Wife & I want to drive team. Where do we start?

My 1st suggestion is to make absolutely sure that you are prepared to spend 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week in a space the size of a walk-in closet. That being said, Check out websites, call and talk to recruiters. The first step is getting the CDL, after that, you will each go out with a trainer for 5 or 6 weeks. That's another stumbling point for a lot of couples, being apart for several weeks. The company Hubby and I work for will then let you start teaming, 1st as Trainee/Trainee, then as a full team. Most training companies have fairly new equip, but don't pay top dollar. Once again, your best bet is talking to a recruiter, then search this forum for comments about the companies, both good and bad.

Best of luck.

 

Well Ron asking hear is a good first step.

For a team there are several things to consider when choosing a company. As a solo drive I generally recommend a smaller company,( less then 50 trucks) but for a team a larger company might be a better choice and here's why.

1. Larger companies have more trailers, that means more drop and hooks. That's when you drop off a loaded trailer and pick up an empty one and your off to your next pick up. This is advantageous for a team because every minute your at a dock your loosing money.

2. Refer to #1.

Things to watch out for.

Almost every large company that will give you a thing called a pre hire is a bottom feeder. Everything a recruiter says is a lie, it's just like the Army. Get it in writing, and even if it is in writing it's suspect.

Who to work for as a team.

For a large company Schneider and us express are ok for teams. There are probably better team outfits but I don't keep track of them.

Pay. 0.39- 0.44 per mile to the truck after 90 days when you factor in the bonuses. That's for every mile driven split that's 19- 22 each.


Now here's something to consider Ron. What if you both go to training and you pass the training and she doesn't? Then what? It happens all the time. I wouldn't risk that, I would go a totally different rout to get into this industry if you can.

 

What happens if she passes training and he doesn't is also a factor to consider

 

and what route would that be ..? please explain further

 

Do you want your wife out there training with some horny trucker for 2 months?

 

And that's one reason I would go solo fist. Once you have some experience you can bring your wife on board and save yourself a whole lot of hassle.

 

I think the going solo first and then bring the wife on board is the smart way to go.

I know there is a belief that you get a truck and away you go to see the sights. It can be fun, but it is a job and as such it can be hard work at times. Sometimes the sights you see fly by so fast you wonder what you just saw. Sometimes the sights you see you'd rather not ever see again. But you will.

Two in a truck can work but it's a major adjustment to the whole personal space thing.

Good luck to ya.

( wife # 2 and I ran team for a bit till the family thing happened)

 

I am a trainer at one of the bigger carriers and i would like to make sure you know what your getting your self into. First of all if you go to a private truck driving school it is going to cost you around 2000 to 4500 per person to go through the school. Now if you go into a training sponsored by a company you will sign a contract and be indebted to that company for a year and usually 100,000 miles for each of you so 200,000 for the team. Personally i would go with the private school and most company's will return your money over time, by doing it that way your not locked into the company if something terrible happens.. There are a number of companies that take on student drivers some include but not limited to;

1 Roehl
2 Schnieder
3 Prime
4 Us Express
5 Covenant
6 Trans Am


And many more But before choosing a company look at there csa score make sure they are a safe company with decent equipment. Thing long and hard about your choice IT will affect you for a long time. Also stay with your first company at least a year before changing to another if you do this you can pretty much write your own ticket to where you go from there......

 

To elaborate on my first post this is how I would do it.

Schools and company training are ok but a better option is to work for a farm to get your cdl or work on an ltl dock and move into a drivers spot, this might take more time then your willing to put in to start teaming.

if you can one of you go solo first with a smaller company and build some experience. If you can't then go solo with Schneider after you build a little experience they will let you train your own partner on the road after they're out of basic school. Also if one of you passes school you can take the other one out on the road as a passenger, a lot can be learned riding shotgun and it will make it easier for them in school.

Also if you really like being married teaming is a great way to mess it all up. If you think you've had a fight just wait till you live in a closet together. Your going to do it no matter what but I just thought it was worth mentioning.