Mentoring At Swift/Central Refrigerated.

I'm been at Central Refrigerated/Swift coming up to my year next month. Though been driving since '02 October. With about 5yrs. Not actually driving. Anyways, I'm thinking of becoming an mentor. And not really for the money side of it. But to see if I am ready and able to pass on of what I've learned. Just want to get some advice that can help me make transition in being at least a good/best mentor.

I know that when I was there they didn't let you train unless you leased. I'm not sure if that's still a requirement. If it is, do not lease!

The main thing I didn't like about the program was that it was team driving from day 1. Literally, my trainer picked me up and watched me drive for an hour and then went to sleep. There's not much training you can do when you're team driving and only have such a short time with the student.

When I was quitting they offered me a training position as a company driver but I declined. The pay wasn't good enough for me compared to what my current company was offering me.

When I was quitting they offered me a training position as a company driver but I declined. The pay wasn't good enough for me compared to what my current company was offering me.

Good to know. Notes taken

Are you a people person? Do you have a sense of humor? Can you adjust your sense of humor? Can you explain situations in many different ways? Can you catch a persons vibe?

If someone asks you a question do you know how to say, "Hmmm, I do not know lets look that up" instead of just saying something?

Do you know more about the truck and driving than most people? Students have questions that really, may not pertain to anything but the thought will never leave their mind until they get an answer... are you willing to answer what you think are stupid questions without an attitude?

Are you willing to learn and explain in detail the science behind things instead of just the answer is now move on? like why is 2 plus 2 and 2 times 2 the same if 4 plus 4 and 4 times 4 are different?

Are you willing to be a life mentor not just a trucking mentor? can you give logical advice about marriage and other things that the new student is going to have concerns about in his first month of driving while being your on road room mate?

even if you answer no to all those questions... you can still be a mentor... but will the student benefit?

do you have anger problems, drug problems, authority problems, family problems... please think about it before you do it because in ALLL places of life I have seen more bad trainers then good.

Luckily so far I have seen some good trainers at Central Refrigerated (Swift). Although its just the instructors on the yard no mentors yet.

The Swift program must have changed since Daniel was on board. My Swift mentor is a company driver (He said he was Platinum level & I believe it.)

I drove 50 seat-hours with Terry in the passenger seat, monitoring my driving. All the timing was based on my HOS , so we both knocked off & got up together. Terry was always awake while i was driving.

After the 50, we did switch to team, and the rule was when the privacy curtain was closed, the driver was on his own (except for emergencies, etc.). Yes, when we both were awake, one drove & the other might sit on the passenger seat.

Terry always got up when I stopped for pickups & deliveries. If you're going to be a mentor, Dennis, work it like this.

In my opinion you really have to have a passion for helping others. That's the most important thing. If you become a trainer for personal reasons you're not going to last. You're giving up your privacy, you're taking greater risks, and you're almost constantly under a lot of stress because you simply don't know what a brand new driver will do behind the wheel from moment to moment. It's really, really tough.

You have to have a passion for teaching others the same way a great parent has a passion for giving their children everything they possibly can in the way of guidance, protection, and attention. It really is like raising a "trucking child". You have to babysit them pretty much 24/7. Your only "break" from the stress of the student driving will be when you're the one doing the driving, and even then you'll be answering questions and offering guidance.

I can't imagine being happy as a trainer unless you have an overriding passion for helping others. There is so much stress and so many sacrifices to be made that you'll find no solace in the extra pay or prestige that comes with it. Your only solace will come from the satisfaction you get from helping others.

Brett talks about Passion. That's what will make a good mentor. I was a school teacher before I started driving, and I can't really stop the teaching thing. I'm considering signing up for mentor when the time comes.

If you are in it for an extra hand at the wheel, and plan to teach with the "throw 'em into the pool, they'll learn how to swim" method, forget about it, please.

When I went through centrals training program 04/14 it was 28 days and 200 driving hours... The first two weeks the truck was dispatched as a solo then the last two weeks we ran like a team truck... That was when swift took over and central was working off of swifts rules...

Brett talks about Passion. That's what will make a good mentor. I was a school teacher before I started driving, and I can't really stop the teaching thing. I'm considering signing up for mentor when the time comes.

If you are in it for an extra hand at the wheel, and plan to teach with the "throw 'em into the pool, they'll learn how to swim" method, forget about it, please.

That sums up 2 of the instructors at the Continental school in Texas, that CRST (recently?) has a contract with.

My trainer at Central was everything I could ask for, and that was back in 2011. We ran like a team truck the entire time. We ran hard, did coast to coast runs three times in two weeks. We settled down a bit after that, but we still ran hard up and down the East Coast and the Midwest. I could be a trainer, but I'm a bit of a loaner. Trainers give up all of their privacy and like Brett said, are put into high stress situations.

Luckily my trainer didn't just throw me into the fire the first day. I've heard stories of new drivers who got into the truck with their trainer and were told to drive 11 hours right there while the trainer went to sleep. Or the trainers who don't want their student to use the clutch at all when they shift. Yikes.