[TomDe]

:?: I am a 59 year financial planner looking for a career change. I drove tractor trailer from 1973 until 1984 when Interstate Systems when they went out of business. I believe I want to go back to driving.
My driving record with them was impecable. I have my 1,000,000 mile safe driving award. My current driving record is clean for the last 5 years for sure, and have never had a major violation or accident.. The only large vehicle I have driven since is my F-150 with a 35 foot travel trailor. If you are a driver you know those things wiggle more than the big on's. I am getting my class A CDL. The written is easy and a friend has a truck to practice on and take my road test.
What are my chances of getting a good driving job with a company that will work with me? Would they take my preivious experience in to consideration?

[fireman932003]

Well, being that it has been that long ago, more than likely, you will have to go out with a trainer for a certain period of time. That amount of time will just depend on the company. BOL

[BigWheels]

TomDe...congrats on the 1,000,000 mile safe driving award!

I admire your spirit--changing careers near the age of 60-yrs old! 8)

It's not everyday I hear of someone your age deciding to go into OTR (in your case back to it).

I'm sure a good company would take a serious look at you...like fireman932003 said, you'd have to go out with a trainer for a week or two.

All the best in your new quest!

[4roses]

TomDe ~ welcome back ... I'm afraid your going to find out as I did that once a person has been off the road more than 5 yrs ... you'll have to go to school and get recertified ... the insurance companys have really taken a strong hold on the big companys now and insist on this. I had to go to school before I could return ........ My first time on the road in the 90's I was taught on the road and never went to school ........ but times have changed. Once I was able to return to the hwy I had to go to school :cry: ... didn't want to but actually it was good for me. Several things have changed over the years ..... between the laws and the workings of the tractors it was good for me to spend time in school :wink:
Now if you can find a 'small' company - sometimes their able to side step the strict insurance company rules, becasue they don't have that strong hold over the smaller companys. .......... either way you go ... good luck

[TomDe]

Thanks all for the get back. Looks like my best course of action is to get my CDL and start talking to some recruiter, and take it from there.

[silvan]

On the subject of old drivers, I ran into an old driver today who helped me get around a backup by leading me waaaaaay through the woods.

He had been trucking since 1955.

Damn.