Becoming a trucker at 59 years of age?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by iamtrying, May 16, 2019.

  1. dirthaller

    dirthaller Heavy Load Member

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    ...........and (adjusted for the rate of inflation) drivers made more $ 30 years ago.
     
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  3. Omega1

    Omega1 Heavy Load Member

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    Okay, how about this one? Got a call today from the company I work for. I live in Oregon. So it's like this: Pick up in Nampa Idaho and deliver in Buffalo, NY. You need a full clock and have to roll immediately after loading. So old man, we want you to run your ### off all night every night for the next 4 nights. So what do I do? I'm going to run my old man ### off every night for the next 4 nights. Make bank and ##### about it later. That is how you make money in this business as a company driver. Gnight.
     
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  4. iamtrying

    iamtrying Bobtail Member

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    So the question is, is loving to drive and wanting to start a new life enough reason to get into trucking at my age?
     
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  5. SteveScott

    SteveScott Road Train Member

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    If you love to drive you will love OTR. Starting a new life is more difficult to answer.

    I am also 59 and retired from owning an insurance agency 10 years ago. After a few years of retirement, I was bored to death The wife and I while still in love after 30 years of marriage and 3 grown kids are independent and do our own thing these days. Somewhere along the way I wanted to try trucking, so I got my license with the intention of being an owner operator within 5 years if I could handle being a driver. Some days I wonder if I made the right choice, but most days I love it. I now have my own rig and loving it most of the time. The wife and I are fine and seem a bit closer with me being gone a few days at a time.. The biggest adjustment was working for trucking companies that could care less about you. When I got my CDL, I had literally never worked for anybody else or written a resume in my entire life. I worked for 3 trucking companies before becoming an owner operator. Two of them treated employees like garbage, and the last one was just ok, but I had to get out on my own if I was going to survive this business. So far so good.
     
  6. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    Yes, probably the best reason. Many people go into trucking today, because it's literally the only game in town, they don't have a choice, like you. With social media, phones, computers and such, it's not like it used to be, where you could be out of touch for days, or even weeks. I think you'll do fine. I trucked regional for 35 years, and couldn't imagine doing anything else, and Lord knows, I tried.
    Narrow it down what you'd like to do, and that way we can tell you how crazy you are.:biggrin_25525:
     
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  7. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Check this company > Joe Jurgielewicz & Son Ltd.
    Hire new grads.
    Reefers hauling ducks to west coast & Florida.
     
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  8. Mark Falcone

    Mark Falcone Light Load Member

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    Look at the divorce rate for an OTR truck driver. That'll answer your question...HaHa
     
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  9. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    GOOD LORD,,,:puke:
     
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  10. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Probably most ducks go to places that cater to Chinese customers. Peking Duck is a delicacy in Asia.
    I have a street vendor friend that sells one to me for about $2.00 for the whole roast duck.
    [​IMG].[​IMG]
     
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  11. 201

    201 Road Train Member

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    See, there's the thing. Culture is what would kill a relationship for most. The Asians do things that just make Americans wretch. That sprig of parsley really makes it looks so much more attractive,,
     
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