Should I request a new trainer??

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Steven6820, Aug 5, 2014.

  1. Steven6820

    Steven6820 Bobtail Member

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    Jul 28, 2014
    Los Angeles
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    So here's my situation, I'll try to make it short and sweet. I recently took up a contract with crst so that I could get my foot in the door in the trucking industry without contributing much up front costs. Now before you berate my decision I spent multiple weeks researching all starter companies and no matter where I decides to go it seemed like it would be the same situations only crst had the shortest term of employment under contract. I'm no idiot, nor am I a criminal. I spent nine years in the army with three combat tours in the process and pride myself on my work ethic and charector. Now that that's out of the way crst is all that I envisioned before I started. I did not have the false pretense that I would be turning 6 figures out the gate but after research I learned even if I paid my dues multiple opportunities with better pay would open up. I made it through school and orientation without a single issue, motivated and ready to link up with my trainer.

    I get out on the road feeling completely lost because although I was taught the basic operation of the truck in driving school, we got into no real world scenarios like heavy traffic, inclement weather, mountain driving, and the like. I felt completely I'll prepared but I was reassured that in school they only wanted to get the basics in and I'd learn everything else in training. Now that I'm in training (2 weeks in) I'm shocked to find out that the trainer literally expects me to know everything out of school and has extreme explosions of anger at every mistake of mine. I mess up backing he kicks me out the seat, I ask a question he codescendingly tells me I should already know and mockingly gives a bs half wit simple answer. I had a severe issue with mountain driving and I told him this, day two he runs me up i80 through West Virginia and my pocono with him in the sleeper on his phone. I tell him I'm extremely uncomfortable and he says were team driving you need to handle this on your own and refuses to come in the jump seat. I've trained troops going to combat and this isn't how you train at all in my eyes. I totally feel cheated and find myself reading this forum daily and going on youtube for tricks and techniques. I'm so close to be done with this guy I'm motivated to just push on. (2 weeks left) I'm just hoping my co driver is experienced at least a little but more importantly patient with a rook. My question is I'm teaching myself but don't feel nearly ready to be 100% safe and profitable to myself. Should I ask for a new trainer or just stick it out and move on. I can shift perfectly, learned how to handle traffic, and maintain lame control. My issues are with mountain driving (honestly horrified), backing, and night driving. This guy is actually nice at times but clearly doesn't give a **** about training, just in it for the extra cents and miles. He is a lease operator as well, from what I read why does this matter? Ps thanks for all the info here, it really has been my training lol. I want to do this and am determined but I'm not trying to kill myself or much worse anyone else and have to live with it
     
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  3. Steven6820

    Steven6820 Bobtail Member

    3
    1
    Jul 28, 2014
    Los Angeles
    0
    Ps before it comes up no my gi bill wouldn't cover driving school as it's too short a class being 2.5 weeks, leaving my only option contract driving
     
  4. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Henderson, NV & Orient
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    He's in the sleeper on the phone while you're driving? That's exactly where I would want him if I was training. It's hard to learn with some clown sitting in the jump seat nitpicking everything. Take advantage of it and when it's your turn to drive, tell him to get some rest. Your phobia with mountain driving will just take time to get over; you will be fine with it.
     
  5. Richter

    Richter Road Train Member

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    Philadelphia Pa
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    There is no real skill to night driving .... Just gotta be used to it. Traffic..... Just take it easy.... Leave space and don't be aggressive. Mountains are easy.... Just ensure ur in a low enough gear for down hill. Search the forum.... There are at least 3 long threads on proper downhill driving. Backing? Just practice.... u'll get it.... No need to get his help..... Just goal and don't hit anyone
     
    Last edited: Aug 5, 2014
  6. flybynight1

    flybynight1 Light Load Member

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    Jun 23, 2014
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    its like what dude said night driving takes time my comp allows us to pull over and sleep im bringing my dispatch coffee once a night so they understand as for the mountains that takes time i hated them in the begining but got used to it. i learn best by jumping heaad first if you dont grab another trainer but crst expects team out of training
     
  7. cnsper

    cnsper Road Train Member

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    Feb 28, 2014
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    I hear what you are saying about mountain driving. My instruction (not through any school) was you shift at this rpm and that was about it. I started and still pull flatbed but on occasion I have pulled over sized loads. 4 days after I got my license, I had to move a Volvo rock truck. That is one of those articulating dump trucks with a RGN that I had never used before and do it on my own.

    On the mountains, take your time going down. Maybe even be in one lower gear than what you went up in. It is easier to shift up a gear than apply the brakes so you can shift down a gear.
     
  8. Trygg

    Trygg Light Load Member

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    Feb 11, 2014
    The West
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    You lost me with the I-80 through West Virginia. :biggrin_25511:
     
  9. Cranky Yankee

    Cranky Yankee Cranky old ######

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    Jan 31, 2012
    Green Bay Wi
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    the unfortunate lie is most trainers are just in it for the money
    have no training in being a trainer
    so changing trainers is not a guarantee of any improvement
    you just need to suck it up take your time and use common sense that got you thru life so far

    the same common sense that got you thru combat will work now
    common sense will also tell you anybody with experience and capable of proper training wont be at CRST
     
    bulldog522002 Thanks this.
  10. Cranky Yankee

    Cranky Yankee Cranky old ######

    15,317
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    Jan 31, 2012
    Green Bay Wi
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    on my first run out with a trainer with Transam
    I was paired with a O/O
    we left the yard he says you need to know this truck needs some work but it is safe
    no power steering , one headlight out
    we get to CA and losing power I say your fuel filter is plugged
    He says it needs a def regen
    30 miles later we are on the side of the road
    the $800 road call was an expensive fuel filter
    the idiots are everywhere
     
  11. White Dog

    White Dog Road Train Member

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    Feb 11, 2008
    Iowa
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    Sounds like he is not focused on training you so much as a driver...he is training you to prepare to drive with a team driver and total stranger.
    He is completely understanding how CRST works...not a solo gig.

    There were plenty other options for you, but you got impatient and went with the first one and the worst one.

    If you're in it to win it; tough it out with this jackazz and move on. But whatever you do, do it quick and get away from CRST when your obligation is fulfilled.

    Thank you for your service to our country.
     
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