Western Railroad Discussion > Program To Allow Teen Truckers Across State Lines

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/truck-drivers-teens-supply-chain-crisis/

A new program will be started to allow 18 year old drivers to transport across state lines. Presumably to circumvent the trucking companies self created driver shortage.


I wonder why they can't find more drivers?

https://www.businessinsider.com/truck-driver-salary-decrease-pay-cut-2018-9



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/20/22 10:55 by portlander.

Isn't this a railroad message board?

DevalDragon Wrote:
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> Isn't this a railroad message board?

Truck trailers and containers are inter related with railroads, so I would think this is relevant to the effect this may have on trains.

I have uneasy feelings about this.    I battle it out with trucks on my commute twice a day, and it is already at the point where they are going the same speeds as cars, cutting in and out of traffic, and disobeying laws.   Throw in a mind that is less developed, raging hormones, and all those temptations to make bad decisions multiply.    

Going to get worse, next month it will be mandatory to go to school to get a CDL.....

If an 18 year old can go to war and operate multi million dollar military equipment then they can drive a truck on a US highway. Can’t be any worse than what is already out there.

i think if an 18yr old is allowed to risk their life in the military defending this country, an 18yr should also be allowed to start a career as a trucker..........

66

 

When I was 18,I got my Class B and a California School bus certificate which has lots of classroom and behind the wheel requirements before you are allowed to test, and every year after to maintain, more than any other state in the union accept Alaska. You are still required to test and take a drive test every 5 years. IN the 80s California required a Tour Bus license with a drive test to show proficiency. Since then you have to do a drive test in a bus before you are allowed to haul passengers. I got my unrestricted Class A at 19. I have had a CDL for 40 yeas and taught and trained drivers. With that said I don't care what the military does, the 21 law is a good thing. Even though I had a spotless record I was not as proficient as I think I was before 23 or 24.The reason for the law was to keep you closer to your home terminal until you acquired and honed your skills. There are enough bad drivers out there and we don't need more. The problem is companies are allowed to train and test their own as long as they do it on paper to the DMVs standards. We had that program in the 80s and 90s and i could sign the paperwork for DMV and give anyone a license and all they would have to do is show up at DMV and give them cash and get their picture taken. If I wanted to be a scumbag I could have taken money, done the paperwork and never met the person and whamo they were a truck Driver.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/20/22 14:46 by TomG.

How old does one have to be to become a licensed locomotive engineer?  

goneon66 Wrote:
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> i think if an 18yr old is allowed to risk their
> life in the military defending this country, an
> 18yr should also be allowed to start a career as a
> trucker..........
>
> 66
>
>  

Thay can, they just can't drive interstate.

goneon66 Wrote:
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> i think if an 18yr old is allowed to risk their
> life in the military defending this country, an
> 18yr should also be allowed to start a career as a
> trucker..........
>
> 66
>
>  

Should be allowed to drink too.

howeld Wrote:
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> If an 18 year old can go to war and operate multi
> million dollar military equipment then they can
> drive a truck on a US highway. Can’t be any
> worse than what is already out there.

I disagree. 18 year-olds in the military receive a lots of special training and are under a lot of direct supervision. Driving on the highway is just the opposite.

WP17

Speaking as a commercial, LTL truck driver, this is an ENORMOUS mistake that will cost many lives.

The trucking companies have no idea what they're getting into here.  There are plenty of CDL drivers out there--there is no "shortage"---rather, there IS a decent wage "shortage!!!"  Notice how UPS rarely has driver staffing issues?  You know why?  Very good wages and benefits.

portlander Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> goneon66 Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > i think if an 18yr old is allowed to risk their
> > life in the military defending this country, an
> > 18yr should also be allowed to start a career as
> a
> > trucker..........
> >
> > 66
> >
> >  
>
> Should be allowed to drink too.

agreed...........

66

MEKoch Wrote:
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> How old does one have to be to become a licensed
> locomotive engineer?  

that is a question i would like to see answered too............

66



 

I couldn't find anything in 240 on age BUT considering the clean DMV requirements for a certain prior period
you could most likely become an engineer at 19 with regard to the training period. Now all you need is an 18
year old who can pass the drug screen. 

Out 

Just my opinion but, as an Army draftee in November 1964, I'm willing to bet that I/we received a LOT more intensive basic training than ANY "18 year old" would receive today in the way of driving a truck, more than 52 years later. Then, on to advanced training, in order to make most of us "combat ready". Attempting to compare U.S. military service to "18 year old" truck drivers is, in my opinion, an insult to all Veterans.

Fizzboy7 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I have uneasy feelings about this....and
> it is already at the point where they are going
> the same speeds as cars, cutting in and out of
> traffic, and disobeying laws.   Throw in a mind
> that is less developed, raging hormones, and all
> those temptations to make bad decisions
> multiply.    

coach Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> The trucking companies have no idea what they're
> getting into here.  There are plenty of CDL
> drivers out there--there is no
> "shortage"---rather, there IS a decent wage
> "shortage!!!"  Notice how UPS rarely has driver
> staffing issues?  You know why?  Very good wages
> and benefits.

Well said.

 

oneon66 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> MEKoch Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > How old does one have to be to become a
> licensed
> > locomotive engineer?  
>
> that is a question i would like to see answered
> too............
>
> 66
>
>
>
>  

Once you've hired on with a railroad you can get your locomotive license once you're eligible

Posted from Android

My truck driving instruction in the Army in 1959 was the Sgt asking me if I had ever driven a truck.
"Yes, sir, my Dad's gas truck."
"OK. Drive that deuce and a half from here (Ft Ord) to Santa Rosa and back." Which I did with the sgt in the passenger seat, without incident.
With a large A/N-GR-26 radio station in the bed.
I was 23 at the time.

Bill Deaver
Tehachapi, CA