What Criteria Do Companies Require For One To Become A Trainer?

I was merging into the highway today when this 18 wheeler switch to the left lane to let me merge in. I could clearly see 2 people in the cabin . the reason I concluded that one was a newbie and the other a trainer was because going down the highway, the driver tried merging back into the left lane and to my dismay, he started straddling both lanes so you could not pass him on the left and neither on the right and this went on for about 3 miles and then he started swerving . I stayed at a save distance wondering why couldn't his trainer PUT HIS BIG GULP DOWN and help????

sorry meant to say when he tried to merge back to the right

I was merging into the highway today when this 18 wheeler switch to the left lane to let me merge in. I could clearly see 2 people in the cabin . the reason I concluded that one was a newbie and the other a trainer was because going down the highway, the driver tried merging back into the left lane and to my dismay, he started straddling both lanes so you could not pass him on the left and neither on the right and this went on for about 3 miles and then he started swerving . I stayed at a save distance wondering why couldn't his trainer PUT HIS BIG GULP DOWN and help????

Or they could have been teaming and the driver was being an ________ or was very distracted doing something he probably shouldn't have been doing. Lol. Different companies have different requirements for becoming a trainer. Some companies require more (like experience and length​ of time at that company, decent safety record, being dependable, etc) and some companies, from what I've​ been told, require shockingly little. I think most are doing it for the right reasons and not for the money. For me, it's certainly not the money because I typically run less with a new student, simply​ because of the time it takes to actually teach.

They needed some TT lol ... will never be scurred of your truck Susan lol because I knw you are a safe driver lol.... saw your picture in the safe driver gazette

Or they could have been teaming and the driver was being an ________ or was very distracted doing something he probably shouldn't have been doing. Lol. Different companies have different requirements for becoming a trainer. Some companies require more (like experience and length​ of time at that company, decent safety record, being dependable, etc) and some companies, from what I've​ been told, require shockingly little. I think most are doing it for the right reasons and not for the money. For me, it's certainly not the money because I typically run less with a new student, simply​ because of the time it takes to actually teach.

Or...one could be a driver and the other a non CDL holding passenger. Many companies allow passengers.

My company requires at least 9 mos OTR with one full winter, or 3 mos at the company if have had CDL for longer than that. We also get grilled by safety (no accidents/critical events), logs (clean logs without violations) claims (properly securing cargo and handling properly), sales (on time delivery), as well as the FM and his boss.

Then take 4-5 days of classes depending on whether you want to team train with a new CDL holder, or teach a permit holder.

Its certainly a way to get on the radar and be scrutinized lol

...or it might have been just two team drivers in a truck, without a "clue" what they are doing. Several assumptions here Cornelius,... regardless. What the driver was doing; downright JV stupid and unsafe, especially for three miles. Why didn't you report the truck? Especially if it was one of the big companies.

So...with Swift if you have 6 months of driving experience; no accidents, no log violations, no critical events, no over-speeding, and no delivery failures you can qualify for mentor training and certification. The training lasts a minimum of 1 week and depends on overall experience and demonstrated skill. A mentor-in-training must pass a test to become certified. I am not aware of the difficulty of the training or the scope of the certification test. It's been three years since I looked into this, so perhaps there have been changes. Errol, Pianoman, Gladhand...other Swifties, any update to this?

Although I am a Swift supporter and happy driver, I don't think I was ready to mentor entry level drivers at my 6 month anniversary (especially on the Walmart account, OMG). IMO I don't think anyone is. 2 years of driving with the same criteria (as above) is highly acceptable. Even at 1 year, at least for me personally, I was not ready. Again my opinion and that may not apply to others...

There is definitely a shortage of qualified and competent trainers/mentors, it's problematic and has a cascading affect on the industry.

It was one of the big guys , I just felt that if the guy was having that much difficulty he might have been on training.

I'll give ya a "fun" one. Was leaving Chicago yesterday on I80/94 east and traffic was at a gridlock due to a 3 car crash and bang in the left lanes. I'm creeping along in the right hand lane mere inches from the jersey barriers on my right side when another truck briefly crossed the zipper slightly into my lane. We barely tapped mirrors as I went by. Sheesh. No harm no foul, nothing broken, but after I got on I65 south I did have to pull over to adjust my mirror. I think that great Western truck was as surprised as I was. I think another vehicle probably drifted over on them and with me giving wide berth, they came over slightly but got an inch too close.

I LOVE playing in traffic. I really do. I enjoy the challenge of making turns that are typically too tight for a truck also.

I emphasize lane control to my trainees. I can ride an inch off either side for miles to give some room to adjacent lanes. I was already hugging the wall on my right. There are drifting, distracted drivers in vehicles of all shapes and sizes. GOOD lane control is HUGE. Had there have been any damage the "drifting" vehicle is at fault. Learn to keep your sh** in your lane at ALL times.

I once had a trainee attempt to justify poor lane control because "it's windy". LOL. If it's so windy, bumpy, or anything else that you can't maintain your lane without drifting, you are going too fast for conditions at your skill level and need to slow down.