Middle aged career change?

As long as your heathy and have a high threshold for B.S.,you will do and be just fine...I have an Uncle who is 74 yrs old,still doin the OTR thing..

 

48 is a fine age for getting into the biz. There are others that have gotten into it that are older than you and doing just fine with it.

As long as you understand that it is not like anything you have ever done before, that it is, contrary to what some around here think, a lifestyle as well as a job, and that you will not see home for a few weeks at a time, there shouldn't be anything to stop you!

 

Like the olthers have said you shouldn't have a problem with age. Just know now you'll need to do alot of research on what school and what company you'll want to work for. This board is a great place for info but use it as a tool and not your only source.

 

I'm 49. I've driven OTR for about 3 years. Took a break from it in Nov, 09 but am thinking about going back to it because I can't seem to land a local job down here in Tampa, FL. There are some jobs available but the main one's available are one's that I'm not interested in doing - I know, I'm being picky.

Anyway, at 48 you probably don't have young children at home needing you all the time. If you're married, I'd guess that that's stable. With that all said, you're in at no risk for age discrimination. I can't say that it never happens, but at 48 I'd be very surprised if you experience it.

From your background you may want to stay active and so flatbedding may be a consideration. It's a physical job and even though I've never done it, I'd imagine that it would be more satisfying for varous reasons. I'd look at Maverick, TMC, BTC, Roehl, and Melton.

There are some companies that'll foot the bill for your training in exchange for a contract to work for them. Another possible option is to check with your local job service office/Workforce Alliance, etc. Often times they have programs to get people retrained and there's usually no expense on your part. If you find that that's an option I'd suggest taking that over attending a company sponsered training program. You wouldn't be committed to just one company that way.

If you do decide to give driving a shot don't even think about leasing a truck from any of these companies until you have a good year or two under your belt. You WILL be sorry.

At our age - for most of us anyway, staying healthy and trim gets harder and harder. Once you're out on the road you'll have pleanty of opportunities to eat, and eat, and eat. The truck stops usually have buffets and they're loaded with carbs. Lots of fried food, potatoes of many variaties, pasta, etc. You get the picture. I'd strongly suggest watching what you eat from the very beginning. It's just too easy to fall into the over/poor eating trap. Believe me, I know. When I came off the road I lost a quick 20 lbs without dieting and exercising.

Hope that all helps. Oh, one more thing. Don't do any lease deal with any company for at least a year or two. Umm, did I already say that? Oh, yes I did. It must be important then if I said it twice.

Good luck and keep us posted of what you find.

 

You also might want to look into Workforce Investment Act (WIA) money for CDL school. I am 50 and my wife is 44 and we just went through school using WIA funds. There are a lot of roadblocks but $7,000 for retraining ($3,500 each) covered our entire costs. The school will try to charge more but I got two different schools agree to accept WIA as payment in full including CDL Permit and License fees. By doing it that way, you do not owe your employer anything and it opens up a lot of employers who do not have their own schools. I would be happy to answer any questions you may have. Here is a link to our blog. I hope this helps.

http://anneandcraigleonard.wordpress.com/

 

Is there nothing else at all going on in Pennsylvania?

 

Definately take this advice.

Nice blog you and the Mrs. have there. I started driving in Dec, 06. At the time I was a mortgage broker and saw the hammer coming down like a beacon. Hell, Ray Charles could have seen that thing coming.

Anyway, I'll be following you on the blog.

 

LOL, I saw it coming too. The President of my company asked me in 2004 for ideas in diversifying the company. I told him we should start a Default Resolution Department to handle all of the foreclosures coming. He should have listened. I thought that since I was so good at what I did, I would be fine. I did not think my industry would disappear and that the Government would completely take over the private sector. It did not help that I also had the largest salary on the sales side of the company.

 

Ray Charles??? BWAHAHAHAHA!!! How about the "Seven Spanish Angels???" Do ya suppose they saw the hammer comin' down?