Re-Thinking Team Driving

1. It depends on the companies. Many companies put drivers together based solely on whether they are smokers or non smoker, whereas other companies try to create a profile to determine your level of compatibility. I heard that Schneider was trying to create a social networking site similar to online dating in which drivers can select a co driver based on similarities and interest on their profiles.

2. Again it depends on the company. The most likely scenario is that of a trainee who gets fed up with his trainer, you get dropped off at the terminal and wait for another driver who wants to team. Some companies realize that compatibility can be a problem and allow you to change partners until you find one that you can get along with.

3. I think most of the other posters have addressed the issues regarding the downside of teaming. Sleep, personality clashes, hygiene, and work ethic are some of the biggest downsides when it comes to teaming. Do you feel comfortable driving solo when your co driver wants home time and you want to stay on the road? Can you tolerate their pets if they have any? Can you tolerate it if your co driver likes to have the AC blowing in the winter when you prefer the heat? All of these minuscule factors and more can come to play.

4. Any combination is feasible. I had a friend who joined a reefer company that was a team operation and he was usually paired with drivers with 5+ years experience. That may also be feasible with starter companies considering that there are drivers whose level of experience varies. If you're adamant about teaming with a veteran driver, try to look for companies that places emphasis on that.

Considering that training in most companies is the equivalent of team driving, I'm sure you will decide before training is over whether team driving is right for you.

 

don't team with some one you don't know....don't team with someone you do know either..lol

 

Just curious . . . weren't you exposed to manual transmissions at CDL school? Most of these schools don't have the most modern of equipment to train on. They had no automatics where I went to school.

 

With 6 students in a truck, techinally i got 2-3hrs behind the wheel of a manual. (30min each time for a week or so)

but since chattanooga state is a few min from usxpress we had one of their automatics donated. So thays what we used for maneuvering etc.

but yes, my 8mile CDL road test was in a standard. But it was on the bypass near my home so it was not too stressfull.

so ya i had a few hrs behind the wheel. But then 3yrs at maverick in automatic took the knowledge away

 

See yes automatics are nice for people that have trouble shifting a manual.But I do not agree with companies switching there fleet over to automatics cause it for alot of new drivers that jump right into a automatic then I beleave its a bad choice cause there are limiting the companies to work for cause if I beleave right there are very few companies that run nothing but automatics.

 

Thats a reason companies ARE switching.

Maverick is all 1,100 trucks automatics. Im sure they think "lets hire students. They will have limited places to go, and will stay with us".

(fyi i thought maverick was a fantastic company)

 

Well, I got my CDL 6 years ago, just prior to moving overseas. I never used the CDL. At the time, it was my back-up plan. Now I'm back in the States, and ready to go to work in the industry. I just went back to school for a refresher course. Got on the range the first day, when we were practicing up-shifting. After not being behind the wheel of an 18-wheeler for 6 years, it felt fine shifting again. A bit later in the day, I downshifted on one part of the course. The teacher heard that downshift, and I got yelled at after parking the truck that day. "We're not practicing downshifting yet!" Sorry . . . but it just came naturally!

I'm not worried about driving an automatic, and not being able to hop into a manual truck years down the line and drive it. Like any unsynchronized truck transmission, each one seems a bit unique, and it takes me a little while to pick up a feel for where the sweet-spot is for smooth shifting.

I look forward to driving automatics at USX however. I just find manual transmissions to be a nuisance in stop-and-go traffic, and also prefer being more focused when making turns at intersections, without the distractions that are sometimes there with shifting also.

 

See if I was to drive a automatic I would be more worried about my air pressure would drop way to much for my liking.It is so much easier having that clutch tho to me.

And Ricky you are right alot of companies are doing that now but I would feel tripped in I was in that kind of spot.

 

Quick update, been teaming for a few months now, and its still going really well. The post office stole my first partner, got another guy, and its still going pretty well. Been running out west a lot, stay out about a month, but pay is pretty good.

We split shifts at 3 and 3, so both of us get some sunlight. That means we work only until 3, then change over, regardless of how many hours we haved used. That way, we stay on the same shifts, and the shifts dont change because a shipper or receiver screwed up. Definitely a lot better than driving solo.

I usually drive the late shift, so the 3pm to 3am shift, works out great. He gets 3am to 3pm, done early and gets plenty of sunlight. Havent had a single problem with shifts the entire time Ive been teaming so far. Only problems when the napkins end up on the wrong side of the truck when Ive spilled something and I really need them, or stupid things like that. But otherwise, way better.

Also dont have to deal with idle restrictions and crud like that. Got a 4 or 5 inch gel top for the mattress, sleep like a baby. Its not like driving like a student, I havent been thrown out of the bunk even once in three months, so driving with another experienced driver has worked out excellently.

My favorite thing is that deliveries are almost always done right after a shift change. That means no having to deal with stupid receivers and their rules when you are tired. Almost always you or your team mate will be either changing before you deliver, or changing at the delivery point. Makes things so much less stressful.

Definitely a good experience so far, much better than training, or even my first few months of solo. Definitely worth it.

 

I don't think I cud team with a Man. Lol but a girl may be ok but thy probably don't team up M and F