I need some confidence

you really should listen to all the guys that posted they are a lot older then you they have the life experience that your lacking. Like some of the other guys suggested go for a ride a long for a few weeks and see how you like it. You have 7 more years before you can drive in that time you are going change your mind several times as to what you are going to do in life.

you can forgot about college and get into trucking then you have to truck the rest of your life or you can go to college get your degree and go into trucking but you will have the freedom of getting out trucking if you want and getting a good job.

you should be lucky that their is a great forum like this, with guys that have a lot of trucking experience and life experience to give you the right advice and tell you about the mistakes they made. You should stop being so defensive and soak up the information they are telling you.

 

Matthew, one of the reasons no one is telling you which companies are great or good or better to work for is that your 7 years a way from being able to drive a big truck if that makes any sense, also in 7 years those companies could either go from good to bad or maybe just go out of business, no one can forecast what company is gonna be good or bad in 7 years when your ready. With all the new regulations that can or will be put in place over the next 7 years can be the down fall of many good companies or o/o,s . Just because a company is reported to be great to work for now, that may not be the case when your 21. So please dont think we have all talking down to you or being rude,, i hope this explains it a bit better, have a great time Matthew.

 

He's going to turn 15 and want to be a race car driver. I'm happy he knows what he wants, but, still too young to do what he wants. I wanted to drive the Big Trucks when I got out of High School. Just 20 years of the Navy got in the way.LOL
When the time is right he will either do it or not
Good luck Matthew on whatever you do.

 

Yeah but dude you got a long time before anyone will even think about hiring you for driving. Even when you hit 18 doubt anyone will hire you to drive any 100,000 dollar truck. You might get lucky and be able to work a warehouse or dock somewhere for a couple years then maybe jocky or do some local work. But you wont even get into and over the road company until you are 23 because of the insurance companies that is usually the age cutoff, and some of them are even 25 now. So dont get upset if people arent answering your questions the way you want, or about the companies is because things will change alot until then, just remember your still young, and should be worried about school, and being a kid and FREE!!! I wish I was still a kid and free man. But nope, drive here drive there, get treated like a piece of crap at this shipper and that shipper. Sit in traffic jams for hours on end all while having car after car cut you off and piss you off. Have to listen to people be retarded on the cb, talk trash, treat other people like dog crap. Its not all fun an games out on the road. The only reason I do it is because I cant work inside a factory or building, and I have a gypsy soul, or guess you could say I cant stay in one spot for to long, cause im definately not in it for the ease of the job.

 

I understand what you are all trying to tell me but I want tips. Experience advice. and brink, i was thinking of locally driving till im like 21-23.

 

If worst comes to worst, do a couple years of college, see if it fits you.(I'm not the student type) then take a summer break(whatever) and take a ride. If no one else will give you one, give me a call. then decide if you want to continue school or drive. you can always go back to school. heck I know a couple of 55 yr olds that went to college. it's your choice. the nice thing is you don't have to make the decision now.

 

yeah i guess... But I want to start now....

 

I rode when I was a youngster, wanted to be a driver in the worst way, First started driving legally with CDL when I was 44. I love it, and in some ways I wish I would of started sooner, but then I would of missed out on my Kids growing up.

 

what did you do until then?

 

I know how you feel Matthew. I was in your shoes 14 years ago. I was chomping at the bit to get out here. I knew I didn't want to go to college so I went in the military right out of high school. My plan was to spend 4 years then get out and drive a truck. I ended up doing 10 years instead. I learned a lot and traveled a lot. Now I'm out here driving a truck like I wanted to. I don't regret waiting to do it. I now have another skill to fall back on if I decide I don't like this one. I would definately recomend doing something else until you are 21. You don't have to go to college but learn another skill at a trade school or something while you are still young. Right now you think you are going to love driving but that may change once you get out here. Then again it may not. You already have a good start by wanting it. Do as much research as possible while you have the time. There is lots of good info on this forum. I was a member for a year before I started driving and I learned a lot. There are lots of men and women on here that have good advice. Don't get discouraged when people tell you to slow down and think before you jump into something. They know from experience. Good luck to you.