starting over at 49
Posted 07.02.2008 at 01.20 PM by pappygrayowl
Hi everyone. Like the title says, I'm starting a new career at 49 years old. Up until now I've spent most of my life in maufacturing. But, the companies are are closing or moving and, since I have no desire to learn to speak Chinese, I'm fulfilling the dream I had as a teenager of driving a truck.
Why did I wait until now? Well, life happens.....ALOT!
But now I'm in the final stage of driving school (I graduate on 7/3/0
and all I need to do is take my cdl test. Confidence is high but we'll see. Like they say 'sometimes your the windsheild, sometimes your the bug'. I'm hoping that I'm the windsheild the day of my test.
Got a pre-hire from Werner and I think I'll start out there and maybe move on after the first year.
Wish me luck and I'll keep posting. All advice is welcome.
Take care and keep the rubber side down.
Why did I wait until now? Well, life happens.....ALOT!
But now I'm in the final stage of driving school (I graduate on 7/3/0
and all I need to do is take my cdl test. Confidence is high but we'll see. Like they say 'sometimes your the windsheild, sometimes your the bug'. I'm hoping that I'm the windsheild the day of my test.Got a pre-hire from Werner and I think I'll start out there and maybe move on after the first year.
Wish me luck and I'll keep posting. All advice is welcome.
Take care and keep the rubber side down.
Total Comments 10
Comments
 |  Good Morning Pappy, Wel looks like you and I are in the same boat. I have not yet started. I have orientation on the 15th of this month with Prime. Hope all goes well. Semper-Fi Nick |
Posted 07.04.2008 at 10.57 AM by Nick352  |
| |  Being 46 starting a new career is not bad at all as long as you start one. I start training next week and cant wait...wanted to drive trucks since my early 20's...better late than never. good luck Semper-fi and pappygreyowl |
| Posted 07.05.2008 at 11.12 PM by MAJIK Lady |
| |  Well I'm 61 and soon to be 62 trying to get back into the game again. I thought I was through with 35 years on the road.. But here we go again... You can do it with no problem. you are still young and mostly you have been around and know that it is not about you. |
| Posted 07.07.2008 at 01.07 PM by Phil1Fla |
| |  I Find great consolation reading all your comments. I am 41 and I Bought my 1st truck and flatbed trailer this year (Feb) It is tough.... but it is rewarding too! And I love coming here and reading all the encouraging comments.. Even when the comments have nothing to do with me directly! GOD Bless you all! with that...Who needs Luck?!!! |
| Posted 07.08.2008 at 02.13 PM by bor |
| |  I started driving 4 years ago when I was 48 years ago. I've always liked big trucks (my Dad was a driver) he retired (ha!ha!) in June/July 2004 in Aug I figured somebody needs to continue in trucking and since my younger brother worked in a warehouse I might as well be the trucker. Being a female I didn't have anything in common with my Dad now he and I talk TRUCK. He is the man who raised my since I was nine years old. To everyone who is new to trucking good luck and to those returning to trucking it just shows that no one really retires from trucking it just gets into your blood. |
| Posted 07.09.2008 at 04.13 AM by kickingdeer |
| |  I am 44 years old, spent 27 years in a sawmill untill it recently went bankrupt. Going to trucking school aug. 11th not sure who i will try to get a job with after that.. was thinking about werner... dont know |
| Posted 07.27.2008 at 08.20 PM by Sawmill2Driver |
| |  I'm in the same club ,been turning wrenches for over 23 years.Dad did flatbed heavy hauling back when I was in high school. Been putting it off for four years now.It's kind of funny how the passion of something I've been wanting to do back when I went cross country with my dad when I was still a teenager. All the nice places to see in the day time and nothing to see at night.But now the time is here and its funny to see it become a reallity and actually drive over the road. Good Luck on your New Adventure!!  |
| Posted 07.31.2008 at 02.31 AM by pinoy08 |
| |  I spent 10 years hauling furniture when I was in my 20's before settling down to a regular job. I regret having given it up because I have always missed it, but you do what you have to for the family. When I retire from my current job, just 3 years until my parole, oop's I mean pension, I would like to get back to it again, perhaps flatbed or a container operation. I alway kept my CDL & physical current, I have taken a few reasonably short trips over the years to help out a friend, and do still miss the lifestyle. |
| Posted 07.31.2008 at 09.02 AM by ers1121 |
| |  Just an update. Passed school but failed part of the cdl test. From what I hear, most Massachusetts drivers have to take it at least twice before passing. Bugs me though because I passed the hard parts and failed the easy stuff. Kinda my own fault though. I had my last cigarette 2 days brfore the test and went to take it on one of the hottest days of the year and had nothing to drink. Not giving up though. At least I'll be better prepared next time. |
| Posted 08.02.2008 at 06.46 AM by pappygrayowl |
| | Here's another update. Took the parts of the test that I failed again and Passed! But, I couldn't do the airbrake or road test because we couldn't shut the truck off! LMAO. When the instructor brought the truck from the school to the test site, she shut it off but it needed a jump to get it going again. Since we couldn't do all of the test, the school had to pay for me to go back for a third time and just do the air brake and driving part of the test. I swear, this will never end. LOL. |
| Posted 08.14.2008 at 09.18 AM by pappygrayowl |
Recent Blog Entries by pappygrayowl
- YES!!!!!! (08.31.2008)
- so wrong (08.03.2008)
- starting over at 49 (07.02.2008)
- Got a good company for a first timer? (07.02.2008)
