Want to hear from the ex-truckers

I planned ahead many years ago so I could retire early and that's what trucking did for me. I took what we call the golden handshake and live very comfortable so I do not need to work. My work now is either on the golf course or fishing.

 

I became a Mechanic, that way I was at home most nights and still drove when I wanted to, test drove all the new stuff. I retired at 59, when I was trucking it was as a team and we were gone for 5.5 months, one time and 6 the next. Loved the travel and people, saw the country, what ever you do you will always regret something. Worked for me!

 

trekker1 I drove 15 years. now the dr.s wont let me do it any more or

 

Trekker1 i drove for 15 years . But i dont now because the dr,s wont let me drive anymore. If it was up to me i would be driving in a heart beat. I had plan to do this all my life. But it didnt work out that way thats my story. Tater bug

 

I drove for a year but things happened and im back home. Im doing hair and working in the billing dept of a company and im thinking about being an emt. I may get back in to trucking though at the end of the year.

 

Currently I'm on the disabled list due to a spinoff from cancer treatments from 2008. I just went through brain surgery to remove a freaking radioactive narcossis tumor which has made me a "tad" bit wobbly on my feet and a bit dizzy until my grey matter puts all the ducks back in a row! I've been off the road since Aug 2009 and it has not been a very good time what with going broke!

I'll go back to driving if and when I feel safe doing so as I've got 32 years driving experience but until I feel that I'm not a risk to myself or the rest of the motoring public I'll take this paltry disability pay from the government! Whats in the trailer isn't worth my life or someone elses life and this has been a rule of mine for many years! I'll stay out from behind the wheel untill I KNOW I'm safe to be around the rest of you guys!

I will give every one of you some advice. GET A DISABILITY INSURANCE POLICY! You've seen the duck or another company.This was the biggest mistake we made not getting one as we "thought" that nothing would ever happen. Well it did and it's costing us big time with having to file bankrupcy and going through this crapola of creditors getting all up in my butt the way they are.

I am proof that the great American Dream WILL fail due to a major medical crisis. If we had had a disability policy it would have helped us out in this stupid roller coaster ride so please don't let a $45 a month payment worry you especially if you are heading towards the 50 year mark! But do NOT count on workers comp to pay much at all if you get hurt badly or have a doctor tell you that you can't drive any more. that'll take the life right out of you I promise!

Any way I would go back to driving in a heartbeat when I can and if a company will take me after everything I've been through and not think I need to retrain as I bet I'll still be able to out drive a trainer or instructor after 1/2 hour of "remembering" where the gears are and which way to turn the wheel going backwards!

But to tell the truth I want to ride my bike for some much-needed therapy before I get behind the windshield.

Good luck out there
Rollover

 

sorry to hear of your medical troubles rollover, i wish you a speedy recovery!

 

I'm sorta in the same boat as Rollover. Had a heart attack about 14 months ago but things are ok now as far as I know. Have to have a check up in April and will decide whether to go back or not. Fortunately I sold my truck and trailer so the $ from that plus my SS is keeping us afloat. I don't really want to start over but I may have to. I sometimes miss the driving part but the BS with the FMCSA,ATA,DOT and the rest I don't miss at all. I'm very fortunate in that I still have friends who have their own authority and if necessary I can lease a truck to them if need be. Don't have to worry about the age of the truck and trailer(just has to meet my standards). Everybody stay safe out there.

 

I'm sorry to hear about you two drivers that had to go out due to a disability. It's bad enough just going through what you guys have to but then losing your dream.

I can't say I'm smart or anything like that but I just saw an easy way so I wouldn't have to worry about medical. I stayed in the service and retired. However, I didn't know back then that to be safe I should keep another insurance policy to protect my family. But the extra income from the service,my retirement, and my investments have made it possible to where I have no worries. It's so important to think about what you need to do now to protect yourself way down the line.