How old is too old to think about becoming a Company Driver?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Gungpae the OG, May 28, 2011.

  1. AtlanticBeachBum

    AtlanticBeachBum Bobtail Member

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    I'm 59 years young in good health. I've been laid off as a superintendent traveling in the commercial construction industry. I've spent the last 5 years driving over hells half acre doing that. I'm too young to retire and God only knows when or if the construction business is ever going to start hiring again. When I was in my 20's I drove a tandem axle International Loadstar flatbed with a 10 speed dual range haulin' an International TD-9 crawler tractor and fire plow as a forest ranger. That was a while ago but its like riding a bike right? LOL Anyway I'm thinking of getting my CDL-A and driving for a company. I gotta make a living somehow. My wife and I have also talked about her getting a CDL-A and team driving. I've seen the country, she hasn't. I figure it's a good way to earn a buck, see the country together and as a team maybe our odds of getting a job are better. Anybody got any opinions on this plan?
     
  2. k9mama

    k9mama Bobtail Member

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    Sounds good....Husband and I leaving other jobs behind and taking a chance on team driving. If it feels right... trust it!
     
  3. AtlanticBeachBum

    AtlanticBeachBum Bobtail Member

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    Thanks for the encouragement k9mama. My wife and I have been married 37 years. I figure we must make pretty good partners. This may be a great adventure.

    Best of luck to you and your hubby on yours.
     
  4. 123456

    123456 Road Train Member

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    As long as you can pass the physical !!!!!!

    Good Luck !!
     
  5. RickG

    RickG Road Train Member

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    Check with expedite fleet owners . They have hired couples right out of school to run straight truck but really paying to get a CDL - A isn't necessary . A B will do
     
  6. JimTheHut

    JimTheHut Road Train Member

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    I am 59 and have only been driving for 1.5 years. I am pulling flats and love it! You are not too old!!!!
     
  7. sw1241

    sw1241 Light Load Member

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    I was 70 in July, came back to driving after 27 years of pushing a pencil in late 2009, lost 30 lbs from hard honest work and got an award for outstanding customer service for 2010,
     
    48Packard and G/MAN Thank this.
  8. Coldpatch

    Coldpatch Bobtail Member

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    Age? what age?!!! Ha...I'm 59...helped my 25 y/o son move last August...we started loading the truck at 8am, 2 of his "buffed out" friends showed up at noon, took a break after an hour, split an hour later...we got done at 5pm...I drove 3hours to his new home, we unloaded for another hour then HE had to stop because he was too tired!!! Got next am and finished!!! The point is...age is only a number...the problem...convincing others!!!

    Go for it my friend...Good luck to you!!! I am about to apply to Roehl myself!!!
     
  9. AtlanticBeachBum

    AtlanticBeachBum Bobtail Member

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    Well, it's been a long and arduous journey but I am finally enrolled in driving school at 59.

    Two and a half years ago when I was working on a Burger King I had a elderly couple pull up behind me in what would have been the drive thru if the restaurant were open. After a conversation with one of my subs I started to back out of where I was parked. Three feet later my hitch ball hit their bumper and the valance under it. They insisted on filing a report so the local sheriff deputy sited me for careless driving.

    I didn't fight the ticket because I was not going to be available for the trial. I paid the fine and ate the points. Flash forward to last month, I couldn't enroll in the school because of the ticket. I wrote the Judge, explained what happened and asked him to dismiss the citation. He did.

    I start class on December 27th. It won't be long until I will be employed for the first time in nearly two years. I can't wait. I am not going to let anything get in my way.
     
  10. G/MAN

    G/MAN Road Train Member

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    Good luck.