How do companies put together teams?

Yeah my three weeks of training with two different experienced trainers was something l never want to do again. The Cascadia was barely adequate with the storage and large sleeper. Still had a hard time being organized and not upset the trainer. The second trainer had a VNL670. I had always heard how great the Volvo drives and all the storage space, etc. My hopes melted like ice cream on hot pavement when l climbed in to put my stuff in. Looked and felt like a shoebox after two weeks in the Freightliner. I was so clumsy trying to step over his stuff in between the seats and had to put my bags on top of his. I didn't even pack much.

Now the Volvo drove amazing it felt like the sports car of big rigs imo. We also had 44,000 on the dry van coming up 40 in NC and going up a steep mountain l pulled out of line and pulled ahead of two DD15 Cascadias like they were standing still. That D13 Volvo pulls! The other trucks were fleet dry vans also so no way they were much heavier than were.

I would love to try a 780 to see the extra space. A D16 would be fun to drive in it also. 600hp vs 490 in the D13.

 

A company puts the teammates together with two questions. Where do you live? Do you smoke?

 

LOL!! Some can do it and some can't. Some make it through and some end up divorced. My husband and I have know each other for 30 years. Been back together after dating in high school for 19 and married for 17 1/2. With us, we love each other but we actually LIKE each other too. We are best friends and are extremely blessed in the sense that we never fight. Ever. It is definitely not something that a lot of couples can do.

 

because team drivers don't actually see each other except at the end and beginning of shifts.

"where are we? it it my turn? "I need to pee" is about the most interaction you actually have.

 

I actually enjoy running team. I usually get a week off on home time hours of service is all but a non issue and you pretty much can always have an extra set of eyes when looking for customers. You both have to be laid back go with the flow types or I could see it turning into a complete nightmare.

 

Trust is a huge issue ! Run team for two years. Really have to trust someone to go back in the sleeper and crash, and not worry about crashing !!! Also a second mattress really helps. Truly helps sleeping on rough roads.