Question About Team Driving

a little background, then on with the show:

I just got my acceptance letter from Celadon admitting me to the training program. I had narrowed my choices down to Celadon and Knight, based on the company's reputation and CDL training program. Knight was actually my first choice because I'm not crazy about the idea of team driving (unless it was with a wife or a girlfriend), but they informed me they weren't ready to hire and gave no reason (spotless record, both driving and criminal, so who knows ...), recruiter said off the record could be just not hiring out of my geographical area.

So, my very close second choice of Celadon starts training me Oct 13 and I'm excited about it. But, how do you drive like a normal driver when the truck is runner pretty much all the time? When do you stop to eat? How do you sleep in a moving truck and get decent rest? How do you plan? How do you eveen listen to the radio for entertainment or to stay awake while the other driver is trying to get some sleep? Is team driving even safe?

I know I must be missing something, but please help me out.

If you go with Celadon, do you feel like you're forcing yourself to do something you don't want to do?

In a way, yes, but at this point the only other option is to go with Swift's training which is not appealing either. It all boils down to just getting through the six months of team driving

Fair enough. But why are they the only option? Have you applied to all the large companies out there? Or is there something from your past that's preventing you from getting hired on anywhere else?

Just trying to understand your situation. Maybe I/we can help you out so you can get what you actually want.

Nothing in my past, just running out of time. Applied to Swift, CR England, CRST, Prime, Knight, Celadon because they all provided CDL training. Knight was the only one that said no, and gave no reason. Celadon seemed to offer the best situation (training, company reputation, etc.) as a very close second to how I perceived Knight, just not crazy about team driving as part of my company obligation. Running out of time because I'm running out of money (have been unemployed since first of Sept) and have given up my apartment.

I suppose what I actually want is a quality company that offers CDL training at no initial cost, transportation to and lodging at the school, but doesn't necessarily require new hires to team drive during the new hire/student contract

Believe me when I tell you, I know how you feel. I was in your exact shoes. Had to move back in with parents. We were doing great then my wife lost her job and I was hopeless as the only income.

It's good that you've applied to all the companies. But your role isn't over just yet. Knight said no, that's fine, cross them out and move on.

Each company you applied to that you never heard from, you need to call them yourself. Just because you didn't hear from them doesn't mean you're not accepted. Honestly, it means your application got lost in the giant pile and you need to call them to dust off your application.

What we have to say about team driving will make you dislike it even more, especially since you don't want to do it already without knowing the facts.

Call the recruiter and introduce yourself, tell them that you've applied and your checking to see the status of the application. From there on you take it a step at a time. They might not be able to give you a straight answer yet because they will have to still run background check if they haven't already.

After the conversation, follow up with them every single day. I mean it, every day. Be an annoying pest, you won't get off their shoulder until you're attending their school. Express that you want the job badly.

Another extremely important tip, be honest! Even a single ounce of false information from you and you're done. Make sure what you tell them matches exactly what's on your driving record, criminal record, and application. Tell them everything, be upfront and genuine.

I'm an instructor at Prime so I can tell you about Prime. The transportation and lodging is free at every company, including Prime, with the exception of Roehl. Prime will actually loan you 200$ a week for you to be able to feed yourself properly. You repay them once you go solo.

The only downside is, pretty much every company will have you team driving one way or the other, usually during training. My previous company trained the student for 4-5 weeks and it was all team driving. At Prime, you go on the road with an instructor for about 3 weeks. You only have your permit and he teaches you what you need to know to get your license. You drive 80% of the time with him watching you. Then you test out for your license. As soon as that's complete you team drive for 30,000 combined miles. You'll make 700$ per week. You really won't be able to avoid team driving. But only Celadon makes you do it for such a long time, as far as I know.

I suppose what I actually want is a quality company that offers CDL training at no initial cost, transportation to and lodging at the school, but doesn't necessarily require new hires to team drive during the new hire/student contract

Why do you not want Swift??? They offer everything you want and do not force teams after training. You do team with a mentor for a few weeks. I am at a Swift school right now and can answer a few questions if you want.