I teamed with my other half for a while. He was an experienced driver and I only had 3 months at that time.
I truly am saying this with the best of intentions. Don't team until you both are able to do everything on your own confidently. Yes, i know, some companies do only teams from the very start.
I felt like in the long run, teaming actually hurt me. I'd get ready to back in, go to open the trailer doors and while I was out of the truck, he'd jump in the drivers seat and back it in. It takes lots of practice to get good at backing, and I was no longer getting the practice I needed once we started teaming.
Its just something to consider for sure. My recommendation would be to both drive solo for the same company and share hometime, then later try teaming if you really want to.
My other half and I still talk about teaming on occasion, but honestly I'm not as excited about it as I used to be. Our company isn't really at up for teaming so we'd end up changing jobs and I'm reluctant to change to an unknown situation and essentially start over building up vacation time and other perks.
Also, keep in mind "most" companies will not allow a passenger with a Valid CDL to ride along. The risk of the passenger getting behind the wheel is too high.
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
I am not sure a company would allow him on the truck even with a permit. And permits expired at different times in different states so what is the point of him getting a permit and riding along instead of going to school?
I agree with Susan that teaming can hinder a new driver. I know a lot of wives who team with their husbands and even after years the wives dont trip plan or back as well because of the reasons Susan stated. Not to mention the exhaustion of a new driver.
The best option would have been to go to a company with a school and have him go through training there then team later. I am guessing if school took 6 weeks for you that they don't have a school at your company and you went to private school?
We normally encourage drivers to stay at their first company a full year. The problem we see with some couples trying to school then go team is that often only one is accepted by a company, and the other isnt.
Having him go to a company sponsored school and you getting 6 months or more of experience accident free then moving to his company might be the best option. Preferably a full year before switching.. However, from your post, you sound as though you desperately want him with you, so much so you dont want to wait for him to school and train. I am not sure what kind of brainstorming you expect.
your options are:
1) Do as you did and team in 3 months and stay with your company
2) Have him go to a company sponsored training and switch to his company
3) Have him ride along with you, preventing him from going to school at all.
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
Thank you for the input! You've given me a lot to think about.
Actually, I like the idea of me getting experience with my company then moving on to where he is. That sounds like the best option.
Team driving. Best way to ruin a relationship ever.
Not necessarily true for every couple, Bruce.
Team driving. Best way to ruin a relationship ever.
Not true at all. Why would you make such a blanket statement? There are countless team couples who maintain a successful.... and lucrative relationship while team driving.
The most successful teams i know are married couples. Less resentment when one drives less than the other. or.one doesnt feel good and the other does more.
No, the best way to ruin a relationship ever is to become a otr truck driver and leave your wife or husband for months at a time.
Team driving. Best way to ruin a relationship ever.
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
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Hi! I'm a new OTR driver right out of training and my boyfriend has decided to go for his license so that we can eventually team together. He'll be taking his permit test next week and then coming along with me as a rider.
That said, we are trying to find options for his schooling that will minimize our time apart. My schooling took 6 weeks, and my orientation+training at my company was 6 weeks. So it's already been a hardship on us! We're in our 50s and not getting any younger, if you know what I mean. 🤣 It would be nice if I could train him at my company, but I'll need to have been OTR for 6 months first, and he'll need a job by that point.
Thanks in advance for any advice or pointing us in the right direction!
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.