Any Advice?

I have been reading these boards for two days and still am lost if I'm making the right decision to become a driver. I live in Fl and have been in the construction industry for 35 years, I am 52 yrs old, I was laid off May 2009 found a job for $32,000 a year in January 2010 (was making $100,000.00+ previous 6 years) Raised 3 kids, wife stayed at home for last 20 yrs. I was told I will be let go in August and have applied for jobs all over the southeast, no luck at all. I am going thru bankruptcy now and will lose pretty much everything. Wife has found a minimum wage job and it looks like that may be the best I'll find. I really don’t see wages recovering in construction in my lifetime (Kind of what I see the older truckers saying on these boards about their industry). Well I'm not excepting to get rich in trucking but hoping I can find a job and make enough to survive and still support my wife, maybe have some type of retirement (if Possible) but for now just making enough to live on. Do you truckers think I would be making a mistake if I got into trucking and can I make more than minimum wage? I have done quite a bit of homework talking to trucking companies and schools and they all say it is still possible and likely to make $40,000. - $50.000. a year. but most of what I read on the web from this site and others sounds pretty discouraging.

I welcome all replies, Thank You

 

Yes, I know my story is not uncommon most of the people my age that I have worked with over the years are in the same boat
(which is sinking fast) and most of them can't even get into trucking becouse of health,tickets,dui's or drugs. I never dreamed I would be in this situation. Working hard, obeying laws etc. did earn me a decent living for 30+ years but our goverment sure was no help in keeping it.

 

driving record is good safe driver for last 10 years 1 speeding ticket 5 years ago (from a motorcycle cop having a bad day) for going 39mph in a 30mph and what is the pisser on that was the same road was raised to 40mph 5 months later.
Employment background is I worked for the same company for 31 years. and the owner died and the family shut it down.

 

jtrnr1951, no problem on tax forms or check stubs, and no convictions ever. I was arrested twice once when i was 18 for auto burglary I went thru a 1st offender program and the charges were dropped, the second arrest I was 22 and it was for baiting for shrimp in GA, I pleaded guilty and got 5 days probation.
Health is good on no meds weight/height propitiate and have never had a serious illness or accident

 

Thanks for the input jtrnr1951.
The whole ordeal of school training and working for a trucking co does not sound easy but I have to survive and I hope that I can at least do that trucking