Worth a Career Change?

Yeah... 44 is no where close to being too old. Unless you are in really good shape and can stand to work for a couple days straight...you might wanna shy away from the frac crews and such... but driving? As mentioned, I've seen plenty in their 60's hauling crude and I doubt water is much different. If they won't hire a 44 y/o to drive a truck... they're not needing drivers very bad.

 

I used to spin heavy compressed welding gas cylinders and hoist 50lb. propane cannisters into racks every day as a welding gases driver in my mid-40's. Yes, I did at least as much driving as loading/unloading which made the job tolerable. 40's is not too old and a little physical labor would be a bonus for most, not a detriment.

Stay in your current job and get a CDL during evenings/weekends. All private CDL schools, and probaby most vocational schools, offer off-hours CDL training which would get you your CDL in about 6 weeks or so. You'll probably spend anywhere from $1,500 to $4k to get the CDL. Also, there are a thousand websites that offer free CDL practice tests. Probably the toughest part of getting a CDL is memorizing the pre-trip. Drill that into your head and you're halfway there. You might have better luck getting an oilfield job as a newbie in Texas, it's a warmer climate, (I believe) you won't pay state income tax there, and you should find lower rents. Go to any oilfield with your CDL already in hand, even if you don't have experience, and you have a better shot than most.

 

I have to agree that trucking isn't for everyone. It's a lifestyle and not everyone enjoys it. Good Luck on your journey and keep us posted.

 

44k is a lot, most driver don't make that much and have to stay out few week at a time. After a few yrs of experience you can make much more and more option. Not to discourage you or anything but if your heart is driving a big rig , then go for it. If you look hard enough, you may land on company that willing to train you and pay maybe good. For example: a company start out $20hrs+ over time and said you can make 85k a years. You can calculate how many hrs and day you have to work to achieve it. Now let say over the road type driving. If company pay you 0.40 cents a miles. to achieve 60k+ a yrs. how many miles you have drive (per wks) . If you drive legally( just said it maybe less/ little more 3500 mile per week(solo). Be out few week at a time( if you not marry and have no kid this would be great for some). Now , all above that I know they require some years of xperience. Like I said, if you money hungry and look very carefully. you may end up with one company that willing to train and make you that type of money. Good luck shopping

 

Just remember trucking is either in your blood or not

 

44k is not a lot for oilfield. It would be on the lower end even for someone with no experience. 70 hours a week driving is going to bring in 60-70k.

But, like I said originally, it would be easier to make another 20k just by going out and getting a 2nd job

 

I am 47 and I am about to head to ND. I have held a class A CDL for 20+ years but for the last 7 years I have had an office job but I was in the same boat as the OP....there was not going to be opportunity to make any more money. Going to go get my endorsements this week (except hazmat which will take longer to process). I have driven trucks into and out of some pretty hairy places hauling rough cut lumber and other portable sawmill products so I don't expect the oil field to be any worse as far as conditions go.....except the winters in ND. Once I get some oil field under my belt, I may look south. I take heat better than cold and southwest TX is in a similar boom though it doesn't appear that the pay is as good overall as in ND.

 

What state do you live in? I know a few secrets I wont share on here. (aquiring a CDL) If you are bent on giving it serious thought, and willing to get to ND, Id let you ride along to see what its all about. BUT... Its like everyone here is saying, It isnt for most people and it isnt for most truckers. But if you are willing to put in the hours and go through some rather grueling training you might just make it. Honestly youve gotta be one tough bugger to make it. When its -40 and the wind is howling at 40 mph youve still gotta get up on the tanks and work oil. NOT FUN!!!

 

pay isn't everything if you have zero life and drive in -40 on ice roads