Question:
I am a trainer for Crete Carrier Corp And thought a little info from my side of the truck would be helpful. I can not speak for all trainers out there so your trainer may do things different than I do also companies are different as well.
I just finished trainer recertification and am between drivers at the moment. No telling what the next new driver I get will be like. I find I have to adapt to each new driver for each new driver is different.
I just hope that the new driver packs light bringing his own bedding and a heavy coat work gloves 4 changes of clothes and a shaving kit with shower shoes for the shower. And at lest $100 dollars for expenses for the 1st week on the road. Maybe more depending on how much you may want to spend.
I will get a message from the training coordinator about who my next new driver will be where he is at I will give an ETA to that place and meet the new driver for the first time and introduce my self and welcome the new driver to the company. Them give them an over view of the next 8 weeks.
Week 1 I drive out two hours stop and give a truck orientation showing the new driver where every thing is then turn it over to the new driver to see how they get along. When the sweet starts to bead I take it back we run two hours on two hours on for 10 hours and go to bed. I will do all of the backing unless there is lots of room
(no chance of hitting anything)(THE ND IS THINKING OH BOY I AM TRUCKING NOW)
Week 2 The new driver gets more time behind the wheel and is learning the QC and company policy and how to log and back all under close supervision. I will show the new driver how I do the job. About now the ND (NEW DRIVER) is beginning to think (WHAT HAVE I GOTTEN MYSELF INTO)
WEEK 3 The ND is showing promise and is gaining skill, learning to do the job and is settling into the rhythm of the road. I am pleased with the way things are going but we still have a long way to go yet still not at the half way point of training. ( THE ND IS USALLY STARTING TO THINK I AM NEVER GOING TO GET THIS TRUCK DRIVING STUFF)
WEEK4 The half way point. The ND is gaining skill and independence though is still under supervised in new situations I am starting to nap going down the road, we are running a little harder. And the ND is placed in more complicated places and receives less help. And needs less help. (ABOUT NOW THE ND IS SURE THAY ARE NOT GOING TO GET THIS TRUCK DRVER STUFF)
WEEK 5 The ND is getting the job down and begging to get things together and needs much less help
I back off and let the ND do the thinking and figure things out. (ABOUT THIS TIME THE ND STARTS TO WANT TO DO THINGS THERE WAY WHICH IS THE WORNG WAY. PLEAS MOM I WANT TO DO IT MY SELF.) I will let them make mistakes put wont let them hit something.
WEEK 6 Is about the same but the ND is finding out my way is the right way and returning to what they learned hopefully. We put on tire chains the ND is keeping good records and starting to do the job by them selves the next two weeks I am along for the ride
WEEK 7 AND 8 The ND is doing the job and looking like a driver. ( ABOUT NOW THE ND IS THINKING I AM GOING TO BEABLE TO DO THIS JOB AFTER ALL.)
I as the trainer contact the training coordinator and let him know I think the ND is ready to go.
(END OF WEEK 8 The training coordinator gets us back to Lincoln NE for orientation (two days)
I will be returning to this thread with real up dates on how a training cycle goes with my next ND( NEW DRIVER)
I do not have a computer on the road with me yet so it may be weeks between up dates so bear with me.
If you have questions or sugestions comments place them in the thread and we will learn from one another. Even though I have been driving for 21 years I still learn from each of my ND'S how to do this job better.
Seek to know God and Jesus who was presented as the sacrifice of full payment for sin.
Do the VI maintain your following distance maintain your lane position observe the speed limit observe the things around you and keep good records
Safe driving to you.
Joe
[This message was edited by JoeTruckDriver on October 02, 2003 at 8:17.]

Answer:
Now that is what I call informative reading! Too bad you don't work for Werner, as it sounds like you really know your stuff, and have an excellent teaching method (I have been an instructor too, but in a entirely different subject matter and can appreciate a good training/teaching method).
With respect to my belongings, I have a soft-sided carry-on type bag. Larger than most (24"?), but I believe I can get everything into it with the exception of my heavy coat. If necessary, I will throw the thing up on my bunk and use it as a pillow. -->
I look forward to your future posts, and can only hope I get someone as professional and caring as you. We'll see.
Bill

Answer:
A low paying company like Werner will not see trainers as good as this guy as you get what you pay for. Sounds real good but subtract 4 weeks off of that since if the ND does not have it together in 4 weeks he needs to go drive a transit bus in the city. --> Hey joetruckdriver, sounds like you need too look into getting a Samsung I300 Phone/Palm through sprint then you could visit this sight and post as often as you liked on the road without the hassle of a laptop.

Answer:
Samsung I300 Phone/Palm through sprint Somthing to look into thanks I will have to go the Sprint store and check it out.
Seek to know God and Jesus who was presented as the sacrifice of full payment for sin.
Do the VI maintain your following distance maintain your lane position observe the speed limit observe the things around you and keep good records
Safe driving to you.
Joe

Answer:
Well thanks for the heads-up about the trainers.
When I asked about Crete at school I was told that they don't take students. Then when I checked their web site, it said 2 years OTR prefered, and quality experience, whatever that is.
Then I was told they only do reefers (maybe vans?) and I dropped them from my list. Oh well, my loss maybe? Dunno for sure, but I figured that I needed to get to flats so I could later switch to heavy-haul.
As someone once said: "There are no right or wrong answers, only choices."
Bill

Answer:
Boy do I like how you do things.
Hubby is a ND and has not had it that great. Seems after his first week around the country, he was confident enough behind the wheel (has prior experience, including tanks) and they suddenly became a team. The trainer is used to team and not training. so there were holes galore in his teaching. Finally, hubby had to figure out WHAT to ask, WHEN to ask, and INSIST that he be shown how to route, log trip packs (??whatever you call it that gets you paid), insist on driving in the city, etc. Strictly highway miles just means you can hold the steering wheel real good.
Heres my kicker, tho. His out training is 4 weeks, not 8. He did take one large duffel, coat, gloves...he's used to working hard and getting dirty...but the shower shoes is a new one I hadn't heard before. See if THAT dont go on my Walmart shopping list...if they HAD them in a 15!!!
Gotta admit, your post covered a lot and for us newbies (and us newbie wives), helped US understand what goes on out there..or at least what SHOULD go on out there. One last item..a phone card? Hubby has a nationwide cell, so we didnt need it, but loves to surf the net, so guess will have to look into the Sprint palmpilot thingie as well..but he best be making some $$ first!!!
Again, thanks from a wondering wife....
KyRose
"The only difference between my house and the titanic is they had an orchestra!"
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"The only difference between my house and the titanic is they had an orchestra!"

Answer:
1st off I am an O/O that was taught by the seat of my pants and mainly on my own, but that was many yrs ago when a driver still could get a driving job and be taught by the company without being charged $3500 for a 3 week course.
1, Do you teach your ND (New Drivers) that flashing high beams at night only blinds the guy passing you..?
2, Do you teach him that he should check his tires every time he stops..?
3, Do you teach him to allow room when passing..? The dotted line doesn't mean you own it...
4, Do you teach them to back off the throttle when he see's a truck is about to run up on a slower truck and will need out to pass..?
5, Do you teach him the respect other drivers, because one day he just might need help from the man that he insulted from days passed..?
6, Do you teach any ethical practices that seem to be falling by the waist side everyday..?
and finally, Do you teach them to stay away from the negativity that you hear just about everywhere.. That the more you allow yourself to hear how bad things are, eventually you going to believe it and become part of the crying patrol..?
I believe anyone can train a person to do a job, but trucking is more than a job... Its a life style and the ethics involved with trucking has to be reintroduced in the industry or we will become trucking trash...
Hung the hammer up, couldn't find the keys.. So I hot wired the mother...
Member of OOIDA since 1997

Answer:
Crete will take students out of school as long is it is a PTDI certified school The training is 8 weeks
If a driver has previous experience 6+ months with a good driving record 4 to 6 weeks a year or more 2to 4 weeks. The safety department makes the call as to how long.
recruiting can be reached at 1 800 998 2221 ext 3
Seek to know God and Jesus who was presented as the sacrifice of full payment for sin.
Do the VI maintain your following distance maintain your lane position observe the speed limit observe the things around you and keep good records
Safe driving to you.
Joe

Answer:
Joe I'm at the PILOT bring me supper.
I'm the Crete o/o you met in Constitine MI.The one that had a copy of your comments about the HOS
I'm Going to HTL tomorrow
Crete must be running the new guys only,all the old timers are pissed off -->
Andy,he's an older feller and I don't think he knows the new ways -->
Due to violations against the Constitution, more crime is committed in one day in the court rooms of America than in the streets in a whole year.
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TruckNets Jobs.Truck.Net Online Application Click here

Answer:
The things you mentioned are why I started training in the first place so that I might make a small difference on the road. If good drivers do not get involved in training of new drivers we do not have any room to complain about the way they drive. I have seen old drivers tailgating and changing lanes cutting off others. not doing the VI flashing the bright lights I try to teach my guys to think and act safely on the road and when dealing with the kind of driving you seem to be worried about to slow down take a deep breath and act safely. The over view that I posted is just that and over view.
I have taken a few drivers from bum and grind the gears to smooth operator, and by the grace of God will take a few more the that point before I get planted . Like you I learned mostly the hard way but my ND’s get a much better start than I got if I can help it. But you know as well as I do there are hard heads out there that must do it the hard way. I just try to teach them to be as good as I can in the time I have.
Seek to know God and Jesus who was presented as the sacrifice of full payment for sin.
Do the VI maintain your following distance maintain your lane position observe the speed limit observe the things around you and keep good records
Safe driving to you.
Joe

Answer:
You want a chicken salad sanwich? that is what I am sitting down to.
I think we all are short on miles at least that is what I am hearing from the alums of the JoeTruckDriver's school that I am still in contact with so don't balme the new guys
Seek to know God and Jesus who was presented as the sacrifice of full payment for sin.
Do the VI maintain your following distance maintain your lane position observe the speed limit observe the things around you and keep good records
Safe driving to you.
Joe

Answer:
chicken salad yuk,that the best you can do at home,no wonder you drive a truck -->
I'm many changing to get away from the northeast dispatcher,the kid ain't right
say hello tomorrow or the next day if your parked at the HTL yard
Due to violations against the Constitution, more crime is committed in one day in the court rooms of America than in the streets in a whole year.
_________________
TruckNets Jobs.Truck.Net Online Application Click here

Answer:
My wife says go hungry if that is the way you feel, she's hurt.
I will be at HTL in the am myself see you there, watch out for the iron skillet she's packing.
Seek to know God and Jesus who was presented as the sacrifice of full payment for sin.
Do the VI maintain your following distance maintain your lane position observe the speed limit observe the things around you and keep good records
Safe driving to you.
Joe

Answer:
the skillet is for cooking --> no wonder you stay away from her so much
I might be at the doctor in AM,they have to check for a pulse,if I have one,I get to drive a big truck -->
Due to violations against the Constitution, more crime is committed in one day in the court rooms of America than in the streets in a whole year.
_________________
TruckNets Jobs.Truck.Net Online Application Click here

Answer:
Arizona Institute of Technology is certified by PTDI.
I'll jot that number down just in case, because you just never know.
Bill