Another Old Guy..career change

Seems to be a proliferation of us old geezers making changes in our lifestyles for various reasons. Here's mine. Spent most of my life working construction jobs, either self employed contractor or superintendent for single and mult family builders. Now turned 61 yrs of age and the bottom fell out of the business in 2007, got laid off and couldn't find anything in the country to go to. Never had that problem as I always find a job within a couple of days. Finally because of my experience in firearms training, martial arts, body guard work or executive protection work over the years as a sideline I got on with a company here in Florida that helped make ends meet but after 4 years its just not enough. Dangerous work is highly paid but getting to the age I dont need the adrenaline rush anymore. I do have my own training company plus work for another. Its fun, can be dangerous at times with the newbs but work in this economy is sporadic at best. Even our Law enforcement and Military contracts are drying up due to budget cutbacks.

Started thinking about trucking a few months back. Interviewed with TDI here in Sanford and walked out feeling like I was being sold a used car. Could not get a straight answer. I've done my research, asked a lot of questions that couldn't be answered and for $6k you had better be able to answer. Anyways, my younger brother by 3 years calls me the other day from California and said he was heading to Trucking school...WHAT?..as we had never talked about this before. Amazing how we were both thinking the same thing. Well folks right now he is on that grey dog out of CA headed for Tx to start at FFE. Think I'll wait on his report before making a final decision as I have a couple of corporate contracts to fulfill in Dec and Jan. After that, who knows. Trust me, my wife has no problem with me being gone months at a time. She's used to it from the construction and EP jobs I have had over the last 30+yrs. All 3 children are grown, and we still have a 25yr old son at the house who will finish his college computer degree in Feb, and he is more than willing to help take care of his mom while dad is on the road. He gets my truck. ulterior motive....

I've read a ton of threads on here. The good, bad and ugly. From what I can discern, you must have a positive attitude going in, be willing to work hard, like being alone and become a time management guru. I don't have a problem with any of those.

Y'all be safe out there especially this Holiday season.

 

Learned a long time ago, negative only attracts negative and its a deep dark pit that is hard to get out of. Attitude is everything and effects your outlook, not only on your job, co-workers and personal relationships but your health as well.

One thing I've learned after years on different boards is you have to be able to sort thru the BS..know who the keyboard commandos are and who is giving out good info. Still have quite a bit of reading to do over here as this board is has the most useful info I have found anywhere thanks to all the longtime truckers on here and the rookies for sharing their experiences, quite the eye opener.

 

Appreciate it Y2K..good luck on the new gig..glad you made it thru the 1st year. Probably not a bad thing that its a tough way to make a living. Kinda weeds out the gene pool so to speak. Hell if it was easy everybody would be doing it. Takes a special breed to enjoy being out 4-6 weeks at a time. Was reading over on the Calex thread, they've got a guy 84yrs old been running coast to coast for the last 30+yrs and still going strong.

 

Congrats on graduation MJ...Chompi, we are closer than you think. Actually live in Deltona wife works in Deland at the school board..

The Veteran thing helps..did my time and lord knows I use it when needed. All kinds of discounts plus VA Medical insurance for that little SE Asian tour 40 years ago.

Pretty healthy actually but of course I have to stay half way in shape doing what I do with all those high and tights getting training. Just getting about time to move on, get away from people for awhile. Made myself a promise back in 1970 that I would see the U.S on a Motorcycle one of these days. Well it just might have to be from a truck window first. Used to running a business so that is pretty much a no brainer.

Going to see how my brother does at FFE in the next couple of weeks. If he gets thru it OK I might follow him come January. Training contracts slow down in particular around here until March so its not like I dont have anytime on my hands except for Honey do's..which get old in a hurry.