Advice, constructive criticism or otherwise

Stay where you are. Find something else to do on the side as a hobby to satisfy that 60 year old itch.

Of course this is just my humble opinion

 

I went solo on November 1st approximately... The ink was still wet on my CDL... I just got an empty and was racing for a truck stop because the weather was closing in... The weather got there quicker than I expected gale force winds snow blowing sideways in Nebraska and I was empty... Whiteout conditions, all I did was slow down found the rumble strips and kept my wheels on that so I knew where I was... I drove to a safe place at about 25 miles an hour... All the super truckers were blowing my doors off... The point is I got to a safe place.

Just remember to slow down and bad conditions and shut down as soon as you can... You'll do fine.

 

If you were totally wrung out at a thankless, crap-paying, soul-sucking job, I'd say go for it.

But that doesn't sound like your situation at all. Let them bore you while they stuff your pockets with money. Get a fast computer and a copy of the American Trucker simulator, an aftermarket steering wheel and gearshift. Save up that profit sharing money and get yourself a diesel pusher RV. Take leaves of absence at suitable intervals, pick a direction and head that way. Stop and smell the roses.

You feel you're missing out on something? You are. You're missing out on the gnawing fatigue, stress, leo harassment, management stupidity, and bad coffee that is the lot of an OTR driver. Or you can be a local driver, work five fourteen hour days a week and use your house as your "sleeper berth". JMO. I do it because I don't have a viable alternative right now.

If you're dead set on trying this, keep mall walking or something all winter to get your BP down, then start to apply in the spring. That way the weather will have begun to moderate, and any of those late season snow squalls will happen while you're with a trainer. Then when you get cut loose solo, you have all summer to learn the job and get used to the truck in mostly decent weather.

I got out of the truck ten years ago to be a mechanic. Thought it would be a good idea. On balance it wasn't. Shoulda just stayed in the truck. Still, no one coulda told me that at the time, so do what ya gotta do. I'm back in a gas truck, running local with some out and back. I'm glad to be back, but it doesn't leave much free time. Good luck.

 

Your next birthday you'll be 70 then the next birthday you'll be 80; that's how fast time seems to pass. What you do between 60 and 80 yrs. old is pretty much irrelevant in the big picture; that's how fast time passes. Do what makes you the more happy and content. It's not like you're blowing your life savings trying to put children through college or giving half your savings and pension to an ex-wife as alimony payments.
Millis is fine, unless you want runs to the west coast; they only run eastern half of USA.

 

There's also Jim Palmer Trucking that runs coast to coast.
Carter Express in Indianapolis has cdl training.
Contract Freighters Inc. (www.cfidrive.com) coast to coast dry van.
Sodrel Transportation in Indy.
Celadon in Indy.

 

If the money is worth it, I'd say wait till feb. if the job really sucks go ahead and do it now. If MILLIS approved you before they will more than likely approve you again.

Driving in winter is easy. Just slow down and be safe. MILLIS says shutdown if you don't feel safe. They won't force you to drive in bad weather.

Current MILLIS driver here