Swift Team driving.. How is the money?

Discussion in 'Swift' started by silenced140, Jan 2, 2018.

  1. silenced140

    silenced140 Light Load Member

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    I've had a driver leader ask me about possibly becoming a Team Driver with Swift. So I know all about the concept.. can be cramped, may annoy the hell out of eachother, trusting your life with somebody else etc etc..


    but is the money worth the extra BS? Do they usually get preferred loads and rack up good mileage?


    Thanks!
     
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  3. Gunner75

    Gunner75 Road Train Member

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    It's swift, that should tell you enough. Many swift drivers go broke as solo drivers
    popcorn.jpg
     
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  4. silenced140

    silenced140 Light Load Member

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    I imagine you would have to be pretty #### stupid to go broke as a solo driver..
     
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  5. Gunner75

    Gunner75 Road Train Member

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    You would think, but it happens everyday on this forum
     
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  6. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    Everyone here knows how lazy I am, but even so I can maintain a Gold status as a solo driver.
    Can't go broke that easily.

    But, can't fix stupid if that is the problem.
    If it is, they should not be in this job.

    As to team driving for the money...
    Sure, you might make a bit more money. But is it really worth the extra effort and stress of sharing that little space with another driver?
    Is it worth the lack of decent sleep because you are getting tossed around?

    You can get just as many miles being solo if you choose to run hard.
    And if you show the planners that you are willing to run hard, believe me, the miles will be there.

    The big advantages of being solo are that you don't have to run hard when YOU don't want to, and there will be no conflict when it comes to home times.

    I also like to cook good meals every night, which can be a problem if the truck is moving.
    My baked potato would be falling out of the toaster oven at every turn.

    And that brings up another point of driving times.
    In a team operation your driving hours will change all the time. You will never have a consistent schedule.
    Some people think that it won't be a problem, but it will burn you out over time. The body needs some consistency to function at peak levels.
    And in this job you need peak levels all the time.


    Being solo means that you run things in the way that you alone prefer.
    Being in a team means that you are always having to compromise.
     
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  7. silenced140

    silenced140 Light Load Member

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    Definitely a good argument. It's tough to gauge because I would think everyone's experience is at least somewhat different.
     
  8. Moosetek13

    Moosetek13 Road Train Member

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    My only experience is when I was with my mentor.
    We got along great, most times. He even had me visit his home and family on a home time, and we are friends even now.

    But I would never choose to team with him, or anyone else for that matter.
     
  9. silenced140

    silenced140 Light Load Member

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    Yeah I'm sure teaming has it's downsides. That's why I'm trying to find out if the money is truly that much better. I don't want to get out there and be barely making more than I was solo. Wouldn't be worth it at all then.
     
  10. Rugerfan

    Rugerfan Road Train Member

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    One thing that would be an advantage to being a teAm, is that you could keep the same schedule all of the time. One work from say 4 to 4 or midnight to noon or what have you. Plus you’re more likely to do more drop and hook than a solo. But living with another person in a Truck is too much for me.
     
  11. MsJamie

    MsJamie Road Train Member

    True. Sleeping in a moving truck is a learned skill. Some people never get it.

    [/QUOTE]You can get just as many miles being solo if you choose to run hard.[/QUOTE]

    I've seen very few 6500 mile weeks running solo... :p


    Actually, the opposite is true. When I was taking, we were on a 4 to 4 schedule, give or take a half hour. Running solo, I may have started at 10 pm last night, and start at 8 am tomorrow.

    Having teamed off and on for the past three years, the key is in the chemistry you have with your co-driver. If you don't get along, you'll be miserable. If you do get along well, you'll still be miserable, but you won't mind it as much... :p
     
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