[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.