Time to un-retire...

Hello All. Long time lurker, first time OP. Between here and the other site, I've kind of landed on some priorities and considerations that I'd like to think through as I contemplate coming out of retirement to pursue another career. I'm almost 60, based in mid-Missouri, retired military and retired aerospace. We are about to become empty-nesters, so family time will not be at the top of the list any longer and I can do a week or two or three out at a time pretty easily and can flex between all of them if needed. Are there companies that have this type of wide-ranging assignments available? The second most important thing I think I'd like is flexibility in lanes and regions and countries served so I can see more of this great country (and our neighbors, if possible). I am not smart enough yet to have any opinion on van vs tanker vs flatbed. As a new hire, do you have to choose one and stick with it, because I really don't know enough about any of them. Another priority is a company with a rider program, as I think the wife will be willing to accompany me on occasion. A pet policy is a related consideration, but not a deciding factor. Another consideration is the number of terminals a company has...does a well-dispersed and updated set of terminals really matter to experienced drivers, or are they just shiny, distracting fluff? Lastly, am I asking the right questions? What else should I be looking at? Thanks in advance!

 

Step 1, is to be able to pass a DOT physical. They usually cost about $100.

If you pass that, then you'll find most of what you're looking for pretty easily.

 

Where the terminals are doesn't really matter. If you're needed at a terminal you'll be dispatched there.
CFI Temp-Control is a new division of CFI Freight out of Joplin, Missouri.
You'll do a lot more traveling with CFI Temp-Control than your will with CFI Freight.
Can take the wife and a pet with you.
Student Drivers – CFI
Student Drivers – CFI
CFI offers several routes to becoming a professional over-the-road (OTR) driver. We’ll help you start the process, whether or not you have already earned your Class A commercial driver’s license (CDL).
~
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First, you've come to the right place. Welcome.

I'd definitely focus on the basics first. That means dry van. You've got A LOT to learn already, why pile on right out of the gate? When you can back the truck up reasonably well, find a safe, legal place to park the truck in most parts of the country and get the load where it needs to be consistently safely and on time THEN you can worry about load securement or other additional tasks if you want.

Most companies have several different divisions. Usually, you will be approached with additional opportunities AFTER you've proven yourself to you your FM. That could be driving dedicated for Walmart, could be training new drivers, could be working in a different division. Of course, you can talk over your preferences with your FM as well.

Terminals shouldn't be a top 5 consideration. There are two times terminals come into play: scheduled maintenance and tight parking areas. About four times a year you'll drop your truck off at a terminal for oil changes and other routine maintenance. Most companies will send you to the terminal closest to your home for this. If you happen to live near the terminal or have friends or family nearby that's like a day and a half of free home time. If you happen to live in Seattle and your company's nearest terminal is in Los Angeles you're not getting the same deal as someone who lives in Los Angeles.

In many parts of the country truck parking is TIGHT. San Francisco has no truck stops or good parking choices for a semi. The closest truck parking may be hours away. This makes it difficult to plan an early morning delivery, especially when you factor in traffic. If your company happens to have a terminal in that city you've pretty much got guaranteed free parking without a hassle.

Are you asking the right questions? No. Trucking is a lifestyle, not a job. It's very different from most jobs. You live in a crappy RV. Buying groceries is a challenge. Routine things become difficult. Difficult things become routine. You'll learn a lot when you're on your trainers truck.

 

Not sure what your long term plans are

Many who retire go get a big RV and pay to see the country

My plans are the opposite
We are in the process of ordering a big bunk truck and semi retiring

Why would I quit when I can get paid way more than I could get on SS by running a load from A to B and then taking a few days or weeks off seeing a certain area?
As long as I can drive out plan is to ride around and get paid to see the USA

Im 55 so we have a few years to ride around

 

Thanks xlsdraw, that's a good thought and I appreciate it! Some of the companies I am looking at clearly specify using their company provided (selected?) doctor for the physical and their hiring process. Making sure I can pass with at least some doctor, somewhere beforehand sounds like good advice for not wasting a bunch of time and effort. No chronic illnesses or other things that I'm aware of, but I've not had a physical in a few years now, so it's probably time to make sure I'm as healthy as I think I am.
Best regards,
RWL

 

And others retire this way:
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Thank you Chinatown, really appreciate it! I hadn't been able to find info on specific jobs, routes, or load types on their website. I'm assuming since the site says they cover the entire US and parts of Canada that fills a big part of the considerations, but I wasn't sure if they go into Mexico (low priority, but of interest). My question about terminals is based on my ignorance of the industry...I just kinda assumed that more terminals meant the ability to drop in to "shower, exercise, do laundry and enjoy other amenities" much more often. Having only a few (4 or 5 for CFI?) across the entire country would seem to make that a rare event. Are those amenities a big deal or can they be found at most truckstops?

Lastly, thanks for the link! I found the regional and OTR divisions, and will keep looking for the temperature controlled. Also found the expect to be out "for two to three weeks at a time" blurb which seems to be about right for where I am in life at this time.
Best regards,
RWL

 

Thanks Lunatic Fringe, I appreciate the input. And I am sincerely trying to figure out, what are the right questions to be asking? In the trainer's truck seems to be well after the horse is out of the barn. What issues do I need to be thinking through with respect to the lifestyle? What other considerations should be a priority?
Thanks and best regards!
RWL

 

Thanks Chinatown...I'm thinking the wife will take a dim view of my attempting to convince her that this a good solution for the two of us .
Best,
RWL