Career Change

So here i am sitting in my house looking at becoming a truck driver....been self employed most of my life then I had a change, had to raise two grand children so I drop the floorcovering went in to shipping for the last 16 years now here is the kicker... something happen at work had to take the employer to court. so I am going to be 61 next month, hard to find another job at my age, I don't mind driving a truck been a fire chief and asst chief and an EMT for 20 years passing the quiz no problem getting my medical card no problem no problem getting my endorsements all of them my problem is getting paid after I get my CDl some kind of money to support wife and grand children for the 4 weeks of training before I can start getting a good pay check I live in N.E.P.A. right around the Milford area I am looking at trucking company's who I don't trust, is there advice any of you can give me because I will be moving forward with in 2 months Thanks in advance

Hey, Mike, welcome to Trucking Truth. Many people contemplate trucking as a viable alternative. You might take a look at this thread: What Did You Do Before Becoming A Truck Driver?

I am looking at trucking company's who I don't trust

What companies don't you trust? Been reading online reviews? You will find that those are untrustworthy. No large trucking company is out to "screw" drivers, or they wouldn't be so successful.

With your "mini resume" you probability will be able to get that CDL and make the change to the trucking lifestyle. First, here's our "starter" kit:

• Truck Driver's Career Guide
• Brett's Book: The Raw Truth About Trucking (free online version)
• High Road CDL Training Program
• CDL Practice Tests

And, you can take a closer look at companies:

• 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"

We have a list of Paid CDL Training Programs, which Brett is updating this right now in this thread: Is This List Of Companies That Offer Paid CDL Training Complete?

I am looking at trucking company's who I don't trust, is there advice any of you can give me?

My advice is going to be straight forward.

What in the world makes you think you can't trust these companies? What experience do you have? I'd be willing to guess you've never had any interaction at all with any of them. I'd also bet we have drivers in here who are both successful and happily employed at some of the companies you don't trust.

Geeez! It's baffling how total newbies become instant experts on the trucking business after spending a few days researching trucking jobs/companies. Michael, we can help you. In fact you are the type person we're geared toward helping. Think about the name of this website. There's a reason for that. You've already stumbled in here not realizing you're a victim of your own research.

Here's a homework assignment for you. Spend a little time looking into Western Express as a potential employer. Come back and tell me what you think about them based on your research. Then let's talk about it. You asked for advice, so I'm hoping you'll take my suggestion. I honestly think you'll be helped if you'll work on my little assignment.

I'm looking forward to hearing back from you. By the way... You and I have very similar backgrounds. I started this career late in life after being self employed for most of thirty years. Hopefully that gives me some credibility with you.

thanks for the info I just started looking 2 days ago but there is more to me than meets the eye at 18 I worked for a food company and they made me a supervisor in a month then they added to the job start pulling orders form the freezer and refrigerator, then they had me start backing the straight truck and getting them loaded after i learned that now they told me to start backing in the 53 refers and start getting them loaded up, so at 18 I was jockeying 53 footers in a tight yard for 3 years I do hope i never lost that talent, then where I work now we have fortune 500 company's like 340 customers for that division and there are 12 more divisions in the corporation our division produces 120 million in product and that 120 million is what this division makes in a year with all included this has reached about 12 billion a year see i was the shift lead to logistics on first shift, my part was to make sure that everything ran smooth and when they took me out of the department it was 2 weeks before month end well never the less they never made there 12 million that month they tried with 5 more lift drivers they where short 3.9 million for the month, when drivers walked in they always ask for me to load them, this is because i got the weight right on the fifth wheel and all of the truck by 100 lbs per axle this is how close i got it, so if i have a chip it's well earned!

So, how's that homework coming?

Michael, I'll be honest with you that doesnt mean a dang thing to any companies. We have had many drivers here that used to drive and have been off the road for 10 years. Even though they had experience doing the exact job they're applying for they weren't any different than anybody else in their CDL class. School may be easier for them but they were equal to someone who has never driven a mile in their life. These companies don't care what your previous jobs were. What they're looking for is your employment is verifiable to show that you are responsible enough to carry a job and not quit when the going gets tough. I can assure you schooling, training and your first year of trucking will quite possibly be the toughest thing you've ever done.

Old school sir i just started looking 2 days ago after looking for another job and no one calls me for an interview, so the only thing I can think of was truck driving I have a bunch of friends that are truck drivers but they all moved away from here, fact that this site showed up just below the paid sites says a lot for the guy that set this site up, he put the top key search words in google to get that high, I am impressed, for Western Express looks good to me, one of the better ones, don't take me wrong I have been talking to truckers for 16 years and longer to include my friends I know what the life is like, I am a loaner i will be looking to drive by myself, thinking about getting a dash cam just in case!

So, how's that homework coming?

working on it wont be replying much, if your talking about Western Express great company!

Michael, I'll be honest with you that doesnt mean a dang thing to any companies. We have had many drivers here that used to drive and have been off the road for 10 years. Even though they had experience doing the exact job they're applying for they weren't any different than anybody else in their CDL class. School may be easier for them but they were equal to someone who has never driven a mile in their life. These companies don't care what your previous jobs were. What they're looking for is your employment is verifiable to show that you are responsible enough to carry a job and not quit when the going gets tough. I can assure you schooling, training and your first year of trucking will quite possibly be the toughest thing you've ever done.

well I don't move much that is for sure 3 jobs in my life this will make 4

So you moved from Idaho, to Oklahoma and now you say you’re in Pennsylvania?

Western Express looks good to me

Fair enough. We want to help, but it might help us if you'd tell us about these companies you "don't trust." We are wondering why someone who has only been looking into this for two days has such opinions formed already. Help us out so we know where your comments are coming from.