one month with covenant and to be continued....

Discussion in 'Covenant' started by rpad139, Jul 20, 2014.

  1. rpad139

    rpad139 Heavy Load Member

    828
    543
    Jan 9, 2014
    Ca
    0
    Just finished my one month with covenant as a team driver. At home right now taking it easy and making the most of what few days I have left. I know these days off are going to go by fast. I learned a lot in my first month, became more comfortable with backing up, understanding the system, getting to know the dispatchers, how to deal with breakdown, dealing with traffic. Team driving is very difficult however but im hoping me and the co driver will improve together slowly. So far my experience with this company is good. The miles are pretty good, my last two weeks before home time I ran about 12,000 miles. so about 6,000 miles a week. Yes there are occasional errors the dispatchers make, loads being changed at the last minute, occasional short 100 mile shuttle runs. This is not a single source dispatch so double check with your dm about messages telling you to go somewhere.

    If you were to ask my co driver how his experience with covenant is so far, it would be a big contrast to mine. My co-driver has had a lot of issues with the company so far, mainly all his fault though. He had to do a comcheck for $500 for a fee with a receiver. Decided not to follow procedure and not send a macro. They ended up deducting $500 from his paycheck. Covenant ended up paying him back but he had to make a lot of phone calls. Problem is he does not like to use the qualcomm and is computer illiterate. I try to help but he wont budge or listen to me. I tell him "SEND YOUR MACROS" but he tells me "## the qualcomm." Also he is about 10 years older than me and doesn't want to take advice from a kid.

    I have learned the best way to avoid conflict is to let each other do work their way. As soon as im done with my shift I go to sleep, and keep that curtain closed. I notice when im up front I get irritated by his driving, and grinding of gears. So i'll be in the sleeper minding my own business. I really like covenant as my first introduction to the trucking industry. Im hoping to stay long term un der the right circumstances, but I might have to get a new co driver or go solo.

    I will try and keep my posts up to date whenever there is downtime to give people an idea out there what its like over here.
     
    double yellow, Wade68 and pattyj Thank this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Newbeav Newbie

    Newbeav Newbie Medium Load Member

    356
    205
    Jun 3, 2011
    0
    Go solo less headaches.
     
    CondoCruiser Thanks this.
  4. rpad139

    rpad139 Heavy Load Member

    828
    543
    Jan 9, 2014
    Ca
    0
    I definitely want to do that. But less money to be made and I have less than a year of experience.
     
  5. Puppage

    Puppage Road Train Member

    4,235
    7,302
    Aug 2, 2012
    Connecticut
    0
    Thanks for the update.
     
  6. pattyj

    pattyj Road Train Member

    22,474
    20,134
    Jul 19, 2008
    Sioux City,ia
    0
    Covenant is all team operation is'nt it? Sounds like you're doing great.I wouldn't trade your co driver in for another co driver if I were you.Everybody has issues in this industry but I don't think its nothing that can't be defeated in your case.So what if he needs work on his shifting,he will get better with exp.Same with you,there's probably things about you that your co driver does'nt like.You both will get better with exp.Far as him not liking the QUALCOMM,you tried now just let him be and learn the hard way how important the QUALCOMM is.
     
  7. blairandgretchen

    blairandgretchen Road Train Member

    12,000
    60,360
    Dec 9, 2011
    South west Missouri
    0
    How much experience does your co driver have?

    Thanks for the info.
     
  8. Mark Kling

    Mark Kling Technology Contributor

    10,935
    4,212
    Sep 23, 2007
    Statesville, NC
    0
    You do put the net up?
     
  9. rpad139

    rpad139 Heavy Load Member

    828
    543
    Jan 9, 2014
    Ca
    0

    We're both students
     
  10. rpad139

    rpad139 Heavy Load Member

    828
    543
    Jan 9, 2014
    Ca
    0
    You mean the safety net inside the bottom sleeper? Yes I do. I'm starting to wonder if that safety net is even effective at all though. I was planning on asking that question in the experienced truckers advice forum.
     
  11. morlandoemtp

    morlandoemtp Light Load Member

    185
    95
    Jul 5, 2014
    New York
    0
    Its worth trying to use, might save you from an injury. Truck I was in when I drove team never even had one,(ended up on the floor a couple times with my co driver slamming on the brakes, and yes I know it is a dot requirement), as far as team driving my experience is if things don't go good the first few weeks with him, its only going to get worse when #### really starts to hit the fan(deadlines, breakdowns, bad weather, traffic, layovers, etc). Most of the drivers I teamed with knew we were or weren't compatible within the first few hours of teaming. I would say one of the most important attributes for a driving partner finding someone safety minded/someone you can pick up a few tricks from and has some patience. Good luck.
     
    Wade68 Thanks this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.