Do you have advice for an Elder newbie ?

When you get that first truck with an APU, you'll wonder how you've lived without it this long. You will never want another truck without it.

As for flatbeds, the big thing to remember is flatbedder's actually work for a living. As a result, they usually get all the chicks as well. Poor van drivers like myself are left to ponder what could've been.

 

We have a guy that is 59 in our CDL class right now and doing well.

 

I look at pay and benefits. If benefits are important, usually from my experience, the larger companies have better benefits such as 401K. Try to visualize the big picture & the future & your long time goals. An example, my focus on retirement package/401K really paid off and gave me the cash eventually to buy several rental properties. Also, when the stock market drops, I re-evaluate where my contributions are going and increase my portion while the market is down, ie. buy low-sell high. We never know when we may flunk that DOT physical, have an accident, and be unemployed so try to encompass that in the big picture of planning. Those big shiney trucks running in the hammer lane aren't a safe backup plan for the future.

 

I am a month from being 62, and I think age has some advantages. I am more patient now than I was years ago. When I get delayed in traffic or at a loading dock, I am better at taking it in stride than I used to be. Believe me, patience is the one thing a driver needs most if they want to remain sane. As for jobs...unless you wanna be out for weeks at a time seeing the country, look for a smaller, regional operation. They are generally more humane, and have schedules you can live with.

 

I am 55, and am working on going to CDL School (probably sage) and I love this thread! I've wondered what the differences between different kinds of trucking were, and this helped alot.

I am very healthy, and strong (female) but had cervical spinal surgery a few years ago and not really comfortable lifting 75lbs although i am medically clear and can lift & carry a 40 lb mountain bike up several stairs (on a commuter train) really loved reading about everyone, especially the person (i'm sorry am at work can't retrieve your name but will edit post later so i can) that over came serious illness and became a trucker.

I can't wait! already studying CDL

 

I must concur, iamnoone, one of the better threads. I'm 56, excellent health and very fit, and eager to find an
appropriate school where I can begin an exciting career of OTR trucking. No wife, family to prevent me from staying
out for months at a time, seeing the great 48, even if through a windshield from a professional driver's vantage point.
Thanks to all of you who have contributed here!

 

skydivedavec I am in a similar position, no husband, kids or even mortgage to prevent me from staying out on the open road and that is in fact what I told the schneider recruiter when i spoke to them a week or 2 ago. that I wanted OTR and wanted to stay out on the road. seeing the 48 while driving and earning money is what I want right now. I do realize there will be frustrations but I'm stoked.