Re-Thinking Team Driving

Could you give some examples of how this team is proactive with dispatch, shippers, and receivers? There might be some good tips here we could learn.

 

Yep, like almost anything in life, if you work to build relationships and approach work with a positive attitude you will do well. I tell people all the time, there are so many angry people in this business, don't be the next jerk on the phone. You will be amazed what people will do for you if you are nice and NOT screaming at them.

 

Great point. Hope your teammate is not a controlling nut job.

 

Hal, I am in the same dilemma, I feel driving as a team is saver, because there are two sets of eyes, and to share the work load. I am deciding which driving school I should attend, I want to drive as a team, If personalities clash than this would be a miserable experience from the get go. I am already contemplating if I should get my own motel room even though it is included with the training. I absolutely despise chaos, I can't stand when there is a quiet spell in the cab and this person has the need to run his mouth with nonsense. Like you I like soothing music, but I can also operate fine with the radio off. Inside a truck cab, this must be a peaceful environment. The bottom line, having respect for someone, and giving that person the space he or she needs and not being judgmental or opinionated in such a confined space for such a long period of time. Only when these important issues are brought to the fore front, and learning to trust that person, and always having their back, just like soldiering. Only than will Team driving truly work. If there is such person out there. I would be honored to team up with.
BY THE WAY, I greatly dislike whiners!

Sincerely
Amsterdam

 

That's usually the case at shippers/receivers. Even then you don't know if your co-driver will just sleep through you doing all the backing. On the road one is always sleeping while the other drives. And believe the people here when they tell you that learning to sleep in a moving truck is no easy task. Your first two weeks will be hell as you'll get quick naps of maybe 20 or 30 minutes then get woken up by a dump in the road or when he brakes hard. It gets easier with time but you will never sleep like at home or even in a still truck.

 

You'll get an decent idea if you even can sleep in a moving truck or like running team after you earn your CDL because any company that hires you will put you in their training program with a trainer and once the trainer is confident enough in your driving ability and decision making you will most likely run your training like a team. I do not agree with this aspect of our industry as I believe that training should be just that, training. No-one should be sleeping when the truck is moving, but that's just my belief, but reality is much different.

Being a newb, you're really not going to make much money regardless if you team or not just starting out.

For me personally, teaming sucks. I cannot sleep in a moving truck. I always felt like my innards were being shook apart whenever the truck was moving. Plus, I merely tolerate most people I have to deal with, on a daily basis so being stuck with one that I don't even know in a tiny box is not my idea of a workable situation

Get your CDL, get your training and then see how you like living in a truck with another "human being".

 

PTL (Murray KY) used to train drivers by teaming up two students after they had been through some basic rudimentary training with an experienced driver.

 

We team at US Xpress. Most of the people at my CDL school had some sort of prior trucking experience either in another country or from their family. My wife and I did not. If your like us then I STRONGLY recommend teaming your first six months. This job can be hard when your starting out and when you get in a tough spot its good to have someone to help you get out of it.

As a team, one of you will always have hours so the truck is moving almost always. Never have to worry about finding parking, plenty of shower credits, most runs teams get are drop & hook, teams get better trucks, etc.

The key to success as a team is being able to click. I team with the wife so that was not an issue.

 

To be honest, Ive seen more happy teams than happy solo drivers...by far.

Keep in mind that the guys who sign up to team, generally just like company. Ive talked to many many team drivers for my students, and every single person I talked to... was a really nice person. The drivers who sign up for teaming are usually really "beta" drivers, they are just kinda nice guys who just kinda like being around other people. All of the guys Ive talked to have been really nice guys and gals.

If you are wondering if youll like teaming or not, just talk to the recruiter and get some numbers... youll see that most of the other dudes are pretty cool guys. I never went team because I wanted the money, but after talking to a few other drivers for my students...I really think much more highly of team driving.

There are a lot of different kinds of team accounts as well, which range from 4000 to 7000 miles a week, which is the only real limitation. If your team driver wants to run 22 hours a day, and you can only handle 8 hours overnight... that would be the main problem in selecting another driver.

Keep in mind that most of the team guys dont really come in and hang around. Its a lot more rare to meet team driver than a solo... so when you see those cranky jerks in truckstops and terminals... thats not a normal team driver. If anything, team drivers are much nicer than solo drivers.

Remember that teams have one huge advantage, that the other guy will be at least partially rested when you are tired as heck. Unless you are a total jerk, any other team driver would love to hop in the seat and back it in if he sees that your eyes are glazed over. Its really a much better situation.

In fact, after training... teaming with someone who can take their own weight even part of the time... seems freaking heavenly. Even compared to solo. Its another guy who can help deal with dispatch BS, and make sure that repairs get done on your 10 hour break, instead of having to constantly deal with that BS on your break.

Sleeping usually isnt an issue. I bought a $100 gel top for bunk, and it reduces vibration and bumps to a really acceptable level. Also keep in mind that even if you driver 5000 miles a week... thats only about 12 hours a day if you average 55 with all your stops and all. I average about 62... so dont feel like you are gonna be driving constantly.

I drive 5000 miles a week as a trainer. As a team, it would be almost a joke. Easier than solo, especially if you guys can fall back on each other when your shifts are changing. That makes everything 10 times better. OH, and your day often ends by pulling through a pump, not by backing up. Another huge advantage if you are the first driver. The better backer is usually the second driver, so he usually drives the very late or very early shift for 5-6 hours and deals with the receiver. Another huge advantage, only dealing with half the officer/warehouse workers, or less.

There are way way more advantages than it seems. Just take a look the next time you see a true team. Youll notice both guys just kinda chilling. They have COMPLETELY different body language than trainers or solo drivers.

 

While sleeping in a moving truck is challenging at first because of the constant motion and going over bumps, your description of the expectation that you will be woken up every 20-30 minutes by braking hard means one thing to me: your partner is a dangerous and bad driver. Frequently braking hard enough to wake up your teammate is by definition a driver that is constantly tailgating. I'd either have a serious discussion with your teammate or find another teammate.

When I drive team I'm always conscious of the fact that my teammate needs good sleep. That means driving smoothly, leaving lots of space so I never have to brake hard, anticipating stale green lights, and getting into the lane that doesn't have the humungous potholes if I have a choice. My safety when I'm in the sleeper berth depends on a well rested teammate.

Typically when team driving I'll sleep a SOLID 3-6 hours at a time. Maybe need to get up for a restroom break or smoke break, then I'm right back in bed.

When I team I like to split the day into 12 hour shifts. If you can drive 11 hours within 12 that's fine. If you have to take a break or even take a nap during your shift that's fine. Just stay safe and reasonably within the needs of delivery time. This results in 12 hours of sleeper berth a day, which in many ways is more relaxing that going solo. When solo you are under pressure to get going after 10 hours. With two extra hours in the bunk I get to watch more movies and read more books, because those are things I rarely do when I'm running solo.

Great post, Davezilla!

I also bought a gel top, I think it was $89 at Walmart for the 2" thick topper. What a difference that makes. It really takes out a lot of the shock from going over bumps.

I also learned to sleep on my side while teaming. Sleeping on my back tends to result in more side to side motion when going over bumps. Sleeping on my side with my knees slightly up in a fetal position provides more stability and I can drop right off to sleep.

I stop drinking caffeine about 3-4 hours before the end of my shift. When I get in the bunk I turn out all the lights, then do a little TTR before the need for sleep hits me after about 20-30 minutes.