57 year old wanna be

[Sal]

Any info regarding drivers in there 50's ? Are many trucking companies willing to hire older drivers? I'm 57 years old, healthy and haven't had a ticket in over 30 years. I just don't want to waste time and money on a driving school if i can't get hired. Thanks for any info Sal

[Uturn2001]

Age is not a big factor so long as you can pass the physical.

[hitman]

Not too old at all Sal. Being healthy enough to pass a DOT physical and a clean driving record are a big plus. And as long as you have a solid work history and no type of criminal background, you will not have a problem getting hired. Good luck.

[larryh31]

Schneider National has a special program for Mature Workers that is tied in with AARP. The program has been so successful that 1/3 of the companies drivers are over 50.

[slowmoe20]

Hey Sal my mom is 63 and she drives a truck. When I went to school in 99 there was a man in my class who was 73 you can do it!

[GMAN]

Older drivers are actually a hot commodity with carriers. Older drivers don't tend to move around as much as younger ones, are generally more dependable and have safer driving habits. I believe the oldest driver I have met out here was in his 80's. :shock:

[Skywalker]

Older drivers are actually a hot commodity with carriers. Older drivers don't tend to move around as much as younger ones, are generally more dependable and have safer driving habits. I believe the oldest driver I have met out here was in his 80's. :shock:

This is very true. The trucking industry is not "age discriminatory". I am 56, got into it in my early 40's.... came from an industry where 40 was considered too old to be in sales.... :shock:

You are more than likely a hard working person with a good work ethic, a clean MVR, an Honorable Discharge from the Military, and can actually communicate clearly in English. 8)

If you meet even two of those specifications and have no "skeletons in closets"...you will have no problems getting hired. Once hired you will be entitled to the exact same health coverages that 25 year old drivers get and not pay extra money for it.

My further advice to you is, should you choose to accept it, is to spend some time on this site doing research. By that I mean using the "search functions" the site offers.... using the company name that you may be interested in as the search word. Read the posts about that or those companies and begin forming opinions. There are also posts on this site about "what questions you should ask a recruiter"....write them down, modify as necessary to fit your needs... Keep in mind that not all companies are the same, don't hire in the same areas, and some have horrendous reputations. Sort the wheat from the chaff.

Have fun, and Good Luck!!

[Aligator]

I started when I was 60. Hired me on the spot!

Go with a smaller company if you can.....one with no recruiter.

And call the ones who say they require experience; I was hired by a company who "requires" 2 years experience.

[gordoUSA]

Thanks everyone for the encouraging posts. I will be 58 in Sept. Thinking of trying for my CDL. Seems I am too old for sales/marketing in San Antonio, unless I wish to work for minimum wage under the guidance of a 20 something with little experience and less ethics.
I was looking at Schneider Nat'l. They seem to hire a number of us "mature" workers. (we never say old. LOL) And they seem to have a safety first approach to their driving school. Any comments? But the down side is the cost and being tied to them for 18 months to pay off the cost of the school. If I understood them correctly, in the end I would be putting in $900.00 they would be contributing, $3600 towards the school. I guess if you look at it postively, by adding in the difference of $2500 over 36 months, maybe makes the mileage pay a little better?
Any suggestions or insights about Schneider Nat'l? Any knowledge of their Bulk Division? Mileage? Home time?
Thanks again to everyone for their encouragement and insights.

[nickbtubas]

you should never go to a company sponsored driving school. they will usually have you sign a contract saying that you will have to be an employee for a year or pay the school anyway.


i would try a local community college or tech school and see what they have to offer. check your local social services, ie Dept of Aging, and they might offer you a good deal (or free) retraining.


nick

[Useless]

Your age can definitely be an asset, but you also need to work very dilligently at keeping things like cholesteral levels and blood pressure under control.

The lifestyle in the dribing industry, as a whole, but particularly with OTR, lends itself to poor eating and living habits.

[steelhauler2007]

Hey Gordo,we are neighbors.I live in Kingsland,west of Marble Falls.Living in San Antonio you are in a good place for trucking.I drive a flatbed for Passmore. we deliver sheetrock to San Antonio all the time. Alot of the major carriers have terminals in Laredoso you should get pretty decent hometime.

[oldmanrandy]

I am 55, did the school thing last year.
As others have said don't do the company school.
The one I went to was $2950 cash, or sign the company contract
for $8950, Nothing due if you work for 8-months.
Leave one day early you own the whole thing.
Never pass the school or don't show up to work, then you owe the school
the $8950.
I took the written test on my own, did several months of OJT, took a one week
at the school to round out the edges, $600 cash for one week.
1-week, 6-days, 7-5 each day, got about 10-hours of parking,3-hours
driving no trailer, and a woping 1-hour with trailer.
The full load students had the same schedule as me, it is nothing to write
home about. If you know someone that will put up with you and is
conscientious pay them for OJT

[gordoUSA]

Steelhauler: Yes, know where you are. Small world. I have always thougth flatbeds would be interesting, at least not the same thing everyday and better than reefers or the waiting around of dry vans at grocery stores. Plus you do get paid for tarping, maybe not alot, but at least something. Same with bulk it seems, you may have to wash a tank, but you will at least be paid for it. Not nearly as much waiting around.
Oldmanrandy and others: Yes, I am trying to find a better solution to having to have a contract. I do not want to be tied to 1 company for 18 months. I am trying to find some funding now, possibly a student loan for about half, ( the school here, SAGE, is $4500.00) I will go thru other agencies next week. But takes forever.
I agree, Laredo would seem to be a logical choice. SNI Bulk is out of Houston. I don't think I would mind being gone 7-10 days at a time, maybe 14, but need more than 1-2 home. Unless of course the money is too good to refuse. LOL. I am learning that truckers are vastly underpaid.
There are always pluses and minuses for everthing, just difficult making a semi intelligent (no pun intended) decision when you don't know what your doing.
Thanks for the advice! Keep it coming. I am open to suggestions.