Have you considered joining a team as a rookie driver? You have, without a doubt, given it some consideration. Who would not want an additional pair of eyes to help with backing and a more seasoned driver in the truck to lean on after training? Aspiring drivers seriously misunderstand team driving, and it sometimes limits a driver’s potential and professional advancement. Before choosing to partner up as a new driver, do thorough research.
I have been driving for three years, so I have had enough experience to recall the terror and worry of learning to drive. Additionally, I have enough expertise to educate my apprentices on how to avoid making the same dumb beginner errors that I did. I try to reduce tension and worry, but typical people would be wary about travelling alone. Every driver on this forum was, including me. Sorry, you are not unique. Do not undervalue yourself; you are not in a worse situation than any of us were. At the beginning of our careers, we have all had some kind of mishap or event, and we have all taken ownership and learnt from them. Teaming will not stop you from striking anything; it could even increase your stress levels.
Teaming aims to accomplish accelerated delivery deadlines while keeping the truck moving and delivering exceptional customer service. It is not about making you feel at ease or covertly advancing your education. Let me clarify since a forum user said he was unsure what “keeping it rolling” meant. A team truck will go more than 1000 kilometres in a day. In two or three days, you may run from coast to coast. There will not be much downtime, and you will need to arrange meals, baths, and laundry. When you wake up, you never know your condition; it might sometimes seem like you are in the twilight zone. One driver often takes a 34-hour break by sleeping for 20+ hours, while the other driver does two shifts with a 10-hour break in between. Try doing your laundry and shopping while the vehicle moves 65 mph down the interstate during your “break.”
Myth: A helpful, seasoned driver will be paired with you.
Thinking from a novice’s perspective: “I will find a terrific companion to laugh with, assist me with backing, and teach me all the things I forgot from training since I was white-knuckling the steering wheel the entire time.”
Reality: A co-driver is not required to get out of bed and assist the other driver if they are not paid to train. That co-driver is not a trainer, nor are they your backup spotter. The driver must GOAL and carry his or her fair share of the load. To expect someone to do that during their 10-hour break is unkind and selfish. You will recognise how self-centred this way of thinking is once you realise how little time 10 hours is compared to the normal 9 to 5 work. How safe will that person’s driving be while you sleep if you continually wake the driver up?
That is not to imply a seasoned driver would not assist a novice. We all understand since we have been there. But assuming there will always be assistance accessible is a recipe for failure. Get rid of the entitlement mindset; there is none in the trucking industry. And what gives you the impression that you will not become a skilled driver yourself? You can spend your first year on a truck with various drivers since the turnover rate for first-year drivers is so high. You may be the “seasoned” driver expected to get out of bed and take the lead at some point. When are you going to be prepared for that?
Suppose someone else will be operating a vehicle while you are asleep. Not only must you put your life in that person’s hands, but you also must learn to tolerate the truck’s bouncing, twisting, weaving, and sounds, particularly its loud and recognisable air brakes. This task is undoubtedly difficult. Teaming may not be for you if you have trouble falling back asleep after being awakened or if you sleep lightly.
What if the complete opposite takes place? What if the co-driver is knowledgeable, but rather than being supportive, he criticizes you and points out your mistakes? What if he criticizes you for every error you commit? Soon enough, you could wish that you were operating alone.
Myth: Teamwork Will Get Me Ready to Go Solo
Driving in a team vs alone is different. Teams seldom have issues with hours of service since someone generally needs to operate the team. The 70 clocks for both drivers should be kept an eye on as the only real issue. Picking up the burden, you drive as quickly as possible, only stopping for gas, a break that lasts 30 minutes, and a fast snack. After then, the car will once again be travelling quickly. The main idea is to arrive as soon as possible. You may then decide whether to unload quickly or relax until the appointment.
Most trips are much easier to plan because you do not have to park for more than a few hours at a time. Also, you mostly drive on the interstates because the loads go from coast to coast. Because someone always has hours available, you can quickly switch on the on-ramp before leaving. Some teams adhere to a schedule where one member drives at night and the other during the day or something similar. This keeps the motorist from becoming used to the potential “clock flipping” that comes with solo driving.
Some of the loads will be “High Value” cargoes for which you could be assigned a set route and time frame to follow. That even makes figuring out how to get there unnecessary. In addition, many teams designate one person as the lead seat, who takes most of the decisions. The novice driver will never learn to make certain crucial judgements for themselves if they constantly follow the lead seat’s instructions. I am familiar with a few drivers who joined team businesses and, having driven for one to two years, had no idea how to organize their time for solo driving.
On the one hand, they want high mileage with the mindset that they should be treated equally to experienced drivers, but on the other side, they whine that they often need to be relayed or repowered and can not make appointments. Both the driver, who believes they are competent to drive alone, and the fleet manager, who must deal with the attitude of a seasoned driver and the errors of a novice, find themselves in a difficult scenario.
After upgrading, many trainees choose to remain in their trainer’s vehicle. One thing if the goal is to get training and expertise in winter driving. You will have a difficult time making the transition to working alone if the motivation is to let the trainer make all the choices instead of you. Despite upgrading, a close friend of mine continued to work with his trainer for 10 months. He was always angry when he eventually drove alone because he could not understand why he still felt bewildered and overwhelmed after over a year of driving. Working in a group does not prepare you to work alone.
Myth: Teaming Offers Fun And Companionship
Teaming may be a lot of fun and a welcome change from driving alone, but it can also become a nightmare. Living in a moving closet all day with a stranger may be absolute torture. Being in a vehicle with people of the same gender might make you feel cramped since there is no separation in the toilet.
What would happen if a slob and a clean freak worked together? What if one does not respect the other’s property or has no boundaries? Consider two people who both like country music and one who enjoys rap music. Imagine being a liberal and a conservative, respectively. If there are two rowdy people in the vehicle, it could roll as they quarrel and toss objects.
What if the complete opposite takes place? What if the co-driver is knowledgeable, but rather than being supportive, he criticizes you and points out your mistakes? What if he criticizes you for every error you commit? Soon enough, you could wish that you were operating alone.
Myth: Teamwork Will Get Me Ready to Go Solo
Driving in a team vs alone is different. Teams seldom have issues with hours of service since someone generally needs to operate the team. The 70 clocks for both drivers should be kept an eye on as the only real issue. Picking up the burden, you drive as quickly as possible, only stopping for gas, a break that lasts 30 minutes, and a fast snack. After then, the car will once again be travelling quickly. The main idea is to arrive as soon as possible. You may then decide whether to unload quickly or relax until the appointment.
Most trips are much easier to plan because you do not have to park for more than a few hours at a time. Also, you mostly drive on the interstates because the loads go from coast to coast. Because someone always has hours available, you can quickly switch on the on-ramp before leaving. Some teams adhere to a schedule where one member drives at night and the other during the day or something similar. This keeps the motorist from becoming used to the potential “clock flipping” that comes with solo driving.
Some of the loads will be “High Value” cargoes for which you could be assigned a set route and time frame to follow. That even makes figuring out how to get there unnecessary. In addition, many teams designate one person as the lead seat, who takes most of the decisions. The novice driver will never learn to make certain crucial judgements for themselves if they constantly follow the lead seat’s instructions. I am familiar with a few drivers who joined team businesses and, having driven for one to two years, had no idea how to organize their time for solo driving.
On the one hand, they want high mileage with the mindset that they should be treated equally to experienced drivers, but on the other side, they whine that they often need to be relayed or repowered and can not make appointments. Both the driver, who believes they are competent to drive alone, and the fleet manager, who must deal with the attitude of a seasoned driver and the errors of a novice, find themselves in a difficult scenario.
After upgrading, many trainees choose to remain in their trainer’s vehicle. One thing if the goal is to get training and expertise in winter driving. You will have a difficult time making the transition to working alone if the motivation is to let the trainer make all the choices instead of you. Despite upgrading, a close friend of mine continued to work with his trainer for 10 months. He was always angry when he eventually drove alone because he could not understand why he still felt bewildered and overwhelmed after over a year of driving. Working in a group does not prepare you to work alone.
Myth: Teaming Offers Fun And Companionship
Teaming may be a lot of fun and a welcome change from driving alone, but it can also become a nightmare. Living in a moving closet all day with a stranger may be absolute torture. Being in a vehicle with people of the same gender might make you feel cramped since there is no separation in the toilet.
What would happen if a slob and a clean freak worked together? What if one does not respect the other’s property or has no boundaries? Consider two people who both like country music and one who enjoys rap music. Imagine being a liberal and a conservative, respectively. If there are two rowdy people in the vehicle, it could roll as they quarrel and toss objects.
On a team truck, there is no privacy at all. It might be frustrating to argue with your wife on the phone when someone is listening and perhaps responding. It may be embarrassing to request the driver to stop at a rest area so you can use the toilet; it is like being in third grade and requesting a hall pass. You recently consumed something that upset your stomach, and now you have diarrhoea. It is humiliating that the co-driver is aware.
Your co-driver will know that women who have monthly periods need to use the toilet more often. There is absolutely no privacy. That individual is aware of whether you have gas and if you are “entertaining” yourself (so I suggest you do that in the shower). And if any of this makes you uneasy to read, simply picture it happening in real life with a stranger in the vehicle.
What if the truck’s driver is obnoxious and makes you feel unsafe? I am aware of drivers that blare their radios, beep, holler and scream out the window. How much sleep will you get during all this, and how safe will you feel with all the lane changes and hard braking?
Myth: You Will Be paired with a Similar Personality
The goal of trucking firms is to make money, and they see our work as a job for them. Drivers are expected to act professionally and resolve issues. Drivers from comparable areas will be paired up for convenient home time possibilities. The corporation may not administer personality tests if two drivers from Atlanta need co-drivers. Simply stating, “Here’s your co-driver,” may be enough. They may not care if the other person is 20 years older than them or has stinky feet, but it does not imply they expect smokers and non-smokers to share a vehicle. Although my organisation conducts personality assessments of teachers and students, things do not always go according to plan.
What if the individual has a different approach to work? Is it fair when you travel 600 miles a day, and he drives 300, but you both get the same pay? Some drivers in this area are just concerned about generating enough money to get by. They just need enough to survive and cover their expenses. These folks are content to let you make all the effort while they enjoy the benefits.
Myth: Teaming Will Increase Your Income
This is a common misunderstanding among novice drivers. Depending on the pay structure for the organisation, experienced teams that function effectively together might earn more. The earning potential of inexperienced teams will be lower than that of an experienced team since they are still figuring out routes and processes and making rookie errors. Teams must develop a reputation to earn the respect and confidence of dispatch in the same way that single drivers must. And when co-drivers often switch, it may be exceedingly challenging.
Consider that some of these team-only businesses have drivers waiting to be paired with a colleague. Numerous users of our site have claimed they were prohibited from operating alone since their firm exclusively deals in long-distance expedited freight, which a solo could not reasonably manage. As a result, going a few days without compensation or receiving less salary might impact your bottom line.
One of the men in my class paired up with his college friend. When the roommate moved out, my buddy continued to be a corporate driver on the team truck. I was already running 2800+ miles per week and earning more money than my buddy, while they were just starting and logging roughly 4,000 miles per week. They were still unable to “mesh” as a team after four months, so he went with my fleet manager. Surprisingly, his compensation rose.
This is not mean that teams do not earn money, but you must be aware of the risks. Several teams earn a lot of money, but as you can see, some problems must be fixed first. Couples or siblings make the most successful combinations (or other relatives). People that are already able to sort things out and are prepared to tolerate each other’s shortcomings will make for much better truck mates than others.
For a variety of reasons, some drivers simply like teaming. Some people despise it. Potential drivers should consider their options before committing, even if they have a learner’s permit. If you know you would like to partner, that is wonderful! Some firms specialise in teams solely. Until you can determine which is best for you, you may want to consider working for a firm that offers both teaming and solo assignments. Would you truly want to spend the next year in hell if you tried a team-only firm and found it horrible?
Good luck, and be safe!
