Bad Idea For A 18 Year Old?
Topic 3586 | Page 2
I'll go contrarian.
College doesn't get more convenient as you get older (though maturity can help you make more of the opportunity). If you have the opportunity and aptitude to go to community college now, I'd go. Unless you just want to drive til you retire, you'll need some kind of degree as a credential for an interesting job IMO (including trucking operations). "Unskilled" labor will become progressively less valuable for the next 50 years.
Aim first at a two year general studies-type degree that will get your general education requirements behind you, and start looking at requirements to transfer to an interesting bachelor's program. If you still want to drive when you're 21, decide then.
I'll counter your 'contrarian' position. I have a four year degree from a state university. It's basically useless outside of the grand ideal of bettering myself through a liberal education, becoming an educated man, developing critical thinking skills - blah, blah, blah. When it came to getting a job after graduation - nothing. Keep in mind I have a bachelor of arts degree, a B.A. Philosophy. Had I gone to school for engineering, healthcare, perhaps computer science (that's even iffy) - you know, those applicable degrees that don't enlighten you and give you an understanding of metaphysics or how we 'perceive' the world or how our worldview affects us....
My point being that unless you're going to school for anything remotely applicable in the job market or that is a marketable skill, it's nothing but a sheer luxury and an expensive personal enrichment (library card is much cheaper). Long gone are the days that a college education will all but guarantee you a 'better' career or a position of management, something to distinguish you from those that couldn't afford to be part of the 'club.' Vocational schools are far better. Learning a trade, getting a two year healthcare degree or specialty certificate, getting 'real world' experience, GETTING A CDL - much more likely to help somebody put food on the table.
Now, I was taking some liberty with my language in this post, being hyperbolic. But I think you catch my drift. I love my college experience and I'm a better man for it, but it didn't do jack for my job search or resume. I'm going BACK to school to be a truck driver. Of course, I'm thankful it's something I want to do - I'm passionate about it. Getting an education is one of the best things anybody can do for themselves. But creating more job opportunities? Not an automatic guarantee. Better to save up that money and put a down payment on a house rather than lay out 40K or more on a piece of paper that basically says you were able to afford to read about ancient Mesopotamia, Herman Hesse's literary works, Noam Chomsky's language acquisition device, or the laws of physics. Human resource departments don't care about that jazz.
College degrees are nice. Some are actually practical.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Jopa, you beat me to the punch! For the record, my post is not a counter to your counter to the countrarian .... 
We're saying the same thing :) Why don't you take the opposite position so we can argue with each other? 
Well, I'll counter your counter to the contrarian, and raise you one.....
JK
Well, I'll counter your counter to the contrarian, and raise you one.....
JK
Fold - take the pot!
David, I don't want to ignore your post since you're the author of this thread.
In all seriousness, I know you didn't come here seeking a guidance counselor or advice for 'life,' but just be weary of anybody saying you have to go to college just because you should. You sound like a very responsible young man, and an educated one for that matter. I applaud the respect you have for your parents and your sense of independence and personal responsibility. Brett gave you sound advice. I wish you the best.
David, I don't want to ignore your post since you're the author of this thread.
In all seriousness, I know you didn't come here seeking a guidance counselor or advice for 'life,' but just be weary of anybody saying you have to go to college just because you should. You sound like a very responsible young man, and an educated one for that matter. I applaud the respect you have for your parents and your sense of independence and personal responsibility. Brett gave you sound advice. I wish you the best.
Hah, no worries, I may not have come seeking advice on life, but the fact is I'm 18. Guidance is never something that I don't want, frankly I've always found the school system a utter waste of time. Even being home schooled I find that the school system is utterly broken, luckily I had my mom around to teach me the finer points of morality, humility, and common sense that people seem to be lacking nowadays.
The truth is I don't really have any interest in going to college at this point in my life, it doesn't have so much to do with convenience so much as like it was said before, unless you go to a trade school and learn real world skills, its just a piece of paper. And like you said, if its about knowledge or making yourself a smarter person get a library card.
If I do go to school one day it'd likely be for something like computer repair, computer networking, and possibly get a associates in applied science (of course i'd need to brush up on the o so important college math skills but whatever) But frankly I see that more as a hobby than I do a career. I love computers, I love computer games, but I need to get that part of my life behind me for awhile and move on with my life.
But anyway, back to trucking, as far as getting a job right out of CDL school, I've read about pre-hires. How do I go about trying to get these? Is it as simple as throwing applications / resumes out to various trucking companies in my area in the interest of getting a pre-hire and then go to school? Or do you typically need to be in the process of getting the CDL beforehand?
I'd be more than willing to get a job at UPS, Fed Ex, Coke, etc etc. But I'd still need a CDL to drive, and unlike the trucking business you don't really have the option of prehire's. So if I did try to get on with one of them and couldn't...that could be a issue, I'm sure I could find a job somewhere here in-state but anymore info or advice on getting into the industry would be appreciated. Trying to learn all I can before I dive head first into this.
Also, the retailer Target has a distribution center like a hour from my house, and Frito lay has a plant in my town, perhaps those could be options aswell?
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Pre-hire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
Pre-hires:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
Prehire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
David, I can say this about pre-hires - companies usually will want you to apply within 30 days of graduation from a trucking school and obtaining your CDL. Check out this info on prehires: Understanding Pre-Hires
So you can see that most of the companies that will offer pre-hires will probably need you to be at certain age. It's just another piece of a puzzle that works together, going in line with what Brett said. The companies that don't use pre-hires are probably ones that you might be able to get hired by without being an age required for OTR , i.e. local companies or other "niche" opportunities.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Pre-hire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
Pre-hires:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
Prehire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
Prehires:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
David, I can say this about pre-hires - companies usually will want you to apply within 30 days of graduation from a trucking school and obtaining your CDL. Check out this info on prehires: Understanding Pre-Hires
So you can see that most of the companies that will offer pre-hires will probably need you to be at certain age. It's just another piece of a puzzle that works together, going in line with what Brett said. The companies that don't use pre-hires are probably ones that you might be able to get hired by without being an age required for OTR , i.e. local companies or other "niche" opportunities.
Let me clarify that first sentence - 30 days BEFORE graduation, if it wasn't clear. You don't want to wait until after your graduate from trucking school to apply and get pre-hires.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Pre-hire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
Pre-hires:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
Prehire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
Prehires:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
I think at this point what I may do is start putting some feelers out to companies in the area that are or might be hiring. And talk to either some recruiters or management to see what may or may not be available for someone my age. Its possible I may have to put this off until i turn 21-23. But I guess we'll see.
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I want to go contrary to your contrarian . . . personally I went to the University of California, Irvine for computer science. I have a good friend who was a metallurgist (trained in Iran), a cousin who was (is) a PhD in biochemistry, another cousin who had more than one Bachelor degree, many acquaintances with degrees in this and that. Bottom line, not one of us has used that particular piece of paper to make a career. Especially today with the amount of indoctrination as opposed to education that is common today. In the case of REAL education as in engineering or architecture, I would agree that the piece of paper is very important and there is no time like the present. If you are recommending school now just because a person can, I completely disagree. If a student exhibits a real knowledge and fortitude about a particular (useful) career, sure. Go just because your at a particular age? Worthless. I was a 32 year old freshman, myself, and I still had struggles with discipline. IMHO.
Jopa