Getting A Compatible Trainer ?

Hello everyone. I am fixing to start a new chapter in my life as a OTR driver and have another question about it. I'm a Tobacco free Christian also a clean minimumlist who likes to keep things squared away (organized) and clean. I try to eat healthy too. My question is how do the companies choose a compatible TI ( training instructor ). I imagine your training time can be a huge disaster if you and your TI are on completely different sides of the fence. I'm aware that there will be sone differences between the two. But how long does a trainee have to wait for a comparable TI ? Or do I need just to suck it up and become a 2 pack a day second hand smoker during my trading time on the road. Also while in training where do you sleep and eat ? Are you basically running as team drivers? Are the runs dedicated Runs ? Any info would be greatly appreciated and if any of you can add more info other than the questions above will be a huge help. Thanks again from a wana be OTR driver.

My guess is it depends on the company you are going with. For example, with Werner, if you ask for non-smoking, your trainer well be a non-smoker. Personality wise, you are stuck with who you are stuck with. If it is too bad, you can request a new trainer, but they ask you to at least try and stick it for a couple of weeks to see if you can make it work.

Butch, I would think you could request a non smoker, but it may hold you up. My advice is "play the hand you're dealt". I would rather have a Quality Trainer that smokes 2 packs a day, is a "Maximalist", and may not share all of my values. I want the best trainer available. You'll only be with him/her for a short time. Learn all you can in that short time.

Hello everyone. I am fixing to start a new chapter in my life as a OTR driver and have another question about it. I'm a Tobacco free Christian also a clean minimumlist who likes to keep things squared away (organized) and clean. I try to eat healthy too. My question is how do the companies choose a compatible TI ( training instructor ). I imagine your training time can be a huge disaster if you and your TI are on completely different sides of the fence. I'm aware that there will be sone differences between the two. But how long does a trainee have to wait for a comparable TI ? Or do I need just to suck it up and become a 2 pack a day second hand smoker during my trading time on the road. Also while in training where do you sleep and eat ? Are you basically running as team drivers? Are the runs dedicated Runs ? Any info would be greatly appreciated and if any of you can add more info other than the questions above will be a huge help. Thanks again from a wana be OTR driver.

From what I've read over the years from various students/trainees, you can request a non smoker and wait for one to be available. Not all trainers are smokers which is nice. I got lucky in my training. Got a well seasoned driver with no "bad" habits.

As for the other questions

You sleep in the truck. Depending on your company, you'll start out as a team-solo. Meaning you'll be the one driving while he/she sits in the shotgun seat. This goes on for either 50hrs of driving or 15000 mi. Again depending on the company's program. After that initial portion of training, you'll switch to team driving. So when one person sleeps, the other drives and vice versa. Be prepared to do a lot of night driving, unless your trainer prefers to drive at night.

You will also eat in the truck or if time permits and your trainer wants to, you may find your self eating out. There are quite a few trainers who make sure to stop at Wally World to get supplies. Do keep in mind though, your basically living in a walkin closet. Not a lot of space and what space their is mostly belongs to your trainer.

Now if you get with a trainer that doesn't feel right to you or makes you nervous, you have the right to call and request a new one. Your trainers fleet manager or FM for short will work with you and him to resolve any issues. If it can't be resolved then you'll be put up in a hotel and another driver will be dispatched to pick you up.

In all honesty, if he/she trains you good but you can't stand to be near him, I'd say suck it up. There are a lot of trainers that train for just the extra dough. Especially and this is my opinion, New Owner op drivers who can't make it without the training pay.

David

Like others have mentioned, you can request a non smoker and it might take a bit of extra time but you'll get one. As far as the rest of your requirements, it's temporary dude. You're not looking for a best friend and you'll be focused on the task at hand, the time goes by pretty quick to be honest. My trainer was a chain smoking, racist, redneck and you know what? I didn't care. I was a guest on his truck and the job was training, not figure out his political views or anything else. He was an excellent trainer and taught me the things I needed to know to make me a competent operator, enough so that I was safe to go solo. He wasn't easy to please and wanted his trainees to be safe, not just for their own lives but the lives of others. One of the first things he told me, " I make sure I get home to my family, I'll make sure you do too if you'll just pay attention"

Robert, Thank you! I could have written your post. I just want an excellent trainer, period! I'll gladly settle for a "chain smoking, racist, redneck" that can train me properly, rather than a perfect travel companion that can't find his a$$ with both hands!

Pretty much everything in this thread is good advice. Again, I can only comment on how Werner does things as they are the only company I've driven for.

As far as asking for non smoking holding you up, Werner pretty much asks you either smoking or non. If I show up at a terminal looking for a student and you have smoking listed, you won't even be considered for my truck, so it depends on what trainers are available at any given time.

Butch, the simple fact of the matter is that it's completely irrelevant if you're a Christian or Atheist, minimalist or hog of a consumer. Take that to heart and you'll do fine, in spite of your trainer or possibly even yourself. Requesting a non-smoker is perfectly acceptable and a request all major companies (to my knowledge) are willing to accommodate.

The fact that you felt the need to describe yourself by using your faith and other lifestyle choices only shows that you'll need to approach this in a different manner. Your company and trainer will more than likely care less about such matters. I'm not trying to be harsh. I'm trying to help you go into your training with the best possible outlook. It's all about having realistic expectations. Lots of folks go into trucking without realistic expectations, especially in regard to what a training 'relationship' should look like. You'll need to go along to get a long, and that doesn't mean you have to compromise your faith or values. Focus on the task at hand, and realize your training experience will only be temporary.

Butch wrote:

Hello everyone. I am fixing to start a new chapter in my life as a OTR driver and have another question about it. I'm a Tobacco free Christian also a clean minimumlist who likes to keep things squared away (organized) and clean. I try to eat healthy too. My question is how do the companies choose a compatible TI ( training instructor ). I imagine your training time can be a huge disaster if you and your TI are on completely different sides of the fence. I'm aware that there will be sone differences between the two. But how long does a trainee have to wait for a comparable TI ? Or do I need just to suck it up and become a 2 pack a day second hand smoker during my trading time on the road. Also while in training where do you sleep and eat ? Are you basically running as team drivers? Are the runs dedicated Runs ? Any info would be greatly appreciated and if any of you can add more info other than the questions above will be a huge help. Thanks again from a wana be OTR driver.

I think there many good replies to consider. In addition reviewing these links might also be a good use of your research time.

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road Training Program

Thanks very much for the info. Yes I do understand that my trainer isn't there to become my best friend he or she is there to do just that train me. I'm just trying to cover all the what ifs before I make the career switch to OTR.