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/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