Average age of drivers nowadays.

[bentstrider]

Since I got back into the seat about 5 months ago, I've noticed that I rarely meet any drivers under 30 yrs of age wherever I go.
I'll get a handful that were born in the 70s and 60s, but I've been coming across many that have fought in or protested the Vietnam War.
Is there something about this industry that keeps the boomers around that I don't know about, or is that many have been doing this for so long that this is pretty much all they know now?

That said, I'm still under 30, but find myself having more in common with the older generation.
I guess that's mainly because I never bought into any of the newfound radicalism and fast-paced lifestyle that people my age or younger tend to enjoy.
Essentially, a 70 yr old trapped in a 27 yr old body.

[Mackman]

I still run into alot of younger guys driving dump trucks and doing more local driving. I think the younger guys like the local stuff cuz they can be home on the weekends and party and have a life. Thats why i never went OTR. Well that and the money also sucks if you ask me.

[Mackman]

BTW im 27 too.

[repete]

Essentially, a 70 yr old trapped in a 27 yr old body.

I feel the other way around! All sorts of things just don't work like they used to!

[bentstrider]

I do more of a regional thing where I stick to the deserts(So.CA, AZ, NV, UT, CO, NM) and feel just fine in those places due to my affinity for the red and brown colorings all around.
As far as local driving is concerned, I'd do it anywhere but CA.
The traffic intensity in the LA and Nay Areas would anger a Happy Meal!!

[Orangetxguy]

BTW im 27 too.

Bragbragbrag

[MichiganDriver]

Since I got back into the seat about 5 months ago, I've noticed that I rarely meet any drivers under 30 yrs of age wherever I go.
I'll get a handful that were born in the 70s and 60s, but I've been coming across many that have fought in or protested the Vietnam War.
Is there something about this industry that keeps the boomers around that I don't know about, or is that many have been doing this for so long that this is pretty much all they know now?

That said, I'm still under 30, but find myself having more in common with the older generation.
I guess that's mainly because I never bought into any of the newfound radicalism and fast-paced lifestyle that people my age or younger tend to enjoy.
Essentially, a 70 yr old trapped in a 27 yr old body.

Now don't go rushing things young man. You'll be decrepit soon enough.

So here I am, I'm in my new house with a long weekend and tons of projects to tackle.

Item #1. WCSX is the local classics rock station where I live and I haven't listened to them in ages. You know you're way past your prime when the station playing music from when you were rocking runs ads just about non stop for "The Hair Club For Men". Oh man that hurts. And then there was Scotts grass seed having an ad war with some upstart company - yup that put me in the mood for some Zeppelin. The rest of the commercials seemed to be geared to small business - "Is not getting the loan you need killing your business?". I was so caught up in the rock magic by then I almost did a couple of tabs so I could be closer to God.

Item #2. Hanging a few sheets of pegboard shouldn't hurt like this.

Ignore the advice of this old man at your own peril.

[bentstrider]

Now don't go rushing things young man. You'll be decrepit soon enough.

So here I am, I'm in my new house with a long weekend and tons of projects to tackle.

Item #1. WCSX is the local classics rock station where I live and I haven't listened to them in ages. You know you're way past your prime when the station playing music from when you were rocking runs ads just about non stop for "The Hair Club For Men". Oh man that hurts. And then there was Scotts grass seed having an ad war with some upstart company - yup that put me in the mood for some Zeppelin. The rest of the commercials seemed to be geared to small business - "Is not getting the loan you need killing your business?". I was so caught up in the rock magic by then I almost did a couple of tabs so I could be closer to God.

Item #2. Hanging a few sheets of pegboard shouldn't hurt like this.

Ignore the advice of this old man at your own peril.

Well, now that you say it like that, I tend to think I was brought up a little more differently than the rest.
The way I see it, people my age from the mountain and mid-west states tend to act a tad more behaved and realistic than the current place I've been residing in since I was four.
As far as getting old is concerned, I'm a little grim and sort of don't want to go on forever.

Die young (30-45) and go out in a blaze of glory? Or live to be 80+ and hooked to tubes/dealing with reduced care due to budget cuts.
I guess there's more to fear in getting old than dealing with young punks on the lawn and incontinence products.
The way I see it, the senior citizens of right-now are having it pretty good.
The way things are being eaten away right now, I wouldn't be surprised if most of us in the younger crowd decide upon some "Logans Run" system to quell fears.

I'll step off the laundry baskette now.

[Orangetxguy]

Well, now that you say it like that, I tend to think I was brought up a little more differently than the rest.
The way I see it, people my age from the mountain and mid-west states tend to act a tad more behaved and realistic than the current place I've been residing in since I was four.
As far as getting old is concerned, I'm a little grim and sort of don't want to go on forever.

Die young (30-45) and go out in a blaze of glory? Or live to be 80+ and hooked to tubes/dealing with reduced care due to budget cuts.
I guess there's more to fear in getting old than dealing with young punks on the lawn and incontinence products.
The way I see it, the senior citizens of right-now are having it pretty good.
The way things are being eaten away right now, I wouldn't be surprised if most of us in the younger crowd decide upon some "Logans Run" system to quell fears.

I'll step off the laundry baskette now.

Dang kid. I just sat here sipping on my second cup of coffee.......trying to remember exactly what it was that I was thinking about.......27 years ago! It damn sure wasn't dying. I think...I'm not certain mind you....but I think it was......... "Which girl looks best in a bikini" ....or something along those lines. I was doing a lot of work in California at that age....and was enjoying my "nights off" at places like "The Palomino Club" in Pasadena, "The Silver Bullet" in Downey....chasing after the "LA Cowgirl" set........or down in "Mardi Gras" in Long Beach or "Citi Lites" in New Port....chasing after the "Wannabe a Valley Girl" set.............Or just hanging around Bakersfield at "Todd's" enjoying life as part of "The Meat Market", playing with the "Mature" set.

At that age, I was spending days off snorkeling up at Monterrey......laying around on Pismo.........Malibu....."The Pier" at Santa Monica.....roller blading on the walk at Long Beach Park........hanging at Huntington Beach...La Jolla...New Port..and even San Juan Capistrano.........some of the "Brainy Chicks" that hung around there sunning and reading, really made "one-piece" swimsuits look awesome!

I know that a lot of the club names have changed....the "scenes" have changed.....the clientele has changed.....but one thing is certain....the girls are still pretty in California....and they still enjoy being chased.

Sitting here sipping coffee.......I wish I had "those days" back sometimes! At least.......I would love to have that "body" back! Somewhere around "40-ish".......I dropped the barbells and stopped paying "Bally's" to help keep me looking like that. BIG mistake....BIG!! Ending my career working in the oilfield didn't help any to much either. Until a few years ago, I never realized exactly how much I benefited from all the hard work I did on the ranch and in the oilfield. Aaaaaaaaaaaw well....we all have regrets.



Kid....You gotta stop moaning about "misfortune" and get your butt out there and make a life. There are decent driving jobs.....hell.....there are decent "non-driving" jobs..... in California, that would allow you to have fun, and build a future....but they are jobs you have to chase....just like the girls that are worthwhile....they aren't gonna just sit down in your lap.

As far as being "80+" and hooked up to tubes and dealing with "reduced health care"......For crying outloud.....YOU are 27......worry about being "80".......in 40 odd years or so!!

I know a young man, whom turned 90, just yesterday.

Yes...he has his health issues. But the man still has a clear and brilliant mind. He has a great sense of humor. And best of all......He has stories worth hearing. Stories of his experiences in World War II. Stories of his career at NASA. Stories of his career helping build the "tele-communication" industry. He has those stories, because he stepped out, and grasped LIFE!

[MichiganDriver]

Hey Tex, if my life somehow turns into a B movie plot and I get a do-over, would you live it again for me?

[Orangetxguy]

Hey Tex, if my life somehow turns into a B movie plot and I get a do-over, would you live it again for me?

Hell Man!! Your "Do-over" is YOURS!! I want my own!!

[golfhobo]

Wow... old farts WISHING they were young farts. Young farts THINKING they are old farts. Where do I start?

My dad was 25 when I was born, so he was 25 times my age. When I turned 25, he was ONLY 50... so I was HALF his age. When I turned 50, he was ONLY 75... so I was 2/3rds his age.... and if he lives to be 100, I'll be 3/4's his age! I'm getting OLD faster than HE is!

Life goes by REAL fast! So... don't miss a SINGLE opportunity to LIVE it!

When I reached middle age, I asked him if he FELT "older." He said... "no, I still feel like I'm 25 (in my mind) in a 75 year old body!" That made me feel better about being attracted to girls the age of my daughter!

I USED to think that 80 would be about my "limit." But... my dad is 80 and STILL beats me at golf!

There are no "do-overs." We only get this ONE life! I USED to feel important because my MIND was so much older than my body. Now... I see the importance of keeping my BODY fit enough to live the life my MIND wants to live!

I'm gonna start working out tomorrow!

Kids don't understand the saying that, "you're as YOUNG as you feel." Cuz... well... they're KIDS!

By the time they're old enough to understand it... it's too late!

I spent YEARS trying to rationalize that I had traded maturity and knowledge for the YEARS of my youth... and thinking it was a fair trade. I was WRONG!

Starting tomorrow, I'm going to regain my youthful body, and I SWEAR that by the time I'm 75, I'm gonna BEAT that 100 year old man at golf!

[GMAN]

I don't think much about my age as long as I don't look in the mirror. I don't recognize that guy in the mirror. I have black hair and his is gray. The thing about age is that it sneaks up on you. It happens very subtly. One day you are in your youth and the next you are looking at an old geezer in the mirror. I am fortunate that I am in good health, as far as I know. I don't need to take any meds and usually only see a doctor when I need my DOT physical. Hopefully, my good health will continue. Many in my family live well into their 80's and 90's. My grandmother made it within 2 weeks of being 100. It isn't the getting older but the things that happen to our body. We don't realize what is happening until it is too late. One day we are in our youth and the next we are old. People do seem to be living longer. Many have good health well into their old age. Others have chronic illness. Some believe that it has to do with genes. I think genes may play a factor, but for the most part it is about lifestyle and how you take care of yourself. I have a couple of things that bother me, but still don't take any medications on a regular basis. One thing about the boomer's is that we tend to take more supplements and herbs. That has seemed to work for many.

[LBF]

Some dated info from Statistics Canada, no doubt the numbers will be advanced into the 50's by now?

Help wanted: Truck drivers

In 1987, the average age of a trucker was 37; by 2004, it was 42 for wage-earning truckers and 45 for owner-operators. In 2004, for the first time, truckers aged 55 and over outnumbered those under 30. In addition, 18% of truckers are over 55 compared with 13% of the general work force.

Stagnant earnings growth aside, trucking is appealing less to younger workers possibly because of its long hours, irregular schedules, fewer benefits and the attractiveness of competing jobs. Adding to recruitment problems are minimum age regulations on trucking licences and higher insurance premiums for male drivers under 25.

Another study, by the ATA in 2005: http://www.truckline.com/StateIndust...ageStudy05.pdf

As noted in the media note at the beginning, the current economic difficulties have eased up any shortage problems.

[bentstrider]

:

Kid....You gotta stop moaning about "misfortune" and get your butt out there and make a life. There are decent driving jobs.....hell.....there are decent "non-driving" jobs..... in California, that would allow you to have fun, and build a future....but they are jobs you have to chase....just like the girls that are worthwhile....they aren't gonna just sit down in your lap.

!

Sorry, but while I might be able to get on my heels financially and educationally out in "No Bear" state, many of the women here are stuck up and care about "going to the beach" or "going for a night on the town".
Although there are many rural spots in CA, the urban-centricity reaches in and makes its presence known.

If you want to live in Europe, you don't have to travel far.

As far as age goes, it's nothing we can really control and if I live everyday normally and the end suddenly jumped up and bit me, guess it'll be my mistake for taking it for granted.
In that regard, I think of myself as a machine, one that keeps running until something finally lets it know that in no longer exists.(think Bruce Willis and the 6th Sense.)

But for all you old dudes living positively and thinking about the beach, more power to you and your love for salty water.

Eh, maybe being a non-smoker and just a casual drinker is having more of a detrimental effect on me than the benefits promised by those fruity PSAs.

[Orangetxguy]

Sorry, but while I might be able to get on my heels financially and educationally out in "No Bear" state, many of the women here are stuck up and care about "going to the beach" or "going for a night on the town".
Although there are many rural spots in CA, the urban-centricity reaches in and makes its presence known.

If you want to live in Europe, you don't have to travel far.

As far as age goes, it's nothing we can really control and if I live everyday normally and the end suddenly jumped up and bit me, guess it'll be my mistake for taking it for granted.
In that regard, I think of myself as a machine, one that keeps running until something finally lets it know that in no longer exists.(think Bruce Willis and the 6th Sense.)

But for all you old dudes living positively and thinking about the beach, more power to you and your love for salty water.

Eh, maybe being a non-smoker and just a casual drinker is having more of a detrimental effect on me than the benefits promised by those fruity PSAs.

Lad......You missed my point. You live in an area where being "Young" is prime. Yes....today a tank of gas to get you to the beach cost's more......BUT.....The beach is still FREE, once you get there. And yes.....it takes money for "a night on the town"...but again....you are young and jobs are available, for those whom seek them out. Jobs with good live-able wages.

Before I moved to southern California from New Mexico, I was living in motels, whether I was working in Bakersfield, Santa Paula, Santa Maria....or the Los Angeles basin. That was when I was YOUR AGE! Instead of sitting in those rooms, when I wasn't working, I would take the company car, the rental car or whatever was provided by the company, and go do something....anything...to keep from being bored. It wasn't easy....but I did it. It did help that most times, there were guys my age from other areas, that wanted to get out and about as well. Don't knock the beaches. You don't have to swim to have fun (even though swimming IS fun). Hell....You can lay on a towel and read....and be surprised by what...or who...... you find.

I am a non-smoker and casual drinker now...and was back then. Believe me....as someone who didn't smoke or use drugs and someone who doesn't drink himself silly....I stood out. Back then....you were the "Odd" one for being sober, though LA did have several night clubs that had "designated driver" specials......which is why those four stand out in my mind. "Todd's" in Bakersfield was in the Sheraton Hotel......and that was usually where we stayed....there or the Ramada.

[bentstrider]

I've experienced the beach due to living in Victorville and going on trips with family and friends from there down to Santa Monica, Newport, etc.,
You might've enjoyed it, but CA is just too "urban centric" as a whole.
Rents are expensive, people are too "far left" and I've actually angered a hippie to the point of getting shoved by one due to persistent and clashing views.

I've lived in this state when I was four and want to move out of my parents place(YES I LIVE WITH THEM) and the only way I'll feel I'm able to experience the outdoor life and get a relationship I want to be in is by moving to one of the adjacent states and making better use of the money I'm making whilst driving.

Case-in-point, I pulled the bike off the truck and rode to downtown Flagstaff for lunch while waiting for my load.
I got into more friendly conversations and wasn't "shrugged off" by the many female college students that attend NAU or Coconino CC.
Some of them actually seemed interested in me and were into things I like to do(hiking, mountain-biking, ghost-town and abandoned building exploring).

Needless to say on the bright-side, this new round of "post-rollover" driving is opening my eyes to other places I could find happiness and not feel old all the time.
The way I see it, I have a much bright and better chance of feeling happy and young in the AZ, UT, and CO desert small-cities than I would in the megalopolis coastal area of CA.

[bentstrider]

Hey everybody, didn't mean to let this turn into a "why I'm moving away from/hate CA" thread.

But, back to the OT, is truck driving becoming the primary career for retired and old folks?
Seems the recently retired from other industries are heavily getting into it and many who have been driving since the 60s/70s are staying with it.

I just don't notice a whole lot of young people getting into it as much.
This comes from seeing the types of people who are at many truckstops I go to.
Lots of gray hairs and war-stories to go along with it.

[Orangetxguy]

Hey everybody, didn't mean to let this turn into a "why I'm moving away from/hate CA" thread.

But, back to the OT, is truck driving becoming the primary career for retired and old folks?
Seems the recently retired from other industries are heavily getting into it and many who have been driving since the 60s/70s are staying with it.

I just don't notice a whole lot of young people getting into it as much.
This comes from seeing the types of people who are at many truckstops I go to.
Lots of gray hairs and war-stories to go along with it.

If you had a job, where you could knock down $50-60K a year, and see the country while doing that.......Would you trade it for a job where you could make $17-23K a year....so you could be home??

I see plenty of "younger" drivers...mostly in the mid-west and on the east coast.

[bentstrider]

If you had a job, where you could knock down $50-60K a year, and see the country while doing that.......Would you trade it for a job where you could make $17-23K a year....so you could be home??

I see plenty of "younger" drivers...mostly in the mid-west and on the east coast.

If I happened to find one that was 40hrs/week and paid that much in say, Flagstaff or Denver, then yes, immediately.
As far as the east coast, haven't been back there since my Swift days.
As you could tell, I'm a desert-rat and the company I'm with right now is pretty good about keeping me in the 4-corners region and CA.

Maybe there's more younger drivers in the areas you mentioned due to not-so-many urban-centric locales or mentalities.
The parents maintained relatively simple or hands-on careers and the kids were convinced to do the same.
And if not that, they went to school in state in order to retain those family ties.

Simply put, in areas like that, truck driving is probably not looked down upon by the peers and any work is good work.
Not like here where the greenies discourage it, but encourage taking trips on aircraft that spew out more pollutants in one trip than a single truck does in 10-20 years.