Trying to break into Trucking at 61

Go to a local Technical/vocational school that offers CDL training. Avoid the CDL driver mill schools. Technical school will be cheaper and better training. Whatever you do don't blow that little bit of inheritance money you've got on some hairbrained idea like buying a truck to be your own boss. Unless you can afford to lose every dime of it. Good luck.

 

I went through Schneider orientation with a 69 year old guy in 2010. He looked good for his age.

 

As others have mentioned, look into your local community colleges. Tech schools don’t always have the same grant award success as CC’s. There are tons of grant programs that’ll pay most, if not all, of your tuition. There are specific grants that cater to those needing to retrain into a different career field. I’d ask a counselor for an appointment with the program director, just to get a second opinion and to learn of what companies they work with. Take a pen and notepad.

 

I agree 100% with community colleges in your area. Also possibilities for State Grants to help pay for all or part of tuition. Check with your State’s unemployment office for more info. Maybe a local private school will have tuition assistance info. No reason you can’t get a job. Just have to keep looking. Right now a lot of hiring is on hold. It will change in no time. Too much discouragement out there right now. It will change soon as always.

 

Get a CDL.

Don't go breaking into trucks!

It's a sure path to a free stay courtesy of the State!

Crime doesn't pay, at your age you should know this.





Even bad jokes are fun.


Sirscrapntruckalot -

 

You might be a bit more specific about what you consider to be "reasonable income"...especially for Salem, Oregon.

Give a numerical range, maybe?...

-- Lual

 

Chemeketa has a program. Only 4 weeks and there are probably grants/scholarships for workforce development. They'll be aware of what companies are looking for new grads. PDX and surrounds is a pretty good hiring market.

 

Look at MAY Trucking, nationwide reefer hauler. Salem OR

 

A lot of carriers will hire you right out of the vocational/technical school and cover whatever your cost was to get your cdl. Normally that's going to be mega carriers like Maverick, Rhoel, Swift, Werner, etc but you might check around with small 100-300 trucks carriers that are home based local to you. They may be willing to train the right applicant and might even cover all or some of that cdl cost.

Of course you're probably going to have to sign a contract for at least 1 year with them in order for them to pay in full. Best would be to see if you can get state money (grant) that will pay for it all or cover it yourself and not be locked in anywhere.

I would also suggest trying to get on with a good LTL carrier or private carrier if you can find one willing to train newbs. They have much lower turnover and pay better with good hometime and treat you with respect more so than typical megas and others running ordinary dry, reefer and flat freight out here.