Comments By Phillip H.

I would like to apply for paid CDL training. Have great history in all respects. Work, do not drink, perfect 38 year drive record. Have already have CDL learner's permit in hand with endorsement ( Hazmat) Medical Card. Several years past, I was charged with felony child, abuse and endangerment. It was proven, the charges where made up and the mother encouraged the child to lie. ( Family issues) The charges where dismissed, and all records expunged. I've checked, through the courts. They are gone. Praise the Lord! You have no idea, how hard it is to prove Innocents when a child is envoled. No such thing as innocent until proven! I could very easily been jailed for 15 years!. Thankfully, with the help and blessing of God Almighty, and a great attorney, and a child advocacy. The truth came out, but not before I lost my, home and car, and was $25,000 in debt to my attorney.Sorry to take so long to get to the point. With the background investigation, though these charges have been dismissed and the records expunged, I know they are, however, when I look at some background commercial sites, they still show. Will this matter, should I make the information available during the interview? I'm sure you can see why I'm reluctant. So, should I proceed or don't waste everyone's time and expense. Thanks

Hey Sarge! I to an a vet, Veitnam era. I will be attending Swift in a few months. Just saw your post. So your 62? Heck you could have been my little brother! I'll be 67 next month! Your right, don't take SS yet. If you do you'll be taxed one dollar for every three you make, on top of the normal payroll deductions. That means if you make just $30,000. , After various employee taxes deducted, when you file at end of the year, be prepared to pony up another 10k! Not fair but that's how it is. Unlike you, I did not chose a military career. Lost to many friends in VN, and a second trip scared me. I ended up as a sales director, traveled East to west, getting home few times a year, or stop on when I was in between ( duty stations). I'm like you, been active whole life, Great health with no issues. Have never drank, smoked or any drugs. Like yourself, I'm up for aast adventure. Wife gone, kids , grandkids grown, so why not? It did 6 years previously,reefer deliveries, but that was before CDL. I've not much to do other than a part time gig, so why not. The opportunity to maybe team with your son, is great! You and he will be a great asset to each other, versus solo, and the long hrs of a solitude existence. My prayers for you both Sarge, be safe, oh, and thank you for your service.

"We" spend a lot of time on the forum discussing $$$ and paying lip service to the fact that driving is a "lifestyle". Maybe we ought to spend more time considering what lifestyle we are actually after rather than just $$$. I've never made a lot of money, but I've never been stone broke either. I joined the USAF at 21 and gave them 20 years, retiring as a MSgt (E7). Enlisted folks don't make a lot, but I/we raised a family and bought a home on that salary. I lived in tents, got sent off for a deployment with 24 hours notice right after getting "home" from a leave, I've spent several months in the Aleutians courtesy of the USAF and US Navy, I've lived in tents at several scenic locations, all due to deciding to "do something" besides stay in my hometown area and work at a safe job. Since "retiring" I've done IT for about 20 years and never really made much more than I was making in the USAF when considering all pay and benefits. One nice thing is that I don't sweat healthcare coverage - 20 years in the military will do it for ya! so, my salaries have never had to suck up huge insurance payouts.

Now, when I joined the USAF there was a little think called Vietnam going on. I was blessed to NOT be sent to that theater, but it certainly could have happened. So, I measured the risk and decided to go for it anyway. It paid off big time. When you are young you shouldn't sweat the "I don't know if I can" and need to try on "how do you fire this sucker up!". I keep seeing comments on here about how nervous, scared, etc. many are about school, testing, mountains, load securement.... Come on! Where's the sense of adventure?

I'm 62 years old. I'm getting ready to "retire" again and am actually old enough for early Social Security - I'm not taking it since I really want to "do" something else and would rather continue building my "benefit". So, it happens my eldest son just started driving for Swift. He was not so much nervous and anxious since he'd been laid off and out of work for a while. He zipped through the written stuff and got all his endorsements and HAZMAT before getting to Roadmaster. We're glad he came home to take this chance and regroup - starting a new career is never easy. As he and we are learning more about trucking I let him know I'd looked at driving back in 93 but didn't go that route due to family obligations. However, we got to talking at team driving and voila! a new plan for my "retirement".

At 62 my plan is to go to Swift school since I qualify for their veteran benefit and may be able to use the scholarship with no up front costs. Also, Sean is already with Swift and should road test tomorrow following several weeks with his mentor. The plan is to talk Swift into issuing him a "team" truck so he'll already be using "our" truck while I'm getting through school and training/orientation. I am so blessed to have a wife (35 years!) that will let me take off on a new adventure when most guys my age are looking to slow down and play golf! I know I don't have a lot of good healthy years left, but I'm sure going to make them count. For me, this is quality of life. I've been slowly losing my mind the last 15 years working in IT. Two jobs have not presented the promised promotion potential nor the satisfaction I got in the USAF. Yeah, I'll admit that lifers don't do verywell in the civilian work force...at least most of the guys/gals I know chaffed under the metrics rule regimen.

So, start looking at yourself and asking what you actually want. Stability, the house, new car, 8-5 with paid vaca? Please, go for it. But, do not expect to find that in trucking...

OK, off the soap box. I love this site and realize I'm older than most. But, I'm looking for the same thing most of you are - but I kinda know what I want...I need a little adventure before I head for Top of the World or the Villages!

I'm a retired 66 years old sales director. Been retired for 5 years. I'm blessed with perfect health, have never drank, smoked or any drugs. I drove otc 5 years grandfathered in CDL 86? I'm deciding on weather or not to renew CDL, and hit the road again. My wife is gone, kids have own families. Even, grandsons getting married. I'm very active,most people I meet can't believe I'm a old man,lol. My plan is to except a opportunity, presented to me contingent upon, successful completion of retaking their driver training. I've, got no problem with that nor, the ability to perform. I'm just concerned, the offer to attend thier training, should I be?, Could it possibly be just a way to fill ranks of classes, knowing that I will not be offered employment, due to age, or should I not worry about it. Pass course, have CDL in pocket shop around and just reimburse cost of class to the academy. Opinions appreciated. Thanks Phil