Age factor for a new driver?

Maybe I can personally put this age issue to rest for you (also went into trucking after being a 'Rescue Ranger' and electronics field service technician).
My most recent hire was at the age of 58. They never questioned my age and saw me more as a mature driver with a clean MVR and no felonies. Of course, I did have OTR experience with the worst trucking company in recorded history,... C.R.England. That being said, age is not the problem, attitude and health are.

Just getting my dig in (yes, I hate C.R. England).

'Bigfoot'
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I have a cousin just left England for GTI. He is much happier. I will not work for them because of the pet policy. (Love my dog!) Everyone I know is happy at GTI.
This thread is supposed to be about age... He is 43. Just a punk kid!

 

hello to all,
I am new here, and I am considering the same as Terry who started this thread. I have read all your replies one by one and I am impressed at the camaraderie from all of you.

How I got here? searching online for the following question: "is age an issue for truck driving?".

I found the answer here, and the answer is "No, age is not an issue".

I have no diabetes, no high blood pressure, no health issues, zero, nada. Other than a cold/flu now and then.

I have a perfect MVR, no tickets, no accidents, no criminal history of any sort, no d.u.i., (I don't drink alcohol). I'm clean.

my only nasty habit is smoking and I'm trying to quit it but otherwise I am not a heavy smoker. I'm an excellent driver, I don't fall asleep, never have, and I know when to stop driving and take a break.

But I've never driven a giant rig like I see on the roads. The closest I've been to that is pulling a 55 feet 5th Wheel trailer with an anemic forklift going in reverse, and I was not comfortable doing it. My boss made a homemade attachment for the forklift to bring the leverage closer to the forklift, so the forklift would not tilt over, and even then, seeing that giant trailer in front of my face made me real nervous.

It makes me nervous to have to reverse a giant rig too, because in the little experience that I have moving big boats and trailers in another job, the trailer wants to go exactly where you don't want it to go.

So here's my question now that you all know about me: I'm in Orlando Florida, who should I approach about training or trying out? I have other questions but I'll start with this one.

Thanks everyone.
Jose

 

Welcome Jose!
Smoking is a tuff one to quit. Especially if you are board or nervous. Driving truck is hours of dullness punctuated with moments of extreme difficulty. Good luck with that.
Head down to the nearest truck stop, and interview a few drivers. Most are lonely. They will talk to you. If after that you want to make the jump. Good luck with that too.

 

thank you CaptainYellowbeard !

 

I am 38, i want to choice trucking as carrier, after reading your views i m feeling happy that 38 yr. is not a issue,
I want to thanks every body those given their view on this age topic.

 

Really?! At 38 you are concerned about age?
At 38 I was the handsomest, toughest, hardest working, beer slamming, woman chasing, egotistical, know it all dude on the planet!
Funny thing is... After kicking cancer's ###, plus, I drink a lot less... And nearly twice that age...

I still feel the same way now!