need team driving info from veteran drivers

[kjvisser]

I am a wannabe driver. I am interested about team driving. I really have no concept of it except one person drives while the other person sleeps. If you have experience please enlighten me.

[fruitloop1]

A team truck moves almost all the time. About the only time you get to stop is to buy fuel and maybe get a decent meal about once every other day. Hopefully you also get time for a much needed shower.

You had to have total trust in your partner. You will be putting your life in this person's hands while you are sleeping. You will also have to be able to sleep while bouncing down the road. Hopefully your partner was able to sleep when you were driving. If they didn't you will also have to be worrying about their falling asleep while driving. There's nothing like laying in the bunk listening to the tractor hit the rumble strips and hoping that it doesn't head for the ditch next.

You will be sharing a very small living area with this other person. It is "togetherness" on a whole new level. If you are teaming with a spouse, one of two things will happen. You will either begin to hate each other and end up separated or you will be closer than you could have ever imagined possible. It's a gamble. Spouse or not you better hope this other person thinks it is important to grab a shower now and then.

I do not team. I don't trust anyone that much and am very happy being on my own. I like to sleep with the truck stopped. Just like everything else, it's a matter of choice. It's very important if you are going to team to find the right person. They can make or break you.

Good luck!!

[concreteangel]

I have teamed before and I have run solo. They both have their advantages/disadvantages... If you are just starting out and unsure of yourself after training, then teaming with someone else might be a good way to go to help build up your confidence level, providing they too aren't just as scared. Teaming also gives you someone to talk to, someone to eat with, etc. It can either be a business partnership (no strings attached), or a personal relationship. Depends on who ya want to team with.

However, if you like being alone, and you don't mind sleeping when the truck is sitting still, you are confident, etc. etc.. etc.. then go solo.

I can't say that I favor one over the other. If you can get along with someone in the truck, then it can be a great partnership/relationship. If you like the same music, same interests, then you have someone you can talk with. But if one person is a smoker and the other isn't, problems could arise. I've teamed with smokers and non-smokers and I don't smoke, and I've never had any issues with the smokers. Like anything, it's what you make of the job... You have to try it to know if you are going to like it or not. You will see that person 24 hrs in an area of most large cubicles and no place to retreat, unless you wanna ride on the catwalk... which, I would think you'd want more experience before you rode out there... lol

cya!

[gilletts]

I am in need of a co-driver.
We run on a dedicated account out of Plainfield In. and we are useally home a couple of times a week and useally at least one week end day.
If interested you can E-mail me at gilletts@ccrtc.com or call H - 765-386-6223 or Cell - 903-466-2894

Thanks,
Steve Gillett

Originally Posted by kjvisser

I am a wannabe driver. I am interested about team driving. I really have no concept of it except one person drives while the other person sleeps. If you have experience please enlighten me.

[luckylady7]

I can only give you my experience....I started out team driving for a large company and it was good at first and then it turned really bad....I would drive for 10 hours and would be ready to sleep for 8 hours or so, but my partner didn't think it was important to sleep his time down. So he would sit in the passenger seat and watch me drive as I am telling him he can't do this....I explained to him to sleep while I was driving so he wouldn't fall sleep while I was sleeping. I felt very uneasy about him so I began watching his movements when I was down...he wasn't sleeping when he would go down for sleep time..he would talk on the cell phone or watch me driving...I am a safe driver with no accidents on my record so he had no reason to watch me.
So one night after my driving I was awakened by the trailer running off the road and when I looked through the curtain my driver was asleep at the wheel and the tractor was about 4 feet from going over the side of a mountain! I was terrified and hollered...when I yelled he woke up and I told him to pull the damm truck over to the side of the road..he refused but after some threats from me, he pulled over...I explained to him that I didn't want to die by his hand and that I would never trust his driving so I called dispatch to tell them what had occurred. They didn't take me off the truck right then but I stayed with that man for a month. Until I feared for my safety and everyone else on the road. I refused to stay with him any longer and I have been off the truck for a week now, awaiting another co-driver.
Life is short enough without having to worry about dying when you are asleep. I know that there are good responsible drivers out there but for me I will go solo and take care of me......I wish I could get over this fear and if you have any input on the problem plz let me know...take care and be safe

I caught him asleep more than once......

Sleepless in NC

[fruitloop]

I have a hard time picturing me being asleep in the bunk while someone else is driving. If the truck is moving I want to be the one behind the wheel. I also enjoy the time alone and would not want to have to be around anyone in that small of an area for very long.

I did try teaming with a guy Thanksgiving before last. We covered a run from Columbus, Ohio to Houston, TX. NEVER AGAIN!!

[luckylady7]

This is why I am going solo I just don't trust anyone driving while I am asleep...

[jimfromcentralne]

I believe the only way that will work is if you are a couple then I think it would be pretty cool.I'm actually looking for a lady to team with let me know if interested jimschnase@yahoo.com thx