so let's make it a hundred and one.

Here's the thing, next week is my final week of trucking school and with all the recruiters and offers, I still haven't heard about anything I'm really interested in. I'm 50, not a kid out looking for adventure, life on the open road, quick cash or whatever...I'm retired from both the government and guard and don't owe anyone, anywhere a cent but I would like to make some extra money without living out of a truck for weeks on end. Is there such a thing as part-time or relief driving jobs for an older guy who just wants to haul freight without staying away from the house for weeks on end? Seems everyone I've ran into so far pushes "more miles, more money" but what if money isn't the primary reason for driving...any companies have programs or options for those who aren't ready to retire but not really wanting or needing full-time either (gone by the week anyway)?

Just thought I'd put it out there since this forum seems to have a good reputation for advise to the "rookies" and I've learned alot just by reading posts. Anyone who has any advise or suggestions, I sure would appreciate it!

Schneider, Roehl, Celadon, and a few others have what they call "Lifestyle Fleets" where they basically divide up 2 tractors betweeen 3 drivers, or pair two drivers with one tractor. In essence, you work 2 weeks out and one week off with the three driver plan, or one week on and one week off with the 2 driver plan. How workable that truly is, I can't really say. Seems like much of that would depend on how well the dispatch works, and the quality of the other driver(s) involved. For example, if you are a non smoker, and the other driver is a smoker, I can see some problems. It requires drivers in your group to live somewhat near each other, and there are other stipulations. One way or the other, one of you is working Xmas, for example.

It might be worth checking into something liek this if it appeals to you. It wouldn't be my cup of tea, but it does get you home anywhere from 1/2 to 1/3 of your total time. Of course, the pay corresponds to that sort of timing too, so that has to be considered.

Not sure where you are located but I know at least in the Portland, Or area, Knight has a 4 on 4 off and also a 7 on and 7 off program

I am transitioning out of construction and deliver rock, block and sand with a flat bead, towing a fork lift. there are transfer dumps and bottom dumps in the yard as well that I have driven. the bottom dump truck is the easiest to drive and you never have to handle the freight. unless you bring the mrs. along to team withya for weeks, youlle pay your dues with low pay for the first year or two. most large companies like robertsons ready mix pay 15 or 16$ / hour, but youre home nights and probably within 10 miles of home.a definite downgrade from the 22.$ I got as a carpenter, but I didn't wanna get hurt anymore. 6 to 230 aint bad. overtime is common. my last check # 16$ was $1500. for 2 weeks. Ill do this for a year or until my mrs gets her A lic. a lot of my afternoons are free to get other stuff done. they hire for the season around....... now. just roll it around a while.

Thanks for the feeedback, fellas!
I'm training and live in NC, not far from Asheville, so I was actually looking hard at the Roehl 7-7 program. Didn't know any others had such liberal hometime programs but I'll check them out too (Schneider,Celadon). Most of the other fellas I know who are also "retired" but still working work grocery routes, usually leaving late at night and getting home sometime before noon the next day or delivery routes (one does Coca-Cola, one Lays) so I may go that same way myself. If I were a young man, "living" on the road may be okay but I may be too old and set in my ways to try it now. But who knows, you gotta do what you gotta do sometimes, huh?
I can say I've earned a tremendous amount of respect about trucking these past 162 hours in school. I was probably like most folks, just figured you learned a few basics, jumped up in the truck and drove off down the road but that perception's about like an astronaut riding a bicycle to the moon now. I've been in the field of high tech my entire life so I have seen alot of areas where technology upgrades (hardware/software/networking) could benefit both the driver and customer but all my trainers kind of discourage my ideas saying, "These trucking companies ain't paying for nothing that ain't ab-sooo-lutely needed!". They seem especially amused when I mention the larger companies with big terminals offering their drivers temporary accomodations (bed, shower, recreation, etc.) and they always go back to, "It's the freight, you're just like the truck, buddy, just another necessity to get that freight from point A to point B". Anyways, I respect the job in a whole other way now.
Thanks again!