HANG-UPS OF MALE INSTRUCTORS & TRAINERS

[Shebear]

To these emotionally reeling veterans of the current war between the sexes, women trainees are there so they can vent about their wives, their ex-wives, and their girlfriends.

I don't mean as a come-on. These men want a sob sister. Perhaps a widower is the worst.

We students pay our money, earn a CDK, get on a truck for 6 weeks, put our own complicated lives on hold - all to learn a job to make a living.

we are not there to be free therapists, sexual or otherwise.

and the men who are not 'needyz are just sarcastic, denigrating, or dismissive jerks.



how do you learn a skilled trade this way?

you grit your teeth and bear it.

[Shawnee]

just so you know truck drivers are not considered a skilled trade

[ky storm]

I am going to start my training Jan 8. This is a concern of mine. Wondering how the trainers that go out on the road with me are going to treat me. Looks like you didn't have a good experience. What company did you go with??

[classicxl]

if you have a problem with a trainer report it that is the only way we will ever get rid of bad trainers

[emerlin]

just so you know truck drivers are not considered a skilled trade

You have to have a license to practice, just like a doctor. It sure as heck is a skilled trade.

[Shawnee]

just so you know truck drivers are not considered a skilled trade

You have to have a license to practice, just like a doctor. It sure as heck is a skilled trade.

Your Government does not recognize a truck driver as a skilled tradesperson

You also need a licence to drive a car, or to hunt or to fish, does that make you "skilled"?

You must be a rookie, because this debate has been going on for years about how that needs to be changed, and you probably don't know that truck drivers are in the same category as migrant farm workers,

I know it should a skilled trade because this is one of the most regulated industries in the country, but until the government changes this, it is not

Your big companies like it this way because they do not have to pay you what you should be paid, companies like Schnieder can hire the unhirable and pay them a cheap rate

[ky storm]

Hey Super Trucker... thanks for the reply. I'm and old school girl and ratting on someone just isn't in me. Unless it was a direct assault on me. Then I'd probably show them why they shouldn't treat a lady like that and then tell the white shirts at the office, why their instructor wasn't showing up to work. : ). My biggest concern is how do two people of the opposite sex live in such tight quarters and stay decent about it. Even with a double bunk it has to be awkward. I just know I'm not going to sleep at all.

[4roses]

kystorm ~ ~ I do understand your concerns. There real concerns. Try to remember one thing .... no company wants an harassment case, sexual or other wise. .. these company's try to put quality people in the position to represent them and train qualified people to drive their trucks. True ~ not all company's know the trainers other side when they get off the truck for a few days .... but all you need to do it first tell your finsiher that your not comfortable with their language - be it cussing or telling dirty jokes or stares. Then if they continue - call your office and ask for another finisher and 'tell' them why you want off the truck. The company will correct this in a hurry..... The company hired you because they want you to work for them ... so their going to do anything they can to assist you. ............................... When you assigned a finisher take the time to set down and have coffee and ask questions about their past experiences with driving and tell them a small bit about yourself. You should get a quick picture on their manners and values. Listen to Your Gut ... if your not comfortable with this person - go back to the office and discus with them the reasons and ask for another finsiher. .............When it comes to sleeping ... your finisher will be just as concerned as you are on this subject. .... ask them what they have found to be the best way for you two to change clothes and let them know your a modest person and insist on your privacy while dressing. Just pull the curtain and change your clothes. ... as for sleeping ... if your truly uncomfortable ... you can always keep a flashlight on the edge of your bed or something of this sort. There's always a way to make yourself feel more secure.

After being off the road for many years I've had to start back out with a Finisher - - companys rules - - - (which is fine with me) .. so I'm running with a Finisher right now. If I can be of any help to you please feel free to PM me.

[emerlin]

just so you know truck drivers are not considered a skilled trade

You have to have a license to practice, just like a doctor. It sure as heck is a skilled trade.

You also need a licence to drive a car, or to hunt or to fish, does that make you "skilled"?

Yes, it does. You have to pass a set of skills tests to get your license. Of course, once one has one's license, one can forget all of one's skills and drive like an idiot.

Personally, the government doesn't tell me what to think. Just because they don't classify truck driving as a skilled trade doesn't mean it's not. If more people spent as much effort trying to change things as the do about bitching about them the world could be a better place.

[Shawnee]

just so you know truck drivers are not considered a skilled trade

You have to have a license to practice, just like a doctor. It sure as heck is a skilled trade.

You also need a licence to drive a car, or to hunt or to fish, does that make you "skilled"?

Yes, it does. You have to pass a set of skills tests to get your license. Of course, once one has one's license, one can forget all of one's skills and drive like an idiot.

Personally, the government doesn't tell me what to think. Just because they don't classify truck driving as a skilled trade doesn't mean it's not. If more people spent as much effort trying to change things as the do about bitching about them the world could be a better place.

Did you ever look up the classification of a truck driver? A skilled trade requires an apprenticeship, just because you may do some kind of training to be a truck driver does not mean that it is a skilled trade, there are plenty of jobs that require some kind of training but that does not make them skilled trades

I am just stating the facts, that's all

I agree that people should get together and try to make some much needed changes to this industry, I think that we need to change the public perception of truck drivers

For years truck drivers have been complaining about this

[BanditsCousin]

Are you speaking from experience? Or are you bitter about something?

[BUCKEYE_TAI]

IT DOESNT MATTER WHAT ANYONE SAYS...MY CDL MAKES ME A PROFESSIONAL!!! AND IF I MESS UP WITH THIS CDL I GET PROSECUTED LIKE A PROFESSIONAL...A PROFESSIONAL IS A PERSON WHO EARNS A LIVING IN A CAREER OR OCCUPATION FREQUENTLY ENGAGED IN BY AMATEURES. SO A PERSON WHO IS AN EXPERT AT HIS OR HER WORK..

[BUCKEYE_TAI]

In this trucking business and anywhere around the world, MEN will be MEN... And when you ride with one that doesnt care about the rules of the corrupt world we live in then you get the raw animal form of man...Can I get a whoo rah!!!

[Dangit' Driver]

I can only speak from experience.

Of all the men I have met in trucking, I would say that most have been respectful (not including hearing them on the cb) and considerate of me. I two trainers only because the first one insisted on doing my logs and calling me baby all the time, but he never tried anything and always spoke polite once we got it that I'm not baby.

The second trainer was totally respectable of my privacy and such. He had issues that drove me a little crazy by the end of the month, but never degraded me as a woman. There are curtains and it is up to you to set the rule that if they are closed, the person in the front doesn't open them. If they need them open, the person in back opens them. If you are both in the bunks, do like I did and hang a sheet by tying the corners on the handles that help you climb or something. Tuck the bottom of it in under your bed once inside.

I guess I am just not sure where anyone gets off saying all men or all women fall into any category? That just isn't even fair. If you're having a bad experience, then hopefully you are smart enough to find a solution instead of put up with it.

[mojoe]

I agree with 4roses and Dang... I'm surprised that you would view them all the same. To be honest my trainer was great. I had one problem with a driver touching me when I was in training. It scared me. I thought my trainer was going to hunt him down. ..the trainer and I talked afterwords. About safety I mean things I would have never thought of. Most people men or women will help each other. It is unfair to put everyone in the same pot. For those women that are just starting out. Read there posts.. They are giving you good info....

[coastie]

When I was out with my trainer, he was telling me about his experience with a Female driver trainee. Once he had to jump out of the sleeper to get them off the By pass in Indianaplos. She frooze up and was going in circles, then stopped in the middle of the road. Due to the extream danger she placed them in he jump out in his Boxers. Later on he said she came out with just her tshirt and Undies. He sent her back to the sleeper fast, telling her he not going to lose his job cause of her. Since then he refused any more female trainees.

[choperbob]

yumpin yiminy, 4 roses. you know me sorta. there will always be jerks on both sides of the sex and training issue. was talking to a nice lady otherday who was complaining about her female trainer who was just to touchy feely for her comfort. goes both ways. i hope i ain't the only male out here, who is professional. yes i love women. i was married to 1 for 20 years, i am a widower now am engaged to another. my blessing. i understand there are differences in needs with each sex. also with differnt people. and during training there is gonna be a hard time giving each student the privacy we each deserve. training a woman is harder for me. first we got to get over the fact i am a man and also the trainer. i do not want sex. i am promised. chancing into sleeping garb takes a while before it becomes just another part of the business. i won't peek, and i expect you not to either. i am here to pass on what i have been taught, knowing it is very little. i am paid good for it. all i ask is trainee be open to learn whatever i can share. when i have a trainee i leave piss jug and any porn at home. my job is to try to make another safe driver who won't cause any accidents and get freight to customers on time. it is to easy to blast men trainers. hat we need s more women drivers who are willing to share their exp. with new women drivers. my fiance showed me some things lady truckers should know but male drivers don't even think about. if any trainee is unhappy for any reason ask for a new trainer. just my opinion. i will not give any trainee a tattoo until they are in their own truck.

[Soladad]

Shebear... have you gotten your training or not? Just wondering where you are in all of this.

Soladad

[Shebear]

Thanks for asking, Soledad. I'm setting up another company hire, but with a trainer NOT IN A TEAM DRIVING situation.

Some of these posts mistakenly thought I meant that all men trainers were obnoxious. No, not at all.

The trouble is that both men and women trainers may sign up with companies as trainers for the extra money, even though they have no aptitude for being trainers and very poor communication skills. And then some of them are totally selfish, too.

The sexual harassment problem was not personally experienced by me, but obviously we've all heard some horror stories. Not only about true harassment, but about fraudulent stories.

I think it boils down to making sure a Trainer is qualified to train, i.e. that he or she has a long-term good driving record, and has passed an aptitude and skills test to do that kind of important work.

Also trucking companies need to realize the Trainer can't go out with a new driver on TEAM DRIVING ASSIGNMENTS right away. The student needs a few days of "training" first, don't you think?

We all know even some of the schools with the PTDIA rating leave a lot to be desired. The school I went to was a nightmare, but that's another story, and the owner would probably sue me. An instructor there put me in a very dangerous situation -- ordered me to pass a farm tractor going up a hill on a two-lane rural highway, at dusk, refusing with the threat of violence to even let me put my truck headlights on, and with zero visibility of oncoming traffic , yelled at me: "PASS THAT TRACTOR"!

The instructor then lied about the incident. It was a man. He was believed, and I was treated like scum for the rest of my so-called training at that school by all the other instructors.

Somehow, I graduated anyway and passed my CDL.

LOL

[wildkat]

YIKES!!!

Some people should NOT be trainers. I truly wish there were courses for trainers, with aptitude & "how not to be stupid" tests :alien: