Do I have experience?

Probably an odd question, so let me set up the situation.

I graduated from Roadmaster's CDL school last Nov. While there, I met another student who lived a few hours from me (right at 200 miles city to city), and we ended up deciding to drive as a team for Covenant Transport. We both liked the idea of having someone along for a few months to help us during backs and such as the need arises. We were informed that the company would allow one of us to drop the other off and get home no problem, and to empty move after time off to pick the other drive up. So far so good. So as of the beginning of Jan 2008, we were both hired by Covenant under their buddy training program, and spent 40 days out with a trainer, upgraded, no problem so far. We got our truck, spent 6 weeks out, and put in for our time off (co-driver needed to be home by a certain day, so we put in ahead of time). However, at this point, we are told we will not be able to drop each other off, that it is too many miles and we have to figure our own way back and forth. We get it worked out so I can drop him off reasonably close (really do like our dispatcher/fleet manager, he does try to work with us, for the most part). I call in about going back on and am informed that I will not be able to pick him up and, again, we will have to figure 'some way' for him to get down to me. He called and probably raised some hell, so I get to drive and pick him up this time, but..

So, here is the problem, 200 mile each way, 2x per time at home = 800 miles. His family has one car, so he can't just drive and leave it here (not to mention it's an older car so fuel economy is not great). I drive a newer car, but there is no place I am comfortable parking it near him for the month+ we expect to be out every time. With fuel prices what they are, either one of us would be looking at well over $100 plus finding someone willing to drive down each time to pick us up.

At this point, he is going to have to look at other companies. This leaves me either sticking with Cov (overall I have liked the company, other than a few problems that not too bad, imo) or finding a new company (I am near Little Rock, AR). The big issue I have with Cov would be that if my co-driver does move to a different company that is closer, I am going to have to get a new co-driver, which means the same problems PLUS the entire 'living with someone 5+ weeks at a stretch' which isn't very attractive at the moment (;.

So, my question is, with roughly 4 months of OTR experience (60,000 team miles) and a recent school grad, if I apply to other companies am I still considered a 'student driver', totally unexperienced, or what? Should I be looking only at companies that take students, or would I have a chance at 'better' companies? Or should I suck it up and throw the dice on getting a co-drive I can work with (who could be closer or could be from across the country)

Any recommendations or thoughts? I will happily answer any questions that will help clarify the issues. Thank you for any advice you are able to provide,

 

No, did not lease. We are both company drivers (Cov requires all new/student drivers to do 6 months of team driving before going solo). Thank you for the reply, will probably end up trying to find another team driver before I do anything else.

Thank you for the reply.