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In a previous article I wrote about my experience with Michael, the trainer I was assigned to when I started trucking.
After I had finished the first leg of the training program I had to go out for four weeks with a fellow rookie. The idea was that we could learn from each other and give each other support. A system that can work well but also has its weak points.
I was paired up with a guy who had been out for a week already but he and his partner didn’t get along very well so the driver manager had to find another partner for him. We stayed together for the full four weeks, but it wasn’t easy. Jorge was a good driver and he certainly knew his stuff, but our personalities clashed.
We had some arguments but we managed to get over those and we parted ways as good colleagues. About a year later or so he became an owner-operator and I was glad to see that he was doing well.
Then I was ready for my own truck, needless to say I was excited about it and I knew I was ready to stand on my own feet. There wasn’t a tractor available in Phoenix and they sent me to El Paso on the bus to pick up an almost new Freightliner Columbia. My first trip took me back to Phoenix so I could load up the rest of my stuff.
When I reported to my driver manager he had a special request. There was a guy who had just finished with his trainer and now he needed a partner, unfortunately there was none available. Kevin would hate to send him home so he asked if he could drive with me. I didn’t mind, Jose seemed to be a nice guy and I was glad to take him aboard.
I was in for a surprise though, a few hours into our first trip he told me about his training experience so far and it was a bit shocking. His trainer was apparently one of those people who didn’t take his responsibilities seriously and was only in it for the money. The only thing Jose had done was highway driving, and that was it. No city driving, no backups, no drop and hooks, no fueling. Jose didn’t know how to work the Qualcomm or do the paperwork, he had not been informed about company- and safety procedures.
Jose should have reported this trainer to the company and also should have requested a different one. But he was one of those people who don’t want to create trouble so he just let it go and hoped that it would all work out for him.
I was not happy with added responsibility of having to teach someone while I was still a rookie myself.
At first I was inclined to call it off and I’m sure that Kevin would have understood. But we were already 200 miles down the road and I really didn’t want to disappoint Jose, so I decided to get on with it. It all worked out, I taught Jose everything I knew and gave him all the guidance possible. Following in my trainer’s footsteps I gave him plenty of opportunity to practice backing and he learned quickly. I also let him do all the other tasks that are part of the job and Jose appreciated the way I worked with him.
The biggest problem I had to deal with is that Jose would never read a map. I tried to explain to him that you really can’t start driving if you don’t know where you are supposed to go to. It took me almost three weeks to get him to read the map, check directions and plan the trip carefully.
In the mean time he got us into trouble several times, simply because he wasn’t paying any attention. In the middle of the night he got us stuck in the parking lot of a company we were not even supposed to go to. In California we found ourselves in a residential area, strictly forbidden for trucks, luckily the police officer showed clemency and let us go with a warning. In Missouri he took the wrong exit and instead of going around Jefferson City we were
suddenly in the middle of it. Fortunately no real harm was done ,except that we lost some time here and there. I was glad to see that, after I hammered on it for a while, Jose started using the atlas and read directions more carefully.
All and all we did all right together, no serious incidents, pickups and deliveries on time, and plenty of miles. Despite my lack of experience I was able to help him out and as far as I know he’s still trucking.
Since Jose wouldn’t do it, I talked to my driver manager about his first four week experience. I’m not sure if Kevin did anything with that information, but I think the so-called trainer should have been disciplined, at least. Not only did he forsake his responsibilities, he also robbed a man from a good start in a new profession. It makes me appreciate my experience with Michael even more.
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