Old Geezer Looking To Re-energize

This is the best Forum I've seen online. I'm 60 years old and needing a new window of opportunity. Lost my office job and now I'm looking to get out on the road for the next 10 years or so before I have to retire. I could sure use some advice on how to proceed. There's a trucking school where I live that I can attend, but I'm wondering if going straight to a company-run training program would be better. Seems like they push you harder at those though and I wonder if my age will be a hindrance in that situation? I'm healthy, but don't have the same stamina that I had in my thirties. I don't drink or smoke. Any input would be appreciated. Also, I'm tending to be attracted to those few companies that have auto transmissions. Should I re-think that attitude? Thanks.

Hey Larry! There's a LOT of us guys that "got the ax" or laid off. They SAY that age is NOT the issue, but I beg to differ, 3 of our team members that were laid off (me included) were over 50..Don't take a genius to figure out what's going on..I was pretty apprehensive about a driving career-I was about 3 days from class starting and got cold feet, decided to give finding another job in my career field another shot..no go, gave it 4 months, and still nothing..I give up, and am READY and totally committed to this new career..

I did a TON of research and heard good and bad..This site is by FAR the BEST resource I've found. STAY AWAY FROM YOU TUBE (except for Trucker Josh..he's GREAT! Check out his videos!!!)..You'll hear a ton of bad stuff on the Internet, but I have received very nice messages and EXCELLENT advice here..you can't go wrong with the folks here..they ARE THE BEST!!!!

I just turned 56, feel in good shape, not 20 anymore, but feel like I can handle this NEW adventure. I am SO looking forward to it! I'm going to go ahead and take the class at my local tech school, It's got a great reputation, and I want to 'do it right', I'm not saying that on the job training is BAD, I just want to have plenty of practice and feel fairly confident going into a new job...They SAY the companies are hiring people out of class here BEFORE class is over...As for the tranny thing, I want to learn manual and double-clutching, then IF I'm lucky get an automatic when I go to work!! I just want to be able to handle anything that comes along with confidence...

The company schools are fine...but they don't really offer anything but a guaranteed bill for the schooling, when compared to a private school, or a community college. Atleast at the private schools, they really want to see you learn all you can, cuz they get paid to teach you, not run you thru like a cattle call. Your age won't hurt you at all !! Companies tend to like the older, more settled drivers...less ego...lol. I would advise against going for auto transmissions only. I think that now, if you don't train and pass your cdl test in a standard shift truck, your cdl is restricted...you will ONLY be able to drive trucks with auto transmissions....It limits your employment possibilities..

You should check to see if you qualify for the WIA program thru your employment division. It will pay for your cdl schooling. Also, some community colleges offer CDL training. If you decide to go to a company school...choose carefully. You will need to stay with them for about a year to pay for your schooling. We like to see folks stay with their first employer for a year, anyway. It gives you a good background to offer to any other prospective employer. If you choose to go to a private school, then all you have to do is apply for prehire letters. And you just send in apps to EVERYONE. Then, when you get your CDL, you can weed thru them, and make your choice by what fits you best.

BUT...you need to get going on the High Road Training !!! Here's a link High Road Training Program. There are alot of links for different areas that this site has....be sure and peruse them....you will be surprised what you can learn without trying !!! Oh....and WELCOME TO TT !!!!! You came to the right place....settle in and start learning about trucking !!!

As long as you can complete and pass a DOT physical and pass schooling you can find a job.

One f the great things about the trucking industry is that they like "old geezers"!

Let me explain. I started driving a truck at age 53, the same day I got hired for my first driving job the company also hired a man who was 72! If you can do the job, and pass the physical you will have no problem getting a job. I am doing this as a second career after retiring from being self-employed for thirty years, and I have met a lot of people who are enjoying this as a second career, even met a retired dentist one day out here on the road. I also have come across two drivers who were owner/operators who were in their early eighties!

You feel free to ask us as many questions as you like, and we will be glad to help point you in the right direction as to how to get the ball rolling so you can make a fine start in your new career.

Make sure and read the Truck Driver's Career Guide, and if you want some insight into the career take a look at Brett's Book, it's an easy read, and best of all it's free!

The High Road Training Program, which you have free access to is also invaluable in helping you prepare for the state exams for getting your permit.

Welcome aboard, and don't even give your age a second thought.

Just joined trucking truth today and incredibly came upon old geezer looking to re-energize. i myself have just turned 61. i have been looking for a job for the last 6 months with no luck at all. well, i cant say no luck, if you call working 20 hrs a week as a maintenance guy for shop-rite at 7.25/hr, a job. i have always loved to drive, though i have driven nothing as big as an 18 wheeler. after reading the answers to old geezer, maybe i am not too old to try a new career in trucking. i have read most of the reviews of the company paid trucking schools and i think for me that might be the way to go, as my finances these days are not as good as they should be. this is the site that will help me out with any questions i might have about what its really like as an OTR driver? well, thanks to the old geezer for breaking the ice for me and good luck to him

Just joined trucking truth today and incredibly came upon old geezer looking to re-energize. i myself have just turned 61. i have been looking for a job for the last 6 months with no luck at all. well, i cant say no luck, if you call working 20 hrs a week as a maintenance guy for shop-rite at 7.25/hr, a job. i have always loved to drive, though i have driven nothing as big as an 18 wheeler. after reading the answers to old geezer, maybe i am not too old to try a new career in trucking. i have read most of the reviews of the company paid trucking schools and i think for me that might be the way to go, as my finances these days are not as good as they should be. this is the site that will help me out with any questions i might have about what its really like as an OTR driver? well, thanks to the old geezer for breaking the ice for me and good luck to him

Ask away and we shall answer all your questions.

I am really happy to read all of this. At 62, I am starting over after having been a photographer/videographer for nearly thirty years. The economy and a couple of other factors (a, shall we say, "strategic" blunder on my part), but not excluding blatant ageism in my former profession, had me looking for another path. nice to have the potential of being valued for my abilities and not looked at as an over-the-hill dinosaur. I'm looking forward to the next adventurous chapter in my life

This is the best Forum I've seen online. I'm 60 years old and needing a new window of opportunity. Lost my office job and now I'm looking to get out on the road for the next 10 years or so before I have to retire. I could sure use some advice on how to proceed. There's a trucking school where I live that I can attend, but I'm wondering if going straight to a company-run training program would be better. Seems like they push you harder at those though and I wonder if my age will be a hindrance in that situation? I'm healthy, but don't have the same stamina that I had in my thirties. I don't drink or smoke. Any input would be appreciated. Also, I'm tending to be attracted to those few companies that have auto transmissions. Should I re-think that attitude? Thanks.

I'm 57 , 34 yrs driving , I'm broke down & disabled ( have an inoperable tumor in my spine & have a DOT med card ) can work part time ( under ticker to work program w/ soc sec program can make 1,000 a month ( so I drive casually ) . did the instructor thing for 6 yrs , loved it ...just didnt like the CDL"mill thing that the school went to "

and I still drive casually ....So if I can still do it you can too my friend .....I trained many OLD GEEZERS at Sage from 2006 - 2011 they were in their 50- 70's to drive ...you still got a future .... trained a Dr. & his wife to drive team ... they bought a truck O/O leased to a co .in 2008 ... he was 54 ....:)

Welcome aboard. Your story is familiar to a lot of us on the board. Having to start over at the age where most the work force are looking at retirement is not an easy thing to do. I would have love to have continued in the field I spent the last 9 years in but no one was hiring a 57 year old woman. Trucking doesn't seem to care about age, if you can pass the physical and get your CDL then you're in. Don't let the physical scare you. I worried so much my blood pressure went up (fortunately not enough for me to fail the physical). If you can see, if you can hear, if you can squat, walk on your tipping toes and heels, and if you're not on insulin you'll pass the physical. Oh and if your blood pressure isn't too high (can't remember the threshold). Meditate before you have your physical and if you have a pet, pet him/her to lower you pressure.