Should You Drive Solo or On a Team?
There are a lot of decisions to make when you decide to start trucking – what types of freight will you haul? Will you drive independently or through a trucking company? Not to mention, you have to decide whether you want to start truck driving solo or as a team.
Whether you’re just beginning your career or thinking about making a change in your current driving career, there are plenty of pros and cons to either option. Deciding to drive by yourself or with a partner can largely influence how much you enjoy your time on the road, so it’s not a decision to be taken lightly.
Truck Driving Solo
If you value independence and being in control, solo driving is for you. Driving alone means making all decisions without having to worry about other opinions. You can also take complete advantage of the space within your truck – never having to worry about taking up too much space or how you fix your bunk.
Driving solo also means tons of time alone. While this is ideal for some, others might be uncomfortable with the idea of spending days on end by themselves. When driving solo, you’re completely responsible for your truck and everything on it.
Team Driving
Any trucking company that runs teams loves teams. Team driving means less down time and more miles, so you can ultimately complete more trips faster. While team drivers aren’t paid as much as solo drivers per mile, they usually see a higher paycheck because of the huge increase in miles. Your partner can take the wheel while you’re sleeping or just need a break, and vise versa. You also have a companion for hours of driving on the roads, which is a huge draw for some; it’s not uncommon for husbands and wives to team up and drive together.
Team driving isn’t for everyone, though. If you can’t sleep in a moving vehicle, you won’t be able to sleep while your partner drives. You also have half the space of a solo driver, and should be sure you’re very comfortable with your partner because you are going to be close. When team driving, you also have to be sure to compromise on things like stops, radio stations, etc.
Team and solo driving are both great for different reasons, which is why truck driving is such a great career choice for all personality types. Whether you’re a lone ranger or a chatty Cathy, truck driving offers great choices for anyone on the road.