Team Driving Newbies Seeking Advice: Which Mega Carrier Offers The Best Start?
Topic 34503 | Page 1
Do you have your CDLs yet?
If you want to team up, I suggest you check out this video about expediting.
How expediting exclusive use makes money
A good overview of a freight sector you may not have heard about. My wife and I are going to team up with Hyfield next spring. (The delay is a "ducks in a row" thing.)
Great sleeper, actually a small RV.
Small loads, go anywhere.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
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Hello!
My wife and I are planning to become OTR team truck drivers.
Our Situation: We’re currently finishing up a nine-month unassisted walk across America, from Los Angeles to New York City. We don’t have a home base, so are willing to apply to any company located anywhere in the US. We understand that team driving will be intense and challenging, but we’re prepared for the hardship. For the past five years, we’ve been traveling the world and are very used to spending all day together, often living in cramped conditions. We’re also completely comfortable with life on the road, having spent countless months traveling across the U.S. and sleeping in the back of SUVs and a Prius at hundreds of truck stops and rest areas.
Our Plan: As mentioned, since we don’t have a home base or family in the U.S., we have no need to ever be routed “home.” We’re happy to take our mandatory time off wherever it’s convenient for the company. We plan to live in the truck full-time for a few years to save on rent. Our main goal is to maximize earnings over the next three years by taking high-mile loads, hitting incentives, and staying on the road as much as possible.
The Company: We’re looking for a mega carrier with extensive coast-to-coast routes that offers CDL training. While we’ve heard the advice and warnings about companies offering CDL training, we’re set on this route and are prepared to stick it out for the first year to gain experience before upgrading to a higher-paying company if needed. We’re not interested in driving flatbeds or tankers and would prefer no-touch freight when possible.
Given our situation and priorities, which trucking company do you think would be the best fit for us to start with? Based on what we’ve read, we’re leaning toward Schneider, but we’re open to other suggestions.
Thank you so much!
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
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.