Teaming Up.

I spoke with another new person who just started U.S Xpress. He said that as a team he was making over $1000/wk, but his partner quit and now he is making only $400 - $500 wk. I hope it's just a round of bad luck for him. But how do new drivers find new drive partners?

Kristine, there's no truth to the idea that you can only make money at this while team driving. Personally I'd be miserable trying to sleep in a truck that never stops moving, and having someone right there with me in my personal space all the time. Imagine being 24/7 with another person confined in the space of a closet - it's not my idea of an exciting career. A lot of people think they will make a ton of money as a team driver, but the reality is that the way one makes good money in trucking is to just be good at the job. I don't have any problem making about 1,500 a week as a solo driver. Of course I've got some experience working in my advantage these days, but even as a rookie driver I made about 50,000 dollars my first year. Here's a link to an article that lays out the Principles of Success as a good driver. Read it and commit to operating in that way. You will soon be on your way to success.

As far as the answer to your question, I'm not sure how most people go about it. Many of the companies who hire teams will have a program to help you find someone compatible for you to team with. Teams end up splitting up all the time, just like the person you spoke with. There are too many problems that arise in a team situation. Trucking companies really prefer married teams - those are just about the only ones that last, and even some of those hit the skids after a while. Teaming is a tough gig.

Agree with Old School's reply. Until you have experienced first-hand sleeping in a bouncing truck, I suggest not committing to Teaming.

I noticed that you are new, "very new" to coin your phrase;...perhaps the below links will prove helpful:

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

Paid CDL Training Programs

Apply For Paid CDL Training

Also many companies allow pets, like Swift and Prime. We recommend not limiting your choices to just one company.

Good luck!

Personally I do not see the advantage to teaming unless it's with a spouse, in training I had to sleep while my trainer drove and it's very unpleasant. Nothing like waking up and being airborne ( not really but you do bounce in the bed) cause of the bumps. While my trainer was great being in a tight space with someone 22+ hours a day is very trying. I was making 800 on my own, at .33 cpm , after a few months I would have been close to 1,000 a week and not bad the aggravation of teaming.

My thoughts on teaming. Yes you get paid while you sleep. Usually a lower CPM than a solo driver. It's harder to get home time unless the team mates live in the same city or are family. (ie spouse, siblings) As said above teaming reqires being in a tight place with someone 24/7. As a solo driver, I make all the driving decisions.

With that said, some people love to team.

I'll stay on the solo side. Yes, driving that big truck may seem scary to a new student, but you'll get used to it in just a few hundred miles. In other words, one of a company's suggestions - "You'll have a helper along." doesn't hold much water, in reality.

Companies offer a team-mate match up service. But I feel that's more like speed dating, you only will know a tiny bit about your future partner when you sign together. Then f\the fun starts: "You mean you need to stop for a shower every day?" "I can't drive nights, I want some sunshine sometimes!"

Companies love teams because the load never stops from pickup to delivery. Sacramento, CA to Bethlehem PA in three days is wonderful for the customer. But as we've all been saying, it takes some special people to pull this off every day of the year.

Thank you. I'm am working on my second round of the high road cdl training program. It took a while to get through it, so I'm going back over it again. I read Brett's book. Loved it and I'm doing the cdl practice tests now. I downloaded pictures online for the walk-around moved them to excel, I created a study guide with them so I've got most of the walk around memorized. (of course trucks are different and I've never been under the hood of one.) I'm going over Truck Driver's career guide now. Also I'm going to review principles of success. Thank you for the advice. I've lost 50 pounds and workout every other day so I have health and strength to do whatever job comes my way that I can do. (I'm not lazy) I've almost always been able to do what I've set my mind on, but I am a person who has to study, work hard, and keep my health up to do so. So thank you for the advice. Hopefully I'll be on my own as soon as possible. Fingers crossed. Again thanks! Nice to know there are people out there willing to help.

Without going into my personal finances I can make around what Old time spoke of without too much issue. It's a matter of the right company, proper time management, and good freight lanes. I primarily haul Haz-Mat, which tends to pay a bit better than your regular freight.

Well I enjoyed my time with my trainer for two weeks, I personally will never drive team. I enjoy having my own space, controlling my own schedule, and having my own entertainment within my truck. I'd not be able to fit my nearly 40' TV into a truck as a team haha!