Question:
I'm a burned out 50 year old, that wants to do something out of an office environment. I have been a computer programmer for 15 years, and have finally gotten completely fed up. I quit last week. Back in the 80's when I was alot younger, I did 14 years in the Navy. So I understand some work "out of an office". I was in submarines, so it seems like living in a sleeper might be like coming home again! So, what do you think? Can I make it? The wife is backing me, and Schneider has accepted me for training. I was in the IT Department of R+L Carriers, and road with some P+D drivers. I think that is where the bug bit me.....
Thanks.

Answer:
Why did you not try to drive wiith R&L? Maybe you could have transferd to drving

Answer:

Its that old experience thing. I don't have any, and they won't hire unless I have experience. So, that is why the school and Schneider thing sounded good to me....

Answer:
Don't burn any bridges. After a few months as a dweller you might yern once again for a "normal" life... just don't wait until your wife has served you papers.
While the living space in a sleeper is huge by silent service standards, the lack of respect and subservient treatment given drivers by most all they work with (in the OTR world), is worse than anything you might have experienced in Uncle Sam's Big-Arsed Canoe Club!
As far as that bug... driviing a truck OTR is a little like camping out. It's fun for a weekend, maybe a week... two at the most. After that, the allure wears off rapidly and you are stuck working a job that lacks the basic labor protection most Americans take for granted. But then, I'm just a loser who didn't have the "right attitude" for trucking So, I went back to school, got my BSN and now I make more than any BBR could dream of AND I only work 4 days per week. In the spring, I'll start in on my Masters (paid for by my employer) so I can double my current pay.
I know IT can get old, as anything else can, just know that OTR trucking is not conducive to a happy home life and you will work much harder to get paid a lot less than at any time in your life.
MrClark—Groucho Marx 1890-1977

Answer:
Do you people even bother to read the STICKYS ?
http://roundtable.truck.net/viiewt.php?t=53943______
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I'd rather die on my feet like a man than live on my azz hiding in a truck.........Sir James Brown

Answer:

I didn't read THAT one! Come on - I've got no kids at home, the wife works full time, so the family life isn't the issue. What exactly do you think? Can I handle the physical part of the job when I have been behind a desk for 15 years?

Answer:
I worked in a saw mill for 20 years and started driving when I was 52. I've got six months on the road and love it. My truck broke down and I'm driving local shuttle trucks now but can't wait to get back on the road. Married for 24 years yesterday with 3 boys still living at home. Being gone two wks at a time seems to have enhanced my family relationships. I was home every day while my kids were growing up and now the stability is paying off. Wife and kids love to see me walk in the door and are sad to see me go. The pay sucks, and the conditions are less than perfect, but attitude is a big part of the job. A lot of the nay-sayers will tell you that drivers are "social misfits", but that's not necessarily true. I'm extremely social, love people, and I love this job. The pay is up and down for me, sometimes pretty lousey, and the benefits and hours suck, but you're on your own. An advantage is that once you have some experience, you'll never be out of work. My advice is go ahead, try it. You might like it. If not, you can always quit!

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Give it a try, you have nothing to lose. I move Mobile Medical Equipment MRI/CT housed in 53' trailers I started out like everybody else driving otr/Regionial before I took this position, been doing this since 1989, it is quite technicial also dealing with all the aspects of the unit comptuers,HVAC units etc... Attitude and appearance has alot to do with where you will wind up in trucking. Don't just be some van hauler, specilize in something car, glass,heavy equipment. You will make more money and make youself more valuable, if you ever want to try somehting else in trucking. Lovin what I do!!

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Happy anniversary! Glad to hear its not all gloom and doom. I am not so much for the pay right now, just a means to make some money, and keep food on the table. I know that I will not make as much as I did as a computer programmer, but the stresses are much different, and at least I can see the real outdoors once in a while! Thanks for the reply!

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Thanks, Phantom. I'll start out in vans, but if Schneider works, there are options. They have a bulk division, and a specials division as well. Who knows, maybe if things go the right way, I could either change divisions, or change jobs after a year.

Answer:
damoore I'm with ya. I'm 50 and through with a retail career that has spanned 30+ years. I'm travelling now in my RV, finding "play" jobs to pique my interests when the fishin' slows down or I want to buy a new toy. I've always wanted to drive OTR and now have the chance to do so. Schneider's year commitment for an apprenticeship that could equate into a specialized career appeals to me. Including their own bulk and flat divisions. From what I've gathered travelling around the country for the last few years is that daily driving jobs are available even in the smallest burgs and ville's. There are enough nay sayers sneakin' into a man's life to squelch a decision based on burn out. damoore you know as well as I do, after working for more than half our lives, outlook is paramount to proving a jobs worth. Go get 'em!
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Fantasy Island,the home of the dissatisfied,disenfranchised and/or
delusional. Phantom being the only experienced success
found a 'nitch' with very little demand. Few and far between.
Now I have a question.

If you didn't how did you know how to reply?

Exactly? From the cretins seen in truckstops there is
no physical part to the job.
Answer:
There is more demand than you know, for the kind of work that I do there are two companies right now that are looking for drivers. They won't even talk to you unless your clean cut, have a good attitude and a spotless driving record for at least a minimum of 5 years and no criminial convictions of any kind. Because we service prisons also. It's too sad that there is so many bad companies that treat their drivers like crap. Then it poisons the drivers mind and turns many people sour and bitter, thus many leave or just sit and (edited) about it. There are some really good companies and honest hardworking people. In my travel I have seen alot of both. I'm one of the honest and hardworking ones.

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Two? Like I said a 'nitch'. Very few Newbies will last five years
to qualify for the job you have. That's the sad reality.
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