Should I Request A New Trainer At Swift?

You could choose to look at it the way I do. Training sucks, but there’s a lot of money to be made out there and this is just a means to an end. You want to make real money, you have to survive training. I got lucky. My trainer and I hit it off right away. That doesn’t always happen. Also, try to put yourself in his shoes. If he is a lease guy, he’s not chasing miles, he’s chasing loads. He also has a truck note that has to be paid every week whether the loads are there or not. If you had an $800-$1300 note due every week you’d turn and burn too. As students we tend to get in a hurry. Slow down and get your learn on. During my D seat I learned as much or more sitting in the right hand seat. I’d observe how he handled situations and pick his brain endlessly. That’s the beauty of these company sponsored programs. You’re not just learning to drive a truck, you’re learning to be a truck driver. And at the end of the day you have to realize, this man has invited you into his place of business. That truck is how he feeds his family, and he was kind enough to not only let you in it, but let you drive it. That’s a big deal. His livelihood is resting on your shoulders. How would you feel if you’re mortgage payment was in the hands of a green rookie that’s so wet behind the ears he drips? Is he compensated for taking you on? Yes, but in my opinion it’s no where near enough. Hell, I may have cost my trainer money my first week. He turned down a load that would have netted him around $2000 because he wasn’t comfortable rolling through NYC with a student.

Old School wrote: "I sometimes compare it to bull riding. When you first sit down on a bull you either shy away and get back off, or you develop a resolve that says, "I'm all in - I'm going to conquer this!" The people who have that steel resolve go on to become bull riders. It's the same way with trucking"

Driving is like bull riding, but mostly on the Indiana interstates. (Lol)

Just a side point, some rookies don't want to shower at truck stops because they can't afford the shower fee. That's why they want to get into a terminal for a free shower. If that is the case, tell your trainer. Most of them have enough bonus points to get you a free shower at the truck stop. That's what my trainer did for me (Probably because he was a very clean guy and didn't want me to stink).

Just a side point, some rookies don't want to shower at truck stops because they can't afford the shower fee.

Trainers and students are considered teams, so they each get a free shower when they fuel. Students shouldn't have to pay for showers.