Driving With A Trainer

What do you do when your trainer wants you to do something that is against company policy?

example. Sleep in the top bunk while truck in in motion even though it is against company policy. I wouldn't want to do something against company policy and get fired.

Mark

Very tricky situation. I wrote an article about that called New Truck Drivers: Beware of Rocking The Boat.

Your personal safety and your driver's license are the two things you have to protect. If you're being asked to blatantly break laws or do something unsafe you have to have a good talk with the trainer. Hopefully he'll understand that he shouldn't be asking students to break laws or company policies and back off the request. If not, you'll have to decide just how big of a deal it is. Calling the company and reporting the trainer can be a dangerous proposition. At some places they'll immediately take up your concerns and make sure everything is being done right. At other places they may consider you a troublemaker and stand up for their trainer. It's impossible to say how they'll handle things.

You have the ideal situation where everything is done legally and properly. Then you have reality where you're learning a dangerous trade in a risky, competitive environment and you're trying to keep freight moving at the same time.

But if you feel you're being put in a dangerous situation, you have to talk to the trainer and possibly let the company know. Letting the company know would be the last thing you'd want to do, so make sure it's really that important. Otherwise, try to roll with the punches and get through training without making waves.

What do you do when your trainer wants you to do something that is against company policy?

example. Sleep in the top bunk while truck in in motion even though it is against company policy. I wouldn't want to do something against company policy and get fired.

Mark

It is actual against every companies policy to sleep in the top bunk its your safety first and life so I would have a talk to management about that and depends on the company your with

It is absolutely forbidden here at CRST. Call your safety department and they will have your back. If they like your trainer you may get moved but your status with the company will be ok. If it isn't. ..find another company. Riding up there is almost always a fatal mistake in an accident.

What do you do when your trainer wants you to do something that is against company policy?

example. Sleep in the top bunk while truck in in motion even though it is against company policy. I wouldn't want to do something against company policy and get fired.

Mark

It is actual against every companies policy to sleep in the top bunk its your safety first and life so I would have a talk to management about that and depends on the company your with

NOT every company, Celadon allows it. Its not illegal but many companies don't allow it.

What do you do when your trainer wants you to do something that is against company policy?

example. Sleep in the top bunk while truck in in motion even though it is against company policy. I wouldn't want to do something against company policy and get fired.

Mark

It is actual against every companies policy to sleep in the top bunk its your safety first and life so I would have a talk to management about that and depends on the company your with

NOT every company, Celadon allows it. Its not illegal but many companies don't allow it.

Is there a belt, to belt you in while the truck is in motion?

Dave

Yes there's a harness that keeps you in place on the top bunk. It sorta cages you in. But most companies still forbid sleeping on the top bunk.