Newbie question about OTR partner

I am starting school next month. I know most likely I will have to do my first year OTR with another driver. My question is do they try and match you with someone similar? Or just throw you in the truck with whoever is available. My biggest concern is being in a truck with a smoker. No offense to those who do, but just can't imagine having to be in a truck for a week or more with a smoker.

Thanks everyone! So far you have been very helpful.

 

Depends on the company you're going to.
Some of them couldn't care less about your safety/training/wellbeing . . . . let alone comfort.

If it's Werner, Western Express, CRST , CR England . . . . . then . . . . .

 

Depending in company you may not have to spend one day with someone else. Watkins Shepard doesn't make you suffer like that, you get keys, a truck and you go do it. This isn't rocket science, just remember anyone can do it, you can too!

 

Going alone is a double edge sword. Right now I think I wou want someone with me. But after I ta the course I may feel differently. Thank you!

 

Now that is a ride for OTR!!!

 

Not to be taken as a joke, what I am about to say, but this IS the way it was for me when I first started out:

All us student drivers had to fill out a questionnaire form regarding our likes and dislikes and I think habits. The company I worked for then, "matched" 2 people that were either dead on perfect, or incredibly close to one another. What is done nowadays is anyone's guess, but make sure you let someone know you are NOT a smoker and wish NOT to be teamed up with such. All else is moot, like cleanliness, gassy-ness, tall, short, fat, snorer, etc,etc. Just hope too that you are not teamed up with a "truck stop trucker", whom is a person that simply cannot pass by a truck stop, and must stop.

THAT type of co-driver can hurt you if the truck does not run the daily miles. Just as much so if the co-driver is constantly sleepy, or sick, or just plain feels like NOT driving his full 11 hours, you know, pulling his weight, and you do it all?

 

Many of the outfits that hire newbs lead you to believe that you have to team. The only reason is, those companies want their trucks rolling 22 out of the 24 hours. Its their business model.

You do not need to team your to get the almighty 1 year of experience so that you can write your own ticket. Keep researching. You should find outfits that put you with a trainer for a few weeks and then you are on your own.

Keep researching. Don't train with a company that has you running team with your trainer. The trainer drives, you sleep, who learns. Likewise, you drive, trainer sleeps, who learns...

I am told there are financial advantages to teaming. In my opinion, I will pay the price for quiet, privacy, and the simplicity of only worrying about me and only me.

Do some more research...

 

When I finished school, I was hired on with Crete, I went out with a trainer (first one, not a real trainer as much as a fat guy that sat there and told me all I was doing wrong. second guy was great, really I mean REALLY trained me.) but I was with them for 8 weeks, went to orientation in Lincoln, got my own truck and was solo after that, the only time I did team was when my second trainer felt comfortable with going super solo. But it was only 8 weeks not a year.

They asked me if I preferred a trainer that smokes, or not.

Just my experience, take it for what it's worth.

 

You just make it known to the company that you don't smoke, and you'll be assigned to a non-smoking truck/trainer. Not because you're special, or because they want to make you happy, it's because they don't want a liability problem if something goes wrong later on. This whole industry is largely impacted and controlled by those who write the insurance policies that protect everyone, even us. BTW, you might have to wait a little longer, but the peak seasons are approaching and companies want to be in position to get and deliver loads. So, good fortune!

 

I dont believe you need to be team for a full year... usually you do your training generally 6 to 8 weeks, but can take longer.. and then get your own truck...