Team Driving: Problems & Solutions

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by scott180, Oct 2, 2022.

  1. scott180

    scott180 Road Train Member

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    Team Driving: Problems & Solutions

    Drivers who are teaming now or have teamed in the past what are some of the problems you've run into with working and cohabiting with another person? Most importantly, how did you work them out.

    Any tips for those of us new to team driving is welcome. Help others avoid some of the pitfalls so they can have a positive team driving experience.

    Thanks
     
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  3. scott180

    scott180 Road Train Member

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    I've only teamed with my wife and that was just six months or so. We did great together but soon I'll be teaming with a stranger. I'm definitely a little apprehensive but I'm sure it'll be fine.
     
  4. MartinFromBC

    MartinFromBC Road Train Member

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    I am into cleanliness, and sensitive to smells, so would never team up with anyone but my daughter, who i raised on my own, and is as clean as me.
     
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  5. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    In life there are people that expect the world to adapt to them and those of us that adapt to the world. Hopefully, one of you will be adaptable or more senior. All I can suggest is you communicate and not take things personally, when they are not personal. If the other driver has teamed before it can be helpful because he will have experience on how teaming is done. If you are teaming as a requirement to get your own solo truck, recognize that getting through this period is the shortest path to your solo truck.
     
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  6. Allow Me.

    Allow Me. Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    You will either love or hate your co-pilot. Most of team drivers were OK, a couple exceptions were annoying but never any fist fights ! One guy couldn't driver more than 50 mi without having to stop for a soda, make a phone call (pre cell days) use the restroom, get a munchie, or whatever. I did marry one of my co-drivers though. Lasted 5 weeks !
     
  7. MartinFromBC

    MartinFromBC Road Train Member

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    The secret to team driving is most likely a sharp shovel, and lots of lime.
     
  8. Stone Express

    Stone Express Medium Load Member

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    A few times I couldn’t wake my partner up when it was his turn to drive. I would just let him sleep and kept trucking. But, I don’t think we ran the right schedule to get proper rest. Wait…teaming…there is no proper rest.

    This is in 1973 before ELDs. He did the logbooks.
     
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  9. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Respect the others space.

    Communicate and make decisions before you start driving.

    That includes who is doing what and when.

    When you stop for a break or fuel or at the end of the day, one of you get the hell of the truck and stay out for a while, space makes things livable.

    ALSO if you run hard for a few weeks, both of you get away from the truck for a few days.
     
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  10. lual

    lual Road Train Member

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    Post #8 above does have some good info in it (not that the others don't).

    I've never been a team driver per se, but I can make a few suggestions....

    1. Avoid discussing politics, and/or religion. Pretty much any other topic is fair game. Keep the general conversation topics of a positive nature, as much as is possible.
    2. One of the first questions you should probably ask of your team partner is: "What are your pet peeves (if any)?"
    3. Find out if Linde is paring you up with a smoker/tobacco user--if you're a non-smoker. If so--set some boundaries/ground rules, up front.
    4. If your teammate likes to listen to music or talk radio while driving--find out in advance, and plan accordingly. I take it that Linde will not tolerate a headset on the driver--so you'll need to be proactive there, yourself. Good earplugs are not hard to find these days.
    5. If your teammate likes to keep the cab cool enough to hang meat (or anything close to that)--find out in advance, and plan/discuss as appropriate. Especially with winter approaching.


    Earlier this year--I caught up with, and passed--a LInde rig, west-bound on I-10, in Florida.

    This past week--while stopped for a break at a rest area on I-10 in Florida, I saw a Linde rig, and then an Air Products rig...go by, less than 10 minutes apart (but in opposite directions).

    All of the above were sleeper cabs. I would assume these were team situations.

    My point here is that....it would seem that you will not be driving a fast truck (65 mph, or maybe a little less).

    Good luck, Driver. :hello2:

    --Lual
     
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  11. scott180

    scott180 Road Train Member

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    I was told that 65 is as fast as we can go. It'll take a little getting used to but it's their truck their rules.
     
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