Top Sleeper While Team Driving :/

Topic 20629 | Page 1

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Buttercup's Comment
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So I passed my CDL test and am doing team driving however the trainer has relegated me to the top bunk while the truck is in motion. I feel like I'm going to fall out and break my neck.

Advice on how I should address this without causing a crap ton of friction? I like my trainer otherwise but this is a deal breaker for me. I'm also sure it's against company policy. 😕

CDL:

Commercial Driver's License (CDL)

A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:

  • Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
  • Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
  • Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Old School's Comment
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First off Congratulations! Not long ago you were despairing that you couldn't do the maneuvers to pass the driving portion of the test. Now you've got a whole new set of problems - that's progress!

You should have been given a name and number of some sort of new driver liaison type person at Prime. That is the person you should call and ask them this same question. I'll bet they can get this resolved for you fairly painlessly.

You can make that call privately while at a truck stop if you don't want your trainer to hear you.

Running Bear's Comment
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Or you could talk with your trainer and explain you position and if that doesn't work then like Old School stated call your driver liaison

Buttercup's Comment
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Thanks. I put in a ton of extra time but it was worth it. I wonder how many people just tough out sleeping on the top bunk.

First off Congratulations! Not long ago you were despairing that you couldn't do the maneuvers to pass the driving portion ofvthe test. Now you've got a whole new set of problems - that's progress!

You should have been given a name and number of some sort of new driver liason type person at Prime. That is the person you should call and ask them this same question. I'll bet they can get this resolved for you fairly painlessly.

You can make that call privately while at a truck stop if you don't want your trainer to hear you.

miracleofmagick's Comment
member avatar

I can tell you that at Werner sleeping in the top bunk while the truck is in motion is against company policy. I can also tell you that there are quite a few trainers that make their students do so anyway and that the students usually just do it.

Now, with that said, you should take Old School's advice. There are reasons it is against policy

Trucker Kearsey 's Comment
member avatar

It is absolutely against prime policy and is stated as such both in orientation and in the Trainers certification class. Talk to the trainer the fleet manager or stan or Brooke in the training dept

Fleet Manager:

Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager

The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.
Errol V.'s Comment
member avatar

Swift says No Top Bunk while driving also.

Buttercup's Comment
member avatar

I talked to the trainer on break and was told it was no problem, sleep on the bottom. Much ado over nothing I guess lol.

Old School's Comment
member avatar

Good for you!

Sounds like you handled that just right.

Getting started in this is really tough sometimes. It's hard for us to know what is a big deal or not. Be prepared for several bumps in the road.

We're really glad to hear that you are off to a start on this incredible journey. If you have the time, we'd sure enjoy an update every now and then.

G-Town's Comment
member avatar

Nice. Great lesson here...best way to handle a situation is at the source and before it becomes a problem. Well done on both counts. Two things occurred here; you were able to change something that wasn't correct and you likely gained some respect with your trainer

Good luck and safe travels!

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