Team Driving
Posted by Jealous_Canary1879@reddit | Truckers | View on Reddit | 12 comments
I’m about to finish truck school and considering going over the road for my first year to make as much money as possible and gain as much experience as possible. What are everyone’s thoughts and experiences on team driving? I’m a man and I’d be ok with having a woman teammate. My main concern is somebody not being open minded on music tastes, hygiene, being safe, and/or just not being an asshole. Are there any apps or programs that help drivers find partners to kinda weed out people who wouldn’t be a good match?
LongjumpingCat6642@reddit
Plenty of regional jobs that get you home on weekends, pay well, get you plenty of experience, and don’t make you live with another person in a driving cubicle
Significant-Use-5136@reddit
A good carrier can make you as much or more than you will make going teams as they pay you less and just try to work you more for less pay. I team drove with my wife for 18 years and if it wasn’t with my wife, not a chance.
your schedule is typically rotating if they keep you busy, they really don’t care if you get any rest unless you your own and you can tell them to pound sand when you’re tired if they’re busy expect to be ran out of and left in inconvenient places before you get hometime or any things you want and are stuck somewhere for a 34 hour reset or more commonly a rolling 24 hour reset.
I’ll take a solo gig thanks sitting still to sleep, yes please.
more pay per mile to do it? yes please.
not having to become intimately familiar with a strangers, habits and idiosyncrasies, nasty or otherwise.
yes please.
if you think it will get you more money and that’s what you’re after more power to you, but after almost 2 decades in the box with another person, it’s a hard pass from me.
Parking-Big3947@reddit
Are you open to having a male teammate?
Jealous_Canary1879@reddit (OP)
Sure, I fully expect to be teamed with a man. Just stating that I’d be fine with a woman as well.
MidLifeChanger@reddit
If you go with a trainer you may want to see how well you sleep when he/she is driving the truck. Also, your co-driver may want to sleep while you drive so that may affect music options.
greedybanker3@reddit
my first year i had 2 team mates. great guys. still friends. after a couple months we were at eachothers throats some days just cause... it sucks. but we made good money and had a good time. i just wont do team again myself cause if thats what happens when you like someone what if you get a shitbag?
graibeard@reddit
I team drove with my wife for years. We retired this month. It worked for us . We had the same goals. Communicate well with each other. Set a schedule that worked for both of us. Both of us liked to shower daily etc. For two strangers I personally think. It would work best if you can find a dedicated run. So you can have a schedule. Fueling sleeping showering at the same places. As far as music one ear bud while driving allows the other driver to sleep. Stay away from short runs if you can. The frequent stopping docking dropping hooking disturbs the sleeping driver. Best of luck.
JOliverScott@reddit
Team driving with a more experienced driver may offer more opportunities to learn (if they're a good teacher and patient enough to take the time) but if you're thinking team drivers make more money than solo drivers that's just plain false. Companies use some voodoo math to try to convince you that teaming pays more but it doesn't - THEY charge more for the benefit of expedited freight and the truck earns more overall but split between two drivers there's not net income benefit.
The other challenge is sharing a rolling metal cage with another person. It's cramped, there's no personal space, and sleeping in a moving truck is next to impossible for the first 3-6 months. Things like music? Just plan on not listening to any while you're driving because it'll keep them awake. Personal hygiene? Definitely a big one and worth being intentional and asking specific questions as you candidate potential co-drivers. The best skill both need? Conflict Resolution skills. Also be aware that if one driver is motivated but the other is lazier, it breeds conflict because pay is usually 50/50, not based on personal miles, so the lazier driver is picking the busier driver's pocket.
Just some considerations.
nicerakk@reddit
Being a team driver can be challenging at first. You're basically looking for a roommate that can also drive. Don't be surprised if you go through a few before you find someone that your willing to stay with. Your company is already well versed in the trials and tribulations of pairing team drivers. Nothing you say about your particular situation will be new to them. Just remember that the one that complains is probably the one that will get out of the truck. This is generally true for 2 drivers that have similar experience.
Jealous_Canary1879@reddit (OP)
Yeah I just don’t wanna have to deal with too many instances of having to repeatedly go through people.
taco_2325@reddit
Have you considered food service/beverage/LTL instead? You get to sleep in your own bed every night.
Jealous_Canary1879@reddit (OP)
I have and will consider it. What I’m told is that it’s hard to get those with no experience right out of school. When I see the job postings from like Pepsi, coke, etc they all say they want 6 months of experience driving.