Usx going completely "team"?

Buddy, You need not take offense to my own personal opinion, I am just stating what I wouldn't do, I had my share of ooops when I started out, My first run I was I was stopping in Amarillo Tx. to grab a bite and I pull into a "J" and on my cruise around the lot I clipped the front of another truck and put a nice long hole in his fender, It took a few minutes to get that finished up and I rolled on, I have not had anything else since then. I went with Watkins and Shepard, I am still doing well out here I have past several hurdles and when I get ready to move I will, I think now looking back there was several incidents or situations that I wish I had a trainer with me but the trainer was only a phone call away, Or they gave you a good training manual that I refer to still to this day on a few items of interest should a question arise. Take Care Man, If you like teaming then go for it, I am not going team ever, I don't care if the kids move out and my bride of a gazillion years wants to travel we will not be teaming she can ride shotgun all she wants to.

 

to me i learned only so much with my trainer. Paperwork and forms on elog has never been my strong suit I have learned the most out on my own figuring it out.

 

No, it's 120 hours with trainer. That's about 3 weeks at the most. Then it's 8 weeks as a team.

My first company was all teams. I really did learn a lot from my first co-driver.

 

I have had 5 team partners. Two were OK, two were nightmares who texted, tailgated and dive bombed the brakes, but the last was perfect. I still have his number on my phone and talk with him from time to time. It can be heaven or it can be hell. It is also the future for long distance trucking along with intermodal and containers. Me and my last partner were political opposites, miles apart culturally and separated by 18 years of age. However, we both valued the other's comfort and safety and worked together to get each job done. We planned our day so we both were able to shower and eat and fuel when we changed seats. Life was pretty good. He left the road to watch his little girl grow up and is doing just that and driving locally. Team driving does not have to suck.

 

I wasn't taking any offense to what you said, I just liked your quote for voicing my opinion.

I totally understand that you can't sleeping in a moving vehicle, aren't comfortable with other people's driving or whatever and you are working somewhere else because that is what worked out for you. You made your decision and that's great!

I just wanted to let everyone that is still trying to decide what company to go with when they first start out, that in the opinion of someone who has been doing this for quite a while, running with another driver that is still learning also doesn't have to seem like the end of the world.

I'm certainly not a USX cheerleader (I haven't been here long enough to know if they are the best fit for me), but these guys are reading up about USX trying to find the best fit for them.

If a company has what they are looking for whether it be pay, home time, equipment, tuition reimbursement, rider policy, pet policy, dedicated work near their home or whatever, I don't think that 8 weeks of learning with another new driver necessarily needs to be the deal breaker unless there is absolutely no way possible that they could do it. It sure wouldn't deter me if I liked most of the other things that the company had to offer. They will probably make more money during that 8 weeks of team than after they go out solo also.

There are way more things for me to be scared of other than sleeping behind another green-horn.

Zombies and spiders come to mind...

 

He's saying that in the 8 weeks after training, while you are teamed up, you will make more money than when you go solo afterwards.

Trainers don't get anything extra per mile. They get 20 bucks a day extra, plus bonuses.

 

I'm sorry that I keep not answering your question.

At USX, all trainees go with a trainer until they have logged a minimum of 120 hours behind the wheel and then after that they get teamed up with another new driver for 8 weeks.

The exception to this is for drivers that are going with one of the dedicated fleets, they do 150 hours on the drive line and then go straight to solo. If there are any openings in your area, this might be the way to go if you are dead set against teaming up with another new guy. Most of the dedicated guys spend more time throwing boxes than they do driving, but you could always switch later if you don't like it.

They do let you be a little picky about your trainer and your teammate, like if you would rather be with a non-smoker or another female if you're a girl. It might take a little longer to get started though if your preference isn't the first available.