I'm definetely in the younger age category, as I'm 18. BUT, I will answer your question as good as I can:
No I am not a yahoo, not anymore than a lot of the folks on this board, and I don't see them as yahoos, so the feelings are back at me I hope. I chase with a couple of friends, I'm always the driver, and I have a ton more weather knowledge than any of my partners, but they have all been through skywarn spotting classes before they come with me, as that's my golden rule, I gotta have another skywarn class "graduate" in my car with me so my tunnel vision on the task of driving doesn't lead to danger, which rarely happens because I know my limitations and I never do anything overly wreckless to put anyone in the car or the car itself in danger, not to mention other drivers.
I chased with local Skywarn and Spotter nets from the age of 14, and I chased my first time driving when I had just turned 16. So my advice to any overzealous 16 year old, make sure you have done a few things: had a season of spotting under your belt with someone who knew what they were doing, have gone to a skywarn class yourself, and feel completely comfortable with your ability to drive in bad weather with a million things going on at once. Failing to do any of these only put yourself, other chasers, your vehicle and any ride-alongs in danger. I'd also advise to only chase locally (your county) the first few times so you at least have a general understanding of where everything is, as getting lost and hitting a dead-end can be a bad thing if you have a monster hail-shaft coming, I promise Mom and Dad will not be happy.
Which brings me to my next piece of advice, make sure your mom and dad know what you are doing and are fine with it. You do NOT want to lie to them and have them find out the hard way, with a broken windshield from baseball sized hail (although I can't speak from experience as I let my plans be known from the get-go, but I'm sure its not good). Another thing GET A JOB! This is an expensive hobby, I spend around $100 per chase on food, gas, and other odds and ends. Asking for that much money from parents won't fly forever. Also make sure you know how to do basic car repairs and have the tools with you, this is something that could mean a lot if you get a flat tire 5W of Cheyenne, Oklahoma (that's FROM experience). Lastly, read through the topics here and learn basic forcasting, and the technical aspects of storms, I did this before 2004 and it paid off a TON. There is a lot to learn, don't go out thinking you know everything, you'll get a negative vibe from the guys that have been at it 10 years or more. I have been chasing 2 seasons going on 3, and I still have more than I can think of to learn. And lastly, be safe and have fun!
