Do you have advice for an Elder newbie ?

I've often wondered if a drivers desire to work OTR makes you more desirable to a company or to a recruiter. Did you get a reaction when you stated your desire to 'stay out" OTR? Maybe you seasoned guys can weigh in on this?

 

For me it seemed like I reached that age where I wanted to see more places before we all end up with the Mega carrier in the sky. Even for the

retired drivers currently, there's always a need from farmers. Hauling seed corn isn't very labor intensive and I believe Michigan has just dropped

the DOT requirement, which makes it that much easier. So back to the point don't ever think your too old theres a huge need for drivers!

 

Well I'm hopeless. Sold my "big truck" retired and I have his older tractor at my place. A load came in and I went. Been "retired" about a month. This load is "local" for me, Sugarland Tx, to El Paso. Older drivers like me are needed. The back X ray and other junk is getting harder to pass. Doc asked me to lift one leg & jump up and down. I said, You drop to your knees & kiss my butt. I'm a Trucker, not a Circus performer.

 

Saddletramp1200 so DOT physical includes back xray? are they looking for bad disks or what?

 

I just don't get mad. Didn't work 58.5 years ago, It don't work any better now.

 

Yes Sir, they are, plus more. Listen to your muscles move, Yea! they now. I was good till the nurse handed me an appointment with a specialist. I don't pose as a long term employee due to my back. I can't pull a van, my heart ain't in it. So my lease company after a meeting, "we danced, wished each other well" and I had their numbers removed from my tractor. As a O/O I can haul anything anywhere. Have to provide my own Ins.

 

skydivedavec - seems like i got quite the enthusiastic reaction yes, when I told them i wanted to stay out. But even more I emphasized that i COULD stay out more being a single & childless but also older so won't be having any children so the need for home time was minimal. There- I do have a brother and some scattered friends & family but thats another positive of being a trucker. i could see old friends, various scattered cousins!

 

I pull those knobs on the dash, yea that one. Xmas in Vegas, Sunsets in Fla. Tacos in Cali. Most asked question, Where is Home? Here right now. Sturgis? Daytona during Bikini week. Some Motorcycles show up. Home