Ask For New Trainer, Or Suck It Up?

Well, TA couldn’t fix our truck, so we went to a freight liner dealer. They are booked 2 weeks out. Luckily we had a spare truck there so we switched our gear and hit the road.

Now imagine if you were an owner operator or lease driver. Now what???

Yeah, make sure you don't let that trainer start sliding back into his old ways, because he will if you let him. I would go out of my way once in a while to thank him for being cool to work with and for being patient with you. Let him know how much you appreciate his help.

I've mentioned that I'm brand new to the climbing world and I pay to climb with climbing guides all the time. Even though I'm paying them for their services I thank them profusely every single time for their efforts, their patience, and the risks they take to teach me something I enjoy learning so much. I'm genuinely thankful and I want them to know that. It makes their job more rewarding and makes them want to put in the extra effort to help you the next time. Do not underestimate how important that is.

Sorry for the OT question Brett but if you don't mind my asking how do you find all your adventures these days? Since you haven't been driving for a while? I'm curious because your adventures of hopping from field to field sounds like something I might do, I don't see myself driving trucks for forever.

Well, TA couldn’t fix our truck, so we went to a freight liner dealer. They are booked 2 weeks out. Luckily we had a spare truck there so we switched our gear and hit the road.

Now imagine if you were an owner operator or lease driver. Now what???

Yeah, make sure you don't let that trainer start sliding back into his old ways, because he will if you let him. I would go out of my way once in a while to thank him for being cool to work with and for being patient with you. Let him know how much you appreciate his help.

I've mentioned that I'm brand new to the climbing world and I pay to climb with climbing guides all the time. Even though I'm paying them for their services I thank them profusely every single time for their efforts, their patience, and the risks they take to teach me something I enjoy learning so much. I'm genuinely thankful and I want them to know that. It makes their job more rewarding and makes them want to put in the extra effort to help you the next time. Do not underestimate how important that is.

I was thinking the same thing today, and I do appreciate his help. He is actually a good trainer

He did say he was going through some stuff and took it out on me, and apologized. Today has been a complete 180 from last week.

He did say he was going through some stuff and took it out on me, and apologized. Today has been a complete 180 from last week.

Just take it upon yourself to keep everything as positive as you can. Remember that people tend to react to others more than they act as individuals. Most people can be as pleasant as a monk or as honery as a bear at the flip of a switch, depending on how you act toward them. So don't let him start slipping into his old ways. Keep things positive and light as much as possible, and if he needs a reminder once in a while find a way to keep him on track in a positive way.

how do you find all your adventures these days? Since you haven't been driving for a while? I'm curious because your adventures of hopping from field to field sounds like something I might do, I don't see myself driving trucks for forever.

My whole life has been about jumping from one challenge to another. Whatever fascinates me at the time I go for it. I change careers, I take on new hobbies, I'll start a business - whatever seems cool. My most recent idea the past few weeks is to get a telescope to start looking at the stars. I've always been a massive science buff and I'm fascinated by the space program so I think I'll get a telescope and start playing amateur astronomer. Why not? I can do it from my backyard. I live up in the mountains. Perfect spot for it.

Climbing is my focus these days though as a hobby. I train under a coach 6 days a week and climb with a guide one or two days a week. I'm planning a trip to the Canadian Rockies probably in April to do some big climbs.

In my Navy career I have trained hundreds of sailors and dozens of trainers. Brett is absolutely correct in the give and take that is needed in good training. Anyone who is just yelling and screaming isn't/can't be an effective trainer. Yes there is a lot of that in bootcamps, but that is to just test the new recruits stress and how to handle it. However, any kind of skilled or technical training needs to be a calm exchange.

I am assuming that this young man has never been taught how to train someone and is short fused at people who don't know what he knows. Hopefully he will learn as he teaches you.

In my Navy career I have trained hundreds of sailors and dozens of trainers. Brett is absolutely correct in the give and take that is needed in good training. Anyone who is just yelling and screaming isn't/can't be an effective trainer. Yes there is a lot of that in bootcamps, but that is to just test the new recruits stress and how to handle it. However, any kind of skilled or technical training needs to be a calm exchange.

I am assuming that this young man has never been taught how to train someone and is short fused at people who don't know what he knows. Hopefully he will learn as he teaches you.

He actually did very well today. I probably should have said something before, but I was afraid I would lose my temper and make it worse. I stayed polite, and when I got ****ed, I kept my mouth shut.

I thanked him a few minutes ago, and we chatted a while. He told me I did very well when the engine died on I90. He said I got it safely to the side, out of the road, and did everything correctly without panicking. He said I was doing better than last week. I thought to myself yeah, because you aren’t screaming at me. Lol

That is great news Grumpy... I was a driver trainer in law enforcement for 20 years. I have trained trainers in that realm. Not everyone is cutout to be a trainer, just like not everyone is cut out too be a student. Keep it positive and hopefully he will too. Makes for a much better experience.

That is great news Grumpy... I was a driver trainer in law enforcement for 20 years. I have trained trainers in that realm. Not everyone is cutout to be a trainer, just like not everyone is cut out too be a student. Keep it positive and hopefully he will too. Makes for a much better experience.

Yep he has been really good today as well. I’m beating myself up and he is telling me I did nothing wrong, a truck shot by me on the right while I was swinging wide.

Unless this company is desperate for trainers, this behavior will catch up to this trainer. Fortunately for me I never had anyone of my students ask for another trainer, but I did take several students from other trainers. Eventually companies will either take these trainers off their list and put them back as drivers, or fire them if things get ugly like a fight or something of that nature. Having a great trainer will make of break you in the training process so if you are serious about this career and you feel you can do this training with the proper trainer your company will know who can get you where you need to go. Your training department will help you get on a good trainers truck if you can convince them you are worth it. So put on your persuasive shoes, call your training dept. and ask to get on another trainers truck.

Chuck said:

Having a good trainer will make or break you

I disagree. I think you can learn a lot from a bad trainer, and if you make it a point to meet other drivers within your company, you can set up a great support system.