Too old to be a newbie?

Pretty ignorant about the economy and outsourcing aren't you?

 

I too am a life long IT guy on the sales side. I have 9 years on you at 59. I start at Swift Academy in Lewiston Monday and they definitely weren't concerned about my age. I go to the gym daily, eat right and quite drinking 20 years ago. And yes, I was making 6 figures and now am trying to make a dramatic change. I have been warning my grown kids and wife that I won't be sending any big paychecks home. But, I am willing to stay out longer.

 

I started my Flatbed career at age 50 two years ago. I've lost 60lbs. of "Lard" and put on some muscle I haven't seen in years.

 

Your welcome here, but we will eat you for breakfast. We are not white glove people. We Work till we drop. Get up and do it again. We ride hard, We play hard. Were the back bone of America. We make it work. If you want in just ask. We have room. Better be good, that canyon is 1000 ft. down.

 

I also started trucking at 50 and it has been a very good change for me. Just make sure you use the wisdom you have gained to find a good company to go with. There are very good jobs for newbies out there but they will be with companies you have never heard of (they don't need to advertize for drivers).

 

i commend you for your spirit and desire to make a significant life change, the experience garnered in a life's journey has given you the skill set to succeed in making the dream, or new career choice, become a reality,
as others have posted, your clean record and mature state of mind will get you in the door, then into that drivers seat and running down the road,,now here is where i change my tune a bit and offer a touch of reality to all this--------be careful what you dream for--it might come true,
i have been doing this since 1980 when i bought my first truck through north American van lines, COE,, international with a 290 Cummings and a 9 speed,,,,now i own a 389 pete pulling a tri axle step and can honestly say i had more fun with that gutless old cabover,,,,why ?,,,,, it was once was a new and wonderful experience,,ran all 48,,for little money,,,,, but i made my dream come true,, moved on to flats/step/dbl/rgn/dumps/hopper/tanker and so on,, , been a company driver but an independent for most of it, had a terrific small business pulling end dumps locally until the economy took a turn and came back to running the road,,,,,,
here is my reality check,,if it applies to your thinking, then i hope it helps,, if not then consider it just another rambling or vent,, no harm, no foul,, you obviously are an educated individual and know about the industry, that being its pay and REAL hours of service, we are grown up's now and accept that with "eyes wide open"
but don't forget whats important and for me that is "quality of life", you will miss those important dates like birthdays/anniversary's and the mundane ones like baby sitting the grandkids and watching them play t-ball,,,,going grocery shopping with your wife,,being there for her when she's had a bad day and as the months go by, you will get home from a run and realize that others have adapted their lives to you not really being in it, the way you use to be and that's what can hurt a persons sense of well being, especially given all of the time spent alone to think about what was,,,,, and now is,,,,, and you volunteered for it !!!
i sincerely wish you well and much success in what ever direction you choose,,,,, if i meet you on the road,,,, i will help in any way i can,
be well,
be safe,
be kind to others,

 

"Who is John Galt?"

 

The demographics for drivers is about 9% of the country. Approx 4 million. There is an always be a need for drivers. Please don't let your young age affect your decision. Go driver that truck if you need to. You will be applying for a new IT job within a year.