving.

Overall, I like the company but I find their lack of communication a bit annoying.I understand they are busy trying to find a trainer for everyone but I get the same "I'm working on it as hard as I can" response when I ask for an update. Just get a bit frustrated as they were bringing in 10-15 people every class each week, I figured they would be able to handle the load when us students passed.

Our with it, Michael. What company are you signing on to? We can give better help when we know the company involved.

Our with it, Michael. What company are you signing on to? We can give better help when we know the company involved.

Henderson Trucking out of Salem/Caseyville IL. Smaller but rapidly growing company, they just acquired Tennent trucking not to long ago, primarily a reefer company pulling a lot of Prime loads.

Day 12, still waiting for an actual update to see if I leave anytime soon with a trainer. I'd hate to leave my first company so soon but almost 2 weeks waiting for a trainer is a bit excessive. Especially after we were told that they were lining up possible trainers the day you pass your permit test in week 1 of 4 at the school.

Any advice from the experienced drivers?

Day 12, still waiting for an actual update to see if I leave anytime soon with a trainer. I'd hate to leave my first company so soon but almost 2 weeks waiting for a trainer is a bit excessive. Especially after we were told that they were lining up possible trainers the day you pass your permit test in week 1 of 4 at the school.

Any advice from the experienced drivers?

I understand your situation. Every company has a shortage of qualified trainers. I waited for a week, but that was primarily because I had requested a non-smoker. IMHO 2 weeks is asking a lot, especially if they had set a different expectation level. I am unfamiliar with Henderson's policy, but unfortunately if you were to leave it's likely that you would owe them a lot of money and they might withhold your training certificate until you have paid your debt, preventing you from tendering alternative employment.

You are in a tough spot. Try to be patient and insist on daily updates.

Day 12, still waiting for an actual update to see if I leave anytime soon with a trainer. I'd hate to leave my first company so soon but almost 2 weeks waiting for a trainer is a bit excessive. Especially after we were told that they were lining up possible trainers the day you pass your permit test in week 1 of 4 at the school.

Any advice from the experienced drivers?

I understand your situation. Every company has a shortage of qualified trainers. I waited for a week, but that was primarily because I had requested a non-smoker. IMHO 2 weeks is asking a lot, especially if they had set a different expectation level. I am unfamiliar with Henderson's policy, but unfortunately if you were to leave it's likely that you would owe them a lot of money and they might withhold your training certificate until you have paid your debt, preventing you from tendering alternative employment.

You are in a tough spot. Try to be patient and insist on daily updates.

That's one of the kickers, I had told the head of the school that I'm a non smoker, but if need be, I will go with a smoking trainer because I knew it would be rare find of a trainer that doesn't. So when a guy that passed his CDL after me went out with a trainer before me it got me a little PO'd. One of the guys that I became pretty good friends with in the school has since left and went to another company, and is trying to get me to come over there to team drive like we were going to do for Henderson, they accepted his schooling through Henderson and actually paid off his debt to the school.

I'm trying to be patient but I should be in week 2 of OTR training instead of being at home waiting for a phone call. I think I'm going to give it another week, if I can, before I start contacting alternatives.

Day 13.

Stay on them...be your own advocate!

Oh I will, got a response today but its basically the same as before, they're "working" on getting everybody a trainer.

You gotta earn a paycheck.

If you've got another good company willing to take your training AND pay off the debt...hmm.

Good luck.

You gotta earn a paycheck.

If you've got another good company willing to take your training AND pay off the debt...hmm.

Good luck.

I'm thinking this too. I'd keep in touch with your buddy, and perhaps contact that company as well. Try to have him present, even if on a 3-way call when you talk to someone. Explain your situation and what you'd like to do. Do try to hold out for the remainder of the week though. If they still haven't gotten you a trainer, pull the trigger with your friend the other company.