Re-Thinking Team Driving

Here's my quick take, after about a year with FedEx Ground, 90+% teaming.

I have had several dozen co-drivers, including all colors and both sexes. I am an ex-smoker so smoking co-drivers is my biggest problem. Most try to start out "considerate" but within a week I'm ready to slit their f##king throat. They don't give one SH##.

After that there's very little problem. Some girls like to pee every 17 minutes, one girl co-driver would go 10 hours and never stop the truck. I axed her wtf how did she do that? She actually peed in a jug on the fly. I said heck, I gotta a dick and I won't even do that.

My current partner is awesome. He is from Yugoslavia, speaks maybe 11 words of English, (of which I know 7 of them). His work ethic is superb, his skills are excellent. He is also a former smoker. He is very clean, tidy, and considerate. Not being a complete slob is #2 on my list.

Next on my all time SH## list is drivers who TAILGATE! There is NEVER a good reason to follow closer than 4 seconds behind any other vehicle, and THOSE are the drivers who will eventually throw you out of the bunk. Also, listen to how often they hit the zipper strip on the side of the road. If it's more than once per shift, you need to start looking for another partner. Everybody hits it now and then, but it needs to be RARE, or they are distracted by something and your life is at stake.

Personally, I hit the jackpot getting on with FedEx right out of school. They pay well, work is a steady 5-6000 miles per week, and it is the easiest job I have ever had in my life. I am home every Sunday and Monday. I've never made so much for doing so little...but the runs are mostly 1000-1200 team miles per day. There are maybe 10-15% of the runs are 400-500 solo miles per day but the cpm is less, you NEVER have any help, and often get a long day with short pay. There are dozens of experienced team drivers lined up to get the solo runs. Teaming is fine once you get into the groove and have a good partner. I've had many and I've had a few that I'd kill on sight.

 

ROFL God that was funny...

 

He wouldnt change radio station. He was given 2nd chance is no trainer at western express

 

In capitalism man exploits man, In communism it's the other way around

 

I would not team drive with someone I didn't know for $5 a mile. Seriously.

Any potential extra money is not worth the uncomfortable aspect of being cooped up in a truck day and night with someone like that. When I am driving I like to listen to what I want to listen to, have private phone calls, etc. When not driving I want my privacy as well.

 

http://crimeblog.dallasnews.com/201...emi-near-truck-stops-in-southern-dallas.html/

Crime Blog
UPDATE: Dallas police identify stabbing victim found in murder suspect’s semi

Travis Hudson Email thudson@dallasnews.com
Published: August 23, 2012 10:15 am

• 
  Roderick Jordan (left) faces is a murder charge in the stabbing of James Gregory Lynn.
  
  The victim of the stabbing has been identified as 46-year-old James Gregory Lynn of Lancaster.
  
  Lynn has a lengthy criminal history that includes resisting arrest, multiple counts of robbery and parole violations.
  
  The suspect, Roderick Jordan, was the owner of the semi. Further details about the motive in the killing were unavailable.
  
  Update, 9:35 a.m. Tuesday:
  
  Dallas police have identified the driver of the semi as Roderick Jordan. He has been arrested and charged with murder.
  
  Jordan, 49, was seen moving inside the semi cab when police pulled him over because the truck’s brakes malfunctioned, according to an arrest warrant affidavit released today by police.
  
  The responding officer asked Jordan whether there was anyone else in the cab, and the suspect said no.
  
  Jordan, from Mineral Springs, Ark., then gave the officer permission to search the cab, and he found the male victim dead with multiple stab wounds. The suspect’s clothes had several blood stains.
  
  When the officer asked Jordan about the victim, he simply responded, “He is dead,” according to the affidavit.
  
  Jordan was booked into the Dallas County Jail on $500,000 bail.
  
  The victim has yet to be identified, and the motive for the slaying remains under investigation.
  
  Affidavit for arrest of man with dead body in semi cab
  
  Original entry:
  
  Dallas police have taken a man into custody Monday after finding a dead body in a semi in southern Dallas.
  
  A driver was stopped shortly before dawn on the Interstate 20 service road just east of Bonnie View Road after police witnessed the driver experiencing brake problems.
  
  During the stop the officer found a dead male with multiple stab wounds in the floorboard of the semi’s cab.
  
  Neither the driver nor the victim was identified. It was unclear what the motive for the killing might have been. The driver was taken into custody for questioning in the case that is being treated as a homicide.
  
  The eastbound service road and entrance onto I-20 was shut down through the morning rush hour while authorities investigated the scene.

 

I couldn't do teaming I tried when first getting in only thinking about dollars. My main problem was I found it very hard to sleep being a light sleeper already, every bump wakes you up and everytime the other driver brakes somewhat hard for something youll slide or roll almost off the bed, which is an immediate holy #### I'm awake moment when you are half asleep. If you could sleep fine and get along with the driver good then it would be pretty sweet I would think.

 

LOL, that story is like Weekend at Bernie's meets trucking.

 

I can't sleep when the truck is moving. Even if I wanted to team I can't relax like that with another driver driving. A guy my father knew that I believe drove for Bowman back in the 60s got killed while asleep in the bunk. Nope, not going to do that ever!