Been A Long Time Coming

Greetings,

I'm thinking about making the career move to solo long haul. Let me set the stage: I've got no kids, no family to speak of, I'm not particularly tied to a community, I used to be a recreational pilot, I've been coast to coast on a motorcycle and numerous other vehicles, I'm in excellent health, no criminal anything, spotless driving record going back decades, drug-free (aside from caffeine) and a non-smoker. I am married, but we've been apart for months at a time for various reasons; three or so weeks out per month wouldn't be a problem assuming I could return home to Portland, OR.

The catch: I'm 50 years old. Is this something worth pursuing, or have I missed the bus, so to speak. Would I be the oldest, like by 20 years, guy in CDL training? That isn't a deal breaker, but I'm sure you get where I'm coming from.

Great forum, btw, very glad I found it.

50 YEARS OLD? Holy cow, you're ancient!

Not really, I was just kidding! Fifty is nothing! You're actually at the perfect age. I believe the average new recruit in trucking is 45-55 years old. I'm 56 and just started sending out applications.

LittleJoe

Welcome aboard Farmer I would say in no way you have missed the bus . You will find many in our age range just getting into this lifestyle ( it's not just a job ) I myself turned 50 in Feb. and I start private school next Monday and hope to be on the road bu the end of July !! Good luck to you and I hope this was helpful ! I'm sure you will get more response's like this one !

Farmer Brown, You will be in good company at this career - there are a lot of us old geezers out there, and the truth is that the trucking companies would rather have you than some young kid. When they hand you the keys to about 200,000 dollars worth of equipment they like to know they are handing them to someone who just might understand how much hard work it took to buy that truck, and therefore might take extra good care of it.

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.

50 is only four years older than me. You should have no problem with this. As long as the little lady at home is behind it. You will be good to go.

Not to worry, I started my OTR when I was 56. That was 3 years ago. Been having a great time going coast to coast (well I used to go coast to coast).

I, like you, was born/raised in the Pacific NW (Toledo WA).

Do not hesitate to ask whatever questions you may have, we will do our best to help & point you in the right direction.

Ernie

Welcome Farmer Brown. Pull up a chair and sit a spell. I have been collecting these ol' folks around here for a while now. Planning on opening my own "Ol' Geezerville Retirement" community.

Lol of course 50 is not old. Look at Old School but he gets a pass because he personally knows Jesus since they were neighbors when they were little kids.

But seriously companies would love to have more mature drivers due to their mentally. Slow and easy going. Lol these kids now a days get into to big of a hurry and play "Bam Bam smash things".

Feel free to ask anything that maybe on your mind,if you can remember it that long, and we will do our best to answer your question to the best of our abilities. We have alot of experienced drivers here that are more than willing to help a new person to trucking get started and guide them every step of the way until they get their first truck and often times way beyond that.

Besides we speak really slow and very loud so you can understand us clearly.

OK I know I put in more than a few "old people" references in this post but once I got started I could not help myself. It turned funny.

Just remember one thing while you are here....diner time is a 3 pm and bedtime is 6pm and don't forget to choose Pudding or Applesauce for tomorrow's dessert.

OMG I kill myself........

Just remember one thing while you are here....diner time is a 3 pm and bedtime is 6pm and don't forget to choose Pudding or Applesauce for tomorrow's dessert.

OMG I kill myself........smile.gifrofl-3.gif

LOL At my age I prefer Yogurt...

Thanks to everybody for the great encouragement. I, like some others, are looking at this as a "third and hopefully final" career move.

So now to the next question: training/hiring. I could go private, there's a local outfit nearby, but, frankly, I like the idea of doing training with a company and signing up for a year's starter stint. I've read all the info on companies available on this site (also good stuff).

Anybody care to wade in on the whole private/company debate?

Thanks again... made an ol' man smile :-)

Hey neighbor, I live in Portland also. I'm going home this weekend for two days off after being gone for 7 weeks. I'm loving OTR and don't regret it for a second.

I went to private school and had a good experience. I also had a job lined up before I finished school, but I would have liked to save the $5000 I spent on it. I went to weekend classes so I could continue to work full time during school. Guess it all depends on your situation.