what is the scoop being a team driver?

If you want to move to Florida I'll team with you! I have been driving for 16 years and most of those were team driving. I love running teams! Most drivers don't though. There are definitely many pros an cons on teaming.

Where to begin....

Pros....

*Treated like gold by most companies.

*Never run out of hours and no need to take mandatory 10's

*Pay is better. Not twice as better but at least 1.5 as better.

*Always someone to keep you company and if something goes wrong you have somebody with you.

*Teams for the most part get the good runs! Mostly drop and hooks.

*Daily duties are split by two people. ie; paperwork, phone calls, logs, maintenance etc...

How bout cons?.....

*You must live within 100 miles of your co-driver

*You must be able to sleep in a moving truck (this could take some getting used too)

*Very hard work! Teams run 5000-7000 miles a week! Most companies expect at least 1000 a day!

*When you do have down time it can be a bit cramped.

*You must get along with your co-driver very well! You both must avoid gaseous foods and not mind the stink of each other due to infrequent showering!

*Teams are expected to push through bad weather, sickness, etc...

*Teams are relied upon to pick up solo drivers slack. Lots of repowers.

*Teams in general stay out longer than solo drivers.

*Driving 10 hours isn't bad but staying in that sleeper for 10 hours is a challenge!

*The senior driver gets more pay

*Privacy is null and void!

*No door to slam when you get pee'd off. Only a dramatic curtain zip!

These are just a few pros and cons off the top of my head. There are many more! Personally though, like I said, I prefer the whole team thing.

 

Teaming is not easy at all... specially you being a female.... when most of the drivers are males. You may find many guys wanting to team with you and they may be very "helpful", doing the hard part (backing when you are having difficulty, cranking the landing gear, repairing this and that, etc) but don't expect that to be "free". NO, no, no. Eventually they will want some special attention from you. And if you don't give it to them, they will turn nasty, angry, having their temper tantrum, calling you names and will want to split or they may become violent... You will not know until you guys are in the middle of nowhere... Will send you PM.

 

Trust me. You won't wake up dead!

 

The only good advice here is find a person you trust and are compatible with. If you or the other person needs ANYTHING to sleep, drive solo.

 

Okay, Paul...you want it public
You seem to feel the need to criticize many posters. And yes, I am prefudice against Canadian and Mexican drivers. I think you should drop your loads at the border, as should we. In my experience Canadians show little respect for our Laws and are rude. Case in point...your private message.
End of conversation.

 

I take it you don't believe in any sort of afterlife?

 

Who have I criticized except you? You started this. I am not prejudiced against you or any other American driver. Have you ever been to Canada? Probably not. You would know that most of us are friendly and helpful. As for dropping loads at the border? That suits me fine. I hate travelling south. Not because of the people, because of the border congestion. If we all dropped our loads at the border, we would be run ragged; you would be sitting. Watch what you ask for.