Trainer Shortage?

Bruce, I'm sorry that not all of my posts make you feel all warm and fuzzy. I see absolutely nothing negative in what I wrote.

So not only are you expecting the company to pay for the truck which has 2 beds, you expect them to pay for 2 rooms every night so you don't have to share your truck or a motel room. Also, why would it be your trainees responsibility to clean the truck each morning while you relaxed?

No, Mikey, you don’t make me feel warm and fuzzy and I’m not expecting that. Just cut the constant ball busting. Is that too much to ask? And yes, part of training is cleaning the truck. I had to do it in training, did you hire someone to do it for you? I don’t want to get sideways with you but your constant negativity is something I don’t like. How old are you? Maybe it’s just a matter of immaturity.

In reply, no i didn't have to clean my trainers truck, I cleaned up after myself and he cleaned up after himself. As for your questioning my age and calling me immature, ima let you have that as I'm not gonna stoop to that level.

At FedEx, an instructor makes a dollar more per hour and works 4 10 hour days. I consider it a major pay cut with more stress, but massive rewards (in my opinion). A trainer that's invested in your success is an asset. I got lucky with mine because the others that are there probably would've given up on me.

I wouldn't trust a student to do a pretrip on a vehicle I'm ultimately responsible for. They can do it while I supervise and observe, but there's not enough trust there to just turn them loose so I can have a continental breakfast. I also don't want to send them to clean the truck.

A student is a stranger. I don't know that they'll put forth an honest effort on a pretrip and I don't want them touching my things cleaning the truck.

This is an interesting thread (drama aside)... As I head off to company-sponsored training in a few weeks, I've been thinking a lot about how to be a good guest and an open learner in someone else's truck/home. Way down the line, I've pondered becoming a trainer, as I like teaching. And I know for many, a trucking job is a bridge to stable, reasonable employment at last, so I would like being part helping people in that way. However, the sharing a truck thing would indeed be challenging, but it does seem like part of the training, as Davy says (learning to live on the truck and on the road). Something for me to ponder down the line... I have plenty of hurdles in front of me at this point! And for a while, I will enjoy my solitude, once I get there...

At FedEx, an instructor makes a dollar more per hour and works 4 10 hour days. I consider it a major pay cut with more stress, but massive rewards (in my opinion). A trainer that's invested in your success is an asset. I got lucky with mine because the others that are there probably would've given up on me.

I wouldn't trust a student to do a pretrip on a vehicle I'm ultimately responsible for. They can do it while I supervise and observe, but there's not enough trust there to just turn them loose so I can have a continental breakfast. I also don't want to send them to clean the truck.

A student is a stranger. I don't know that they'll put forth an honest effort on a pretrip and I don't want them touching my things cleaning the truck.

I hadn't thought of the aspect of a trainee being a stranger before you mentioned it. It sounded pretty reasonable to me when I read the post about a trainee cleaning a trainer's truck without any supervision.

You just don't know where a person comes from when the trainee is assigned to your truck. I mean depending on the company, this person could have spent some years in prison and still have an inmate mentality. Or, this person could be a criminal who just hasn't been caught yet. If I ever reach the point where I am seen worthy of training new drivers, I definitely wouldn't want that trainee having access to my belongings while I am not there.

This is an interesting thread (drama aside)... As I head off to company-sponsored training in a few weeks, I've been thinking a lot about how to be a good guest and an open learner in someone else's truck/home. Way down the line, I've pondered becoming a trainer, as I like teaching. And I know for many, a trucking job is a bridge to stable, reasonable employment at last, so I would like being part helping people in that way. However, the sharing a truck thing would indeed be challenging, but it does seem like part of the training, as Davy says (learning to live on the truck and on the road). Something for me to ponder down the line... I have plenty of hurdles in front of me at this point! And for a while, I will enjoy my solitude, once I get there...

Enjoy indeed, Matt!

I remember hearing from Tom (circa 2003) in training, with his 'Doogie Hauser' guy. They'd meet me at the T/S on Bellville 97 once in awhile. He was a good ole' boy, but .. so is Tom, haha! I'd bring 'em both some home cooking, et al. All was well!

WATCH Kearsey's (Rainy's) videos that I tagged above; I just did AGAIN, today. Much to be gained & garnered. That lil' lady has come a long way, and she shares.. HER training, and how she 'CONDUCTS' training. Just saying; was worth the 're watches' from me; up & along this subject!

"MY TIME WILL COME~!!" Haha! Heck, I'd just go to Prime, to HAVE her! NaeNae (from here!) is her most recent grad..and she has much to say, as well. She posted videos, also.

Look into it! Holdyour breetches on, haha! Believe, you'll be fine.

Wish Daniel B. would CHIME in!! He trained for Prime, and maybe other(s)... not sure!

Just me;

~ Anne ~

The new law will require 2 years experience to be a CDL instructor. That is going to cause a major shortage and one reason why some.of.these companies are bringing in a ton of students now.

Unfortunately covid job loss is bringing in people who arent really wanting to truck.

Some companies sure will lose a lot of trainers.

The new law will require 2 years experience to be a CDL instructor. That is going to cause a major shortage and one reason why some.of.these companies are bringing in a ton of students now.

Unfortunately covid job loss is bringing in people who arent really wanting to truck.

Damn this is the first I’ve heard of it, guess its a good thing I still browse occasionally

I think Big Scott stated that he didn’t want to share his sleeper with a student. I would feel the same way as Scott. I’m nowhere near being qualified to train, but I love the teaching aspect of it.

If there is a shortage of trainers, as I’ve heard in my company, why don’t they put the trainees up in motels every night during their on the road training?

Also if they did that I would send the trainee out to do the pre trip and clean the truck while I took a hot shower, made coffee and took advantage of the complimentary breakfast

Bruce;

It's BEEN AWHILE; hope all is well with you!!

I was just wondering, YOUR THOUGHTS on THIS NEW 'debacle' coming into our industry, soon:

Ready???? Under 21 'Club' ~

Could trainers REFUSE to train 'youngsters?' (Personally I've raised MY teens, and I sure would refuse!) Hotel or not, haha!

I do a bit of 'research' and 'journalism' stuff on the side; and this thread kinda brought me to life, wondering YOUR feelings.

Thanks for your input, good sir! I might actually make a poll type thread about this, as it proceeds (or doesn't.) The 'vax' mandate shift, and the 'new' certificatory training mandate coming up in 2022 ... makes me wonder who's helping and who's hurting the industry, haha!

Sure hope all is still GREAT with & for you, Bruce.

~ Anne ~

The vaccine is causing problems as well. Everything is political and polarized in our country and there are trainers refusing to accept non vaxxed and vice versa. Everyone's attitude towards Co vid is causing issues. I know a trainer who sprays lysol on her shoes and all doors, handles, and wipes down everything around her everytime she gets in and out of the truck. She expects the student to do the same. She wants them wearing masks in the truck. Just don't train if you are like this.

I keep seeing more and more people coming into trucking to get paid to travel rather than do a job.

Add that to the disrespect some people have for the truck and living quarters and the quirks of each student... It gets stressful. One student was always cold and wanting the heat blasting to the point I had my bunk windows open with a fan. The next student was sweating all the time and had the truck so cold I was wearing thermals in September... In TX! One student would.ask questions at the worst time (such as when I'm.backing and concentrating rather than once parked) and she would.get mad when I told her to wait a minute.

Some people have really bad attitudes, others are over confident.. Others have no confidence. Some ask you questions then do the opposite of your answer. Two different people started rearranging my supplies and tools... Uh.. No. I want my stuff where I want them. Some people do nothing but complain about everything....

And worst... Too many hate the lifestyle and quit. This affects our pay a well as just feeling like we totally wasted our time.