looking to join the trucker family

If you dont mind missing your kid grow up it is great. As for the wife, if she is against it she probably will not stick around. Also trucking in Cali sucks...

 

I wouldn't go threw company school training because you will have to sign a contract that you drive for them for a X amount a time which can range from 12 to 24 months before you can quit.If you do quit before that X amount of time,they will send you the big fat bill,also they will also pay you crap.I would go to a trucking school before signing your life to a company for the next 12 -24 months.

 

It really is something that you and your wife really need to work out together.. Just remember going over the road can be temporary and is usually a year when you can get on at a local place once you gain tractor trailer experience. The being gone from home thing though is something you and your wife really do need to discuss further.. I too think you should think about going through a local CDL school rather then going through a company to get your training.. your choice though.. but yes, you will sign a contract if you go that route and you will be required to work for them or be prepared to pay a HUGE training bill if you quit.

 

Anyone,
I am over 65 and very much want to get into trucking. I have my CDL permit here in Colorado and plan on attending truck driving school in March. Does anyone know what my chances are of getting hired? I am physically fit, no drugs, no accidents or tickets, no questionable prescriptions, passed my DOT for getting the permit and entrance into trucking school. I just don't want to be wasting my money if I can't get hired because of my age.
Any info would be appreciated.
gary

 

You shouldn't have a problem getting a driving job fresh out of school. You will have to go out with a trainer for 4 to 6 weeks at most companies. Your age shouldn't matter but if you want to really make sure just call a recruiter from the company you would like to go to work with and ask them, you don't have to tell them your name. Good Luck.

 

The most responsible way to enter this industry is different than most other industries. In trucking it is best to first ID your first employer and only then go to school. The trucking companies that hire brand new CDL holders often only hire students of certain schools. There is a huge difference in quality between trucking companies so you don't want to pick a bad company or one that doesn't fit you. If you pick the wrong company, one that doesn't fit you, you can wind up out of work, on the industry blacklist, and trying to pay off CDL school while you work at an even worse trucking company or being excluded from the industry.

First sort through local companies within easy driving distance of your home, that means a phonebook or the web equivalent search of companies. Make phone calls to those companies, and ask if they hire recent CDL school graduates. The talk to current drivers at those companies and see which ones are long-term employees.

Most lazy people just Google "trucking company", click on SWIFT or Rngland and then complain they are treated poorly. That's the worst possible way to succeed in the industry.

 

There is absolutely NO problem with your age. I'm 30 years old and take 3 doctor prescribed meds, blood pressure cholesterol, chest pain and what not.You know what? i always pass my dot physical, because my health is under control and if the clinic has some sort of doubt on whether or not to pass me...BAM! i show them my doctor's clearance papers and wammo! i'm good for two more years. By the way, don't be discouraged by "trucker talk" they actually mean well.