Is age a factor?

Hello...

23 years old and plan on going to Roadmaster in Orlando as soon as I have some money saved for a down payment.

I've done a little bit of research. I sincerely want to drive accross the country for days at a time, on a team or whatever.

I'm just wondering, will trucking companies overlook me because I'm only 23 years old? Do you ever see young drivers out there when you're on the road? I know age discrimination is illegal, but that means nothing. If there's me, and someone 10 years older than me with the same qualifications they get the job and I don't, nothing can really be proved.

Also, do these companies take your credit history into consideration when hiring? I have poor credit. Yes, I'm a human who has made mistakes, but I do have a spotless driving record and a clean background.

Any input is appreciated, thanks.

 

Since you are 23, it won't be a problem. Under 21 is really the only problem age. Some companies require you to be 25 years-old, but those companies also usually require a couple years of experience. Credit rating should also have no effect on you either as far a getting a job.

 

With the market the way it is
Your age could be a benefit
Rates are down right now
So newbies with entry level pay is very attractive to employers right now

 

i'm 23...23 is a great thing...what company would want to really hire a 45 year old rookie?...how many years can he really get out of him compared to a 23 year old rookie?...you should be first pick for any company....long as your driving and criminal history is good...

 

A rookie is a rookie at any age. One thing about someone who is 45 is that they have usually gotten their years of less than desireable behavior out of their systems and are more mature and responsible.

There are a lot of companies that are concentrating on hiring experienced drivers rather than student drivers no matter what their age. With the drop in freight and the number of companies that have gone out of business this year, there is a large pool of experienced drivers to pick from.

 

The long term goal is not a major factor for new driver of (Training) co.'s As you bgin your search for the start of your careers you will find their are a handful of co.'s that will hire new drivers. These co.'s generally are not making the investment in you for the longterm. They are just that a (training) co. Just a means to get your experience and then move on to a better paying co. that requires a level of experience.

Looking around the stages go as such........

0-3 months
6-12 months
1 year
2 years
and so on.....the less the experience the fewer co.'s their are out there.

You as a new driver has to show the industry that you can safely, consistently and functionally operate a truck without accidents and tickets.

Good luck to all attempting this journey..........for some, it is the best thing that has happened to them and for others, for different reasons it has not.

I have been driving tractor trailers now for almost 2 years now. I drove dump trucs locally for many years. I absolutely enjoy the job. Others I meet find some of the challenges too much for them to continue, but others find a way to make it work.

I beleive the largest problem for new drivers staring out are the expectaions tha they have combined with the lies that recruiters tell in many cases and the time away from home.

When I started I knew that it was going to be difficult making money based on the pay scale and time away from home would have to be managed by me and the family. But after this time passed, things have gotten better and I am happy even with the company I work for considering all the bad things that people are saying about it.

It works for me...........

Starting at the bottom of any totum pole is difficult, we as americans and even human beings have become so immediate in our wants, desires and even our needs that we can't wait for time to pass to make more money, get that promotion, get that toy, etc.

Everything is still base lined on hard work and experience........

HHhmmm........looks like I rambled a bit........My apologies and again
Good Luck

 

Just wanted to add a note though.........for you Unclerico, it is not necessarrily about your age at this point, but more so your home location.

Florida residents from what I have experienced here and on the road seem to have a difficult time fiding a co. to work for. The freight that comes out of fl. is so limited. Their is plenty of container work their but to my knowledge none of those co.'s like hiring new drivers.

The big 5-10 companies don't hire many drivers their due to the problem of getting them home and to work because of the lack of shipping lanes in and out.

Good luck.............

 

Welcome to the forum, UncleRico!

As others have said, 23 is a pretty good age to get into this racket. What is not good right now of course, is the economy.

The only way you are going to get hired, however, is to get out there and try! Apply to any and all companies that you think you might be interested in.

Good Luck!

 

I don't know about these companies??????

but one company I worked for, hauling fuel, pulled a credit report.

they also asked to look at my personal car at the first interview...

why???? well if you're treating your car like a garbage can, they just might not want you driving their truck, don'tcha know... lol

 

Boy if I was sensitive, I might resent that comment. I'm sure you don't know the old saying about the old broom gets in the corners.
I guess 45 was old when I was 23. I stuck my foot in my mouth all the time at that age. Well, best of luck to you young guys and just remember back to this time in your life when you thought you had all the answers.