I'm 52, Retired For About A Year, And Interested In Trucking
Topic 11631 | Page 1
Like the title says, I'm 52, retired at the first of the year from 30 years in the IT industry, and have been mulling around the idea of trucking for most of the year. I've been lurking around here for a few months and decided to make a post.
My pluses are: I have a clean MVR , like to drive and see new places, have a strong work ethic, get along well with people, but prefer to work alone without a boss hanging over me, very detail oriented, healthy (passed my recent physical), strong, and ready to work. I'm 6'1" and 260, a bit overweight, but it don't bother me. BP is normal, and I don't think I have sleep apnea , although I do get up in the middle of the night to go pee.
My minuses are: Have a misdemeanor conviction that is around 30 years old, in the middle of a bankruptcy, haven't worked in about a year, not hugely mechanically inclined (but I used to work on my mower when I owned my house). I'm a bit of a spoiled home-body, so OTR might be a bit of a shock, but for some reason it really interests me. Never had a job where I worked with my hands, just only worked in an office environment.
I like the idea of being challenged to do something other than working in an office which near the end of my career was really bugging the crap outta me. For some reason, my brain keeps nagging me "Do this. Do it, do it!"
I was thinking on Monday to start calling some companies. I live in Carbondale IL, so there is Beelman Trucking right over in Marion. I was also going to call Earl Henderson, Prime, and maybe a couple others. Are there other companies that hire in this area that you all know of? I see ads for Beelman in the paper all the time.
I was thinking of attending the CDL program at Rend Lake College rather than a company program, so that when I complete it, companies would think I was ready to go, rather than be some yahoo who's been outta work for a year saying "well, um, I'm thinking 'bout being a trucker, can I come to your school, please?" I just think having a fresh CDL in hand would make a better impression and make me more hireable.
So what do you guys think?
Welcome to TT You are in the prime of your life, and most of the "old timers" here will be a great source of information.
You can always take a look at How To Choose A School, and Truck Driving Schools. As far as choosing a company, you may also want to look at Company-Sponsored Training . Recruiters value honesty, so if you are open about your situation, they will not see you as some yahoo.
As far as companies go, How To Choose A Company and Trucking Companies is a great place to start.
Brett's Book, is an excellent read, to get you started, and the High Road Training Program is a tremendous help to preparing you for a school.
Good luck with your search.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Sleep Apnea:
A physical disorder in which you have pauses in your breathing, or take shallow breaths, during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Normal breathing will usually resume, sometimes with a loud choking sound or snort.
In obstructive sleep apnea, your airways become blocked or collapse during sleep, causing the pauses and shallow breathing.
It is a chronic condition that will require ongoing management. It affects about 18 million people in the U.S.
MVR:
Motor Vehicle Record
An MVR is a report of your driving history, as reported from your state Department of Motor Vehicles. Information on this report may include Drivers License information, point history, violations, convictions, and license status on your driving record.
Company-sponsored Training:
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Like the title says, I'm 52, retired at the first of the year from 30 years in the IT industry, and have been mulling around the idea of trucking for most of the year. I've been lurking around here for a few months and decided to make a post.
My pluses are: I have a clean MVR , like to drive and see new places, have a strong work ethic, get along well with people, but prefer to work alone without a boss hanging over me, very detail oriented, healthy (passed my recent physical), strong, and ready to work. I'm 6'1" and 260, a bit overweight, but it don't bother me. BP is normal, and I don't think I have sleep apnea , although I do get up in the middle of the night to go pee.
My minuses are: Have a misdemeanor conviction that is around 30 years old, in the middle of a bankruptcy, haven't worked in about a year, not hugely mechanically inclined (but I used to work on my mower when I owned my house). I'm a bit of a spoiled home-body, so OTR might be a bit of a shock, but for some reason it really interests me. Never had a job where I worked with my hands, just only worked in an office environment.
I like the idea of being challenged to do something other than working in an office which near the end of my career was really bugging the crap outta me. For some reason, my brain keeps nagging me "Do this. Do it, do it!"
I was thinking on Monday to start calling some companies. I live in Carbondale IL, so there is Beelman Trucking right over in Marion. I was also going to call Earl Henderson, Prime, and maybe a couple others. Are there other companies that hire in this area that you all know of? I see ads for Beelman in the paper all the time.
I was thinking of attending the CDL program at Rend Lake College rather than a company program, so that when I complete it, companies would think I was ready to go, rather than be some yahoo who's been outta work for a year saying "well, um, I'm thinking 'bout being a trucker, can I come to your school, please?" I just think having a fresh CDL in hand would make a better impression and make me more hireable.
So what do you guys think?
Welcome to TT You are in the prime of your life, and most of the "old timers" here will be a great source of information.
You can always take a look at How To Choose A School, and Truck Driving Schools. As far as choosing a company, you may also want to look at Company-Sponsored Training . Recruiters value honesty, so if you are open about your situation, they will not see you as some yahoo.
As far as companies go, How To Choose A Company and Trucking Companies is a great place to start.
Brett's Book, is an excellent read, to get you started, and the High Road Training Program is a tremendous help to preparing you for a school.
Good luck with your search.
I second everything Dan said above. Age, no prob. 30 year old minor brush with the law, no problem. Read Brett's book, A MUST.
Never forget what Brett's book says and the facts support, Individual companies need us more than we need them. You get you Class A
and you will be in the driver's seat, so to speak. Good luck and welcome a bored.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Sleep Apnea:
A physical disorder in which you have pauses in your breathing, or take shallow breaths, during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Normal breathing will usually resume, sometimes with a loud choking sound or snort.
In obstructive sleep apnea, your airways become blocked or collapse during sleep, causing the pauses and shallow breathing.
It is a chronic condition that will require ongoing management. It affects about 18 million people in the U.S.
MVR:
Motor Vehicle Record
An MVR is a report of your driving history, as reported from your state Department of Motor Vehicles. Information on this report may include Drivers License information, point history, violations, convictions, and license status on your driving record.
Company-sponsored Training:
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
OOS:
When a violation by either a driver or company is confirmed, an out-of-service order removes either the driver or the vehicle from the roadway until the violation is corrected.
Don't limit yourself to a few local companies. Thry don't have to habe a terminal nearby to work for a company. Btw, I graduated from SIU-C... Go Salukis ;-)
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
I called Rend Lake College Trucking School in Ina, IL and talked to a nice gal for about 15 minutes. They cost $4205 paid up front. I would have to fill out an application, give them a recent MVR (which is clean, I already checked), copy of my DL, and then they send me to a Dr. in Mt. Vernon IL to get the DOT physical and drug screen. Their class is 4 weeks, with only 2 days in the classroom. I plan to work through the High Road program a week before the class starts. This college I'm actually familiar with, as it sits right next to my hometown. Growing up I went there to take piano lessons and actually appeared on stage in a couple of musicals when I was a youngin' in high school. Man, how times and people change. Anyway, that's the scoop on school.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
MVR:
Motor Vehicle Record
An MVR is a report of your driving history, as reported from your state Department of Motor Vehicles. Information on this report may include Drivers License information, point history, violations, convictions, and license status on your driving record.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Adam wrote:I called Rend Lake College Trucking School in Ina, IL and talked to a nice gal for about 15 minutes. They cost $4205 paid up front. I would have to fill out an application, give them a recent MVR (which is clean, I already checked), copy of my DL, and then they send me to a Dr. in Mt. Vernon IL to get the DOT physical and drug screen. Their class is 4 weeks, with only 2 days in the classroom. I plan to work through the High Road program a week before the class starts. This college I'm actually familiar with, as it sits right next to my hometown. Growing up I went there to take piano lessons and actually appeared on stage in a couple of musicals when I was a youngin' in high school. Man, how times and people change. Anyway, that's the scoop on school.
You might want to ask them what carriers have hired their graduates, how recently, and how many. Also ask if they invite recruiters in to talk withtheir students.
Something you might consider is Understanding Pre-Hires and Apply For Truck Driving Jobs.
By the way, I was 52 when I graduated from Swift's Richmond Academy a few years back. Age was and is still not a factor.
Good luck.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
MVR:
Motor Vehicle Record
An MVR is a report of your driving history, as reported from your state Department of Motor Vehicles. Information on this report may include Drivers License information, point history, violations, convictions, and license status on your driving record.
Pre-hire:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
Pre-hires:
What Exactly Is A Pre-Hire Letter?
Pre-hire letters are acceptance letters from trucking companies to students, or even potential students, to verify placement. The trucking companies are saying in writing that the student, or potential student, appears to meet the company's minimum hiring requirements and is welcome to attend their orientation at the company’s expense once he or she graduates from truck driving school and has their CDL in hand.
We have an excellent article that will help you Understand The Pre-Hire Process.
A Pre-Hire Letter Is Not A Guarantee Of Employment
The people that receive a pre-hire letter are people who meet the company's minimum hiring requirements, but it is not an employment contract. It is an invitation to orientation, and the orientation itself is a prerequisite to employment.
During the orientation you will get a physical, drug screen, and background check done. These and other qualifications must be met before someone in orientation is officially hired.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
Hey Adam, I was in middle school when you were born. I started my trucking career a year ago now. I'm almost 64-1/2.
Welcome to the trucking world, and welcome to Trucking Truth.
Sure you can look into companies with local offices/ terminals, but with your Carbondale location almost any regional or national carrier can easily get you your home time.
So don't limit yourself just for that consideration.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
Hi, G-Town, thanks for the reply. I did ask that question. She said that the instructor would know more about recruiters and companies. (They have 2 instructors, and it's 4 students per instructor.) Plus, I wasn't really talking to the school coordinator. I might call back and talk to that person tomorrow.
Since I'm from southern Illinois and would like to stay in the area (I grew up here, my family is here), I'm somewhat limited to companies. My son drove for Pepsi in Marion IL and he hated it, told me so many horror stories, so I'm going to avoid them. There is Beelman in Marion IL and they run ads constantly looking for recent CDL grads. I haven't seen any bad reviews on them. I've driven by their terminal , it's fenced, and the trucks look sharp and shiny.
At some point (probably tomorrow), I'm going to call Beelman to get the low down on the specifics (CPM, etc.). She mentioned Schneider. But, big companies like them, and Swift, Werner, etc. I highly doubt have terminals in this area, and where I live currently, I couldn't park a tractor (it's a trailer park with really strict rules, but I'll probably move anyway).
I feel really pumped, just made a great meal, and am glad I finally pulled the trigger on reaching out to the school. I even made an appt with my eye doctor for new glasses and prescription shades. It was 3 years since my last appt, so it's a good thing I called. Would love to work with either Prime, Earl Henderson, or similar top notch company. I'm divorced and my kids are in their mid-20's, so I'm a freebird who can move if the job offer is too good to pass up.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
- Any combination of vehicles with a gross combined weight rating (GCWR) of 26,001 or more pounds, providing the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of the vehicle being towed is in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any single vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 or more pounds, or any such vehicle towing another not in excess of 10,000 pounds.
- Any vehicle, regardless of size, designed to transport 16 or more persons, including the driver.
- Any vehicle required by federal regulations to be placarded while transporting hazardous materials.
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
CPM:
Cents Per Mile
Drivers are often paid by the mile and it's given in cents per mile, or cpm.
Hey Adam, I was in middle school when you were born. I started my trucking career a year ago now. I'm almost 64-1/2.
Welcome to the trucking world, and welcome to Trucking Truth.
Sure you can look into companies with local offices/ terminals, but with your Carbondale location almost any regional or national carrier can easily get you your home time.
So don't limit yourself just for that consideration.
Errol,
Wow, so happy you replied. I've been here for a few months and every time I see one of your posts I go "Hey, another post by Errol!" You are one of my fav's on here. Thanks for the word of encouragement.
I've been off doing the retirement thing for about a year, and my brain is going soft, so I really need to get back out there and do something, but going back to an office ain't going to be it.
Thanks, Errol, for having my back. There's a part of me that keeps saying "Man, why do you wanna do this? You can't hack trucking. You ain't built for this. You're an office wimp."
And then there's a part that says "Dude, you are a big strong guy, yeah a little old, but you can do this. Think of all the adventures you'll have. Yeah, you'll run into a lot of headaches and a-holes, but you ran into the same thing at the office." And, Errol, every time I see your posts, I say "Adam, if Errol, a teacher at his age could quit teaching and be a truck driver, so can you."
Anyway, I just wanted to say thanks, Errol, for stopping by. Appreciate the encouragement.
Adam
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
Regional:
Regional Route
Usually refers to a driver hauling freight within one particular region of the country. You might be in the "Southeast Regional Division" or "Midwest Regional". Regional route drivers often get home on the weekends which is one of the main appeals for this type of route.
DAC:
Drive-A-Check Report
A truck drivers DAC report will contain detailed information about their job history of the last 10 years as a CDL driver (as required by the DOT).
It may also contain your criminal history, drug test results, DOT infractions and accident history. The program is strictly voluntary from a company standpoint, but most of the medium-to-large carriers will participate.
Most trucking companies use DAC reports as part of their hiring and background check process. It is extremely important that drivers verify that the information contained in it is correct, and have it fixed if it's not.
Greenup, IL is bit farther north, but MTI ALWAYS has openings.
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Like the title says, I'm 52, retired at the first of the year from 30 years in the IT industry, and have been mulling around the idea of trucking for most of the year. I've been lurking around here for a few months and decided to make a post.
My pluses are: I have a clean MVR , like to drive and see new places, have a strong work ethic, get along well with people, but prefer to work alone without a boss hanging over me, very detail oriented, healthy (passed my recent physical), strong, and ready to work. I'm 6'1" and 260, a bit overweight, but it don't bother me. BP is normal, and I don't think I have sleep apnea , although I do get up in the middle of the night to go pee.
My minuses are: Have a misdemeanor conviction that is around 30 years old, in the middle of a bankruptcy, haven't worked in about a year, not hugely mechanically inclined (but I used to work on my mower when I owned my house). I'm a bit of a spoiled home-body, so OTR might be a bit of a shock, but for some reason it really interests me. Never had a job where I worked with my hands, just only worked in an office environment.
I like the idea of being challenged to do something other than working in an office which near the end of my career was really bugging the crap outta me. For some reason, my brain keeps nagging me "Do this. Do it, do it!"
I was thinking on Monday to start calling some companies. I live in Carbondale IL, so there is Beelman Trucking right over in Marion. I was also going to call Earl Henderson, Prime, and maybe a couple others. Are there other companies that hire in this area that you all know of? I see ads for Beelman in the paper all the time.
I was thinking of attending the CDL program at Rend Lake College rather than a company program, so that when I complete it, companies would think I was ready to go, rather than be some yahoo who's been outta work for a year saying "well, um, I'm thinking 'bout being a trucker, can I come to your school, please?" I just think having a fresh CDL in hand would make a better impression and make me more hireable.
So what do you guys think?
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Sleep Apnea:
A physical disorder in which you have pauses in your breathing, or take shallow breaths, during sleep. These pauses can last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. Normal breathing will usually resume, sometimes with a loud choking sound or snort.
In obstructive sleep apnea, your airways become blocked or collapse during sleep, causing the pauses and shallow breathing.
It is a chronic condition that will require ongoing management. It affects about 18 million people in the U.S.
MVR:
Motor Vehicle Record
An MVR is a report of your driving history, as reported from your state Department of Motor Vehicles. Information on this report may include Drivers License information, point history, violations, convictions, and license status on your driving record.