Husband in training with CRST - Help

by Diane
(Chicago, IL, USA)

My husband is with a lead driver in training with CRST. My husband has told me that the lead driver (who is a 22 year old kid, my husband is 44 with loads of experience) is texting, playing with his IPOD, talking on the phone all while driving.

He is also fudging the books and driving way too many hours - 14+. He is only letting my husband drive 3-4 hours. This kid is very dangerous and also tailgates other drivers.

My husband has a pretty thick skin, but, he said this guys driving is really scaring him. He wonders if he will make it through training alive! I am very concerned. Can anyone give me advice on what my husband should do? He has pictures of the kid doing this stuff.

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Aug 10, 2016
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Safety while training NEW
by: Anonymous

Tell him to ask for a new trainer if he doesn't feel safe. They expect accident from students. But as a trainer he knows better

Apr 25, 2010
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If it is not safe. DO NOT DO IT!!!
by: Anonymous

If your husband feels that his current training is not safe he needs to call safety first. There is no amount of money that will replace him. I have been driving for 8 years and no accidents at all zero, reason why is if I the operator of my truck do not feel safe the truck will stop. He may have to restart his training with a safer more professional trainer, but that is the only second chance, there is no second chance when it comes to safety. My wife and I have been through these meat in the seat companies but I kept at it and it has paid off well. Let your husband know that there is more than just OTR to trucking(Local and regional) but if he is out there and already getting in accidents because of poor training then he is waisting the both of yalls time. It is hard enuff to get a decent job top that with no experience and already an accident does not improve the family's economic situation. Stay safe and let his maturity make a better decision.

Mar 02, 2010
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Honestlly it gets rough!
by: Sonja

My husband just started 9 weeks ago and I've only seen him once for 5 minutes since he left to train with the company he went with. He complained every weekend about what his trainer was doing and not being allowed to come home on the weekends. He could have asked for a new trainer but it ment he would have started his training all over again. But that is only the begining. Now he still don't know when or if he will get to come home now that he finished his last 11 and a half hours of training.

Feb 24, 2010
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Thanks everyone-now more trouble
by: Anonymous

Thank you everyone for your advice. Now we seem to have a bigger problem. My husband was driving the other day and got in a fender bender, his fault. he clipped a car on a turn. First week out and this happens. No damage to the truck, no one hurt, however, there is damage to the other vehicle and he was cited for teh accident.

He called the safety department but they saw no issues and did not discuss further with him.

I hope they do not fire him, but, I am thinking they just may. With all the competition out there for jobs, why would they keep a guy who hits something in his first week. I swear there is a black cloud over our heads.

Feb 23, 2010
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Its a cruel world
by: Nick V

Well Diane I drive for that hell hole of a company and the best he can do is call in and get a different trainer. While I was in training we had to stop off and pick up a girl that said her trainer was "harrasing" her. Later figured out she just wanted to go home and said that for no reason. But yeah he can request a different trainer. Problem with that is he is gonna sit for a good minute. Sittin means no money. Now honestly he isnt gonna make ditly squat while hes here anyway so I hope you got a good job or a moving van cause its hard knocks trying to survive with this outfit. Honest to God's truth, he needs to sit it out. Driving teams is going to be a pain in the butt no matter where he goes so pretty much hes just gotta grin and bear it. He may finish training and get with a co driver that fits great with him but just like my trainer told me, the odds are against you. Trying to put two alpha males in a big truck and I say big truck by the looks of the outside, it aint so big when you try and put two people's lifes in it. But to get that to work out where your around a stranger 24/7 is short of a miracle for it to work good. Best advice, if hes got experience, jump ship. If he doesnt, get his 6 months and...jump ship. I have gotten out of my truck at countless fuel islands and drivers walk up and tell me get your experience and get out cause it dont get better. Hate to be the bearer of bad news but this website isnt about lies and sugar coating. Im giving you the facts straight from the source. If you have any other questions please feel free to ask and if he wants to talk I can send you a private message with my phone number and he can contact me that way. Its rare I get internet service out here but im goin home on the 5th so I can help more then. Thanks for visiting the site, great place to ask questions and also if your interested there is a link to the left that says truckers wives. Pretty neat little place to chat to other drivers spouses when your feeling lonely or whatnot. My wife goes on with questions and just people to chat to that are in the same predicament. Just pointing it out. I hope I was of some kind of help and like I said if you have any other questions please feel free. Good Luck

Feb 23, 2010
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Better than a Disneyland ride.
by: Jimmy

Hubby can request a different trainer. But, that may stir up a hornets nest. Sad, isn't it? Hubby with more maturity but less truck experience teamed with an immature kid who doesn't get it. If hubby can grin and bear it while training, he'll be better off. But that's his decision. Can't figure why trucking companies actually want in-experienced kids representing them. Jimmy

Feb 23, 2010
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DUH!
by: Anonymous

Really! Seriously!!
Your Husband should know how to call his driver manager or talk to his "Child".

Feb 23, 2010
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I feel for him
by: Ralph Gilbert

The only thing I can say is Pray. Everything else is illegal. LOL

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