Team driving: Pros and Cons

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Steampunk, Aug 12, 2013.

  1. Steampunk

    Steampunk Bobtail Member

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    I haven't yet found a thread regarding team driving. I am considering signing on with CRST (a team driving company, for the most part), and would really appreciate some insight. So, how about some pros and cons of teaming? Obviously there are advantages to teams (safety issues while backing, someone to cover if you're sleepy or sick, an extra set eyes when in tight spaces ect) and some disadvantages (lack of privacy, annoying team-mates, less lot-lizard action... ect), lol. I would love to hear more about teams and there experiences.

    Let's start with a question:

    I have heard that team drivers usually make more money. Is it true?
     
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  3. TruckerPete1990

    TruckerPete1990 Road Train Member

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    U won't make much with crst lol
     
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  4. Lilbit

    Lilbit Road Train Member

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    And the only person I will ever team with again is my hubby. Nuff said.
     
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  5. tevdre1

    tevdre1 Bobtail Member

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    I want to know more too
     
  6. stevep1977

    stevep1977 Road Train Member

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    When your driving down the road sometime, look at all the morons driving around you. Then ask yourself would you put your life in their hands? I would have to trust and know that person pretty #### well before putting my life in their hands​
     
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  7. stevep1977

    stevep1977 Road Train Member

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    By the way, on a side note, when I was at orientation at schneider when I first started, there was a guy trying to talk me into teaming with him. He talked about how he drove out west a lot and was already used to driving all the mountain passes out there.

    Then later on that week, we went on the simulators at schneider, which is basically a driving simulator that has you drive in different situations. The skid pad where you have a drive tire skid and you try to prevent your trailer from jack knifing. He jackknifed the trailer.

    then they had a 7% mountain grade simulator. At the bottom of the hill was a 4 way intersection with stop lights. Well, he decided he was going to do 100mph down the hill for whatever reason, blew through the red light and ran over a school bus. Yeah, I didn't team with him lol
     
  8. Chase05

    Chase05 Medium Load Member

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    From what I've gathered about team driving on here, from thinking about it myself... Compare your level of tolerance with how optimistic you feel. It's gonna be a crap shoot if you're gonna hook up with a random partner, lol.
     
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  9. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    teaming is the most dangerous operation to be in. chances of wrecking are much higher.

    can you say. lack of sleep while the truck is moving. you'll always be driving tired.

    it was an allright situation back when you could split your hours. but the gooberment took that luxory away.

    as for more money. sure. but split so it evens out. 1 person drives 100 miles. 2 people drive 200 miles. is the money greater or the same?
     
  10. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    I teamed for a couple of months; mainly as a favor to the company to get some hot loads moved to the West Coast. We both used sleeping bags, & when we swapped driving, we just rolled up our sleeping bags and stowed them out of the way. Had a small folding aluminum chair & sometimes while the other is driving, would sit in it in the sleeper compartment and read or drink coffee. Had the chair positioned behind the passenger seat in case he braked a little hard. With the curtains closed, this was relaxing to me. I don't care if anyone agrees or not, it worked for me.

    Teaming can be an advantage for some, to swap ideas and learn from each other, but may not be something you want for a whole career. You can always move on after a few months to solo or a different company.
     
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