Advice for newbies thinking of teaming

I teamed with a guy I'd only known for 3 weeks, and we did fine. The only times we tended to get on each others nerves were when laid over, and it was only occasionally. He quit to go make the big money at Prime, lol. That was the last I heard from him.
If I found the right team mate, I wouldn't hesitate to team again, especially as a truck owner pulling stepdeck. You HAVE to live near each other though, and have to have similar morals, vices, etc. A smoker with a non smoker won't work, guaranteed.

 

Cracker, whatever your choice is keep in mind you are going to be otr, this means away from home for long periods of time. Two weeks is just a reference. Its going to be hard to make money to staying out for only two weeks at a time. What happens is the company will realize you don't want to stay out so they will keep you close to home running short little runs and picking up and delivering everyone else's loads. You may find yourself sitting quite a bit doing the two week thing. Personally I believe if you are going otr then go full force or it just won't be worth it. You will be spending two weeks away from home for nothing. I know its hard to conceive right now because you are new as to how things work out there. Its best going to orientation without any restrictions as to how long you will be out or where you are willing to go. Its kind of like starting a new job telling them upfront you want Fri, Sat, and Sun off and that you will only work 10-3pm. Don't burn yourself right out the gate!

 

I ran a team driving a dedicated run where one team member lived on each end. When the 'home' driver came into town he jumpped off to go home while the 'away' driver unloaded the load and picked up the back load.

They ran two loads of waste a week from NJ to LA and backhauled everytrip.

Otherwise a team needs to live close.

 

I'm not a smoker and teamed with my friend who did so it can work, but I would agree with you that it won't 99% of the time. I will say though if it was for anyone else I wouldn't deal with the smoking. He's good about it though and you can rarely smell it. Even if it's 10 F outside he has the window down.

 

Yes most companies have alluring programs in which they get new drivers to sign up with them. I know you aren't very familiar with the industry right now but do the math. If you aren't traveling long distances you are doing a lot of short runs which = lots of sitting which = not a lot of miles. Some companies compensate this by adding a few cents to the mileage but its still not a lot. If you are going to spend $6000 to go to school and be away from home then why not make the money? That's the whole reason you are doing this right? If not, you are better off finding a job at home in which you work 24hrs 5days a week and sleep in your own bed.

Like I told another poster earlier, I have over 16 years experience and have been an owner operator for most of them. Also teamed with my wife for quite a while. There is no way you will see me out there solo on a regional cause its just not worth it.

Everyone needs to see for themselves though and there is that off chance you could land a decent gig. Won't be with one of these starter companies though.

 

Well, right there you've got your answer, if he got upset because you said no, you would have had a real ball spending your life sleeping in the same closet.

I've ran team, and believe me it is no party, my last partner and I were like brothers seperated at birth. But we still got on each others nerve from time to time.

Heck I even got to where I couldn't stand myself when I ran solo

 

Even though You have made your choice , I will throw this out there. Most were talking about personily . But I will say any body who is , or are thinking about teaming is to get a second mattress to stack on top of the first one . It makes a huge diff ! instead on 5 inch of cushion you now have 10 inch . Nothing worst than hitting a bad bump and bottoming out! like some one walks up and punches you in the ribs !