Will Companies Hire Beginner Drivers In Their Early 60's?
Topic 6015 | Page 1
Hi Charlie, welcome to the forum.
Your age won't be an issue when it comes to finding a job in trucking. Companies like the clear and responsible thinking that often only age and experience can teach.
Woody
Hi Charlie, welcome to the forum.
Your age won't be an issue when it comes to finding a job in trucking. Companies like the clear and responsible thinking that often only age and experience can teach.
Woody
Hi. Interesting. Im thinking of the same.thing. 31 years in IT for me. Mike
My company, SWIFT hired a man who fought on the beaches of Iwo Jima. He is now driving dedicated routes between San Francisco and LA. The man is awsome, a true go getter and a insperation. I see no reason why you can't do it too.
Dedicated Route:
A driver or carrier who transports cargo between regular, prescribed routes. Normally it means a driver will be dedicated to working for one particular customer like Walmart or Home Depot and they will only haul freight for that customer. You'll often hear drivers say something like, "I'm on the Walmart dedicated account."
Charlie,
I started 3 years ago @ 56. As long as you meet all the qualifications, no reason why you can't go through training. Have you considered going to one of the company sponsored training programs?
I would look into that, typically little or no money out of pocket.
Like you and Mike S., I came out of IT field as well. I was one of the original 6 franchise owner for a company called "Geeks on Call" that was started in Norfolk VA area.
Ernie
Company Sponsored Training:
A Company-Sponsored Training Program is a school that is owned and operated by a trucking company.
The schooling often requires little or no money up front. Instead of paying up-front tuition you will sign an agreement to work for the company for a specified amount of time after graduation, usually around a year, at a slightly lower rate of pay in order to pay for the training.
If you choose to quit working for the company before your year is up, they will normally require you to pay back a prorated amount of money for the schooling. The amount you pay back will be comparable to what you would have paid if you went to an independently owned school.
Company-sponsored training can be an excellent way to get your career underway if you can't afford the tuition up front for private schooling.
Oh btw Charel's, I am a 15 year vet of the IT industry, software side. One of the biggest perks for me in trucking is the dramatic drop in office politics that I was forced to play for to long. It still exists, much milder version of it. My office experience has given me a advantage over my piers. I know the mentality and bureaucracy they have to live each day. Many truckers just don't understand it because they are in a completely different environment.
Thanks for all the replies! Didn't know there was IT guys out there driving trucks. Great to hear all the positive comments and Attila said it all about the IT industry.
I'm looking at Roadmaster because they offer weekend training for CDL. I haven't found a company sponsor training that offers weekends. I'm still working my IT job.
I love new challenges. Just 4 years ago I got my motorcycle endorsement and now I love riding my Goldwing on trips. I never want to wonder what it would be like doing something.
Hope to see you all on the road someday.
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.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DWI:
Driving While Intoxicated
GO for it, Charles! Forget your age and live your life!
-mountain girl
Thanks for all the replies! Didn't know there was IT guys out there driving trucks. Great to hear all the positive comments and Attila said it all about the IT industry.
I'm looking at Roadmaster because they offer weekend training for CDL. I haven't found a company sponsor training that offers weekends. I'm still working my IT job.
I love new challenges. Just 4 years ago I got my motorcycle endorsement and now I love riding my Goldwing on trips. I never want to wonder what it would be like doing something.
Hope to see you all on the road someday.
Another ex-IT guy here! Wishing you the best!
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.
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.DWI:
Driving While Intoxicated
As the old saying goes, "Age is just a number." So long as you can qualify for the Medical Card and pass the company's physical agility tests, age by itself, will not dis-qualify you. What you will need is a determined mindset to see the learning curve through to the point where you begin to enjoy your new career. It will not be an easy transition, but is very possible. All the best to ya!
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I'm looking to change career after 35 years in the hardware computer industry. Just need a change and a challenge, trucking driving would defiantly wound offer this. But my age concerns me, even though I'm in good health, very active and don't see any restrictions (felony, bad driving records, etc.) that would work against me.
I'm meeting with RoadMaster Trucking School this week. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Charlie
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.