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How old is too old to think about becoming a Company Driver?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Gungpae the OG, May 28, 2011.

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  1. May 28, 2011 #1
    Gungpae the OG

    Gungpae the OG Bobtail Member

    2
    1
    May 28, 2011
    Lancaster, California
    0
    I am currently attending Truck Driving School but after reading Arkie's Blog about his possible problems getting a Driving Job from a Trucking Company at the age of 68. I'm 68 now and will be 69 soon but I have always wanted to drive a Big Rig since I was Younger. I joined the Military right out of High School and stayed in for 23 years and Retired. I then was looking for a good job to supplement my Military Retirement and so I went to work as a State Corrections Department, Correctional Officer and retired after 18 years of empolyment. I make good retirement pay but I still want to Drive a Big Rig. Does anyone think I'm too old to give this Trucking Career a go or should I just sit at the Truck Stop and Keep Dreaming? I am a firm believer that You will always regret the things you didn't do more then the things you did.......:biggrin_25523:
     
    Gungpae the OG, May 28, 2011
    Gungpae the OG, May 28, 2011
    #1
    Laner99 Thanks this.
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  3. May 28, 2011 #2
    otherhalftw

    otherhalftw R.I.P.

    13,081
    45,332
    Nov 18, 2008
    CA...gold discovery foothills
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    Should be good....till you invert the numbers!:biggrin_2554:
     
    otherhalftw, May 28, 2011
    otherhalftw, May 28, 2011
    #2
  4. May 28, 2011 #3
    Hardlyevr

    Hardlyevr Road Train Member

    3,270
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    Jul 30, 2009
    Mapleton Depot,PA
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    legally they can't discriminate by age from 40-70. If they say you are only 2 years from that, ask how many drivers they turnover in 2 years!
     
    Hardlyevr, May 28, 2011
    Hardlyevr, May 28, 2011
    #3
  5. May 28, 2011 #4
    WitchingHour

    WitchingHour Road Train Member

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    Apr 1, 2011
    Broomfield, CO
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    Be persistent. Let them know you're for real. Once it's embedded in their minds that you're serious, you'll have a better chance of results. Hell, you WANT to work at 68 - that alone should get their attention.
    IMO, at 68, I'd much rather you be out there learning to operate as a professional in a big truck and being trained in such than I would to see you suddenly jump into a large RV with no clue what you're doing.
    Best of luck to you.
     
    WitchingHour, May 28, 2011
    WitchingHour, May 28, 2011
    #4
  7. May 29, 2011 #5
    dannythetrucker

    dannythetrucker Road Train Member

    2,856
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    May 26, 2011
    everywhere, man
    0
    go for it !
     
    dannythetrucker, May 29, 2011
    dannythetrucker, May 29, 2011
    #5
  8. May 29, 2011 #6
    Bumpy

    Bumpy Road Train Member

    6,527
    5,242
    Jan 27, 2009
    New Ulm,MN
    0
    Yes,go for it!! I have seen in my 7 years out here,many,many driver`s over the age of 65,and,three flatbedders over the age of 70..,although I have the utmost respect for them,(and in fact) told them so,that will NOT be me.!:biggrin_2556:
     
    Bumpy, May 29, 2011
    Bumpy, May 29, 2011
    #6
  9. May 29, 2011 #7
    ukdon

    ukdon Light Load Member

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    71
    Nov 21, 2009
    Pensacola, FL
    0
    I started driving at the age of 63. Go for it! Unless you are driving flatbed not too much work involved. In fact, need to exercise regularly because of the lack of hard physical work involved in driving.
     
    ukdon, May 29, 2011
    ukdon, May 29, 2011
    #7
  10. May 29, 2011 #8
    leannamarie

    leannamarie "California Girl"

    3,499
    1,708
    May 1, 2007
    Wishing I was somewhere on the road...
    0
    You sound like you have the stamina for it, so go for it. As long as you are healthy, age is just a number.:biggrin_25525:
     
    leannamarie, May 29, 2011
    leannamarie, May 29, 2011
    #8
  11. May 29, 2011 #9
    whosedog

    whosedog Medium Load Member

    626
    213
    Mar 18, 2009
    fair lawn nj
    0
    With 2 retirement checks plus SS you can afford to drive for any coolie wage company.Great way to see the country and get paid;go for it.
     
    whosedog, May 29, 2011
    whosedog, May 29, 2011
    #9
  12. May 29, 2011 #10
    Rerun8963

    Rerun8963 Road Train Member

    3,917
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    Mar 30, 2006
    ova-hereee
    0
    well at my former and now current employer (both trucking schools) we have had older students..

    sorry to say, past the age of 60, they were untouchable, and gave up.

    health, retirement, injuries, slower reflexes are among some of the things employers look for in students at that age bracket.

    some employers may take a chance on you, but do not gamble on it.

    there is an all to possible situation where you will be given a more detailed DOT physical, which WILL INCLUDE an EKG. one "blip" on that, and you're done.

    how do i know this...?? at yet another former employer of mine (trucking company), the guys older than 55 ARE INDEED put through the EKG.......

    good luck, but i do not see it happening for you, at your age.....
     
    Rerun8963, May 29, 2011
    Rerun8963, May 29, 2011
    #10
    Thr3£zer0se¥en7 Thanks this.
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