Real Scoop And Trucking Future

Hello All,

New to the forum. I medically retired from the USMC in 2014 with half a pelvis, missing portions of L4 and L5 vertebrae and now i have Stage II kidney disease. Due to blood pressure issues because of the kidney disease, I can usually only obtain a medical card for 1 year at a time but I've kept my CDL since 2015. I am not yet 40 years old. It is not in my nature to idle.

Driving OTR was always a dream. I obtained my CDL in 2015 and drove for a local bulk cement company in Virginia. Because of the heavy hose work, I couldn't keep it up. Had to leave the job. Driving was ok but I never went far. Life took me in another direction and I needed to be home for my daughter. However I always had that itch. I still have that dream.

So I have a few questions and I realize there may not be any doctors on here but, I don't know any truckers though I come from a family of them. They have all passed on. I think it's in my blood. Should I give it a go or give up on the dream altogether? Anyone know any drivers out there with physical limitations and dare I say, disabilities? The guy I worked for that drove for many years OTR said he left trucking with a back injury. He thought I was crazy for trying to start with a back injury. But, if there's a will there's a way right?

Lastly for now, how far out is the industry in terms of automated trucks? What is the job outlook for drivers?

I'd value the experience and opinion of the drivers pertaining to the above. Thanks.

I freakin' loved trucking but I only did it for 30 days, nearly 10 years ago. I left the job with tears in my eyes. My immediate superior, a Navy veteran, also had tears in his eyes.

Welcome, David!

Should I give it a go or give up on the dream altogether?

In my way of thinking, this is the easiest question of the day because you answered it already:

Driving OTR was always a dream...I still have that dream

In my world, that's all the reason you need, and I would dare say it's a strong enough reason that you must.

I think taking a shot at trucking is a very low-risk adventure, other than the obvious risk of getting into an accident. But from a lifestyle and financial perspective, you can take a shot at trucking and walk away with little consequence if it isn't for you.

For you, it's even less of a risk because you already have your CDL. You may need some refresher training, but you can find that free from one of the major carriers.

Anyone know any drivers out there with physical limitations and dare I say, disabilities?

They have eased regulations in recent years regarding driving with physical problems, even disabilities. There are programs for people with vision problems, high blood pressure, type 1 diabetes, hearing problems, and even programs for amputees. So if you're afraid of any physical limitations you may face, the industry is moving in a friendly direction for you.

The guy I worked for that drove for many years OTR said he left trucking with a back injury. He thought I was crazy for trying to start with a back injury. But, if there's a will there's a way right?

I think this may be something you won't know until you try. I'm sure there are many things you can do to better your chances of success, like physical therapy, yoga, proper eating, maintaining proper weight, and more. But I don't think you'll know until you give it a shot and try everything you can think of to make it work.

"Where there's a will, there's a way" is more powerful than most people realize. You'll never know what you're capable of until you truly have no choice. But if this is a dream of yours and you want it badly enough, you'll make it happen. There's no way to know how long you'll want to remain out there, but you'll have fulfilled that dream and given yourself more career opportunities and experience at the same time.

I never try to talk someone into trucking if I don't feel they're cut out for it or I don't think they'll give it a worthwhile effort. But it sounds like you'll give it one hell of a shot if given the opportunity, so I say go for it. Take a shot and see where it leads. The worst-case scenario is that you only last a short time and decide it isn't for you. Even if that happens, you'll have learned a ton, fulfilled your dream, and formed a clearer picture of what to do with your future. Not only that, but you'll always have some great stories to tell.

Lastly for now, how far out is the industry in terms of automated trucks? What is the job outlook for drivers?

Self-driving trucks are no concern. They've hyped that technology for a very long time, and it's nowhere near mass-scale adoption. I wrote an article about this seven years ago, in 2017, and it's still as relevant today:

Self Driving Trucks Are Not Coming Anytime Soon

However, the industry right now has too much capacity for the amount of freight available, and that won't balance out for at least another year, they say. Trucking companies are always hiring, but it's a little tougher now than it normally is during times of strong demand.

Hello, David.

There are certain types of disabilities that would render someone unable to drive, but many successful drivers have some kind of disability. I have my own and there are drivers at my company who are in worse shape than me, yet still get the job done.

You might not be able to do flatbed work, but you should be able to do dry van or reefer. I do reefer and am able to perform to the company’s satisfaction even though I have bad knees and a bad back. Yes, I walk like a Penguin and I get around very slowly and painfully, but most of my time is spent in the drivers seat where all my pain disappears and I actually can pretend I’m normal and 25 years old again.

We have a member here who is still a top performer at 72 years of age and she describes herself as short in height. Yet she has done container work and driven where she has had to chain up for wintertime mountain driving. Pretty amazing if you ask me. And one million mile member here has vision in only one eye and another who is color blind. Another has type 1 diabetes.

So, don’t sell yourself short because you are not in perfect physical shape. I think many companies may look favorably on those who are drivers despite their disabilities. They might be more motivated and dependable due to their life experiences.

I hope you find the right job for you. Good luck!

Thank you Brett and BK for your insights and very nicely worded messages! Ya'll are a breath of positivity. Thanks for being here. I'm figuring the ins and outs of this new-to-me-website but it looks awesome!

Hello All,

I'd value the experience and opinion of the drivers pertaining to the above. Thanks.

David, speaking from the perspective of someone with what I guess are probably 'disabilities' - Inflammatory Arthritis and a Cervical Spine fusion from 2020, I'll give you my perspective.

1) Spinal issues + Micro Vibrations = Long days. I am recently off work due to my employer losing their AFP contract with Bezos' kids. I worked a four day 13-14 hour per day shift, with four days off between. By the 56th hour of working, I was pretty stove in. Granted, you're a younger man than I, and being a recently discharged Marine you're likely more a physical specimen than I. It is manageable, but the constant vibration is likely to be your greatest challenge. I love the career, started after doing the cop thing for 28, and have no desire NOT to be driving.

2) Arthritis (Inflammatory and Osteo). These are no laughing matter, and if you have heavy osteo in your left knee, running a manual transmission through traffic (think LA or Schitcargo) at rush hour, which is always, can be a major challenge. When I first started driving in 2013, automatics were frowned upon, and less common in fleets than they are now now. Look for an outfit that offers automatics, if you are affected in that left knee. Getting down under equipment to do a REAL pre-trip / post-trip is not too bad, buy yourself a quality set of gel-insert tradesman knee pads - think flooring installers. They do a bang up job and making ground work comfortable.

Good luck on working through your options and making a choice. If you have it as a dream, do it. The worst that can happen is you get hired and discover it isn't for you. No shame in that. And no "Geeeez... I wonder" lurking in the back of your mind when you reach an age like mine.