Thanks guys. I think I am going solo then. I think the worst so far is:

Dude who craps chinos and puts in storage.

 

Dude with mental problems......not my hubby, but then again, I don't know about your spouses, anything you all want to tell?

 

That's just not right. :shock:

 

what about the gay dude? ops:

 

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

Oh, Uturn..... that is the FUNNIEST post I've read on here in my two plus years!!!!

Who KNEW you had a sense of humor?? :shock: :P :lol: :wink:

 

Don't forget dude that pees in a jug (I know that was covered already) then collects them for however many days before getting rid of them. There was a guy at my BF's former employer who did that.

I would say either husband and wife team, or like me, I team with my boyfriend, but we have been together so long we might at well be married. My BF drove for CRST. He experienced mental problem dude. They wouldn't find him another co-driver, he bailed out of their fast.

DMAC2007, where are you from? PM me, I responded to your transport tech post.

 

Why is this "regional" situation part of the question? Is it because you want to SEE some country and be HOME more than 2 days a month?

Going team is the ONLY way to get "out there" and back on a weekly basis (with SOME companies.)

I started out team, and still am. Although, I DO love the few chances I get to go solo! (I suppose you've read the other threads on this, and seen my replies.)

But, in my first six months, I learned many valuable lessons from my more experienced team member. I NEVER had to ask some OTHER company's driver to "park my truck." But, I had to do it more than once for a solo driver who had been "turned loose" without the proper training and experience.

Truckers, in general, are a pretty "sturdy" bunch, but MOST newbies are like jellyfish! Lost, Lonely, Unable to back into a dock. Unsure of themselves, and asking questions like yours.

I've had probably 8 different co-drivers in my two years or so. NONE of them were smelly. None peed in a bottle while driving. None of them played the music too loud while I tried to sleep, or talked loudly on a cellphone. ONE "might" have been a bit "gay," but he was a PROFESSIONAL driver, and it NEVER became an issue! ALL of them had received professional training to drive a truck, and were as good (or almost) as me. I sleep like a BABY in a moving truck.

Maybe, it takes a SPECIAL type of person to be so trusting and unconcerned with the "little things." Or maybe, MOST people are just "skeered" of life!

I'll say this: MOST "solo" drivers I meet on the road are LONELY, Talkative, either OVERconfident or like a lost puppy! (I'm not talking about those with YEARS of experience.) MOST "team drivers" I meet on the road are businesslike, confident, relaxed, quiet and PROFICIENT.

There are definite drawbacks to teaming. I really ENJOY the chances I get to go solo. But, I believe my experience in Teaming has been beneficial to me as a newbie/rookie, and will serve me well if and when I choose to go solo.

There is a REASON why airline pilots have to sit "second seat" for a certain period of time before they become Captains of their "ship." Same goes for seagoing vessels, trains, and other major transportation vehicles. Why should TRUCKS be any different?

If you think you know ALL you need to know, right out of the box, then go for it. I personally had NONE of the fears, questions, or problems with backing, driving, or navigating that MOST on here have talked about.... yet I felt that teaming was the BEST way for ME to start out.

I have ALSO NOT been on here saying, "oops, I HIT something, is my career over?" like many of the "solo out of the gate" drivers have done.

The trucking industry, in general, is geared toward the solo driver. Even the FMCSA regs are written with ONLY them in mind. MOST drivers, fresh out of school, are just DYING to get their hands on a truck of their own. And we wonder why we have a turnover rate of 127% :shock: :roll:

I personally couldn't care less whether you start out solo or not. But, if you DO.... I wish they could force you to put a "student driver" sticker on the back of your trailer, so I'd KNOW to be extra careful when passing you! In my personal and humble opinion, a green driver, with only two months or less of training, who is driving a big truck by himself, is the most dangerous driver on the road! Even WORSE than a 4wheeler.

Don't take that to mean I have anything against "experienced" SOLO drivers. I don't! I just don't believe, based on my FEW years experience as a Trucker, and my MANY years experience as a driver, that ANY driver, especially YOUNG ones, should be allowed to command 80k lbs of potential DEATH without someone "checking them out" from time to time.

I wish you the best, and I hope you are seriously considering the implications of the decision you are trying to make!

One last thought. Many new drivers on here complain about their "trainers." That they are just out for the money, etc. Could it BE that is because they are NOT training a driver that they must trust their lives to for an extended period of time? Once he's off the truck he is on his own! MY "trainers" and codrivers took a bit more interest in me from the beginning, because they might have to "LIVE" with me for awhile! Besides, since we are a TEAM company, their pay was only barely influenced by the fact that I was a noobie. Once I was trained up, they would STILL be making TEAM PAY, as they were before.

I think "team training" is much more stable and reliable if the trainer is part of a TEAM DRIVING company to begin with.... and NOT a SOLO driver who happens to get to train a newbie now and then. IMHO, a solo driver should NEVER be allowed to train a newbie. To begin with, HE is allready "set in his ways," and he has nothing invested in YOUR future. A team company trainer is often expected to keep driving with you until another newbie is hired and HE is the only one available to do the training.

WHICH would YOU rather have as a trainer? A crazy, solo driver, who cares nothing about you, and is doing it for the money? Or one who is USED to driving team, even when not "training?" Which one would be MORE "sensitive" to YOUR needs and more willing to compromise on issues that arise in a small space?

I hope this helps you decide. But, remember, nothing is set in stone. If you have 20 years ahead of you as a driver, you will have ample chances to change your situation and drive SOLO or TEAM as you wish! IMHO, it is the FIRST year that will determine your success. MY first year was good for me. And when they told me "I" was to be the lead driver, and assigned me my own truck, I felt that I had done it right! I had paid my dues, and my company KNEW who I was, and WANTED me to command my own ship! I have ALSO been asked to TRAIN newer drivers. And, since I often get "stuck" with them for awhile, I make SURE that I train them WELL!

BTW... I don't SMELL, pee in a bottle while driving, or talk loudly on my cellphone, or play the music too loud. I have CONSIDERATION for my partner who is trying to sleep while I drive. I'm SURE there are more out there like me.... but they probably work for a company that TEAMS!

Hobo

 

Thanks for the long reply. I am glad to know that you never had any problems that most new drivers face. Its good to see that the super trucker mentality hasnt gone away over time. Maybe the tunrover wouldnt be so high if people like yourself tried to help with a good attitude instead of acting like you have never had an issue on the road, and every new driver is stupid.

Thanks again