Long Haul Trucking Career Possible?
Topic 29129 | Page 1
Welcome to Trucking Truth, Mike~!!
Your age will be of NO discriminance, . . whatsoever, sir! Many of our forum members / drivers are IN 'our' age vicinity; we like to call it 'mature!' On the other hand, we have many valuable members on the 'youthful' end of the spectrum, LoL!! Example: Rob T. one of our moderators!
OTR and single .. dry van ... great way to start! As you peruse this site, look up some (or all?) posts by our moderator, PackRat. He's in your category, just a few years younger...methinks, and had a new ticker put in a few months back; and he's back on the road, OTR, and Dry Van!
As long as your hip replacement doesn't hinder you besides the 'duck walk' due to height also, I'm pretty sure .. as long as you CAN PASS A FED/MED (DOT physical) .. you should be good to go, if you so desire, Mike.
Have you read some of our most important/starter links? The cool thing is, is that once you utilize this website, all FREE, to help you learn, study, and pass . . . you can apply right HERE, in one minute, to some of the most stellar companies out there. Try it; it works!
Check THIS out, before you let the other forums dissuade you; hang around, and ask away!
Glad to have ya!!!!
~ Anne ~
Here's the links; keep ya busy for a bit~!! I think I went 'overkill' on this.. sorry! Most important ones at the top; reverse graduation/titration, accordingly~
- Truck Driver's Career Guide
- Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
- High Road CDL Training Program
- CDL Practice Tests
- Pre-Trip Inspection Study Guide
- Daniel's Pre-Trip Inspection
- Pre-Trip Inspection Checklist
- Pre-Trip Inspection Practice Questions
- Getting Started With The DOT Physical
- DOT Blood Pressure Requirements
- DOT Drug and Alcohol Policies & Testing
- DOT Eye & Vision Exam Requirements
- DOT Hearing Requirements
- DOT Physical - Driver Exemptions
- Hair Follicle vs. Urinalysis Drug Testing: Breakdown By Company
- Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) Guidelines & Advice
- Sleep Apnea , Truck Drivers, & BMI Calculator
Pre-trip Inspection:
A pre-trip inspection is a thorough inspection of the truck completed before driving for the first time each day.
Federal and state laws require that drivers inspect their vehicles. Federal and state inspectors also may inspect your vehicles. If they judge a vehicle to be unsafe, they will put it “out of service” until it is repaired.
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.
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.
Hypertension:
Abnormally high blood pressure.
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.
BMI:
Body mass index (BMI)
BMI is a formula that uses weight and height to estimate body fat. For most people, BMI provides a reasonable estimate of body fat. The BMI's biggest weakness is that it doesn't consider individual factors such as bone or muscle mass. BMI may:
- Underestimate body fat for older adults or other people with low muscle mass
- Overestimate body fat for people who are very muscular and physically fit
It's quite common, especially for men, to fall into the "overweight" category if you happen to be stronger than average. If you're pretty strong but in good shape then pay no attention.
Dry Van:
A trailer or truck that that requires no special attention, such as refrigeration, that hauls regular palletted, boxed, or floor-loaded freight. The most common type of trailer in trucking.
1. Would my age be an issue? 2. I'm in good physical shape and very active. I do have hip replacement in my right leg. Doesn't slow me down, though. 3. I've seen youtube videos on agility tests. The only one I'm concerned with is squatting under trailer.
Hello Mike, and welcome to our forum!
I'm going to take a stab at your specific questions...
1. You are not too old to do this. In fact, you will be surprised at how many companies will be interested in you. There are a lot of us older guys and gals out here on the road. The trucking industry has a lot of respect for folks who just "get the job done." They don't care if we are old or young, brown, black or purple, What they want are folks who are motivated, safe, and productive. Oftentimes they find those of us with a few years on us tend to fit those requirements better than others. I started this career at age 53. The day I got hired, the same company hired another gentleman who was 73! I have since then met several drivers who were in their 80's! This is a career which doesn't discriminate. If you can do the job well, you can secure a future for yourself in trucking.
2. As far as being in good physical shape, that is a plus! There are a lot of truckers out here who could stand to take better care of themselves. We have to pass a physical, but it's just not a very demanding one.
3. YouTube isn't the greatest place to get information on this career. Don't let what you've seen deter you. I'm confident you can figure out a way to get under a trailer. This isn't a contest on who can do it with the greatest flair. I've crawled under many a trailer. You don't have to look like a 23 year old kid when inspecting your locking jaws on your fifth wheel connection. You just have to be able to get it done.
I sometimes refer to the trucking career as "the great equalizer." All I mean by that is that there are no preferences for younger people or specific nationalities. The Trucking career is as diverse as it is intriguing. You will find all kinds of people out here enjoying this career. I have met former business owners, people who had previous professional careers such as attorneys and dentists, and I have seen almost as many nationalities of people driving trucks as there are nations in the world.
There's a place for you in the trucking industry. We have a ton of information here that can help you make a good start. Avail yourself of our resources, you will be glad you did, and it's absolutely free! Don't be afraid to ask us questions. We try our best to be friendly and helpful. You don't have to duck for cover here after you've asked a question. We try to keep things helpful and friendly. You can learn an awful lot just by participating in the forum with whatever questions you come up with.
One more thing that you might find interesting. Here's a link to one of our conversations where I told about meeting a fellow trucker who was in his 80's. His name was Eugene. Read it and calm your anxieties. You have nothing to fear.
HOS:
Hours Of Service
HOS refers to the logbook hours of service regulations.
Actually, he's going to be 6+5 in about two weeks.
Old School shares his wisdom and observations...
I sometimes refer to the trucking career as "the great equalizer." All I mean by that is that there are no preferences for younger people or specific nationalities. The Trucking career is as diverse as it is intriguing. You will find all kinds of people out here enjoying this career. I have met former business owners, people who had previous professional careers such as attorneys and dentists, and I have seen almost as many nationalities of people driving trucks as there are nations in the world.
The above is so true...100%. One of my best friends at the Walmart DC I’m assigned to is a retired engineer involved in the initial design of the US cellular network. And BTW he is 72.
I began my second career at age 54. I’m 61 now and no intention of looking back.
Take a good look at the links Anne sent you. Best of luck.
Loving to travel may not be enough. You have to decide yes or no before you start because it is a big commitment. This isn’t just a change of job, it is a change of lifestyle which for many is much harder than any of the regular skills you will be applying.
I started trucking after 6 years in the Marines, two graduate degrees, and retirement from Higher Ed IT. Started at 56. I have not done any "long haul." Mostly regional. I wasn't in the best of shape and had some issues but so far I've done well. So can you!
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.
I started trucking after 6 years in the Marines, two graduate degrees, and retirement from Higher Ed IT. Started at 56. I have not done any "long haul." Mostly regional. I wasn't in the best of shape and had some issues but so far I've done well. So can you!
Thank you all for the information. Awesome forum!!!
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.
Yep, I can back up that alleged fact of "age doesn't matter" as current truth. I'm 64 and just got hired by my first choice company, one of the biggies. Not once, either in private CDL school, applying, talking to recruiters or anyone in my life, and especially not here, has age been brought up or hinted at or in any way shown as a downside. And it certainly doesn't feel like one overall in my case. That said, it's this forum more than anything that has made that difference for me, instilling confidence in general about this and other issues related to making it, in what I call my "last career". (I HAD encountered tons of "ageism" in applying for other work recently before I gave in to this passion... As in they know your age ahead of time due to the new norm of online-only applications these days, and then don't even give you an interview! ...Basically zero in my case.)
As for the challenges of getting under the truck, etc., I'm not only older, but several inches taller than you to boot, yet not the slightest bit concerned about the "physical fitness" side of the job. I'll soon know from lots more direct experience, but so far it seems clear--just do what you can to get and/or stay in good shape, and age will probably prove to be the least of your concerns...all other things being at least equal, if not better. Sleep and other long-term habit and age-affected issues like that may prove to be more major, but if we're cognitively pretty sharp, savvy and "life wise" from our decades of living, we'll be able to more than compensate, seems to me.
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.
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I'm 62 and will be retiring from my job in March 2021. I would like to start new career as long haul truck driver, dry van. I'm single, love to travel. I've thought about doing this for decades. I have some questions to see if there might be any issues: 1. Would my age be an issue? 2. I'm in good physical shape and very active. I do have hip replacement in my right leg. Doesn't slow me down, though. 3. I've seen youtube videos on agility tests. The only one I'm concerned with is squatting under trailer. I'm 6'2", not sure if i could squat under trailer, but could go down on one or both knees to do pretrip inspection if that would be allowed. Thank you, Mike
Dry Van:
A trailer or truck that that requires no special attention, such as refrigeration, that hauls regular palletted, boxed, or floor-loaded freight. The most common type of trailer in trucking.