What To Do While Waiting Until I'm 21 To Become A Truck Driver?

AMEN Brother ... if you are going to spend the time AND money for school, dump the "Liberal Arts/Basket Weaving" and take something meaningful ... Math or Real Science are going to be the least "indoctrination" -centric type of studies ... do some IT "Problem Solving" classes (skip the "How To" classes like MS Word or Excel and go for programming concepts - these will actually tune your mind up for you) ... HOWEVER, your question was about what to do re: Trucking in the meanwhile while the wetness behind the ears evaporates ... good suggestions here about finding work ancillary to the ole' truckin' world ... keep looking and keep asking until you find something that keeps you at least NEAR the game until you can get into the game ... use your imagination ... meanwhile, do you realize how many young people you have PASSED UP by showing a mature assessment of your future and wanting to so something about it? Maybe those ears are drying up faster than expected ... personally, I recommend you make a private study about the world of policy and politics while you have the time as this part of your life will become more and more important as you age and acquire a family and responsibility ... and DO NOT neglect getting to know the Creator and His Son ... that's the most important thing you can do ...

Jopa

HAHA "Basket Weaving". Yeah if I do go back for another semester I'll try to avoid pottery and basket weaving. It's scary to think that most kids, as well as myself, not too long ago, think that all they have to do is go to college, have fun, and then they are set for life. Nobody wants to work or be challenged. But what do you mean about the private study of policy and politics? (Maybe my ears aren't as dry as I think).

But what do you mean about the private study of policy and politics?

Well, all of us are influenced by what goes on in Washington, D.C., our state houses and even the local politics ... many people have NO interest in politics (which is where policy is determined and implemented) and so they don't participate or even if they do they are woefully uninformed ... you are being "educated" right now in what should be, objectively speaking, the best place to learn HOW to get and process information which is how we all get informed - through information ... regrettably, most institutions of "higher" learning have become institutions of "indoctrination" where certain agendas are propagated unbeknownst to the people BEING indoctrinated ... the only defense is to NOT accept the underlying premise that is offered in these "schools" and go out and get the OTHER perspective on your own ... the internet is a great tool for this or asking the opinion of older, more experienced friends or even talking to older relatives who have LIVED for a lot longer ... all sources of INFORMATION are good when you are learning to formulate your own opinions about how you want to live your life, what you will accept from the powerful people in your life and what you (eventually) want to impart to your own children ... it's never too early to start accumulating REAL information to help you form your own unique world view ... that's what I was talking about ... that, and it is vitally important that you DO NOT accept other's views on the most important relationship you will ever have and that's the one with the Creator & His Son ... even that one (and especially that one) you need to seriously look for information that you know is true - it has a way of substantiating itself to ANYONE who will look into it ...

Jopa

But what do you mean about the private study of policy and politics?

Well, all of us are influenced by what goes on in Washington, D.C., our state houses and even the local politics ... many people have NO interest in politics (which is where policy is determined and implemented) and so they don't participate or even if they do they are woefully uninformed ... you are being "educated" right now in what should be, objectively speaking, the best place to learn HOW to get and process information which is how we all get informed - through information ... regrettably, most institutions of "higher" learning have become institutions of "indoctrination" where certain agendas are propagated unbeknownst to the people BEING indoctrinated ... the only defense is to NOT accept the underlying premise that is offered in these "schools" and go out and get the OTHER perspective on your own ... the internet is a great tool for this or asking the opinion of older, more experienced friends or even talking to older relatives who have LIVED for a lot longer ... all sources of INFORMATION are good when you are learning to formulate your own opinions about how you want to live your life, what you will accept from the powerful people in your life and what you (eventually) want to impart to your own children ... it's never too early to start accumulating REAL information to help you form your own unique world view ... that's what I was talking about ... that, and it is vitally important that you DO NOT accept other's views on the most important relationship you will ever have and that's the one with the Creator & His Son ... even that one (and especially that one) you need to seriously look for information that you know is true - it has a way of substantiating itself to ANYONE who will look into it ...

Jopa

Thanks for clarifying. I agree completely: it is terribly obvious that universities are biased, and some unsuspecting students slurping down the lessons given to them by their professors don't know how to filter. They take everything their professors say as truth, without working out for themselves what does and doesn't make sense. I try to learn from many different sources: through books, internet, school etc., but I try not to adopt the world views completely of the sources I learn from. Instead I try to pick and choose which pieces of information can help me the most and keep that. It's hard because the tendency for young people is to idolize and to mimic. I am guilty of dismissing politics, though, so maybe I ought to do a little reading on that subject...

Hey guys it's been a little while, but I thought I would check in and give an update. I've completed my first year with UPS as of June 9. So I got my $.70 raise, my vacations, and all the other benefits which is really nice. I decided that I'm going to stay at UPS and work my way up to feeders. I just can't argue with that pay. Maybe I'll go OTR when I retire.

As for right now, I'm working 3 jobs trying to save up as much as I can before I move out and I'm also working on paying my last little bit of school debt. I've accepted that I'm going to have to work more than one job for awhile until I start driving. I've asked around and it seems that it is normal for part timers at UPS to work more than one job.

I've also been practicing the UPS methods of driving (All Good Kids Like Milk) whenever I'm in my car, so that it becomes habit by the time I start driving school.

I may or may not go back to school for another semester in order to stay at home and save up more money depending upon whether or not my parents will pay cash for two classes.

The next few years are going to be tough, but whatever comes my way, I know I can handle it!

Sounds like you're well on your way to getting where you want to get. As far as current situation, see if you can get into a roommate option or something. It's cheaper by far to split the rent and utilities with someone than paying for everything yourself. Good luck in your future!

Package guy lol I'll tell ya, my brother works for UPS 32+ years now. He got our buddy in 30 years ago too. Then feeders took up to 4 years to deliver package. Now I hear it can be up to 8 years ! BUT My bro did it til he got the commercial delivery route he had for like 15 years. Now he's been driving the big rigs the 2nd half his career there, as our friend has as well 30 years.... Wall is full of annual safe driver awards lol and gets a private parking space with named sign and all!

Point is, driving the big rigs, pays huge! $30+ an hour, 12 hour days, so that's $45 an hour, for 20 of 60 hours! Home every night and weekends off HUGE bene's lol I never could get "in" when I tried years ago, not even pushing a broom for $25 an hour!.......I know with all personal and sick days and vacation days, hiolidays, they both get nearly 10 weeks paid time off !

You've already got your foot in the door, might be well worth it to retire there! lol My dad's friend was the 7th original driver for UPS back in 1969

Package guy lol I'll tell ya, my brother works for UPS 32+ years now. He got our buddy in 30 years ago too. Then feeders took up to 4 years to deliver package. Now I hear it can be up to 8 years ! BUT My bro did it til he got the commercial delivery route he had for like 15 years. Now he's been driving the big rigs the 2nd half his career there, as our friend has as well 30 years.... Wall is full of annual safe driver awards lol and gets a private parking space with named sign and all!

Point is, driving the big rigs, pays huge! $30+ an hour, 12 hour days, so that's $45 an hour, for 20 of 60 hours! Home every night and weekends off HUGE bene's lol I never could get "in" when I tried years ago, not even pushing a broom for $25 an hour!.......I know with all personal and sick days and vacation days, hiolidays, they both get nearly 10 weeks paid time off !

You've already got your foot in the door, might be well worth it to retire there! lol My dad's friend was the 7th original driver for UPS back in 1969

Yeah it depends on a lot of things but where I work it could be 3 months or 2 years to go driving. For me it will be at least another 2 years as I'm not 21. Nobody wants to retire because they are making great money and 2-3 months of the year is vacation anyways.

Thanks, Realist, I'm looking into a roommate situation.

I was lucky I was able to get my cdl at 18. But that was 1980.

Hey there, I'm in a very similar situation! I'll be 17 in September and have wanted to drive truck for a long time. Parents don't approve, but hey, it's where I know I'll be happy and I'm not going to be happy stuck in one place. I love driving! I plan to go OTR asap which would mean 21, but I've really been thinking hard about getting my CDL when I'm 18 and doing some local work (stone/dirt hauler, something just to get me in a truck). I've checked out a few places in my area online and so far no dice, but I still have a lot of "homework" to do. It's good that you're already in with UPS! I'm still technically jobless, lol, but I'm saving up when I can and already have a CDL fund. One question: have you ever hauled/pulled anything? I ride horses and have started pulling our horse trailer... Know it's not very close to a 53' but it's something... And I can work on mirrors and backing, backing is the most difficult but I'm getting it. You said you're already practicing the UPS driving method, just reminded me of what I'm doing :) but if you get a chance or know anyone with a trailer of some sort, get them to teach you how to pull it. It really opened my eyes up to the challenge of backing but if I can get this down with my trailer, I'll already know the basics.

Anyway, good luck and keep us posted!!

Hey Package Handler, I think you are making the right decision sticking it out at UPS. On the docks is where you want to be if you want to drive truck when you turn 21. The degree that works best with this career field (Logistics) is Supply Chain management as an FYI.

If UPS has a in house program to get you in a truck, great! If not, many companies offer dock to truck opportunities. Many of these companies pay well also. Here's a list of companies I know that have dock to truck opportunities:

Saia

YRC

ABF Frieght

FedEX Freight

Old Dominion

... and I am sure there are others.