Hello, From Boise, Idaho, America!

Are there any special career driving opportunities for American veterans? Federal, state, local government entities?

I live in Boise, ID.

Have I ever had a CDL? No. A Class A (CA) learner's permit? Yes. California in 1997. I applied to Swift in Stockton, CA but was passed over.

Is the prospect for a man age 52 getting into American trucking good these days?

I am an Army veteran with seven years as a (primary diesel) mechanic by trade. I have experience driving military vehicles up to 5-ton class including tractor/semitrailers.

Also, what truck makes/models are in the fleets of most American companies and government entities these days? I have a hankering and life-long dream for manning the wheel of a Kenworth W900. Perhaps, Peterbilts with classic styling as well. I, a baby-boomer old-schooler, don't like these new-fangled aero-look rigs that look like worn-down soap bars. Are most company trucks these days these insipid things without classic style? Is KW W900 reserved solely for the owner/operator?

What do you think of courier service semi driving as for USPS, FedEx and UPS?

What do you think of the Teamsters union?

Another thing, can today's American trucker lead a life in good health and physical fitness? I don't fancy eating greasy truck stop food. Will the trucking industry accommodate gear-jammers who are health-food nuts as well? My diet is comparable to that of the late fitness guru Jack Lalane and his brother. I don't smoke, drink or do drugs. Does today's trucker have the opportunity to stay trim and physically fit?

Having been a soldier for seven years, I am used to work that is inherently not easy. I feel American truckers must still lead a much better life than janitors and other minimum-wage unskilled laborers. Trucking for a living still must beat shoveling horse manure in the hot sun. I am a confirmed bachelor so that is a boon too.

I can't see driving's being any more physically demanding than being a fleet truck mechanic which was what I was by trade in military service. None of my army trucks had air conditioners and many did not even have cab heaters! I drove them on field maneuvers a lot come snow, hell or high water.

Hi. ;)

Flatbed would be a great way for you to get exercise. And no, you are not too old to start. ;)

As for the trucks..the fleets differ. My company has cascadia Pete's and KW, others have volvos and macks. Most are going to be the aerodynamic ones you don't like cause they get better fuel.mileage.

As for food, shop at walmart and buy what you like.

Unions don't interest me, I was USPS to 18 years. The USPS drivers are.mostly small contractors. FedEx and UPS seem to pay by the hour in many positions which causes a lot of pressure on the drivers. They have higher speeds on their trucks and are sometimes pressured to drive faster....and unsafely. I had a friend who sent me his QC message at UPS that basically said "don't be driving slow cause you get paid by the hour. Anyone driving under 65mph will be having a discussion". That is just not right.

At the USPS, the drivers were so bad at backing that the Delaware plant made them use every other **** to keep them from hitting each other.

If I were you, I'd look into company sponsored training to get the CDL and hired on.

High Road Training Program

Paid CDL Training Programs

• Trucker's Career Guide: Choosing Your First Truck Driving Job
• Article Category: Finding The Right Truck Driving Job
• Forum Topics Tagged "Choosing A Trucking Company"

Thank you, Miss Rainy!

It sounds like courier service positions should be avoided like the plague.

I remember the story on the news, late 1990's, about a UPS manager who was killed because union drivers were on strike. He drove the damn rig off an overpass bridge and was not even trained and qualified to drive if my memory served me correctly!

I am safety conscious. I don't court an early death from reckless driving. The army rigs I drove were geared down for field use and were lucky to break 50 mph on the highway. I even had a front tire (re-grooved) blowout in one at 50 mph once but still pulled her off to the side like a pro! Naturally, salaried pay, more so under contract, would usually beat hourly wages. If the company and equipment for driving is decent, I can overlook the lack of classic American styling.

Being a veteran, I can see if there are any civil service (state, federal, local) driving positions as well. I am also a college grad with an associates of science in computer information technology. I can even put a degree on my resume.

Most truckers prefer short haul over long haul but I gather those with seniority get short haul duty. Correct?

As far as my diet, can truckers cook their own meals on the go? I like barbecued grilled meats a lot. I understand today's sleepers are quite commodious. Yes, I buy my meats at Walmart.

As far as exercise goes, I was thinking of gym equipment at truck stops to work out on down time. What hard work is involved in flatbeds? Loading them? Tightening the straps? I once met a man who was a union trucker who said laborers did all the loading and unloading, not drivers.

Perhaps, a classic KW W900 could be a lifetime dream rig should I ever become an O/O. Some American company drivers go O/O later in their careers. I have have still yet to learn the advantages/disadvantages of being company vs owner/operator.

Perhaps, those classic chrome-laden KW's and Petes have a steeper retail price tag than the run-of-the-mill aero-style tractors and maybe that's why companies also favor them. I know Freightliner and Western Star also have classic-look trucks in their product lines.

Flatbeeders jump up on the bed and tarp and strap the load. As reefer I don't touch it at all. Local and dedicated drivers sometimes unload their own in reefer or dry van.

Some truck stops and terminals have gyms.

I'm not site about the civil a service driving. I do have 18yrs federal but never considered it. My gig is too good to pass up.

...Naturally, salaried pay, more so under contract, would usually beat hourly wages....

If you are hoping to get a salaried position, you might be disappointed. The vast majority of companies by their drivers by the mile. A smaller portion of the companies will pay you a percentage of the load revenue. And the smallest amount, will pay hourly, or salary. Most companies will also include extra pay, like detention, multiple drops, Tarping (if flatbed), and also offer bonuses for fuel savings, and safety bonuses.

If this is not what you meant, then I apologize for the assumption.

By SALARY I mean a flat monthly paycheck. I want an occupation with long-term steady pay to keep me in a middle-class lifestyle. I want to live the American Dream. A "Mayberry Street" house of my own and a new Toyota Tundra. A sound retirement plan.

I don't know the term DETENTION except for being kept after school as punishment.

I guess there is a steep learning curve to trucking.

I would want to work for a company that is safety conscious and abides by the rules of the "comic book" (and the law), seriously, not pushing drivers over legal hours.

I hope President Donald Trump makes life better for American truckers.

Better pay. Better benefits. Longer life. Better health. Less wrecks. Less clogged arteries from truck stop food. More happiness. Better R&R quality of life overall.

More job opportunity. More job creation. I would think an escalation in American infrastructure and construction should be a boon for American truckers. What about driving for construction firms? Dump trucks? Hauling earth movers on lowboys?

...Naturally, salaried pay, more so under contract, would usually beat hourly wages....

If you are hoping to get a salaried position, you might be disappointed. The vast majority of companies by their drivers by the mile. A smaller portion of the companies will pay you a percentage of the load revenue. And the smallest amount, will pay hourly, or salary. Most companies will also include extra pay, like detention, multiple drops, Tarping (if flatbed), and also offer bonuses for fuel savings, and safety bonuses.

If this is not what you meant, then I apologize for the assumption.

Detention pay is something some companies get drivers from the customers who take too long to load and unload. Usually after two hours, you get paid detention pay.

There is also breakdown pay when the truck is in the shop. Layover pay for when there are screw ups with loads due to no fault of your own....and tons of bonus pay.

I make more now and have better benefits than I did at the USPS. Plus I'm treated a 1000 times better with none of the stress.

You won't find salary positions in trucking. This is a productivity based industry. You drive great and arrive early, you'll get more miles hence earn more. It's sorta like commission where some weeks due to weather or vehicle maintenance or even the load schedule, the pay varies week to week but averages out nicely.

I am afraid your barking up the wrong tree. You want a salary, benefits, retirement and good solid upper middle class income. I know the perfect career for you. Go visit a military recruiter. All of those things can be yours. You can even drive truck in the military and get all of those things.

We have some great information for military veterans and the trucking industry here:

• FAQ: Military Veterans Becoming Truck Drivers
• Trucking Companies, GI Bill, And Military Veterans

Here are a couple of great resources on eating, exercise, and healthy living for truckers:

• Getting Exercise As A Truck Driver
• FAQ: Trucker Health - Eating, Sleeping, & Exercise
• Surviving Your First Year On The Road As A Solo Truck Driver