So, What if my wife wants to ride along?

I won't recommend any company over the other,because I think most training companies are predatory in nature.

As for the ride along policy.Sure, most companies don't have a problem with that.It varies from company to company.Some make you pay a few bucks, others require you be employed a certain amount of time with no preventables, and others allow a rider right out of orientation..

 

Any company that offers CDL training take it,if you go on your own,you going need to have at lease $4k for trucking school.I now few companies that offer cdl training will eat the cost of the training as long you stay with them a min.of 6-12 months,not sure which ones.But if you do that,you will have to sign a contract with them,if you quit early,they may sue for that money.Last I heard Swift school is closed but that was a while ago don't know about now.C.R England is not bad as long you stay away from the lease program,they will push you to sign a lease program but its not required.Friend of my drove for c.r England and been there now for 3 years,but refused to do the lease program.

 

Most companies wouldn't have any problem with your wife riding along, but be prepared for "hard sell" on getting her licensed and running team. If you like team, go on yer. Me, I'm a solo guy and hate team miles.

 

Yea but the one time you get caught you'll most likely get fired and have to go knocking on doors

 

We allow passangers in our trucks. However they sign a waver that they are aware they are not insured in case of an accident. They have to purchase insurance from CAA, the cost is $40.

 

Just a reminder. That truck is to earn money. The point companies charge for your wife to ride as passenger is that she is the weight of cargo or fuel the company cant make money on. If she were / is to team with you that is a different matter. If I had stayed with Western Express (if they had remembered how to pay me) my wife was thinking of learning to drive as well. Al though she had the mad notion of only driving 7 (me on the other 7) hours per day and the truck could be parked for 10 hours for our down time. Not sure how well that would have worked out.

 

is there a formula for this? I mean that's maybe 130-200lbs riding in the jump seat.