Question:
Yes I started out with one of "those" outfits.... Have to say it has been educational.... First co-driver couldn't read a map and didn't know compass points...(N/S/E/W). And had no desire to learn. Was happier to keep me from getting needed sleep to keep him from ending up in the wrong State.. (Happened 2X) 2nd co driver had way too many personal problems going on and finally threw a temper tantrum due to the stress and quit. Even he with 10 yrs OTR was not that swift when it came to finding his way in and out of Shippers and Consignees. I thought that choosing drivers who were single would fit my own single lifestyle but was apparently mistaken... Both were safe drivers for the most part, but the idea of one mistake being potentially fatal is beginning to bother me some. Hope to die in my slerep but not in a sleeper.
Committed until Dec. to this team Company and am wondering what kind of gig I can land in a few months with 6 mos OTR exp? I realize that it won't be easy to get decent pay with a great Company with only 6 mos OTR but I am finding myself envious of those drivers who get to stop the truck to sleep! This team gig has been no more or no less that I expected thanks to all of the candid and forthright comments and suggestions I got from this forum while researching the industry. The upside of teaming is cash flow. (its a bit faster) because you complete loads sooner which is important for newbies working for peanuts.
Assuming a clean DAC/MVR at 6 months what can I expect to find out here in the way of a Solo gig? Any comments welcome.....
Answer:
Of course you have many of the training companies you could hire on as a solo driver, and at worst might have to go out with a trainer for a week or so just to prove you know what you are doing. There are also a handful of companies that are hiring with 3-6 months exp. Jb Hunt is one, also I think Ozark is another.
The easiest way is to put in some of the online multi aps and send them to every company listed and see who responds then pick what you feel would be the best company for you.
Answer:
Celadon will hire you with 3 months experience; they seem to get a lot of drivers from CRST.
In fact, a lot of companies which don't advertise the fact, will often hire you with 3 months experience. Don't rely on their ads or websites, which may be outdated; call the companies in which you are interested. BOL.

Answer:
CFI, will hire you with 6mnths exp.(providing you have a CLEAN MVR, & criminal history.)
Are you wanting to pull a Dry Van or Refrigerated?
Look in the Sunday Edition, of the major, metro newspaper where you live & maybe you can land a good local/regional job.(if that's what you're looking for.)

Answer:
Thanks All! All sound like sage suggestions. And Rocky.... Have never considered reefers (not in many years anyway ) . I saw one of your posts where you said you were considering OTR reefers. Why reefers? Don't know much about them myself. I have heard about the "dreaded grocery warehouses though).... I guess I have associated the two for some reason.
Heading out tomorrow for Mechanicsburg Pa with a new co-driver and hope to be back in OK City by Sept 2nd, so I can drive to KY on the 3rd for a wedding. (not mine thank God) But it will be a BIG IF being that I will only be out about 10 days. Along with a new co-driver I'm inheriting a new dispatcher so I'll have to wait and see. Be safe all....
Answer:
A few of the positive things about reefers:
You have more flexibility in loads. You can load both temp sensitive and dry goods so in theory you may not sit as long in between loads, especially in areas that may not have dry freight available.
Since most of the loads you take into grocery warehouses are perishable you often get unloaded before dry vans delivering to the same places.
There are usually lumpers for hire at grocery warehouses and other places that reefers tend to go, more so than dry van.
IMHO grocery warehouses are not the worst of the lot or the real nightmare people make them out to be. It is the produce and meat markets that really suck. Beyond that there is not much differences between delivering to many grocey warehouses and other types.
One of the really nice benefits of pulling reefers is the stuff you often get to keep. It is not uncommon for a grocery warehouse to refuse a case of something because the box is bent or there is a banged up can. Since it is only one or two cases you often get told by your company to "dispose" of it .
Answer:
Yep, what uturn, said....Those are EXACTLY the reasons I like pulling reefers.(besides, I like a good Challenge.)
Thanx for speaking up for me, uturn.

Answer:
Your welcome Rokki.
Hey I pulled those over sized ice boxes for a while, and am fully aware of the pro's and con's, and it was not so horrible that I would not pull them again.
One thing I would strongly reccomend when looking for a reefer company is to find one who has no problems hiring lumpers and paying for them 100%. The reason for this is that no matter how a load is put on your trailer it is wrong and must be re-palletized in some fashion.
Answer:
Many good points Rocky...er...ah...I mean Uturn.... kidding.... Never thought about the flexibility to haul dry too. I'm sure you would be limited to what dry goods you could carry due to hauling food stuffs when in reefer mode but point made. Thanks. Haver to say that I have considered checking with Central. They have great looking RED trucks! All I have seen in them is teams though..... About the team thing it has been good experience, not one I want to repeat when this gig is over.