Why would drivers and companies approve of team truck driving? Surely there must be some benefits in team truck driving. Well, with the recent changes in the law regarding the hours of service of truck drivers there's a lot to gain for this practice. Since the drivers are limited by the restrictions, truck deliveries are completed longer. But with team truck driving deliveries are done more quickly. Drivers can go on shifts. While one is driving the other can take the mandated rest. As a result, the truck can go on moving without delay. Of course, the pair has to schedule meal times, shower time and a time for using the comfort room for personal necessities.
Each driver still has to maintain their own personal log. In other times, having two in a truck is not allowed to prevent any manipulation of work hours to facilitate more travels and more income even if they are violating law restrictions.
If you want to keep your customers satisfied of your service then this is the way to go. They will surely appreciate fast and timely delivery. It may even earn you a good reputation and earn additional customers later. You will also able to maximize the time your truck is on the road. You will be able to make more trips so the bottom line is more income for you. In addition to this, drivers will also be able to get enough rest with this concept. This way they will be safer on the road too.
And then if your truck is carrying hazardous materials, the sooner you get your load to its destination the better. They wouldn't be called hazardous is they don't present any danger. But with team truck driving, the load will actually be off sooner. The danger your trucks and drivers will be on will be less too.
The scheme is not that perfect though. Team driving can be done by couples too. But the problem is that because one would most likely be sleeping while the other is driving they would still end up spending less quality time together. Another is that two drivers each have different ways of doing things. If they are not able to adjust and adapt to each other conflicts are likely to surface. If two drivers schedule their rest time based on approximate number of miles covered, there might be some deviations brought about by heavy traffic or other unforeseen delays. Some may feel that they should be compensated more if they cover more miles. But since unavoidable circumstances are the reasons for this each would still receive the same amount of compensation.
Some companies also pair up new and experienced drivers. The new drive will have an opportunity to learn from the more experienced driver. However, some would argue that it isn't that much effective since the other would be sleeping when his partner is driving anyway. In some instances, the experienced drivers don't get enough rest as a result. They would tend to watch the rookies instead of resting.
Since semi trucks travel to different places delivering merchandise from one place to another, it has been used to transport drugs too. There have been many instances already when drugs were found in semi trucks and in possession of the drivers.
In many instances, the drivers carrying the drugs know what they are actually carrying. At times, they would place the drugs together with merchandise they are carrying. They could also have some secret compartments where they hide the drugs so they would not be seen during check points.
There would also be drivers who are drug users or maybe even pushers themselves. This becomes their trade aside from the being legitimate truck drivers. In fact, being drivers then just becomes a means for having this work. Unless caught, they are able to move freely from one place to the next transporting with them the drugs they sell to other people. For the drivers who are users, they are a disgrace to their profession. While many of them are honest and live clean lives, these drivers are putting a bad name to their group. It is also irresponsible of them to put themselves and the other people on the road at risk.
However, there would be some instances when the drivers are actually innocent. They are unaware that drugs were actually in their vehicles. They could have been unaware that the merchandise they were carrying contained drugs. Other times, drugs were hidden behind the wheels of the trucks. That's why drivers should also be vigilant. They should open their eyes and ears for any suspicious activities. They should always be aware that such things could happen. And if drugs are found to be in their possession, they may also be pressed with charges for possession of drugs and other drug related cases. They may have a hard time proving their innocence so it is of their best interest to be more careful.
On their part, it is the FDA's job to monitor drug trafficking activities. They also monitor and investigate people whom they suspect are involved in drug trafficking, dealing or smuggling. Even though drug use is still prevalent the agency's ability to catch and do its job cannot be discounted. They also have sniff dogs to inspect bags, boxes and everything else in cabs, trucks and ports. They have special devices and tools to use for checking drugs that can be stored in gas tanks and in vehicles. In other words, they have their ways for catching the perpetrators. It is their job to suspect and it is their job to investigate. Once they catch you with drugs, then it is their job to facilitate prosecution.
So if you're just an innocent driver who happens to be carrying drugs in his truck, FDA will not believe your innocence that quickly. They will in fact grill you for information. And worse, they will present the evidences against you and prosecute you. As the driver, you should then do you everything you can to make sure that you and the truck you are driving are clean always.
