New Career ... From the beginning.

If you are physically capable of performing all the duties associated with driving a tractor, you will be hired by somebody. Just remember, it's not just driving, you may be called upon to load or unload (less likely if you work for a major carrier). So many companies require you to prove you are able to do this. Climbing into a trailer, under a trailer, moving freight are all part of the job.

Good luck with your training.

 

Yea prime should show you how its done. Be safe and stay in the right lane so faster trucks can get bye

 

Automatic trucks, like driving a motor home.

 

congrats Mark!

 

So true, Marcus. There are a lot of fellas on this board who know more about professional driving than I probably ever will. But there are also a few like you and I who know more about the fear of failure than we ever wanted to.

I am much like you. At 51 I find myself unemployable and frankly, unwanted by anyone but the trucking industry in the capacity as a driver. I did all the right things. I was in the military for 6 years, put myself through college and held 2 management jobs in LTL world for over 20 years (didn't job hop). Since I lost my last job as a Management Consultant (hated every minute of it), I have submitted no less than 300 applications for jobs that I was completely qualified for. Of those 300 applications, I have gotten 1 phone interview, and 2 face to face interviews...... and no jobs. Apparantly, I have no value to anyone; none.

Fortunately for me, I have been around trucks and trucking since I was a wee boy and driving for a living has always been something I considered. Now it has become, frankly, the last resort. I have always had a tremendous amount of respect for drivers however I never really appreciated what they had to know to do their jobs. I never really appreciated how regulated they were. And I never really appreciated how skilled they were..... until now. Now I find myself studying harder than I did in college and telling myself that this is my last chance and if I F*** this up, there will be no more chances.

So Marcus (and a few other fellas) I know what it's like to be 'throw up' terrified of failure and as I write this, I begin to tear up just a bit. So, for those of you who talk to God on a regular basis, send a shout out to the guys who once thought they had it all figured out, only to find out that they were simply a useful tool that is no longer useful.

I have been studying for my CDL learners permit for about a week and Tuesday I'll go take my test and physical. If all goes well, I should start training at Millis soon. I am very excited and hopeful........

Peace and Happy New Year to all.

 

Prime must not run qualcomm then....If you have a qualcomm believe me the boss is looking over your shoulder...I hear some companies are now putting cameras looking out the windshield..

 

As long as you can pass the physical every 2 years & all the other stuff then you should be more attractive to most trucking companies because older drivers are looked at as more reliable than younger drivers..