Laid off engineer from IBM going for his CDL

You won't be alone; many, many on this forum going through the same from all walks of life. Get all the endorsements, TWIC, Passport for the better paying jobs. Many companies are hiring new CDL graduates that just a few months ago required previous experience. Start the applications as soon as CDL classes start and submit several.
The best pay will be with LTL companies or hazmat companies.

Old Dominion
UPS Freight (not household delivery)
Oakley Transport
Venezia Transport
Nuverra Environmental Solutions
Trimac Transportation
Schneider Bulk (tanker)

If you can't find any hazmat or LTL hiring in your area, then try these, but the pay isn't near as good:

Roehl
Navajo Express
Shaffer Trucking
Maverick Transportation
Willow Run Foods
J&R Schugel
H.O. Wolding

Do the online applications before any phone calls; it gives them something to look at when you do eventually call.

Check Careerjet and Careerbuilder and maybe find some good local or regional tanker/hazmat jobs.

 

Big insurance company told me in October 1999 that they did not need my cobol skills anymore. It took me three years to find trucking which works for me but not for everyone.

 

Oh no! Not another spoiled babyboomer that can't "afford" to retire! Go do volunteer work and RETIRE ALREADY!! <sigh>

 

Don't have a dog in this fight , but here is a thought.....while trucking can be lucrative and all , at 58 and with your education , why not take some of the severance pay ( I'm assuming that IBM did right by you of course ) But , take and further your education in the medical field , PA school isn't that bad , and the pay once you start working is much better than a new trucker makes. Just a thought , Good Luck in your endeavor , BTW...listen and pay attention to any and all advice from Chinatown....Again good luck!

 

Not to say all truckers are dumb but I have always wondered how many drivers there are out there with a higher education.
I met a guy that seemed extremely intelligent and lost his computer engineering ( or something like that ) job in silicone valley , bought a truck and was hauling reefer loads . He was happy as a clam and was telling me he wish he would have just done that from the start.
Good luck in your new adventure.

 

I was a school teacher. Have a Bachelors in English literature and im out here

 

I worked in corporate america for 15 years. Have two bachelors degrees and really enjoy trucking. Your not alone out here. Good luck, we need more good people in the profession.