Starting A New Career At 56

Hello all, After a lifetime of working my ass off in the 9-5 world I got laid off 2 years ago. I have hit an age discrimination wall I can't seem to penetrate. Every job I go for I loose to someone younger. I am currently working a job any 18 year old can do for. $15.00 an hour. I watch trucks drive by my building every few minutes all day long. And I dream, why not me? I can do that. I talk to every local driver who comes to my loading dock and they all say the same thing. Driving sucks compare to what it used to be. One guy has been doing it for 39 years and only makes 22.00 an hour working for ABF. I still want to drive.

I have a recruiter for a privet school NETTS in Andover Ma coming over Saturday to tell me about school. I would rather go to a trucking school for swift or prime or something. But I'm not sure what direction to take yet.

Are there any companies that I can do my year out of New England so I can do OTR but still return to NE and see my family? Most seem to be everywhere but the east coast. Can I do training then do my year driving local? Should I pay for NETTS so I can start with local job? So many questions. If I didn't have a 10 year old son, I would just go drive OTR anywhere. But I'm not sure if my family can adjust to me almost never being home with him being so young right now. Last of all, how do they get you home for your off time if your doing all your driving out west somewhere?

And Last last of all. What kind of income can I really expect to make? I have years of debt to payoff thanks to this economy.

Thanks to all who reply. I honestly can't wait to change my life and work in a world where I'm not that old man who can't find a decent job.

Paul.

Hello all, After a lifetime of working my ass off in the 9-5 world I got laid off 2 years ago. I have hit an age discrimination wall I can't seem to penetrate. Every job I go for I loose to someone younger. I am currently working a job any 18 year old can do for. $15.00 an hour. I watch trucks drive by my building every few minutes all day long. And I dream, why not me? I can do that. I talk to every local driver who comes to my loading dock and they all say the same thing. Driving sucks compare to what it used to be. One guy has been doing it for 39 years and only makes 22.00 an hour working for ABF. I still want to drive.

I have a recruiter for a privet school NETTS in Andover Ma coming over Saturday to tell me about school. I would rather go to a trucking school for swift or prime or something. But I'm not sure what direction to take yet.

Are there any companies that I can do my year out of New England so I can do OTR but still return to NE and see my family? Most seem to be everywhere but the east coast. Can I do training then do my year driving local? Should I pay for NETTS so I can start with local job? So many questions. If I didn't have a 10 year old son, I would just go drive OTR anywhere. But I'm not sure if my family can adjust to me almost never being home with him being so young right now. Last of all, how do they get you home for your off time if your doing all your driving out west somewhere?

And Last last of all. What kind of income can I really expect to make? I have years of debt to payoff thanks to this economy.

Thanks to all who reply. I honestly can't wait to change my life and work in a world where I'm not that old man who can't find a decent job.

Paul.

I am in exactly the same boat, my friend. At 53, I appear to be running into the same walls. I will keep track of what you do.

This thread is a must read. I started and couldn't stop reading. I just had to see if he made it through each step. https://www.truckingtruth.com/truckers-forum/Topic-2938/Page-1/roehl-driver-training-from-start-to-end

What an amazing, hard working dude.

I just hope I have half the tenacity of this cat.

This thread is a must read. I started and couldn't stop reading. I just had to see if he made it through each step. https://www.truckingtruth.com/truckers-forum/Topic-2938/Page-1/roehl-driver-training-from-start-to-end

What an amazing, hard working dude.

I just hope I have half the tenacity of this cat.

Thanks AJ I'll read it for sure.

Paul

This thread is a must read. I started and couldn't stop reading. I just had to see if he made it through each step. https://www.truckingtruth.com/truckers-forum/Topic-2938/Page-1/roehl-driver-training-from-start-to-end

What an amazing, hard working dude.

I just hope I have half the tenacity of this cat.

Thanks AJ I'll read it for sure.

Paul

Let's keep in touch , we may be on similar paths here :)

I'm 52 and starting school July 7 at FFE

I'm 52 and starting school July 7 at FFE

Why did you pick FFE?

Now I have another to add to my list.

Prime Roehl CR England Knight and now

FFE ?

More choices for Company Sponsored CDL is good. :)

Hey Guys....I'm 52 and worked in a Corporate Cube for the last 12 yrs but from what I've seen in Trucking so far is 50 is the new 30 and we aren't having any issues getting hired on and/or trained...Only major downside for most 50 yr old guys coming into Trucking is having a family that they have become attached to seeing on a daily basis...If you single or have grown kids then this is a great option and I like it but if you can't hack being OTR for weeks at a time then you still have some options for local or regional gig's...

Ken

Stay withFFE one year and your CDL is paid in full....they don't take any payroll deductions from you.....this site gives all the info on FFE

You might check out millis also....they seem pretty good and their school is in Burleson...basically ft. Worth