Anyone willing to be a "mentor" to a potential young driver?

I learned the ropes from an OP 15 years ago (riding, then getting my permit, THEN taking the road test in his truck)... It was an AWESOME way to learn this business... the problem in TODAY's environment is, quite simply, INSURANCE... My insurance will not permit me to do what my friend did for me 15 years ago.. if it wasn't for THAT, I think we'd see a LOT more mentoring and a LOT better drivers out here... everyone wins in that scenario... bummer it's gone the way of the T-Rex... Waste Management hire CDL drivers... it's NOT OTR or even close to it, but it will keep him in a "CDL" job until he hits 23 and can blast off for all parts unknown... I've never worked for them, so I have no insider info, but I know a few who have and they seemed pretty happy.

 

At 21 from FL( FL is one of the hardest states to find a good trucking job for experienced drivers too), your son will be lucky to find a company to drive for, and none are decent. He'll just have to consider it's an apprenticeship, and at 23 with 2 years experience, he'll have a much better selection of companies to choose from. He needs to wait for CDL school until he turns 21 as these entry level employers don't like to see a big gap between school and employment.
Something to understand about CDL school is that it's only purpose it allow you to pass your CDL test and get your license. The real training will begin when he is assigned a trainer at the company he works for. The people that thrive in this industry are independent go getters, From the simplest of tasks like laundry and grocery shopping, to recognizing and looking for opportunity around every corner. Your son will need to make quick, rational decisions while driving an 80,000 pound, 70 foot long $150,000 piece of equipment at 65 mph in an unfamiliar area of the country. A bad decision could result in something as simple as some out of route miles to loss of life. His maturity level will determine whether he makes it past the first year.
Now for the good news, if he sticks it out, keeps his record clean, saves his money, he could be fiscally well off by 40.

BTW, You can forget about UPS at this point in his career. At the hub in Orlando, you worked part tone 3 hours a day, 8-10 years to get in the little trucks. If he wanted to go this type of route, I'd get in with Publix. They only hire drivers from within, so you have to put in your time in the warehouse first. They pay very well.

 

Lol that's for sure

 

This forum is the mentor your son is looking for. All he needs to do is read what's being discussed or search for the answer to his questions. Almost everything has been discussed on this forum.