Up to 18 Fast/Effective?

[ZenXIII]

Regarding getting up to 18:
Which class is the fastest?
My current plan is to take a RDM to 18, b/c I think they would be relatively easy to get to 18, and then once at 18 I can sub out WAR (or perhaps THF) as my main, and use /RDM until 30, when I'll pursue either PAL, DRK or RAN.
I feel this will work b/c a RDM is basically as good frontline as a WAR until ~18 (minus provoke), but they also have the advantage of being able to buff/heal/enfeeble.
Also, what I've read is that you probably don't want to run straight to 30 with no sub, b/c you'll be less wanted by Pts with no backup, and...a RDM seems like a nice little backup for a war to get to 30.
However! I could be 100% off, so i'm looking for feedback.
Links to threads that have answered this are always welcome (i wasn't able to find any) ... and if this is in the wrong forum, my aplogies.

[Atma]

Realistically any class can get to 18 fast an effectively... just know that soloing severly drops in effectiveness post 15ish. Other then that, if you're on Midgardsormr (or any server, I'd imagine), anything that ends with "Mage" usually doesn't have a huge problem finding parties.

[Schmeg007]

If you want to level fast I say go WHM. I started Monday night and I'm level 14 now. Of course I played a lot :). I just hit 24 hours play time when I got level 14, so don't think it will be that quick...

How I did it.

Tarutaru in bastok - It's easier for WHMs to get groups in bastok, less WHMs there.

Solo to level 10.

Group from level 10 - 12 in the highlands

Group form level 12-14 in the Dunes.

Good luck bro.