Am I too old

Your only too old if you hold yourself back. When I was learning to drive. There was a husband and wife that were in there 80's that were getting their licenses. They wanted to see america and they thought it would be great if some one paid them to see it.

 

We had a couple in hardware software. Us gamers in the back row peanut cheap seats tossed barbs at the teach all class. Final test was up and I managed to pass. (Ugh... trying to get a windows to tie into a unix and linux was what did me in... made it work but it's outrageous.)

The top students with perfect scores? The quiet elderly couple in the other corner. Never a peep out of them. You would not know it. They probably have masters to this day.

I did get one redemption. I built on paper a system for class teaching and they laughed me out of there because it's a pipe dream. That is one of the computers pushing 12 years of service in one corner. I was looking for reliability and block cooling if the fans ever failed. (They haven't yet...)

I love redemption. Let em laugh and tease...

 

I started trucking at 49 as a 2nd career. Glad your finally getting to do it. I am just glad I waited, like you, that my kids were grown. I assume you want to do OTR, out for at least 2 to 3 weeks? As they said above as long as you can pass a DOT physical your good. I have seen a few 80 somethings and several 70 somethings. I went to a community college and got my CDL for much cheaper..and it gives you the freedom to go where YOU want. If you want OTR ask the recruiter what their average length of haul is. A lot of these companies that offer more cpm have shorter runs..less that 500 miles. When that happens you spend all your time dealing with shippers and receivers, scaling, and city traffic everyday.

Also find out how much northeast you will be driving. Ask them what their running lanes are. I love those 3 to 5 day runs out west, so much better. See if they have driver facing cams, that can be a big sign your going to be micro managed. Good luck!

 

Yes, unless you are breathing and have a heartbeat, in which case you are ready for trucking. The average age of drivers is 56.

 

I shared a room with a guy who was 70 during my training with CRuSTy.

 

The only thing I have sen is, insurance companies start giving employers and even oo's a hard time much past 70.
I worked with one driver that finally retired when he was 86, and he was much more fit than many 60 year old drivers. I know that after he was somewhere around 80, it was a yearly arguement for his employer and the insurance company.
I used to dispatch an oo that was 74 and got a minor speeding ticket in Or. His insurance company threatenned to drop him, and finally told him at his age if he got another ticket for anything he was done.

 

I always forget how old I am until I look in the mirror at a Loves. They have harsh lights.

 

Absolutely not! I'm considering it at almost 40.

 

@gertrudeperkins99 I am in the same situation you are in, I am 50 and I am in school to get my new class A cdl on Dec 22 of this year. It is my Christmas gift to my self. I looked at it this way if nothing else it will always give me options in anything I want to do later. I will say it has given me a new perspective of the trucks on the road. I no longer complain about when they drive too slow or stay 8 car lengths behind the next car. So if nothing else take it as a learning experience and as a way to just broaden your horizons. Nobody ever complains about knowing too much. Some people will complain about the things they wished they had done when they had the chance. This is your chance take it and run with it. Hope this helps

 

MrMaxx talks about horizons.

I see it as people and food around the USA. Im not a foodie. But remember very well many places where food is done right. One near the border in western texas was particularly good with it's mexican fare for breakfast one night at 2 am minus the flies. I could not find them to save my life today but suspect the cook may have had some health issues by now and passed on. It would be too bad.

One place that will twists your bolts is the American Northeast above Scranton to Maine. Try to do whatever you can to be patient. You are going back in some towns to 1600's with that truck. Look for the syrups and other goodies not available in your home state. Walmart food shopping does not compare at all.