Better Truck Driving Trainers – part 1
Maybe you have considered training truck drivers?
Nearly a decade ago I started my journey of teaching entry level truck drivers. I have traveled all over the world and never had to leave the cab of my truck. Some of the stories that have been shared with me and the friendships I have made are really quite extraordinary. I’m eternally grateful to have this opportunity.
When I first starting working with entry level drivers I had not the foggiest of a idea how to even begin. I was a solid and experienced truck driver with out the skill set to teach. Of course I made all the rookie mistakes by showing them all the wrong things;
- Speed averaging
- Rounding off miles
- Trip dropping
- How to by pass the scales
- Taught them how to be more aggressive in their driving so we could make good time, etc
In the beginning my patients was tested and my life was threatened due in part to my inability to truly teach;
- I have had drivers fall asleep behind the wheel
- Get robbed or thrown in jail
- Urinate or defecate on them self and the truck
- Jump out of the truck while they were driving
- Try to punch me while I was driving
- Just released out of the mental institution (no joke)
- Speak very little English
My first year was a real learning experience it took me a while but I slowly realized that even tho you might be a great truck driver that does not mean you have the ability to teach. I thought to myself “crap, I’m a horrible teacher” at this point I had two options;
- Seek out guidance from a good teacher
- Stop all together
Giving up has never been a option for me, so the decision was simple. I searched and searched for that one trucking teacher that could show me “the way“. Never finding in one driver what I was looking for I thought to myself “wow I’m not the only crappy trucking teacher.” I did find some that had very good qualities but lacking in others, then I found others that lacked any ability to teach and was putting their life on the line for a few extra dollars every week.
At this point I did a lot of observing, I watched those trucking teachers that I felt had good intentions. I also wrote a list of the things I do from beginning to end so I had a reference to compare to. At this time I started really noticing the flaws in the continual truck driver training paradigm.
First, the pairing (this is the process of matching a student with a trainer) often performed blindly by the training department. The pairing often goes like this, student smokes, trainer smokes, done! “Wow that was simple, next“ the training department thinks. Well that is wrong, you can’t send two guys out in a truck matching them up blindly thinking “well it might work.”
I understand the pressures for the training department to get entry level drivers seated to a truck promptly(as most entry lever drivers as starving for a paycheck out of the gate) taking a couple extra days could mean the difference between foreclosure on their home or not. Because most companies understand that they want to do everything they can to retain the driver. If they stall to long the driver will find another company to work for that will get him going.
However at the same time I think a little more consideration and judgment should be applied here. A lot of the common problems between trainer and student while on the road could be minimized, ultimately lowering entry level driver turnover and a slew of other problems. Companies that do manage this correctly see much better results.
I now work for a company that does take these things into consideration, for that I’m thankful. At the time I worked for a company who’s volume levels were so high this wouldn’t have been realistic. I done the only thing I could do to make this different. I attended the orientation class as if I was a new recruit, this gave me insight into who really wanted it.
It also allowed me to learn about them without the intimidation of my uniform on, it also helped them a little later in the process as they seen me as a human being not just their “TRAINER” which is highly important for their confidence levels. Sneaky? Yes! In my defense I had one of highest retention ratings at this company!
The second problem problem I noticed was, the grab and go ( the process where a trainer rushes to get going right from the get go) It seems to be real easy for a truck driving teacher to forget how incredibly overwhelming this is for the entry level driver. Chances are he has just been rushed through school and the last 2/3 months of his life have been nothing but a blur. Now he is going out over the road, away from his family for many, many weeks (1-8 weeks pending training program, generally)
It is fundamental that as a truck driving teacher that you build a solid rapport with the the guy you plan to be working with. After all if you don’t know him or how he learns how could you ever teach him anything? What I do is slow things down a bit. I hang out for a day or two, get to know about him, his family, his goals with trucking.
If the situation allows I also take his family out to dinner so that his wife/girlfriend is comfortable with who he is going out with. For most guys this is a lifestyle shock and being slammed into it full force is no help at all, want to chase a guy off? Rush him into it. Teaching him to drive the truck is not the hard part, showing him how to slow down, relax and enjoy the many great qualities of the trucking lifestyle is the hard part, It is at its core what it takes to remain happy over the road. Sadly, many senior level drivers have been pushing so long they too have forgot how to do this. (Government regulations and being surround by negative guys can have that effect on you)
The third problem I noticed was, the ego trip (this is where the trainer/teacher thinks because of his position that he is somehow better then the entry level driver).
Like I said earlier “giving up was never a option for me“ that also applied to the guys I have worked with, the company I was teaching for at the time seen my proven track record. I never removed anyone from my truck and successfully soloed out every driver with a no failure rating. After a while I started getting many students who had spent time with 1-5 other teachers/trainers, the company said “if they can’t upgrade with you there is no hope“. Needless to say I got to hear many stories of other trainers/teachers, this really helped me hone my skills. One of the biggest complaints I got was how their trainers ego got in the way.
For example, I was sitting in Richmond, VA one morning doing my paperwork after just finishing up my post trip. When I hear someone screaming across the yard “Get that f-ing trailer in the hole you stupid n-word” I was like “what the heck is going on over there“. I step out of the truck look down the isle from me to see a so called trainer yell racial profanities at a rather huge gentlemen trying to back into a hole.
The gentlemen in the truck was so shook up he was shaking violently while the cab was jumping all around. My first thought was “wow this little dude is going to get pounded on by that bigger fella“, my second thought was “does he realize the full scope of what he is doing and that he is risking his life by taking these actions”
The trainer was having a huge power trip empowered by his uniform and rank as if that made him better then anyone else. I walked over and said “whats going on?” He quickly calmed down as he seen that I out ranked him and was certified to take away his mentor ship. In any case I asked him to come with me to the driver services department, the results, not good for him.
This is a obviously a extreme case, however there are many smaller cases that go unnoticed or perhaps the trainer/teacher is just not aware that he is crushing the entry level drivers confidence. You know it is bad enough that they’re in a environment completely foreign to them so they often stay right behind you following your lead as not to make a mistake or get in the way. Really it can be as simple as when your talking in a group you call him your student instead of addressing him by his name, again placing yourself higher then him.
Or perhaps, never allowing him to make his own decisions by telling him where to park, where were going to eat, when we’re going to leave, etc. I have never released a driver that couldn’t operate the truck completely from beginning to end with out my guidance.
The forth problem I noticed was the “the scared or inpatient trainer“. Some trainers/teachers feel the urge to take over for a entry level driver because they feel they could do the job more efficiently or are just flat out scared to let the guy learn. Of course you got it the other way around as well.
I have had guys on my truck after driving for 11 hours or whatever ask me “when we get to the costumer can you back it in for me?” I reply “And if I was not here would you ask the costumer to back it up for you?” They usually reply “your right, I should do it.”
A 25 year veteran trainer once told me “You’re not just teaching him to drive the truck you’re developing his confidence, encouraging him that he already knows how to do it” and you don’t develop his confidence by doing the job for him or talking down to him. It is important to set a good example tho, one of the first things my entry level driver and I talked about once we’re in the truck is the guidelines and expectations. I let him know that I will never ask him to do anything I couldn’t do myself or that would be unethical or illegal. I repeat several times that if at any point he doesn’t feel safe with the situation regardless of who is operating the truck, we will pull over and talk about the situation. Also if he is tired we will find a safe place to park, no questions asked.
It is important for a trainer/teacher to remember that driving can be very stressful for the entry level driver. You want to create the most stress free, peaceful environment possible. I let them know that I will never discuss stressful topics or tell them what they need improvement on while there operating the truck, every night while were eating dinner we discuss what could have been done different (including me, because I’m not perfect) and how we plan to make that different the next day(every driver should do this). Stay mindful of that because telling him “hey your going to — what ever“ while he is driving could put him into a panic and could cost both of you your life.
Related posts:
- Truck Driving Jobs with USA Truck
- 24 hour truck driving school
- Truck Driving Jobs with PAM Transport
- Truck Driving Jobs – Local Truck Driving Jobs Video – GOJobs.com
- CDL Truck Driving Interviews – Why Did You Choose A Trucking Career? – Driver Solutions: Shortcuts
Category: Trucking in general
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Very good article, very good writing, AND most importantly VERY WELL stated!! Wish I had you as my trainer when I first started driving!!
I have the PERFECT example of a trainer that is as bad as they can be…Check out Brittany’s CDL class Pt.3 on youtube. Here is the URL link http://www.youtube.com/watch?v= FP-fbTui3ro . I cannot belive this poor girl puts up with this ass wipe.
Excellent article, Steve! I think the problem w/ my former “nightmare co-driver”, is that he suddenly fancied himself as a “trainer”, and his ego got in the way. I certainly didn’t or don’t need training, as a matter of fact, I would love to teach the newbies.
Male ego’s and the tendency to turn into control freaks around women, may be one of the big reasons
that so many brand new ladytruckers have such a difficult time in the truck with their “trainer”.
Many of these women are one big raw nerve, and having a control freak can be very intimidating.
If a woman has just come out of a battered woman’s shelter, or out of a very abusive relationship, she will not be able to tolerate any bellowing or bullying. You, on the other hand, taught your students and kept a level head, no doubt.
I would love to see questionnaires filled out before companies team drivers up..to ensure a good match. Tempers will flare between even the best of friends, it is only to be expected that drivers will bump heads occasionally…after all, they didn’t really know each other very well, if at all, before being teamed up.
Keep up the good work,driver!
Very good article. My trainer was very similar in the ways of a good trainer. One thing he did mess up on was talking. To me when I was a student, and about to be again due to my lapse in current OTR experience but thats neither here nor there, all I wanted was somebody to talk to while out for that month. All he would do was sit in the jump seat and read magazines and watch the road from time to time. When I was in the jump seat he would drive and listen to the radio and have me do my “upgrade to solo seat driver questions”. So there again many hours would pass and no conversation what so ever. So just having small talk would have helped alot. Another thing my trainer messed up on was allowing me to drive the truck without him insight. When I drove he was in the jump seat, when he drove I was in the jump seat. He said it was because he had a few students mess up. For instance, stopping in the middle of the intersate to back up cause the student missed his exit. One more, turning the truck around on one of the cut throughs for emergency vehicles only at night. I can see where this would lead a man to not want the student driving without 100% supervision but after about a week a good TEACHER should beable to recognise that a smart student will not make dumb mistakes. My hats goes off to all the trainers and teachers in the great big world of trucking cause I know that I could not do such a demanding task. It can be hard enough being a driver sometimes but being a trainer/teacher i would think can be even hard. So thanks to all you teacher and trainers. Keep up the hard work.
I have much more to write about on this subject believe that. You brought up a good point. A teacher/trainer don’t show trust if he is always in the seat and that don’t help the confidence levels. I will step to the back and let them have their space, Of course still keeping a eye on things. This is important because one day when they look to the right you will not be their to respond, they need to get use to making judgment calls on their own!
Very well written Steve. thanks
Hey Steve, not sure if you can respond, but a quick question for you as a trainer. I’m currently in training, my trainer does not allow the use of the jake brake, cruise control, and floating. I understand the floating issue, as its important to double clutch initially as I’m in my 5th week now. I ask alot of questions, especially about mountain driving. I find the mountain driving to be challenging as well as very critical to know every scenario as possible in case something does go wrong. I get lableled as negative for asking the “what if” question, for instance what happens if going down hill and I find that I’m in the wrong gear should I attempt to snub or stab break bringing the rpms down below 1000 and attempt a lower gear. I was taught in cdl class that you should find a gear and never ever attempt to change due to the fact that if you lose a gear then your screwed, but then reading alot on the forums I find that it has actually saved some drivers by shifting to a lower gear when losing a jake brake or smoking the brakes begins. Could you possibly give your experience on proper mountain driving techniques, I would be hugely indebted to you for any information you can provide to help alot of us entry level drivers on safe mountain driving procedures.
Kenneth,
With mountain driving you want to be in the right gear for the speed of the terrain/conditions. 9th gear 45, 8-40ish mph and so on. I have never used a jake on the east coast here. 5-6% grades your cresting the mountain in 9th or 8th already. just keep it at that 1,600 rpm level and your home free down hill. Snub braking is when you let the weight push the rpm’s and speed up then when you get high you hit the brakes just till the rpm’s/speed fall back down (around 1,200 rpms) You can down shift at a higher rpm than 1,000 but realize you will have to really rev it up to get it into the lower gear…so if you down shift at 1,200 expect that puppy to wind up to 2,000 before it’ll sink in…for an emergeny w/o brakes that is how you’ll have to slow the rig down and bring it to a stop. I’m not suggesting this except in an emergency because when you go to shift and lets say you don’t get it into gear that rig will roll faster and faster, before long you’ll have to upshift to get back under control and try the whole process again, as you know that is not a good situation because the mountain roads twist and you need to be in control all 100% of the time. The truck can only go so fast in a given gear. It is always better to be in the wrong gear than to be out of a gear.
I want to become I trucker. I contacted schools trying to get some information on what I need before I come, but they are taking there time by sending my information. So do you know of some good school out there.
C1-Professional Truck Driving School-contracted through driver solutions
ALOT of local community colleges and tech. school also offer CDL training.
HOWEVER realize most of these institutions simply give you enough knowledge and practice to get that little card, the first month on the job you spend you will Quadroople your abilities and knowledge. That being said stop by your department of motor vehicles and pick up their CDL book and read it cover to cover before going to school.
Thank you for posting this. I somehow stumbled upon your blog while searching for something else. I’ve spend the last 30 minutes reading everything and crying over the video in this very post- or maybe the tears came from my own struggling relationship brought on by the lifestyle.
Thank you for being so open and posting. I’ll continue to visit and keep up with your blog.
I feel very fortunate that right out of CDL school I had a fantastic trainer. I was hammered by my teacher on the SMITH skills right out of the gate. He let me screw up backing in (not in an unsafe manor but you know rookie mistakes) but always made it a point for me to explain to him where/what I did…Like I went left instead of a right… then week 2 and 3 we were team driving and by week 4 delivering “saved” load to NY city. After the training stage your class then returns to the company and gives you a skills test. Granted we all had different trainers; we all had the same skills test. As I watched several other drivers struggle with simple 45* backs in an open parking lot; I realized my professionalism and abilities I owe all to my trainer. I was inspired from that day and i’m going through another skills test now to be a certified trainer.
I spent 12 years as a driving instructor. American Career Tech, Cowtown, Longhorn and Interstate Driver Training. I am out of it now because of the owners.
I LOVED being an instructor and I miss it. But 4 failed schools is enough for me. A school is only as good as its worst instructor and good ones get taken for granted by the school owners who always forget why they got into the business in the first place.