Any local allow riders?

Generally no. As in no.

There are too many barriers to riders overall. I don't know of any specific law against it, but the industry makes sure that unauthroized persons are KEPT OFF the equiptment. There are huge liability and even securtiy threat problems with certain trucks hauling pretty valuable goods coveted by the dark ones in the street. If I was hauling narcotics for McKesson, the last thing I want in that truck or even near it a rider. That wont happen. No matter what kind of tractor is on it.

Im not writing to give you a hard time, it's one of the most sensitive problems in the industry, drivers caught with unauthorized persons even spouses and kids are fired really fast like in 15 seconds once it becomes actual fact that someone is in that cab. The time I became a trainer, I had a interview in which I was specifically asked if my spouse has ever been in the sleeper or cab of my truck I told them no and that I had specifically told spouse that she would not have access to the truck even when I was home with it to protect my work and our future teaming that was a project in the works almost two years. They asked her has she ever been in it? No. And boom. No firings today. Let's move on. And that was what we did running very expensive loads of narcotics.

with that said... once in a great while there is a form of no win scenario that you witness happening to a brother driver, be it a owner operator or a company man in a really dangerous situation, you might take them down the road to a place of safe haven. But it did not happen in this truck with me. But yes they got to safe haven to start the process of cleaning up the mess that almost killed them out there. But it's maybe once or twice in my life time out there. The last one lost his engine near rochester in a catastrophic explosing when the crankcase exloded below the cab. Leaving his hazmat load of boom boom in a bad place on the highway. Suffice to say both are in a better and safer place. But I will never specifically say that I took them down that way. It just happened. The owner of the truck I was in is dead as far as this story goes tonight so. There is nothing that can be punished.

 

I'm very fortunate to be in a company that not only has a rider program, but it's a recent addition on top of that. We've had it for about 2 1/2 years now. We have both an upper and lower age restriction in place, and our riders have limited access to the facilities we go to, but there's no limitation on how often. We do suspend the program during the winter months, just due to the harsher conditions increasing the risk factor.

 

Winter is special and we would rather not deal with riders then.

I forgot to say that you can have someone with you once you become a driver for a company and meet minimum standards, length of service etc. That rider will be examined quite deeply, if not also intrusively by the company and sign several forms, one of which abolishes the company from any liability if he or she gets killed on the cabbage in a snow storm.

But yes Winter is a special form of battle and in bad enough weather and cold it's life threatening. It's best that the rider come on in the spring time where the USA is literally busting out in it's green and beauty. There is nothing quite like our Country during late spring. It's worth a ride to see it all.

 

We allow riders over 12 years old. Lots of our drivers bring their wives or kids along in the summer.

 

I drove for a construction company that allowed a driver to bring his 10 yr old son.That was enjoyable seeing how much fun his son was having.

 

Not to to much we have a day at the yard when they let the kids touch the equipment, but in day to day operations not usually. Local work is no place for small children.

 

Our official rule is only GFS employees are allowed on the equipment and then as far as driving the equipment and stuff you have to be road tested and all that good stuff before your cleared.
Technically we do have some doubles training for people who do that, I guess, however usually once your cleared to drive your good for all of it.

 

My boss at my last job let my wife ride with me one day and also my brother-in-law on another occasion, but I'm pretty sure that is rare for most other local companies. We were a smaller outfit, so I think the boss had some leeway to allow it.

My wife was an absolute wreck after riding with me for 14 hours doing multiple stops all over the state. She certainly gained a new respect for what I do for a living.

My brother-in-law was considering trucking, and my sister asked if he could ride along one day. I think riding with me and seeing the reality of my job scared him off. For one thing, the 2am start shocked him pretty bad. I wish everyone interested in driving could experience it firsthand before taking the plunge and getting a CDL. This job is definitely not for everyone.