Becoming A Trainer?

So I just became a trainer, I'm just looking for feedback from other trainers? Is there a significant increase in pay also?

I don't know the answer to your question but, if you are doing it solely for the extra money you are doing it for the wrong reasons. Think hard on this decision.

Depends on where you are doing it and if you are compnay or lease... and what phase of training. At prime the lease ops make the money training the "with cdl" phase... company drivers do well in the "permit phase".

Prime gives big bonuses if your student passes the cdl.. if they upgrade to solo... if they stay 6 mos and then a year. I know a company trainer that made a ton of money .. but he's one of the top 10 trainers every year.

I also know a lease op who just said it put her in a higher tax bracket and made it not worth the effort.

I'll tell you this:

Students NEED to do all the backing... drive in various places (mountains inner cities. .. snow.. etc).

My second trainer didn't really let me do that stuff. She avoided snow and usually even downgrades if she could. I think all students should have to drive WY lol

The answer to your question is going to depend on your company.

I agree with Pat. While extra pay is definitely nice, it should not be your sole reason for becoming a trainer.

Which company are you a trainer for?

Since you're a "relative newcomer" HERE - how long have you been out on the road yourself (time/miles)?

Obviously - before becoming a trainer, you should have done some research on your responsibilities and your compensation also.

And as others have commented, if you're doing it strictly for the $$, then you're doing it for the WRONG REASON - as your concern will be RUNNING MILES, and not passing along knowledge and experience.

This is especially true for Lease/Owners - as they have a weekly nut to make, and having what amounts to a "discount team driver", might get them there.

Teaching (training) is kind of an avocation - it requires a certain temperament and personality type.

We've heard here - about the difference between good, and not so good trainers - and see that "trickle down" in the industry in the form of ill-prepared drivers, or worse yet, drivers that have developed horrible habits and attitudes due to the quality of the trainer they rolled with in the "formative miles" of their careers.

Not taking a shot at you here - just trying to figure out where you're coming from.

Rick

I trained two students and realized that while I enjoy passing along what little I know, I don't really have the temperament for it. It wore me out, frankly. With hindsight I also realized that I really didn't have enough experience to be training.

As for the money, no, it didn't pay enough to make it worth it, at least for me. And as the others have said, that's really not the right reason to train.