Comments By Guzinta

Signed

Hey Rick. I feel your pain...literally. I just had a similar triple hernia operation last week as well. My hernias were all located in the lower left and center abdominal area. They stem from emergency diverticulitis surgeries that I had in 2009. I have been living with them since, but the hernias became quite aggravated after a year in the trucking industry. I have a mostly local gig that gets me home every night, all no-touch freight, but the downside is that I do a ton of drop/hooks every day. Old crappy landing gear will be your worst enemy. Trailers left too high or too low are your next worst. There are some simple tricks of the trade that can be used, that beat the "bull and jam" methods. I carry variety different sized wood blocks. Whether a low or a high trailer, using the wood blocks and the 5th wheel air drop system, you can take most or all of the weight off the landing gear long enough to crank it to the proper position. If you go OTR with no-touch freight, I believe you will be fine. I plan on being back to work in another 3 weeks and have no worries. I'm 62 and am just coming up on my one year anniversary of driving these big beast and I love it. If you persevere through the first few months your will be golden. Early on, you WILL have days where you wonder if you are capable of doing this. Just DON'T give up! Find a decent company with up to date equipment and that will help a lot. Most of the time, at least in warmer weather, you can spin the landing gear with one finger. Let your body heal and then listen to it. Exercise is your friend. I'm sorry for rambling so much but want you offer some encouragement. Our stories are similar. I came from 34 yrs of IT before getting into this crazy industry. You've gotten some great advise here. I remember a quote but can't remember the source. Might have been Mark Twain. Goes something like this: "Whether you think you can or you think to can't, you are probably right". That's all! Good luck to you.

Starting At 60 years young am I crazy.

Not sure if you're crazy, but I know I am.

I'm coming up on my one year milestone of driving solo. I just turned 62. With your credentials, you will be just fine (imho).

Bellavance has them.

Okay so let me start this by saying last year when I entered this profession I had a huge weight problem. When I recieved my permit my license said 5'9" 279 pounds what a slap in the face. Sleep Apnea machine was a given when I was hired. With hard work and healthy habits I am happy to report ( drum roll please) 219 pounds down 60 pounds since I started. Yes weight loss is possible driving for a living. I still need to lose 45 pounds but I am driven now more than ever.

Nice job! Would you mind sharing your formula?

What is considered to be a "Clean Driving Record"???

Report should show "No Violations"

I just turned 61 years old. Am I too old to start a new career? I have zero experience but after studying different trucking schools I would like to begin with Prime. One year after training would be a short time to pay back your loan. I have read a lot about Prime and I like the idea of the extended training.

Hi Steven. I Got my CDL at age 60. I'm 61 now and been running solo for about 4 months. I love this job! As long as you have your health and a positive attitude, you'll do just fine. Good luck!

The mechanics in our shop said they'd hurt me if they caught me using the clutch! I guess they don't like replacing them :)

Noob question, but how hard is it to find local truck driving jobs? I'm thinking getting my CDL but the lifestyle of an OTR driver living on the road doesn't really appeal to me. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

I lucked out getting my local gig. I was hired for OTR, but while I was in training one of the local positions became available and was offered to me. I work for a smaller company with about 200 trucks. So the local jobs are out there, depending on your location. Some of the places I get to go are quite challenging and I'm grateful that I have damaged any equipment or property. I do a ton of drop and hooks in a day, so I do get my exercise! But I am home every night and I'm grateful for that.

I don't have answer; just wanted say keep your chin up. Life often throws us roadblocks because we're headed in the wrong direction. There's hundreds of places in this country...you'll find the right one!

That may be true, about "hundreds of places in this country", but I (unfortunately) am financially challenged, which is why I was focused on company-sponsored programs. Roadmasters Truck Driving School charges about $7000 for their training. And their recruiter said that whichever company picks me up, would cover about 90% of that via tuition reimbursement. That (still) sounds like a contractual obligation to the trucking company of some kind, plus I'd still have to pay the balance to their lender the same way that you would pay any other bank loan (a note every month). The recruiter is trying to convince me that, going through them is better because my starting pay out of school would be higher, and I'd have more "freedom to move" to another company if I felt the need, or if a better opportunity pay-wise presented itself.

Of course, I'm skeptical. Roadmasters said that they deal with several of the large companies, including the ones I originally named. So again, I'm interested in feedback from you guys and gals - specifically about Roadmasters.

Check with you department of labor in you state. There's a federal program WIA (Workforce Investment Act 1998), and a follow on program, administered through states. You may qualify for a partial or full grant, depending on you circumstances. Worked for me. Hope this helps...