Sacrificing family time at older age.. why u?

I will be blunt. This isn't for you. Unless you find local driving job so you can come home to the family at the end of your shift. I ran a little OTR when I was single. Once the family started, I let it go and became local, maybe a one nighter once in awhile. I have 5 boys all grown and gone. But doing the OTR thing never crosses my mind. For me, family is more important. Not to mention, my wife is a knock out, she gets hit on if I disappear for a second at the grocery store....lol....maybe that why I been together for 39 years. We are unseperable. My hats off to the OTR drivers.

 

You will be doing alot of walking. Especially if they assign you to unload that trailer. Good boots are a must. Bellevue Brand USMC Tanker Summer or winter weight boots come to mind. (These are branded on the back of heel for civilians) and custom order to your specific size. And you can handle anything the terrain throws at you.

If you do not make the money and spend it all inside the truckstop you will have a divorce from angry wife at home.

I got into trucking first chance I had at 21 to get away from my own family that was becoming a liability. Long story short. I had no interest in college that they were preaching about (Jobs going overseas...) and marriage was not a plan. It's just me. Thus freedom. Turns out I value that freedom greatly. I have a sort of family now but most of them have passed on thankfully. Too senile or old to understand our own experiences anyhow.

There has to be something pulling you away from home. Or making you run. The USA highway is a tough place to make a dollar. If you are going to be a Trucker you have to commit all you got to it. Not play at trucking.

I think you stay home. Find something else to do. I am.

 

I understand better. And no you are not being a dick.

Many jobs today such as walmart carefully makes sure workers are on the feet. No chairs to sit. Only customers sit. In fact, they are trying to push desks that are made for standing instead of sitting. If your feet are no good for standing and it's valid medically proven fact by a doctor, then you cannot take jobs with standing. That's a disability, not your fault. If you cannot find a job in your area to suit your limitations, then the US Government has the option to enroll you in disability. That is what is there for. You paid into it life time. A percentage of all workers incur wear and tear on the bodies from work to the point they cannot work. And there you are.

Trucking there are times you use that feet. You might be in Wolcott Iowa in the back row. And it's #### near a half mile walk to get to the building. If not more by now. Can you do it? Do you understand?

 

Yeah, the negativity is simply astounding.

The problem that you are running into is people telling you about their experiences. Some people have never done any tough work in their entire life before they got into a truck. Just about any job they get is going to be tough and grueling. Some people have never been more than 5ft from mama's tit, and they're OTR.

Go to a truckstop and sit back and watch the drivers shuffle in and out. You can spot the military guys. You can spot the bikers. You can spot the guys that have never had a callous on their hand, and who faint every time they get a paper cut. If the truckstop is full service, go into the restaurant and sit at the lunch counter. Strike up a conversation and ask about trucking. The one that's negative will be that guy that looks as if the toughest thing he ever done is life is wipe his own arse.

"Hey man, how's your day going?"

"Tired. Worked really hard today. Wiped my arse. Now, I have to get ready to drive."

Do you think this guy makes any money? Probably not. 20 years in a trade gives you the edge. The only concern that I have is the wife.mshe says she's good with you trucking. If you've always been there these last 8 years and now you won't, I doubt it. Now if during these 8 years, you've travelled extensively for work, she should be good. If not, don't go because your marriage will come apart within a year. But that all depends on your previous track record.

If you were the type of guy that she had complete confidence in, you're good to go. You are the man. But if she ever had to worry about you stressing out, losing your head if it wasn't attached, forgetful, don't listen...etc...and she had to nag, or go behind you, don't go. She's going to be at home driving herself nuts. And she will hate you for it. When the man is competent, the woman is confident. Chase that confident woman around the bedroom when you get home.

Luck in battle.

 

Age presents challenges in life. Ive cleared whole barns of hay bales for Horses when young. Several times a week if need be twice, one barn to the next and fill that one (Or try to. It takes around three to fill the one on our breeding farm) When you are young and strong and some what sunbaked you can do it. But over 50 now and contemplate that work? I aint gonna get that done. It's not so much the negative things but the inner drive the moxie or spirit whatever you call it. If you threw me into a tractor trailer in a howling storm and pointed at Cabbage I'll go. See you at the top. Last one buys dinner. lol.

 

I am 51 and retired from the Army in 2007. When I retired I was making 45-50K a year. Since leaving the Army I have had to Stoop to 9 - 12 dollar an hour jobs. I have been married for 30 years and have one son in college. My wife does not work but she also does not want to travel and leave her "Church Family".

SO, I get to travel, Make 50K plus a year, can afford to help son with collage funding, and only see my wife a couple of times a month.
This is a win in my book : )

 

Six, it is funny, I've seen the changes in this industry being in it on and off since the '70s and one thing that has not changed is the negativity has always been there like a badge of honor among the steering wheel holders.

I don't get how people think this is a great thing (yes I'm being negative for a reason) when people go from a career into this as a job, they seem to get sorely disappointed and then consider it the hardest thing they do because of the rules and regulations.

If the OP is really serious about this, then don't worry about the family, don't worry about much of anything because if you have a goal, then put it on paper and work toward it.

Why not become an accountant at your age?

Why not look at other things that are not labor intensive or require the training that is needed to do the job safely?

Not trying to discourage but if you want positive, treat this as a career and not a job like a lot of us do.

 

I think Ridgeline said it best. Six did make a very good case as does Lanky.

Why not? If age is just a number you should be able to consider a future doing something you like instead of trying to flip burgers or something menial for no wages. But be careful. Many colleges are worthless paper and tens of thousands in debt. We took a shot at it ourselves but paid it off not too long ago. I did get something out of it by building computers that are pretty powerful if not the existing limits of PC desktop power availible to customers and money to feed em. That's good for something. But everyone wants tablets and smart phones now so... shows what I don't know. lol.