Solo vs Team Drivng

I'm not a big drinker but I can say having a couple beers here and there is relaxing. In your case maybe you could get some sleep that way over the next few months. Because you're definitely right that what's going on isn't safe for either of you.

 

I could never team in a truck I would rather starve to death.

I'm a little confused.

You said from the start that you were an o/o so how could you just quit??

Quitting would mean that you sold your truck or turned it into the bank.

 

That's a lot different then being an o/o.

I hope the best for you.

 

Team driving isn't easy. Me and my dad have gone a few rounds while teaming. Sleeping isn't easy and will take a good month or so to get used too if not more. Its part of the game though. Its never easy to team with somebody that is completely opposite of you. I had a friend that we were going to hire before things went south and we were going to team. Would it have worked out idk. But I did have my concerns as he CANNOT sleep in a smoky truck and I kill about 2.5 packs a day...if not more.

A little advise. Don't throw in the towel don't quit. This is just another challenge in trucking. If you have to put in 6 months before going solo do it. If this is truly what you want to do you just have to stick it out. Thing will hopefully eventually get better. There are times when all of us sit there and wonder why the hell we decided to do this. And why the hell we continue to do this. Its just part of the job things smooth out and were alright again. I have had days like that before even had weeks like that before. It is just something that happens at times.

Working with family isn't ever easy either. You will argue and fight especially if you're a lot alike. My dad and I got into it in rock port, mo yesterday because he asked me to team a load to new York with him.
1.I'm supposed to be off work still
2.if I'm going to go back to work I have my own truck to run.
He didn't like that too much but hell get over it. I love the man but I'm not a babysitter, if you want a driver to team with you run an add in the paper and hire somebody. I have my own things to worry about. He also said I worked for him too...that's a discussion for another time...sides that I don't think half the servers have enough # sings to censor Tue language I would use. My suggestion would be stick it out as long as you can. If things get to tough, you can always try to make a change. It is hard when you don't have much experience though. And keep in mind the grass isn't always greener on the other side like most think it is. Sometimes yes it can be a good change. We don't fight nearly as much now that we don't both run a flatbed, but we still argue over a lot of things. It is something that will never change.

Good luck in what you do. This will pass and I do hope things get better for you bud. He safe out there and do your best to stick things out. You don't want to burn bridges unless its necessary. I was told this in a different way, and it was helpful advise.

 

Apply with other flatbed companies; ignore any experience required and apply anyway. Do some online applications and see what happens.

Maverick will hire you; they don't require CDL school.

Schneider will hire you for tankers in Chicago.

Falcon Transport (flatbed)
Melton Truck Lines
TMC
Boyd Bros.
Decker (flatbed)
Watkins & Shepard (flatbed division)

 

When I realized teams was not for me:

Bouncing down the road in the sleeper not able to sleep. My brain conjured an image of a cell In Alcatraz and overlay it on the sleeper. I was beyond any reasonable level of annoyed because they had a crapper and we did not.....


May want to take a weekend home and think/decompress.

It is good to learn from another active driver (mentor team).

I would also be on the lookout for a solo job if they are that sticky on 6 months experience. At this point; either you know how to drive and secure most of their freight or you do not. They need to make the call if you can and balance that with insurance company demands. The insurance companies force many choices on trucking companies.....

 

My wife and I have teamed. We had to adjust our hours. It is very hard to drive all night. We finally settled on where I drove from 1:30PM to 1:30AM. That way, i could get some sleep before we would either load or deliver in the morning. When that truck stopped, i will always wake up. Teaming is not easy, would only want to team with my wife, otherwise i would be solo.

 

Your dad is a small fleet owner. Hats off to dad for making you tough it out in a truck, instead of putting you in charge without you ever having been behind the wheel. I would do the same thing.

Now, if I were you, I would have the mindset of making the family business grow. No, I don't like running team, but I can and I can sleep well (if I am not driving, I get motion sickness). Thing is, if I were in your shoes, and dad wanted me and another driver to pick up a money load and be on the other side of the continent in two days, I would be able to do it. If you ever want to be the go-to guy on the fleet, you have to be able to do anything and everything.

Dont quit. It gets tougher before it gets easier. Stick with the old man. He's trying to toughen you up.