Willingness to work for a 21 year old

I've already launched my brokerage, and have developed a decent amount of shipper connections. If I were to start a fleet by the time I were 21, would drivers be willing to work for me? Basically is my age a big factor in the drivers' selection decision

 

maybe yes, maybe no.

i'd have to run a Dun and Bradstreet on you, BBB reports, maybe even a Ripoff report, for starters.

 

You will not meet the drivers face to face so if you sound like you know enough about the loads you have to offer, And pay on time you wont have much trouble??

 

I wouldn’t worry about it. That is something that I was a little uncomfortable with early on but was able to overcome. I think it ends up making you a better leader rather then boss. It’s fairly hard to tell someone double or triple your age to get their #### together or to give them an ### chew so what ends up happening is you must learn how to talk and communicate and most importantly listen to what they are saying. Overtime you’ll realize that some are completely full of #### and some are in fact great people. Trick is to cut the bs’rs out very quick just as you would cancer. Their lies and poor attitudes will spread through the operation and bring morale down while also costing you money. Hire slowly and fire quickly will serve you well. Develop a gut feeling about people and trust it.

I’ve had people come in the office expecting an older gentlemen and when they see me sometimes it’s a surprise. If you act older and know your #### then age really is just a number. One thing I find kinda funny and like to do is not tell them at first who I am. Maybe I’m arriving at the building at the same time. Do they say hi? Do they open the door for me or close it behind themselves? When out in the building do they ask politely where the office is and treat me with respect? My point is if I look like just one of the guys, and a younger one at that, how am I treated? That will give you some decent insight.

I think your hardest thing will be during the drive test you knowing what to look for and if they know what they’re doing or not. If you don’t know how can you tell if they know? I can generally tell if someone has been out of the truck for a while, or lack experience before we even leave the yard. It also kinda sucks sometimes having to tell a 60 yr old man who’s been driving for 20 yrs that he’s just not good enough to meet the level that you are looking for. Tell him why and be professional and kind about it but don’t hire someone just because he’s drove for a long time or you don’t want to hurt their feelings. For me I can switch with them and show them how I want it done which helps, but you won’t be able to do that which is a disadvantage but you’ll be fine. With time as you grow you may end up having an old timer who is top notch and you trust that can do these drive tests for you. You’d be surprised how many people have a lot of years drivIng that have terrible habits and a lack of knowledge. I’ve met many people with 5 yrs that are much better because they have the mentality of always wanting to learn vs being know it alls who never learn anything.

 

It will depend on how it goes on the loads. And if the money takes care of itself then we are doing business functioning rather well. But because of generational differences there will be a certain amount of separation between us.

One says I celebrate your successes at 21. I don't think half the people that age can find themselves much less function as part of Industry in some effective way and the Military takes the rest.

And two, because of your youth and what you have not yet seen it is my hope that the loads or whatever the situation is rolls nice and smooth without trouble. Because if there is a problem affecting it you might have to sit and listen to the options as I see it and make a decision on how you wish to fix the problem. Instead of wasting time arguing or drama etc. If you can seperate business from your family and home then you have a chance at a good long vice free life. Some people cannot seperate themselves and that would be that.

We hired people to work on our home and lands from time to time, some of the best were either ex military (Particular those who have PTSD and require a quiet area with a task to be done knowing that they are among at least one other vet and with friends who are in a position to see that they are safe) And some who are really young in a important trade like electrician or perhaps natural gas related problems or whatever it might be. There they are doing the job correctly and being able to communicate etc They were usually welcome back. But not everyone made it to that point.

In a trainer student situation I borrow some fun things from my previous trainers to share with the trainee. Once in a while it worked out well without trouble and everyone has a laugh. But once in a while there is a problem and it would determine if that person would have a job or not. I remember one at FFE who insisted on slamming his trailer back into the designated spot on our road test and the next thing the tester did was put him on the bus home. Didnt take 15 minutes. He was at the bus station in downtown dallas before he was able to understand what just happened.

Give that one a few years to season a little bit, maybe he will be a good driver then. But not just yet.

Which is why when I see young ones doing something in life that is effective and pretty important then age is less of a problem. And something to be celebrated.

 

As long as you pay me right, don’t care what your age is, and I’ve been driving for 23 yrs

 

i think most us truck drivers just want a good honest boss/company who cares about us, pays a good wage, maintains good equipment. i could give a #### if ur 200 years old or 20, treat your employees with respect and dignity and im sure people will line up to come work for you... good luck in your adventures

 

Hell no. I worked for people a lot younger than I was and they were nothing but idiots and pricks. Most of them lack maturity to manage people and with your lack of experience in this industry, it could be worst for those drivers.

AND I know a lot of drivers who are like me, even those in their 30's.

 

Would you say a majority of the drivers in the industry would agree with what you're saying?

 

i would.