Potential newbie at 62

Hi Brian,
I also am a retread and an escapee from the electronics industry. Got my CDL in 1995, did a year then went back to electronics because of a medical issue.
Electronics sucks. It is badly paid and unstable. I know because I was involved with it for 35 years in several parts of the world.
Trucking is better depending on which angle you are approaching it from.
If you think you are going to get a local job that pays enough to live on anything other than ramen noodles good luck.
EVERYBODY wants a local job to go home every night. A rookie has zero chance of getting one.
I live in my truck and am totally dedicated to OTR driving.
I make a living.
That is about it. I make a living.
I too am over 60. I too do not have enough to live on. You are not alone. Many live just like me.
The biggest problem is medical care. Seeing a doctor is a nightmare. Medical insurance is a nightmare because it is based on a guy being in a home and available not bombing around the USA randomly.
The up side is I am free. This means a lot to me. I do not like people telling me what to do or having no control over my life.
Owning your own rig and living in it does give freedom.
Good luck.

 

OTR would NOT be a good idea for you if you have responsibilities at home as:
1) children who are still at home being raised or still going to school
2) caring for elderly parents or other family members that need round the clock care
3) mandated legal obligations that would keep you from traveling

If none of these 3 things apply to you, go ahead and give OTR your best shot. You may really like it.
Age should NOT be a factor if you are able to pass the physical and actually want to do it.

Good luck to you! God bless you and your family!

God bless every American and their families! God bless the U.S.A.!

 

This just isn't true. Just because someone is a rookie doesn't mean they have no chance at getting a local job. Its one of the larger trucking myths.

 

Don't know where you live but , you can try calling your local freight haulers and ask. For example a few months back abf was advertising in my area for new cdl grads.
As far as flipping your hours back and forth well that's one of those things out here that you just have to stand up for yourself and say NO .

 

I know that Schneider has dedicated routes where you run the same few routes over and over. A buddy of mine did that straight after getting his CDL. He's home every other night and every other weekend.

Most local companies want a year of experience before they'll hire you, but some will hire straight outta CDL school. Performance Food Group is one company I've heard of that does this, and I've also heard that they're a good company. Though you will work your butt off.

That's true for most local jobs: You load and/or unload the freight. Dunno how healthy you are at 62, but it's something to keep in mind.

 

Yes it's still possible. Also maybe look into line haul gigs your area granted 99% of those gigs are night runs.

 

Condolences on your father passing away. May he rest in peace. May God be with him for all eternity!

God bless every American and their families! God bless the U.S.A.!

 

Yes it is true.
I have a friend in Murray, KY. Very experienced and a young fella. He has been looking for years. Absolutely nothing.
I looked and looked in south Florida. Nothing.
The good jobs are dead mans shoes OR lugging crates of Coca Cola and filling supermarket shelves.
Generally to find a local, go home every night, well paying job is the holy grail. Tons of competition and so they can demand a lot.
My buddy has been serenading Averitt for week in week out for several years and nothing. He has tried Walmart and "not right now".
So where are all these local jobs that a complete rookie can walk into??
Dude it isn't a trucking myth. It is as rare as rocking horse dodo. Yes it can happen and I can also be hit by lightning.