Need advice. Second week in driver training and already had to change trainer once
Posted by melovemelongtimee@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 111 comments
First trainer was trying to make me a list of illegal things. I came close to running my 11 hours of drive twice the first week. Within 6 minutes. Turns out I wasn’t the only person with this issue. Apparently trainer got fired. Next trainer is again telling me to speed up in construction zones and go 65-70 mph in photo enforced areas. I don’t want to risk my Cdl. Need advice. This trainer is really good as far as tips goes but there’s constant yelling to speed and break the law. I don’t want to request a new trainer but I feel like this guy is going to kick me out the truck if I don’t do what he says. First trainer kicked me out and ended up getting fired. I appreciate any advice. Thank you
EnolaNek@reddit
I didn’t run into any issues like that with my trainer. I was the one insisting that I run until I was almost out of time before switching. No violations. No log manipulation. No speeding. In fact, when I forgot to go on duty before beginning my inspection, I wasn’t even five minutes down the road before I got a message from swift telling me I needed to correct my logs to be sure it showed that I was on duty during all working time.
Talking to another guy from my CDL class who is also at swift, he had the exact same experience. Not only is there no pressure to speed or manipulate logs, there is no tolerance for it. Sounds to me like a company problem.
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
Yeah this is the opposite. I also like running my full 11 but the log manipulation is crazy. I just caught him doing it the second I got out the truck to off duty and I was still working
EnolaNek@reddit
Getting out to go get a snack? Sure, save your 70. Getting out to go check in at a shipper? Crazy work ngl.
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
We stopped to take a piss and he took over driving still logged in as me. I noticed immediately and I had 1 hour of drive time. I told him to switch while still in the gas station he played dumb like he didn’t hear so I called my cousin who owned a trucking company for advice. I told him to switch it immediately and he refused. I took a picture of the Qualcomm and he threatened to leave me on the side of the road in Nebraska during a storm 😂 can’t make this up
EnolaNek@reddit
Nahhhhhh, that’s shady as fuck. My trainer joked about letting me drive on his clock too so he could nap more, but actually driving on someone else’s clock is something else entirely (illegal).
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
Yeah dude napped all day yesterday and at night stayed up til 2:30 am with tv blasting and then I had to be up at 7 am to drive. Now we pulled over and thinks he is going to torture me more with tv and no sleeper berth climate control. If I don’t sleep tonight I don’t drive. Period. He can sleep all day and keep me up. This dude also had the guts to not let me take a 30 minute break to eat until 9 pm tonight. I hadn’t eaten since 7 am. Not tomorrow. I’m contacting my company and telling them what’s going on. Im due back home in 5 days after being out 2 months. Guys about to retire so he doesn’t give af other than Money right now
IndividualWave5692@reddit
Yeah so all of the things you're saying would make me the other guy to fuck off. Your company is shit if that's how their "trainers" run.
ForgottonTNT@reddit
Protect yourself and your CDL go the speed limit, you are the one driving remember. If he wants you to speed then just ask to switch LET HIM DRIVE
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
That’s what I was thinking. I already have my cdl and I worked to hard to get it. I don’t want to complain because I don’t want me company to think I’m over reacting.
ForgottonTNT@reddit
Heck my trainer use to call me Ms Daisy bc I always went the safe speed (5mph below the speed limit)
My thought process was I’m getting $680 a week with my trainer no matter how many miles I do 😂😂 So cruise and safely there
XanJamZ@reddit
The safe speed is the speed limit. You don't want to be an obstacle everyone else has to avoid.
ForgottonTNT@reddit
If the speed limit is 70mph and I’m going 65mph. How am i an obstacle?
XanJamZ@reddit
65mph is actually fine in most places because most trucks are limited in that range. The greater the difference in speed between you and everyone else the bigger an obstacle you are. Everyone around you is constantly slamming on brakes, speeding up, trying to merge and not slam into the back of your truck. You disrupt the flow essentially.
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
I’d be happy if my training was governed at 65 then I wouldn’t be forced to speed 😂
XanJamZ@reddit
It is nice being able to hold the pedal down and know you'll never speed in a 60+ zone 😅
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
Haha yeah! I’m getting paid a high cpm for my first company and plus I’m in no rush. I like this job
XanJamZ@reddit
65mph is actually fine in most places because most trucks are limited in that range. The greater the difference in speed between you and everyone else the bigger an obstacle you are. Everyone around you is constantly slamming on brakes, speeding up, trying to merge and not slam into the back of your truck. You disrupt the flow essentially.
PlsCheckThisBush@reddit
Look at it this way: the safest place you can be is away from everybody else. So the less interactions you have the less chance for stuff to go wrong. Going slower than everyone else means more interactions.
You’re honestly fine doing 65 in a 70, the biggest issue usually is trucks limited like 55-62 in a state like Texas where it’s crowded and a 75mph speed limit so you’re just a hazard when someone is gaining on you at 20+ mph.
genocyde26008219@reddit
California has entered the chat
ForgottonTNT@reddit
I LOVE CALIFORNIA, thats where I made the most money; when I was OTR
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
Mine is at 70mph
OneSkepticalOwl@reddit
Safe speed depends on the conditions and circumstances up to the speed limit. The speed limit is just that, a limit, not a mandate. If your safe speed for whatever reason is below the limit, other drivers will have to compensate. Going at an unsafe speed just to avoid being an obstacle is ridiculous.
XanJamZ@reddit
That goes without saying of course. Change your speed to match the conditions. My response was more aimed at the person seeming to suggest "safe speed" = slower than everyone else.
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
It’s been like 55mph though with all truck going about that not 65mph photo enforcement
deezkeys098@reddit
You just do what the trainer says and get through your training period when you have your own truck run how you want. If he’s telling you to speed through construction zones he probably knows when cops are out and when they are not but if your uncomfortable just say that
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
Ok. I just don’t want a ticket. If this is normal then I’ll continue. I actually like getting miles in and not going slow. Just wanted other peoples experience. Thanks
Pur3k0912@reddit
You're the driver. If you have cameras and there's a button to record if he tells you to break the law then tell him no and you're not comfortable with it. If he gets upset press the button to record, and call your saftey dept. The camera records audio even if it doesnt have an inward facing camera. That alone should be enough to cover your own ass.
Do not let people in this line of work bully you into compliance with anything you are not comfortable doing or is unsafe. Fault always falls 100% on you and thus always CYA(Cover Your Ass). Truckers may be a dime a dozen but drivers with clean records years in arent. Do your best to be one.
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
Thanks for the advice. We have cameras but they only activate from my understanding if I slam on break or cross lanes. I wish I could record.
Pur3k0912@reddit
Other thing you can do is try your best to remember the time it happens. Most cameras will record constantly and without reason the company cannot view it but they may be able to request a certain timeframe if you talk with saftey and have a solid time. If you use the lynx camera (typically has blue buttons in the bottom corners) or if you gave a random round button on your dash it may be a button to manually record. We have samsara and I dont think ours can be done manually either.
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
I’m taking pictures of it on the Qualcomm when I can and also write in my phone. He keeping yelling at me to hurry thinking maybe I’ll forget or not check
Pur3k0912@reddit
Sounds good. Make sure you're not using your phone while driving as its honestly a widely broken nono that will severely hurt your CDL if you ever geg dinged for it.
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
No way dude I would never. I out it in my backpack. I paid $5000 for school and it took years to save. This is my golden ticket. No way I’d risk it
Pur3k0912@reddit
My other comment is quite long so im going to use this as another related topic. The green bible is a great tool. Same with Google leading to the official DOT website. If you EVER have a question if something is legal or not. Look it up. If you find yourself unclear on something. Look it up.
Do not expect everything you hear from others to be true. Feel free to look it up.
Do you know what proper use of Personal Conveyance(PC) requires? The difference in person use and safe harbor use and their requirements? What about yard move? Do you know the rules of sleeper berth splits?
Not trying to scare you and trust me you'll take a decent amount of time to figure everything out. But I had an ex coworker complain about getting a DOT violation because he did not have a shipping document identifier on his logs.
You can Google "what is the fmcsa rule on logs" and it may take sifting through a few but you can easily find the rules involved. For instance at this point its 49cfr part 395.8 (specifically subsection d but youd find that by reading the rule)
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
Thank you for taking the time to respond. Absolutely going to read it. If DOT ever pulls me over I want to know just as much as them. Plus this is my career now. I want to be informed
Pur3k0912@reddit
Good. Eventually you'll get comfortable. You'll probably get a phone mount which is fine. A headset to talk to people while you drive which is fine again. Hands free is legal. Dot allows 1 tap to answer or end calls. Everything up til now is normal.
Eventually you'll see others drive past holding their phones and think how could they not get in trouble. Thats where it gets to you. Don't let it be you. Make a habit of if you need to change music then pull to a safe location.
From the DOT website "The rule applies to drivers operating a commercial motor vehicle on a roadway, including moving forward or temporarily stationary because of traffic, traffic control devices, or other momentary delays. A mounted phone is acceptable as long as it is mounted close to the driver."
Understand this includes traffic control devices. Including stop signs and red-lights.
The website continues "Compliance Make sure the mobile telephone is within close enough proximity that it is operable while the driver is restrained by properly installed and adjusted seat belts.
Use an earpiece or the speaker phone function. Use voice-activated dialing. Use the hands-free feature. To comply, a driver must have his or her mobile telephone located where he or she is able to initiate, answer, or terminate a call by touching a single button. The driver must be in the seated driving position and properly restrained by a seat belt. Drivers are not in compliance if they unsafely reach for a mobile phone, even if they intend to use the hands-free function."
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
No way I’m risking my life or the safety of others on the road over being selfish and on my phone. I’ve seen some crazy stuff so far
Emergency_Ad1152@reddit
You deserve getting a ticket if you listen to some dumbass advice like this. When a cop gives you a ticket, just tell them deezkeys098 said it was fine.
deezkeys098@reddit
Did you see the last part of my comment? Or did you just rage to post a comment
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
Haha
lovs2build1@reddit
Don't listen to them, others have said, you're right to protect your cdl.
The666Apes@reddit
Don't listen to the bad information. You do what your trainer asks, within legal limits. Don't speed in those photo enforcement areas, because they are actually enforcing those. Two drivers last week at my company got citations in the mail for it. Make sure you read all the signs and pay attention to them. Be careful, and enjoy the ride.
LongjumpingCat6642@reddit
It’s not normal. Tell your company
Swamq@reddit
I don’t have the time to read all of this, but I’ve been driving for about maybe 13-14 years now and I’m doing great. I’m making a lot of money. I’m home every weekend. The one thing that I can tell you is when you’re doing your training you stay out there as long as you think that you need to to feel comfortable behind the wheel alone because when your trainer is gone, it’s just you there’s no going backwards if you need to change your trainer change it if you think that he’s not helping you if you think that he’s telling you to do something you shouldn’t be doing change. I did like Shit six months of training because I didn’t feel comfortable because I had a lot of issues when I first started. I didn’t know how to pack for shit now that shit is easy, but I made sure to stay out as long as I needed to in order to feel comfortable
Dropnhook@reddit
Yeah packing was a little tough with the sharing a bunk and fridge with a trainer but it’s much easier when you have your own truck
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
Ohh yeah! The truckers are sweet! Brand knew kentworths
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
I feel comfortable with it. I had to switch my first week and they ended up firing that guy. This is my second
Swamq@reddit
Go through as many as you need I think I had 3 but it was great by the end I felt comfortable to do everything myself without worrying your going out there in the middle of no where
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
I’m going to. Just want to get home since I’ve been away 2 months now. This company is cool as far as management and everyone except these trainers. I don’t want to leave this company. I had my Cdl but no experience so I had to sign a $7500 contract for a year because it had been 4 months since I couldn’t find a job and redue training but was willing to because of people I talked to that worked there
Mindes13@reddit
Recreate that scene from that Tom Hanks movie: "look at me! I'm the captain now!"
How long are you training for? If it's a week or two, maybe stick it out but don't do illegal shit.
Do mention once you pass and get into your own truck.
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
Yeah I want to stick it out. I love this company other than these two trainers
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
Just caught dude switching my logs to off duty while I’m working
Dropnhook@reddit
No way wth bro needs to be reported im not even a snitch bro but technology is improving where these flock cameras are actually helping DOT confirm certain entries on log books with these location based tracker cameras and recently got a ticket for falsified logs and the driver said that the officer said what he logged wasn’t correct based on their data 🤷♂️
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
Dude did you see the latest update? Yeah it’s bad
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
I have pictures of it now. Yeah I don’t care I’m protecting my Cdl. If this company hires crappy trainers that’s not my fault
lake_june@reddit
Which company is this
Dropnhook@reddit
He doesn’t want to say but these companies need to be put on blast and the people making the good companies look bad. Could be very helpful actually, I notice them at a lot though people don’t want to say the company name. 🤷♂️
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
I don’t want to get fired. I’m sure they search this board and out of respect because the rest of the people who work there are awesome. Even met the ceo. Super cool people. Just hired bad drivers because of a change that happened with it. Plus I really want to stay with them. Other than these two trainers everyone is cool. I get paid almost double what most starter companies pay and they have good equipment
StonedTrucker@reddit
My first trainer got fired for not following the rules and then i requested someone other than my 2nd trainer for the same reason. 3rd guy was great and im glad i asked to switch. Its your ass on the line no matter what the trainer tells you to do. Dont feel bad about protecting yourself
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
Sweet! I just don’t want to seem like I’m over reacting and bug them.
firemarshalbill316@reddit
Fuq him! You protect your license first. I'd be gone.
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
💯 we stopped to take a piss and he took over driving still logged in as me. I told him right as we took off to change it he ignored. I called my cousin who owned a trucking company for advice. I took a pic and told him to change it he threatened to kick me out
firemarshalbill316@reddit
Next time call your dispatcher not your cousin.
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
I could text but I didn’t want to him to see message since he can read. Dispatch is gone for the day but going to do so tomorrow
firemarshalbill316@reddit
I would have doubled down and said try it. Let's see what happens cause the only way I'm getting out is with cops involved since you're stealing my hours and commiting numerous DOT violation. We can fight like two cats in a pillowcase for all I care.
DO NOT TAKE MY ADVICE!
I'm just saying what you are thinking.
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
I had no clue I could call the cops. I should’ve called it’s in Nebraska and it’s nasty out
Gonzotrucker1@reddit
Tell him “you want to drive?” Because I can pull over!!
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
He did. Under my clock as it was running down. We stopped to take a piss and he said he would drive. Second we started moving I asked him to switch to him driving. He refused. I can’t make this up at this point lol. I took pics as he was driving and he freaked out and threatened to kick me off the truck. The company can definitely pull data and see how long he drove. I immediately started texting my cousin who owns a trucking company for advice to time stamp and also to save the pic since I can’t trust dude won’t steal me wallet or phone
uwa_amanda@reddit
I’d change trainers (or companies). If something happens while you were driving, your trainer will put 100% of the blame on you to absolve himself of any responsibility. It’s not like the trainer is feeding your family or keeping a roof over your heads. That’s how I’d see it. At the end of the day, you are the only person that can completely cover your own ass.
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
Ok! Yeah I worked years to make money to get my Cdl. Just want the experience. I noticed when he drives he actually doesn’t speed. Odd huh
uwa_amanda@reddit
I have been in the industry for 20 years in driver support (dispatch, load planning, etc). I’ve heard some stories over the years. I know that truckers keep this country moving and that if it weren’t for the drivers I support on a daily basis, I wouldn’t have a job.
Here’s to hoping you can work something out so you can keep truckin’! (Pun totally intended) 😆
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
I freaking love it! This is for me. I have ADD and when I like something it’s like a fun game to me. Having to pay attention to all the different things around me keeps my mind focused and busy on something I love doing. Driving! I drove uber for 9 years and just have it in me to drive. This is obviously different but so far I’m loving it!
Dropnhook@reddit
4 min difference of arrival typically when you speed but a big difference even in one mph if you’re pulled over for speeding then you’re really late and out of pocket.
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
That’s exactly my thoughts. Oddly enough over stuff happened to make us even more behind. Almost a slap in the face
adventure_dog@reddit
whats the speed limit in the construction zones? I see people going 25 mph in construction zones that are posted at 65mph. I used to go 5 over the posted zone limits but they got ai in the dash cams now that'll red flag and report you and we got guys that have gotten fired for going over the posted limit in construction zones due to the dash cams
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
Great I hope I don’t get a ticket. Dude was yelling like crazy to speed up and go with flow of traffic… that I was feeling forced to pass on the left 😂 telling me in his truck we never stop hitting the gas
CobraWasTaken@reddit
Damn what company is this? If you change trainers again and still have the same issue, that's a pattern. I would look for a different job at that point
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
I don’t want to say. They are big on safety which is why I went with them. I just want to get done with this and get my truck. I absolutely love trucking and everyone in the company has been great except these experiences. I will say that this trainer is top notch when it comes to advice
CobraWasTaken@reddit
If that's true, then you could change trainers 10 times due to safety issues and your company would thank you. I know you think you need to keep your head down since you're new, but they actually appreciate a new driver that prioritizes safety.
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
I swear I want to become a trainer just to do the opposite for this company because the overall experience has been great. Management, school instructor, even met the ceo. He told me if a trainer ever never says drive safe he’d fire them. If only he knew what has happened.
ChampionshipThin8916@reddit
Fuck that guy. Look out for yourself. Better to get fired for being safe and legal vs a blemished CDL.
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
💯 I’m going to! We stopped to take a piss and he took over driving still logged in as me. I noticed immediately and I had 1 hour of drive time. I told him to switch while still in the gas station he played dumb like he didn’t hear so I called my cousin who owned a trucking company for advice. I told him to switch it immediately and he refused. I took a picture of the Qualcomm and he threatened to leave me on the side of the road in Nebraska during a storm 😂 can’t make this up
FlatbedtruckingCA@reddit
Also a driver trainer here.. never speed, protect your CDL at all times.. never do anything illegal and manipulating elogs is a major red flag for how that company operates.. Commercial truck enforcement just wraped up a nationwide inspection blitz and one of their main areas of focus was elogs and manipulating/falsifying logs.. thats a major violation that also would affect your CSA 2010 driver score.. might be better off finding another company that strongly discourages this behavior with trainers..
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
That’s why I complained with the first trainer. I didn’t want to get in trouble for manipulating logs or speeding. Especially during blitz week.
nicerakk@reddit
Find another trainer. Call him out to your dispatcher and ask for another trainer. Don't be afraid to ask for another. Always circle back to safety and legality in your complaints. Your company should accommodate you if you do that. If they don't agree with you on safety concerns, then find another company.
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
I literally just changed last week. Last dude I’m pretty sure got fired because he was already about to get fired but new training director gave him another chance but last wanted to fire. This is who I got next
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
Thanks for chiming in. Was hoping a driver trainer would chime in. Thank you for your advice
Fluxus4@reddit
You should thank them for letting you know this company runs an unsafe operation. They just saved you a lot of time. Quit and join a company that's serious about safety.
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
Yeah I’m thinking I’m about to do that but they made me sign a $7500 one year contract so I can’t quit
Fluxus4@reddit
Jesus dude.
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
This guy literally is now driving under my drive time. We stopped to take a piss and we took off. I noticed and immediately told him to change it. He ignored me. Sent my cousin a message to ask legality because he owes a trucking company and told me yes. I took a picture of it
Ancient_Cucumber2573@reddit
Bruh run away look up your company on search carriers if a lot of log violations or oos run away
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
It’s a company with great record that prides them selves on safety and they do but recently there trainers have sucked because changes where made and a lot of old school drivers left
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
No wonder I’m getting maybe 4 hours of sleep. I had a 20 hour day the other day
Dropnhook@reddit
Illegal asl bro if you can lowkey document that by video do that and report this immediately with proof.
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
Can’t do video but can take pics. I just got one. Now I have to watch my phone wand wallet. My last trainer took my keys because I schooled him how to do an air brakes test when he was pissed. This trainer knows that happened
Wadester58@reddit
Sign says 40 mph do 40 don't do anything to jeopardize your license. Keep notes CYA
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
I’m not thanks for your input. I’m keeping notes and taking pics of logs being changed while on duty
fredbear1964@reddit
Just record your trainer yelling at you to speed or whatever, and then send it to safety. Problem solved !!!!!
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
I can’t it’s illegal without consent
GoodGoodGoody@reddit
Sorry I’m driving right now. Please text me your request that I break the law and I will consider it when I am parked.
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
Seriously
homucifer666@reddit
Instructor here; your trainer should never be telling you it's okay to break the law, and especially not forcing you to. Document everything as best you can and approach your manager/driver leader/whatever about it.
You've got the right idea about protecting your CDL. If you get a fat ticket for speeding in a construction zone, it's you that's on the hook, not him or the company.
Dropnhook@reddit
Company I work for will fire you for construction zone ticket don’t even risk that getting fired for that your CDL is cooked
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
I’m not! Appreciate your inputs
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
Thank for letting me know. I just caught him switching my logs while I was working to off duty. No wonder my days start at 6 and end at 2:30 am
Kan-ka@reddit
I go 65 in a photo enforced construction. It’s all lies theres no cameras there, but if you feel uncomfortable and don’t want to do it and he keeps yelling and trying to force you to do it then call your company and tell them what’s going on and that you need another trainer who will train you
Frito_Penndejo@reddit
There are most assuredly cameras in Washington state construction zones.
truckensafely@reddit
Report trainer then find a different one.
Inexona@reddit
They're keeping meat in seats, trainers aren't someone who has earned a promotion, just someone who has lasted a basic hurdle of making it through one winter safely and wants extra money.
melovemelongtimee@reddit (OP)
I will say he’s on pint with everything. My last trainer was a 1 he’s about a 9 other than that
Ok_Bug_6470@reddit
If you meet an asshole in the morning then you met an asshole. If you meet a lot of assholes all day then….