Too old to be a newbie?

Good post Saddletramp. That is about the truest statement I have heard in a long time

 

Wow this is one of the better threads that I have read. As I am now 51 and been thinking about getting my CDL. I have a mortgage background 25 years and I have come too the point where I can no longer stand this business. I have no desire to go OTR it is my dream to move to Texas or Oklahoma and try my luck in the oil fields. Currently in California so I feel your pain on taxes. Believe it or not I would be happy as a kid in a candy store just driving a water or vacuum truck for 12+hours a day

 

Age isn't a problem it's actually an asset. Most 50 year olds are about ten trillion times more mature than a typical 30 year old. You won't have any problems due to age in trucking unlike some industries that throw you out in the street when your 50 even if you have a spotless record of working at the same company for 30 years. That's the joy of corporate America

 

Chiming in to say I've haven't seen any examples of age discrimination on these forums, or from any recruiters. Besides, turn over in trucking industry is RIDICULOUS. Joking here, but in all seriousness, but if you work 5 years for a company, then have a heart attack or kick the bucket or whatever else takes you out of driving, you're still on average lasting ten times longer than many companies hired drivers, lol.

Go have fun on the road grandpa

 

I can't answer your question about being too old, but I have also been in IT for 15 years and you wouldn't believe how many people consider me to not be successful or dumb for being a trucker when I have that expertise but I love trucking. After staring at a computer and wall for years doing complex programming it is really nice to explore the nation without always having someone ask me complex questions and to be up to date with the newest technology. All I do is drive so go for it man you will find trucking to be easy compared to working all day at a computer. Trucking is still my easiest job ever, I get paid a lot to have fun.

 

The general public views truckers as high school drop outs, ex cons, social misfits, and loners. Can't say it isn't true for the most part. Our fellow drivers are not helping the image by not showering in 5 days and throwing urine bottles everywhere. Heck the horrible spelling and grammar displayed on here by many also adds to it.

In today's materialistic society you're not successful unless you're a doctor, lawyer, or big business owner.

 

1000% agree. Which is sad since there are a lot of quality truck drivers out there and I manage to keep myself, clothes, and truck very clean. I don't even bother to pick up girls at the bar anymore since the second they find out I am a trucker they are uninterested. When I was the big time programmer they were in my bed the same night. I make more money now since my websites still make money and I am driving but they care more about the status and availability.

 

See! a math drop out right here, 1000% ! Is that possible? LOL, Just giving you a hard time NewNashGuy.

 

Just tell them you work in the transportation sector. If they press further explain that you're a "freight relocation engineer."

 

I'm now in my second month as a company OTR driver (51 years / female) and there are many, many sleazy truckers (just stating fact) and they give truckers a bad name. There are also some very professional drivers although they are harder to find. From my observation, most of the sleazy truckers tend to be younger, drench themselves in cheap trucker cologne (do they sell that stuff by the gallon somewhere???), and strut around truck stops like a peacock. The professional drivers tend to be a little older and MUCH more mature - in a truck stop for DOT break or out of necessity (food, shower, laundry, transflo, etc.) and not there to strut around trying to make themselves look like big shots.