Question:
Alright folks, Sorry for all these posts, but I value opinions and advice you guys give, so I'm going to run my final plan by you guys.
My final plan is to be a company driver for about 2 years. I will save the majority of the money I make (less food and other expenses), then use the saved money to buy a nice used rig for 50-20k. This way I have no debt or loan to worry about. I would probably lease with an owner operator company like Landstar, then possibly work on getting my own authority if I want to. I will take your advice Burky and check on getting a physical to see if I could even pursue this dream. I may also postpone being a company driver to get an associates degree in Business from the college I was going to last semester. Let me know what you guys think of this plan.

Answer:
You'll just change your mind next week. Call us when you're 21 and going through school.

Answer:
This kind of thinking can get a (edited) in trouble.
Listen friend, why don't you earn your wings first? Then you can do the crazy trucker thing.
It takes what, a year or two to get your wings? It takes 3 weeks to get the CDL.
$136,000 Vs. $65, 70k (if you're lucky). U do the math.
Hotels vs. a fiberglass box
The only reason why i never became a pilot (or train engineer---will discuss later) is because i'm afraid of crashing. If it wasn't for that, i'd be flying right now.
We really, really need to talk but i'm very busy right now. If you think this is the final plan, then good luck and happy wanking.
Please re-consider; Will discuss fully when i get more time.

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And another thing; If you don't know how to fix it (a truck) then you have no business buying one. Even if you can pay cash for it.

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Just wondering, did you think of that name from the Simpsons Episode with Burly Paper Towels?

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nEVER mind the name, this is your life we're talking about here.
And if you think this is the plan you've got another thing coming.
First off, associate's degree doesn't mean jack-squat. If you're going to go to school, go for the 4 yr. degree.
Secondly, why the funk do you want to pass up making $136+ per yr vs. $60?
Too busy to really get into it right now.
Yes, i am your father.

Answer:
The plan to postpone and get the Business Degree is a sound one. Given the increased costs to own your own equipment we are currently experiencing, getting an education in running your operation as a business is a large step in the right direction. Many things can change between now and the time you finish your courses. Those changes may very well cause pause for thought as to which direction is best for you when all is said and done.
Now, should you find the financial situation still appealing, reconsider the price range of the truck you will be purchasing. With a price range of 50-20k, you will be buying more than a "nice used rig." You will be buying all that is mechanically wrong with the truck. Most trucks with any warranty or life left in them will be going for upwards of 50-80K. Even then your chances of experiencing some degree of breakdown within the first 6 months are better than a 50/50 chance. Those breakdowns can be very expensive. A tranny replacement 3-5K, an engine replacement 10-12K, a rear-end 4-6K and then there's the little bothersome potential problems such as A/C, turbo, electrical, brakes etc. You will need to plan on having a set amount set aside for repairs/replacements if buying used. Make sure there's some amount of warranty left on major components.
The plan to run as a company driver for 2 years is a very sound plan. During this time you will be in a position to "learn the ropes." While being a driver/O/O is considered an unskilled labor position, it comes with an overwhelming amount of knowledge requirement in order to stay successful. Especially as an O/O. Let the experiences you will most definitely go through, ready you for your next move. Remember, it's the little things that mean a lot and not taking care of the little details will allow them to become very big problems.
Only experience can get you to where you want to be. There's more information available to you on these forums than you may be aware of. Take your time, use the search function ask your questions and do your homework. Most of the successful drivers did. Besides, getting a Business Degree couldn't hurt.

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Chad..............that's the best advice I've seen on this board in a long time............I broke down yesterday inDaytona Beach for 7-hours....even if I had the tools, I couldn't have repaired it...........was an electronic sensor, I thought it was a fuel filter clogged. Oh well, good advice.
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Go over to the OWNER OPERATORS FORUM , Cabover Pete has been posting on what he is going through to get setup with his own authority / corporation, it is good informative info

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I guess I should just sell my truck right now, and start making porno...
The only thing I know how to do is change a few hoses, and adjust the brakes....but then again I'm not a diesel mechanic like you...If I was, I sure as shiat wouldnt be doing this.... LIARS SUKK

Answer:
Well Mr. Sexington, the reason I am passing up the 136k is three fold. One reason is I am bipolar and I think that may disqualify me from getting a Class A Medical (I will check on this). Secondly, learning to fly is very expensive. A four year aviation degree will run about 100,000 when all is said and done. And finally, Pilots do not make 136k right away. Graduating from school with 300 hours will land you a flight instructor job for 20k a year. Then when you have enough hours for the regionals (around 1,000-3,000) then you can make a whopping 30k. Only when you make it to the Majors does the pay hit triple digits. I would sooner own my own plane or be a member of a club and fly for fun rather than sit on my butt with the autopilot on day in day out. Thats a perk of trucking for me, you have to be attentive ALL the time. And yes, a four year degree would be better, but I dont think I would really need it since I would be working for myself.

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Not so sure a CDL is in your future! Who knows maybe you guys can make it!
Check it out! http://bi-polar.com/

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But you're only friggin 20! And i thought you said you'd be done with the avation degree in 2 yrs? Why are you in such a hurry to make money? (there's nothing wrong with wanting to make money quick, but i talk about that in a sec)
I'm not saying don't do trucking; You can always get the licence in three weeks after you've earned your wings and if you get tired of flying you can switch to trucking. But we need to look at it long term:
I think by the time you're 26/7, which is still baby-young, you could be a full-fledged pilot. Yes, i agree that the avation degree is expensive vs. going to driving school which would cost around 5K. And, yes i have personally seen 21 yr old drivers at companies i've worked for make 50K their first year of driving. But i think by the time you're our age--34/5, 40, 50 etc. you could be living in an all-brick 4 story mansion driving a bmw, mercedes fill the blank etc. AND have the student loan paid off. Instead of living in a one-story shack. Not saying that all truckers do, because they don't. The point is, i don't think you can break 80K as a trucker. And believe me, i've tried. The extra 50K per year as a pilot will go a long way. Now let's say you fly for another 40 years until manditory retirement at 65 (which i don't agree with, but that's another topic). That's 2million dollars more than a trucker would make working the same amount of time. This is not smart-thinking.
Speaking of not smart-thinking, why would you start an avation degree without fully knowing if you qualify to be a pilot? Get your physicals done NOW!
Plus pilots get to sleep in hotels. Driver (most of them anyways) get to sleep in a noisy, vibrating, poor ventilated, plastic box. I sleep in hotels everynight, but i'm different.
I'm even considering becoming a pilot myself because i fly so much and haven't crashed so i'm figuring the chances of crashing are pretty slim.
The bottom line is I'm not saying don't do trucking. I'm saying if you have the apptitude and interest to fly then have the option of the higher paying gig. You can always truck if it doesn't work out or if you don't like it.

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I think what I am going to end up doing is being a trucker/Owner Operator first, then save money and go for being a commercial pilot if I still want to. This way I dont have 100,000 dollars worth of loans and a flight instructing job making only 20k a year.

Answer:

As opposed to sitting on your butt with the cruise control on day in, day out? Sitting on your butt waiting to get unloaded at the Hannaford Brothers food warehouse in South Portland, Maine? Sitting on your butt at the Cummins/Onan/Carrier/Thermo King/Freightliner etc dealership watching $25,000 Pyramid reruns waiting for your truck to get fixed? Sitting on your butt in Eaglepass, TX in line behind 20 other sweaty, unshaven, unkempt drivers waiting for a shower?
Ticking away the moments that make up a dull day. You fritter and waste the hours in an off-hand way. - Pink Floyd