Hey DoubleYellow! I recall you saying that you were in orientation sometime close to when we were. Have the recruiters started hounding you again? It seems once we hit right about 6 months, they all started calling and sending emails again. Some of the financial incentives are enticing, but personally I do not feel six months or even 7 is enough to say you are an experienced OTR Team. What do you think?

Originally Posted by double yellow

My orientation was in October, but havent been hounded by recruiters. I have looked for greener pastures, but it looks like I'll need at least a year before my gross pay #as a solo driver elsewhere will match what I'm doing now teamed at covenant.
My current teammate may soon jump ship though - with 5 kids, benefits are much more important to him & is an area in which covenant is really lacking. My previous codriver is mulling over returning from personal leave - which would be perfect because I really don't want to kiss more toads. Being forced to go through the team-matching process again might be the one thing that would send me packing.
As for experience, I dont think I'll ever have enough. I still learn new things, and I expect to the rest of my career. For now I'm trying to get a better handle on all the hazmat laws. I feel like I learned just enough to pass the license tests/protreads, but still wouldnt feel confident trying to decide which placards to put up without calling saftey to confirm... If I ever feel I have a good handle on that, maybe I'll look into doubles/triples or oversize. We'll see.

Boy!! my hat is off to you. Another teammate? Don't think I could do that. My husband and I sure do wish you well. Hope it works so that your old codriver can work with you again. I am starting to see why there is such a high turnover. That team-matching thing just does not appear to work. And I am with you on the learning new things. It is an ongoing learning process. As effiencient and on top of things as you are, Sure hope you are appreciated. It is good to see such a strong work ethic, balanced with shear determination.
Ron and I both appreciate your posts. We still are learning daily.

I think some of our recruiter emails are automated from our initial applications and the Heartland recruiter who just called was one that did say that we had to have a year teaming experience, so that is why I was asking...why on earth would they be calling on us now?
As for our original classmates from our Florida CDL Tech school?... my husband and I are the only ones who stuck with it. Well, our instructor from school and our trainer from Covenant did say that a very high percentage don't make it. Guess it helps that I grew "a pair" in my early 20s. LOL!
Keep up the great posts!!

Originally Posted by transportHER

....I am starting to see why there is such a high turnover.

You too...

Originally Posted by transportHER

That team-matching thing just does not appear to work.

Oh... but that's not what Covenant claims... According to them, teaming is GREAT!
I hope they have improved that surveymonkey website they have to help matching partners.

I am lucky to be going in to this with a team member already! I appreciate this post VERY much and wish you all the best. Crossing my fingers that the orientation goes well and we can be out there on the road really soon! Happy trails!

Originally Posted by bluedee

I am lucky to be going in to this with a team member already! I appreciate this post VERY much and wish you all the best. Crossing my fingers that the orientation goes well and we can be out there on the road really soon! Happy trails!

Having your team member helps a lot!!!

Originally Posted by bluedee

I am lucky to be going in to this with a team member already! I appreciate this post VERY much and wish you all the best. Crossing my fingers that the orientation goes well and we can be out there on the road really soon! Happy trails!

Hey Bluedee. Let us know how orientation goes. Would love to follow your progress. It appears you have put a lot into this the way my husband and I did. It would be great to see you guys succeed.