Started As A Trainer On Dedicated Account. A Trainer's Perspective.

Company asked. I said yes. I know its risky, but really, no one gets outta here alive anyway, so I'm giving it a shot. I used to teach adult computer app continuing ed classes at a community college, so I'm fairly tolerant, patient, etc. So.....

First student just out of cdl school. Grinding gears, can't back. Fully expected that. Was only on the truck for 5 days had to go home for guard duty. Nice kid, took to the Qualcomm like a fish and no prob understanding HOS. Problem maintaining lane .

Second student can drive just fine, backing a little rough. Problem is that he's numerically illiterate. Can't understand how to calculate driving hours based on miles and mph. I want to help this guy learn but I only have him for 25 more driving hours and he absolutely has no concept of trip planning. I'm pretty sure he has a learning disability.

I'm supposed to do an evaluation that includes HOS and trip planning and there's no way I can pass him, and it seems beyond my scope to teach basic math. I've tried simple examples like how far would you travel if you drove 5mph for 1 hr. Based on company expectations he should already be able to read QC trip info and plan his time around load times and know when to start his 14.

We are nowhere in the ballpark. I need suggestions on how to help this guy! I'm his second trainer. The first would never let him touch the QC. It took 15 mins for him to do a 'loaded' macro even with me coaching through every keystroke. Thanks for the input ya'll! Sorry for broken English. Using cell phone.

Like we say trucking isn't for everyone and I'm sorry but it sounds like this is one those cases where its send him home let him know ya not goin to make it here fellow

Lord I hope that isn't me when I start training :-/

I know right. We got it!

I think the best thing you can do for any driver you're training is simply give them you're very best effort 100% of the time and then give the company a very honest and realistic assessment when you're finished. You want to give everyone the best possible chance at success, but the reality is that you're going to wind up with students from time to time that may not have the potential for becoming safe, professional drivers.

For me personally, the biggest thing I like to see from anyone trying to learn anything is effort. If they're willing to do whatever it takes to learn the materials and overcome the challenges then I'm willing to give them every opportunity imaginable to make that happen. You might consider testing their resolve a little bit by letting them know politely but firmly, "If you don't show significant progress with this there will be no way I can pass you when your training time is complete. I'll do everything I can to help you, but you'll have to step it up and put in more time and effort to learn this."

Some people will respond by doubling their efforts, others may just give up and walk away. Either way it's a victory in my mind. For those who would walk away when faced with that sort of challenge or pressure, you know they don't have the fortitude it takes to make it out there anyhow and they'll be happier in a career that suits their personality better. For those who want it badly enough, chances are they'll learn the things they need to know.

Being a trainer is an incredible responsibility in so many ways. In this case we're talking about whether or not someone will be able to continue on with their trucking career or have to look elsewhere for something more suitable. That is a major, life-altering difference for them and some of the outcome lies in your hands. Give them everything you've got so you can sleep well at night knowing that you've given them the mentoring they need to be successful and their destiny now lies in their own hands.

To me, all anyone should really hope for in life is a fair opportunity to control their own destiny. If you have the freedom to choose your own path in life and then you're given a fair opportunity to succeed on that path, then life has treated you fairly. Not everyone is going to make the best of that opportunity though. Your job isn't to turn every single student into a truck driver. Your job is to give every single student every opportunity to learn what they'll need to know in order to become a safe, professional truck driver. What they do with the opportunity you're giving them is in their hands.

Its a real shame that its just the computer and math that seem to be his issues. If he'd make a good driver other than these, I'd hope that the company would run him back thru the log classes, and some help on the computer end....It would be a good investment for them.

Maybe he will be a good driver or maybe not but not having the ability to do basic math will be a very big problem in all kinds of ways. Appointment times....log books....figuring up hours....trip planning..... And another other kind of problem that requires basic math skills. He maybe the best driver in the world but if he can't do basic math he will miss a lot of appointments and he will be out of a job in less than a month.

Do you best to train him and teach him all you can but if he can't do basic trip planning or figure out how to do the basic math needed to do this job then don't ya be passing him as you will be setting him up to fail.

Maybe he will be a good driver or maybe not but not having the ability to do basic math will be a very big problem in all kinds of ways. Appointment times....log books....figuring up hours....trip planning..... And another other kind of problem that requires basic math skills. He maybe the best driver in the world but if he can't do basic math he will miss a lot of appointments and he will be out of a job in less than a month.

Do you best to train him and teach him all you can but if he can't do basic trip planning or figure out how to do the basic math needed to do this job then don't ya be passing him as you will be setting him up to fail.

Exactly right. Case in point- next load will be ready for pu @2300 tonight. First stop tomorrow between 1500 and 1515. Final stop window from 0500-1900. I gave him trip info, gps,calculator, and atlas and asked him to tell me when to pickup so that we can make both stops and get back within 100 miles of the dc before the end of his 14. Total round trip is about 680 m. His best guess after 20 minutes of thinking had him picking up at 0600 for a 300 m run to first stop at 1500. Several times I've explained my method for trip planning, and asked him to explain how he arrived at 0600 and he just says its a guess. The driving aspect of course is critical, but it will be instant failure once he goes solo bc there won't be anyone else planning his day. I'm just taking the aapproach of teaching what I can and doing an honest eval at the end.

Student off truck as of this AM. Sat down with him last night and went over all points on the eval. It got very strange over the last 2 days. I heard stories of.how his previous trainer was possessed by a flock of devils that tried to exorcise themselves at night. My personal interpretation would have been sleep apnea , but hey, demons might work just as well. Waiting for next student. Cheers!

Wow! I guess you just never know what you're gonna get. Sincerely hope the next experience is better for you!