ATA Looks To Lower Minimum Driver Age To 18

Yes, exactly. As far as I know, there's no vocational program that really takes a driver through the soup to nuts of driving. Folks who have an uncle or aunt, dad or grandfather in trucking have a huge leg up. Yuppo, I'd like to see limited HOS in conjunction with a vocational program. Most of us know diddily about the equipment we drive. Should be able to identify an R-14 Relay Valve on sight, locate one on a truck and tell how operates and if failed.

Get 'em started young. They'll be better when they're older.

Before a recent problem occurred, I couldn't have told you where the air governor was (usually located on the air compressor but on our Macks are on the firewall), what it looked like (almost fits in your hand) or how expensive (cheap). O/Os like you get to learn this stuff, OJT, trial by fire...

http://www.anythingtruck.com/instructions/060-AirBrakeHandbook.pdf

 

The good thing about 18 year old drivers is that they'll be glad to work for $200 a week.

 

At McDonalds so they can get some booze and weed money for the weekend. OTR Trucking? Not so much.

 

I miss weed - it's so much better than booze

 

That's why truck drivers get to pee in the bottle..

 

I don't see a problem with 18-20 year olds driving tractor trailers out of state.
If they want a job, Let them have a effing job.

Boo hoo not mature enough. I read about 16 year olds killing 3-4 passengers in a Personal Vehicle all the time. Tractor Trailer is a different animal, those who seek the time, money and effort, Deserve the opportunity to drive.
Every age range kills others. let 18-20 y/o go out of state. Quit being a Nanny Nation.

 

most 18 year olds don't have children or a spouse, and we have the technology to Skype or chat on the phone (both are fairly modern luxuries) so the 18 year isn't missing much. they can still chat with their friends and be willing to be gone longer than 28 days a month, they can stay out months at a time

I hope they aren't paid $200 a week, that's a lot of work for less than $400, and when I first started I was making $350 a week

 

Other than women, parties, friends, hanging out, starting a band, concerts, clubs, sports events, playing sports, girls, festivals, conventions, local activities, swimming at the beach, did I mention girls yet? For $200 or even $600+ a week. Good Luck, some sheltered psycho murdering type 18 year olds, sure, but any well adjusted normal 18 year old. nope. Your wal-marts, targets, etc are rasing wages, they can make more doing that and be able to have a life. Local would be different but they can already do that.

 

No effing context / clue you're on about. Do you drive a CDL vehicle ?

Why am I even reading your post ?

 

I will have my license in 2 more weeks, Going local. You go ahead and convince 18 year olds of the OTR lifestyle most will say "no, thanks" low pay, long hours, away from friends/family, high responsibility, not exactly something a youngster is going to jump on.