Is it tough for a man in his late forties to get hired as a new driver?

Rich T -

Keep the faith...something good will happen for you. At least you are one of the many "looking" and not one that sits around and waits for good things to come to them....

 

Key word "in my area." There's your box, you are limiting yourself. Now understand I say all of this being single with no kids. I'll get up and move to where ever the job is. I realize not everyone is willing to do this.

 

I am not only looking... I am spending money and time to open doors. I spent $5k for a class A CDL school.

I am also studying to recertify for my CCNA which I foolishly allowed to lapse a few years back.

In addition to that, I am applying jobs that pay well below my previous salary, yet pay enough to meet my minimum financial requirements.

 

Not eveybody has the luxury of being single or other wise unemcumbered.. Some of us actaully have homes that we either own or pay mortgages toward.

It's not so easy for us to just rent a small U-Haul and move.

Don't presume how easy it is based on your own current situation.

It's NOT about willing. It's about ABLE.

 

I've met many drivers who retired, and got tired of sitting around with nothing to do.
They thought it would be a way to get out and earn some money while seeing the country side.
As long as you can pass the physical, and all of that, you are good to go.

 

This is what I acknowledged. I do not agree with your last two statements. You have them reversed.

 

I don't have them reversed at all.

 

Please don't take offence at the "geezer" remark, it just sort of rhymes with Gilbert. I'm 63 yrs old and retired about 16 months ago. It was great at first, but seems to get old pretty quickly...running out of honey-do's, and even Judge Judy doesn't hold my attention any more. Wandering the open road has captivated my imagination for decades so, perhaps like you, I started looking into this several months ago. Used to live in Utah and one of my sons worked for Michelin's R&D dept, testing their super-single drive tires at various trucking companies. I made a few visits with him to C.R. England and what was then Dick Simon. Several years ago Simon had financial difficulties and evolved into a new company called Central Refrigerated Service, Inc. They seem to have perhaps a bit more positive feedback than many other entry level companies, but of course those kind of opinions seem to be very subjective and dependant on individual perceptions.
I have sent applications to several "starter" companies, and age seems not to have been a factor. DOT requires blood pressure at 140/90 or below, and body mass index below 39, I believe. I am starting Central's CDL class on July 13th, and will keep you posted if you like. They charge back $25.00 per week to pay for the school, and if the driver stays one year the balance of the note ($1800.00) is forgiven...if a 63 yr old Geezer like me should live that long!!
Thank you for your service in law enforcement, a tough and often thankless job.

 

Have you eliminated the "travel by RV" method of retirement? It will really take a driver who knows you to give good advice but driving a truck is not really fun unless you have to do it to make your living.

 

Poobah -

Congrats on being accepted at Central Ref. I think its great that you've had the time to sit around for a while after retiring, but I agree, it sounds like that would get old. Please do keep me posted on your school and training...I like hearing the day-to-day and what to expect if I go that route. Anyway, I really appreciate the input from you and hope everything works as you want with your new career. Good luck!

Halfburn -

I will have a pension from my current job, but its not enough to live on. I will need to get another job to maintain. I think that the trucking industry is one that will pay me a decent wage and be interesting too. I know, all jobs get boring at times but at least in trucking, you get to see new places and diffent people every day. Good luck to you and thanks for the post.