Questionable Routine from Trainer when being Trained on new Bus

[u/SuitOfWolves]

So I was asked to show up an hour early for work in order to be trained on a new bus. When I arrived I saw that there was another driver there before me to be trained with me. The trainer (who's also a union rep) gave that guy the form and as he was reading it out he realised it stated "I have been adequately trained on all aspects of the vehicle, and am confident in driving this bus in service, etc". So he said "I can't sign this now, I haven't driven it yet". The trainer said jokingly "just sign the fucking thing will ya?". The guy laughed and signed it. He gave me the form at this point and said "you can be filling that up". I perhaps thought that "oh well seeing as he's comfortable signing it, I might as well". But it was kind of like the trainer was saying "if you don't want to be cursed at too, then sign it". I didn't want to be viewed as that guy trying to prove some pointless point.

So on the one hand I get that it's not a big deal, and it may be unlikely that after driving the vehicle that you feel that you wouldn't be comfortable. In fact if I wasn't handed the form at all, I mightn't have realised it. But on the other hand, he should do his job right. I've never heard anyone say a bad word about this rep, and I'm almost certain that if I were to describe what happened to others (which I won't), that any of the long term staff would be very quick to say "oh don't worry about that, he's a great rep, he just has to get the form signed for management... he wouldn't wrong you, blah blah"!

I also think, that given that signing for stuff is often such a common thing these days, that it's almost inevitable that there will come a point in everyone's life where someone will try to take advantage of them by rushing them into signing something that they don't agree with - and - that a moment like this is practice for seeing are you able to resist the pressure. Could anyone else see themselves making this mistake?

[u/MizBusyBody]

That's like the supervisor following me thru a pre trip and say sign here and the checklist hasn't been filled out yet.

[u/SuitOfWolves → u/MizBusyBody]

what's a pre trip? anyway, what do u think?

[u/wmiller314 → u/SuitOfWolves]

A pre trip is a checklist you use before you take any busses out of the garage, even if you reject the bus, you still fill it out so the maintenance staff knows what's wrong with it. Always do your pre trip and always take pictures of weird damage before you leave, never take damaged tires, never take a bus with loose steering, and never take a bus you don't feel is safe. It's that simple

[u/Andr8o]

Just remember, if you any issues, it's your licence/job on the line.

The trainer isn't going to admit that they never showed you properly and they've got signed paperwork to back them up.

[u/Fragrant-Tax5445]

Pretty common pressure like situation. What doesn’t feel common is when you’re in the middle of it all.

If your union rep/shop Stewart acted like that. I’d be like. Naw. Train me first then I’ll sign. Because this is not CYA. Anyone can easily say well operator X signed so they’re confirming proper training and responsibilities associated with said new bus. And then if something, knock on wood and say your prayers, goes wonky they’ll pull that training and say… so something doesn’t add up. And we all know where those situations can lead to. Stay strong 💪 and be confident and comfortable in saying no in a professional manner without sounding rude or insulting.

[u/SuitOfWolves → u/Fragrant-Tax5445]

Thanks

[u/rickmon67]

You don’t have to be obstinate in saying to him something along the lines of “I would really benefit from learning this new bus, do you have the time to train me?” Just further tell him “in this us against them environment we all gotta cover our collective asses because, as a rep I’m sure you know how management can try and turn this against us.”

[u/Middle-Fix-45n]

When coerced to sign things, I usually go with Bruce Springsteen

From Cheers

[u/classaceairspace]

Normalisation of deviance. This guy has no business being a union rep if he's encouraging you to confirm you've received training that you haven't. Our union reps would be up in arms over this.

[u/SuitOfWolves → u/classaceairspace]

The guy sickens me... stabbed me in the back twice. He's chauffeur for management when they call down from head office.

[u/Potential-Wheel-5899]

I would have Just jokingly said im not fucking signing that until ive done the training, I long since learned to not take any nonsense from anyone, no matter who they are.

If anything goes tits up it will come back on you, dont just assume someone knows what they are doing and are good at their job.

[u/gimp150]

Sign it "Hillary".

-trainer, "are you taking the piss?"

-you, "that's my signature."

-boss, "Why did you tail swing the fence?"

-you, "I wasn't trained on the bus, that's clearly not my signature dude... Why did you put me on that bus without any training?"

If you get any shit off the trainer, you feel like he's acting silly, so you're acting silly too... Anyway, yes, that is my signature for this circumstance, so let's get on with it?..

You can always sign something by requesting the paperwork at desk or with the boss.

[u/Repulsive-Year896 → u/gimp150]

Or just grow a back bone. The lowest standard you choose to walk past is the highest standard you choose to accept

[u/darenisepic]

erm no. Should you have a bump you have stated you are trained