My trainer stinks
Posted by Lastacc12@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 46 comments
Dude smells horrible. I’ve been in the truck with him almost 2 weeks & I’ve seen him shower once, maybe twice. Shits starting to hurt my stomach. He’s a very kind & patient dude & good trainer though. I gotta get off this fucking truck.
jerikperry@reddit
Oh man, I can totally relate. Mine has no excuse, really. We are out 5 days, home 2 every week. He shows up to leave out smelling like incredibly powerful body odor. I genuinely don’t understand. I assumed he just didn’t take a shower, but something happened recently that made me think he might have some kind of medical issue/reason for smelling so bad.
Our terminals all have showers. We were in SLC, and he went in to take a shower. You have to go into the bathroom to access the showers. About 20-25 minutes later, I went in to use the restroom. As I washing my hands, he comes out of the shower stall, and I am immediately assaulted by his stank.
How does that happen? How does someone stink IMMEDIATELY after getting out of the shower? The only 2 explanations I can think of are that 1) He doesn’t use soap-this seems the most plausible to me, but why take a shower at all if you’re not going to use soap?; 2) He has some sort of medical issue that I can’t identify/comprehend.
A small part of me feels bad for him after the shower thing; almost like, damn, poor guy literally CAN’T make himself smell nice-but most of me feels bad for myself because I have to endure it all week every week.
Oh, and then there’s this; when he closes the curtain to go to sleep after we swap out, he leaves his shoes/boots in the front of the cab with me! I can’t think of any reason that he would do that other than him not wanting to smell his own foot stench! As if I would want to smell his feet whenever even he apparently can’t sleep with the stank! I have tried to rectify this issue as well as I can, asking him to please make sure they stay behind the curtain with him when he goes to bed, but half the time he “forgets” and leaves them between the fridge and the passenger seat where I can’t see them from the driver seat.
Like, seriously?! I don’t know how anyone can through life like that. He has genuinely smelled like horrible BO for 2.5 years straight, at the very least, because that’s how long I’ve been driving with him and he has never NOT stank.
Castellano-Da-Mobber@reddit
LMFAAAOOOOOOO
Guilty-Hippo-8523@reddit
Thyroid problems can cause someone to give off a odor definitely is medical
Correct_Writer_3410@reddit
You've had a trainer for 2.5 years straight????
jerikperry@reddit
No lol, I should have clarified, we drive teams.
Correct_Writer_3410@reddit
I can't imagine driving teams with a bad smelling person for 2.5 years
smiles4Ubitches@reddit
When he got out of the shower did you smell any soap smell? Maybe unscented soap though. As for shoes, buy a can of Lysol and spray interior of shoes to neutralize...
jerikperry@reddit
Not at all, and I spent be responsible for neutralizing his stank. As far as the safety thing, we use the curtain to signify whether or not we’re in the truck.
mindsunwound@reddit
The shoes in the front is a safety thing when it comes to training/teams as well as a cleanliness thing when it comes to the bunk area.
As for the cleanliness, you don't want to track filth from outside the truck into the bunk where your bare feet or socked feet are going to touch the floor. I have slippers for the bunk, but not everyone goes that far.
As for safety, if the shoes are on the passenger floor, you know he is in the truck, and if they aren't you know he is not. That way if he climbs out to go to the bathroom while you are fueling, or getting lunch, or whatever, and don't see him, you don't leave him behind at the truck stop.
You should also leave your shoes in the passenger side floor when you are in the bunk.
4StateTrucks@reddit
That is a tough spot to be in and is a new driver's nightmare. I would think a civil conversation first would be the thing to do. That trainer might be so used to his way of doing things that he has gone nose blind to his own smell and needs a mental reset. If that doesn't work, then I would 100% contact the company and let them know what is going on. Your companies recruiters will not want it getting out there that your company's trainers have a serious hygiene problem.
Part of a trainers responsibility is to teach how to live on the road as well as how to safely operate the equipment. Part of this is proper trip planning. This includes, hygiene and how to schedule your time wisely. How to get a shower after you fuel up and the best time of the day to do that if it is possible. The places with the cleanest facilities and also, those to avoid if possible. Sure, there are times when stuff happens and you just can't get a hot shower. Then is the time for the dreaded baby wipe bath. But that should be the exception and not the rule. Things like laundry, and how to shop for supplies, and where to park to get them the easiest. Basic things like how often to stop, get out, and walk around for a bit to exercise and get the blood flowing keeps you healthier. Food options out there besides just junk food day after day and even cooking in the truck or on a BBQ grill. trucking is hard hammer down work! But a trainers responsibility is to also teach how to have the downtime and enjoy the ride. Otherwise, the risk of burning out and leaving the industry is extremely high for new drivers who are overwhelmed.
All of these things are 100% the trainers responsibility to pass on their knowledge. A student in your truck is not just a second logbook. if you are not dedicated to teaching...get out of being a trainer. Be stinky all by yourself,
-Jeremy
Lastacc12@reddit (OP)
This is a very insightful comment, thanks
4StateTrucks@reddit
Welcome and good luck!
Big_Chemical_5165@reddit
I'm in CDL school rn and this is my greatest fear 😩
GreasyEyedGranny@reddit
My husband just got through school, came back to his home state and got his state cdl today. His first trainer not only stank to high heaven but but watched YouTube videos on a tablet propped up in front of his spedo, and ranted nonstop about mgtow and iran.
It can happen. But with serious egregious dangerous or hostile workplace shit, quietly reach out to dispatch and let them know, in professional language, wtf is going on. If you can get some pics of wonky assed shit for documentation, Do It. That was the advice I was given and that's what we did. What happened to my guy is - he was rerouted back to the hub, but only after delivering the load they were currently on cause no matter what, business gotta go on. The original plan that was that they'd be taking a load out somewhere else but they dry ran them back to the hub where my guy was put right back into a hotel room and he never had to deal with that trainer again. He ended up doing his 1on1 training with a second guy and kinda had to reset his time a week - but the miles he clocked with his first trainer did count. Long story short, my guy was scared af but did the right thing and is currently the very pleased holder of his own cdl-a, one and done. Good luck!
4StateTrucks@reddit
I am glad it worked it for your guy! It is always a bit scary when you are in that position to have to stand up and hope for the best. -Jeremy
Lastacc12@reddit (OP)
It was mine too. He seemed clean in the beginning, even prefaced that he was a fairly clean person, then days just went by without a shower or even brushing his teeth & the smell is starting to become unbearable.
Big_Chemical_5165@reddit
I get why it's a shitty convo to have, but you don't think talking to him about it is worth it? Or requesting a change in trainer? In cramped conditions like a truck that just sounds like an absolute nightmare scenario
Ricemunchr@reddit
if you want to avoid conflict just contact your manager or whoever is in charge to switch trainers.
bcsublime@reddit
I would absolutely have to have that conversation.
supernova-juice@reddit
I hate to say it, but you should probably address this to him directly. Kindly, of course, but... C'mon.
Soft-Veterinarian426@reddit
Just put a clothespin over your nose. Also start calling him stinky and buy 100 air fresheners when you pull in fuel stop.
nuget102@reddit
I got lucky my trainer showered every other day. One of the other guys I went through CDL school with said his trainer didn't shower the ENTIRE time he was in his truck. 4 weeks, and the dude didn't shower. I have no idea how he tolerated that.
doublestackdez@reddit
im on my second trainer at prime. this is my only issue with him. pretty sure the guy just doesnt wash his clothes. i have my miles needed for upgrade though so no point in bringing it up now i guess.
ATWAR68@reddit
Damn That Stinks ! Before I Even Got On The Truck With My Trainer, I Went Down The Line About Hygiene, Even Bout What To Do About Farts. Which Was I Don't Wanna Eat His Farts & He Doesn't Wanna Eat Mine, So No Matter What Hit The Window. We Showered Minimum At Least Every Other Day, Either At A Company Terminal Or Truck Stop. You Gotta Say Something !
McJesusOurSaviour@reddit
I'm so glad i work for a farm and have literally never had anyone else in my truck ever. Maybe the mechanic once... lol
Spiritual_Target8899@reddit
It happened to me except he wasn’t nice. I quit.
doobersthetitan@reddit
Could try spilling something on him so he has to shower lol
Desperate_Fee_808@reddit
Prob older guy..ppl who have been doin it a while don’t be givin a fuck lol..I blocked my trainer..hated his ass
BeenThruIt@reddit
Two years from now 3 quarters of y'all will be out of the industry or just like him.
Hateman1989@reddit
Just kiss him after a BJ and he can taste it for himself
shadowmib@reddit
I go camping a lot and you can be funky as hell and not even smell it because you get used to it. Same goes with trucking. You can be sitting in your own funk and have no idea unless somebody tells you. You might have to gently tell him, hey dude, I think you're cool and all but I don't think you realize that you fucking smell bad.
Odds are also besides him. His truck probably is funky too because of dirty laundry etc
Environmental-Pear40@reddit
As a professional in passive aggressive with a bachelor's of beating around the bush. I would have probably said something like "lill bro, we stink we need to get showers today" and then ask him something like where is a good place or where do you want to stop. Get them to plan for it type deal.
Everyone's different, some people can go a week or so and just not stink. But you have to at least change your clothes because that's what holds on to the smell the most. Skin doesn't really hold smell well. Usually just hair and clothes. So if nothing else find a way to get them to change. Spill something on them maybe.
CapitanPino@reddit
Most companies say to report this poor hygienic behavior
Nero-Danteson@reddit
I'd first ask if we could stop for a shower. As a roundabout way to go "hey man you stink".
TojoftheJungle@reddit
You could offer to shower together, as a roundabout way to get him to wash. Preface by saying you're trying to save points, time and just get some time away from the work to spend in each other's arms. Plus you have the added benefit of really getting him clean so that the last week on the truck will be more bearable.
MarmotWorldOrder@reddit
Lmao
supernova-juice@reddit
And if subtlety doesn't work, you'll judt have to say it.
I genuinely wonder about people like this. How do they stand it? My husband is a trucker and he's one of the cleanest people I know!
Nero-Danteson@reddit
Nose blindness. They probably do want to stay clean and not stinky but you get rolling and especially when it's cooler and you're not sweating as much you might not think about showers. I try to maintain some cleanliness and I will stop and take a long break if I absolutely must and shower on Wednesday/Saturday. My general schedule is Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. 0 excuses. Of course if I have more smell, add a day
ApollyonFE@reddit
Guy who trained me was incompetent, stank, and had a serious road rage problem. It can be so much worse 😂
roadlover1123@reddit
Sorry Jeffery.
Then-Campaign9287@reddit
I never had a trainer that stank except for the ones that purposely smoked cigarettes with the windows up in Winter months. It really made me angry. Also some trainers like to play head games with trainees.
Mysterious-Bug6183@reddit
Is his name Todd?
SexyWampa@reddit
You gotta be almost done, just suck it up and ride it out.
GreyGhost878@reddit
Tell the company exactly what you said here. It isn't your place to confront the person who is supposed to be responsible for your passing grade about a personal issue that could upset him. Tell them it is so bad it is literally making you sick to your stomach, and you need to get off his truck.
If you can smell him everyone else can smell him and he is representing the company badly, especially to customers but also to people in truck stops. If the person you talk to doesn't see the problem, ask them if they would tolerate the person at the desk next to them stinking all the time. No, they should go to HR and let HR address it with them. It's unacceptable in any workplace.
When I was a trainer I told my trainees we would shower at least every 48 hours. And we did. I didn't care what else was going on.
chico-dust@reddit
I'd try to breach the topic with him directly. Yeah it'll be uncomfortable as hell because no one is ever raised to be rude but you said buddy is very patient and understanding so he should be able to take criticism. If not request a switch from HR.
Trappin4DaSport@reddit
you did two weeks??? you better than me would have been asking for a new trainer 1st minute i stepped in the truck 😂