Older male Starting Out...?

hey, "semiretired"

was the same way until it just wasn't worth the hassle and then they expect it of you all the time.

now the company says, if I'm hurt they are out a driver and the tractor sits making no money.

I love it.

(I will help some if ya don't tell).lol

 

You sound like your in pretty good shape. Just wait until you get out here on the road and see the variety of people trucking. Some can barely get in and out of the trucks. As long as you use good body mechanics when working around the tractor or trailer you will be fine.

Find a job that doesn't require a driver to do any unloading. You might want to avoid doing any flatbed work, which requires a lot of climbing, bending, pulling heavy tarps, etc. It pays well, but it involves some taxing work.

 

Thanks jj, I don't do that anymore, but I did work hard, and yes ,I do/did have problems staying awake, which is 1 of the reasons I can't "hammer" like I used to. Things have changed considerable, as due to ins. regs, as others have mentioned, drivers aren't allowed to unload their own trailers, but it is still out there. I never really thought about it, just did my job, and I didn't do that everyday, but wasn't afraid to do it when it happened. Another job I did, was haul eggs to supermarkets and warehouses. THAT was a tough job too. Warehouses took 734 cases of eggs on a 48 footer, all on the floor, and I had to put them on pallets. They were about 40lbs a piece, but that was a long day too. No wonder I have back problems now, Ha.

 

Heck I like having a job that requires some physical work, just sitting in the seat driving all day and then waiting to get unloaded sure doesn't get the blood flowing much.
Some jobs are a bit too much work, I delivered dollar store loads for 8 months,100% hand unload with rollers averaging 14 hrs a day between driving and throwing freight, hard work for a guy over 50.
Driving live floor now hauling barkdust etc., quite a bit of work involved but not near as bad as the dollar store gig and I go home every night usually after 12 hrs and I have weekends off.
I climb ladders and do some hand shoveling and roll heavy tarps etc. but it keeps me in shape.
I'll be 58 years old Oct. 1st and I'm in better shape than a lot of those fatties half my age that can barely get in and out of their trucks.
(apologies to any fatties reading)

 

The easiest work I've ever done is tankers.

When I was your age was pulling reefers coast-to-coast and had no problems with it. Went to tankers because it pays more and easier.

 

Yep tanks are a easy deal
Dump trucks, loggers, rgn. Chaining equip. isn't too hard, just a little dirty. Here's a tip drivers - don't trust anyone your working with till you get to know their habits. They will hurt you and go home telling their wife/drinking buddies about some fool that got hurt at work today. Don't be that guy.

 

Friend of mine 51 years old with walking pneumonia at the time of his graduation from trucking school got on with PTL right out of school has been on the road for a bout a year and a half has never had to touch freight not once.

In this industry age for the most part (not unless you are doing flat bed and that's mainly a physical fitness issue) age doesn't really matter.

 

[QUOTE="semi" retired;4084798]66 and 2 months for full benefits, 62 at 74% of full benefits.[/QUOTE]

Yes I have to be 67 to get full benefits. Guess I should be thankfull, they will raise the age to 99 soon. Must be 99 years old to get your social security benefits you have been paying for out of your check every week since you were 18. I wouldn't be surprised at all.

 

Hi wyld, well, I hope not. I heard, right now, the govt. pays out more than it takes in, and by 2035, unless something is done, the govt. will no longer be able to pay SS. I guess that covers me, but my kids(27 &30) will certainly be screwed.