Old Man Leaves Six-Figure Management Position To Begin Training As A Trucker: Psychiatric Evaluation Pending

I was researching Ancora. They appear to be a vocational training company. Schools will outsource to them. I can never copy links on here. Sorry. Anne?? Not sure what to think. lordbyron1970@yahoo.com Message me Grandpa Clark.

Ancora, How it Works Summary:

From Ancora Corporate Training - CDL Program:

"We offer Entry Level Driver Training to obtain a Class A CDL. Training meets the new FMCSA regulations. Students will participate in classroom, range and On-The-Road Training. Classroom training will cover topics such as basic control, safe operating procedures, distracted driving, hazard perception, vehicle systems and much more. Range training consists of Pre-Trip Inspection , Straight Line Backing, Off-Set Backing, and Parallel Parking, all of which are required to pass the DMV skills test. On-The-Road training covers speed and space management, and many other control topics. Our program uses automatic transmission trucks. Upon satisfactory completion of the program, a DMV skills test will be scheduled, and a truck will be provided."

~ Anne ~

Thank you, Anne. I have conquered uploading pics though.

Thank you, Anne. I have conquered uploading pics though.

Yes sir, you have! Links are JUST as easy! Click the 'link' button above; paste your 'https://www.nameofwebsiteDotEXT' and then 'name' it yourself, like I did above.

Then, submit.. just like a photo !

Easy Peasy!

~ Anne ~

ps: You're always welcome, good sir!

Except for one little issue. I still can't get the truck driving out of my mind. I'm just a sentimental old fool I guess. Who would consider hiring an old guy with zero experience? Would there be any interest out there?

I'm 65, and like you I'm a grandfather. I'm nearing completion of my school training, and have started talking with a few companies. Yes, there is considerable interest. No one has even blinked at my age. The companies look at employment history, driving record, your health (for the DOT physical), and so forth.

I drove for 5 years, but it was a long time ago, and that experience is worthless now. Like you, I never really got it out of my system. So, for me, truck driving is going to be the bookends of my working career, with a few years trying my hand at odds and ends (sales, carpentry), before settling into 30+ years in manufacturing in between.

Best of luck!

Grandpa Clark, at 57 you are not “old”. I took the plunge this year at age 66 after 5.5 years retirement from a six figure career of 38 years.

The training and first solo month were very challenging and rewarding. I recorded my experience in 3 training diaries.

When I started out I wasn’t sure that I would like driving, or should I say backing, but I really do enjoy it. It can be stressful, but so was my prior career.

I really like the solitude of the truck and being captain of my own ship as a team member with dispatch to get the job done safely and on time.

I have a lot of support from family to do this. My wife of 35 years is proud of me for the courage that it takes to pursue something that would scare her to death.

I can also see that it is harder on her with me being gone for 4 weeks at a time now than it was when I worked overseas in oil industry because she is older at 77. I’m going to have to be very supportive of her as best I can while on the road.

Hopefully you and your “sweetheart” have had those discussions and are prepared for the separation.

Good luck with your training and in pursuing a dream.

Thanks for the encouragement Dennis. Maybe there's more of us old guys here than one would expect. After the chaos and politics of the corporate world, perhaps I'm well prepared for a trucking career. Solitude sounds nice to me right now. My wife is supportive and knows this is a lifelong dream. Thanks again for the advice!

Make sure their accreditation is recognized and accepted with trucking companies. Some of the "CDL schools" are not, so you end up with a license, a bill, and a difficult time getting hired on with solid trucking companies.

Thanks for the advice PackRat. Much appreciated.

Grandpa Clark, at 57 you are not “old”. I took the plunge this year at age 66 after 5.5 years retirement from a six figure career of 38 years.

The training and first solo month were very challenging and rewarding. I recorded my experience in 3 training diaries.

When I started out I wasn’t sure that I would like driving, or should I say backing, but I really do enjoy it. It can be stressful, but so was my prior career.

I really like the solitude of the truck and being captain of my own ship as a team member with dispatch to get the job done safely and on time.

I have a lot of support from family to do this. My wife of 35 years is proud of me for the courage that it takes to pursue something that would scare her to death.

I can also see that it is harder on her with me being gone for 4 weeks at a time now than it was when I worked overseas in oil industry because she is older at 77. I’m going to have to be very supportive of her as best I can while on the road.

Hopefully you and your “sweetheart” have had those discussions and are prepared for the separation.

Good luck with your training and in pursuing a dream.

Ok Dennis...now you are making me feel better. I don't know where the years have gone, but I've always loved learning new skills. I had a couple of things on my bucket list. I wanted to get my pilot's license and I accomplished that about 10-years ago. Totally impractical as I'm not a pilot, but I've always wanted to learn to fly so I did. I've also always dreamed of getting my CDL and learning to drive a tractor-trailer. The only difference between this and my pilot's license is that I fully intend to drive through retirement. As a brand new "greenhorn", I'm hopeful I'll be successful in getting my license and finding a job to pay my bills. I can't retire so this is a bit more serious than learning to fly. I really appreciate your encouragement and helpful advice!

I know the program has just changed. My sister-in-law is an academic counselor at CVCC. She unfortunately does not deal w the "trade school" aspect of CVCC's curriculum. (I just found that out). I do know the college follows the fmcsa regulations etc. Ancora came into play as the regs changed back in February.

Thanks George, I really appreciate the information. Nice to hear that you have a connection here in Lynchburg. I'm thrilled to be able to get my training in my own city.

I was researching Ancora. They appear to be a vocational training company. Schools will outsource to them. I can never copy links on here. Sorry. Anne?? Not sure what to think. lordbyron1970@yahoo.com Message me Grandpa Clark.

Ancora, How it Works Summary:

From Ancora Corporate Training - CDL Program:

"We offer Entry Level Driver Training to obtain a Class A CDL. Training meets the new FMCSA regulations. Students will participate in classroom, range and On-The-Road Training. Classroom training will cover topics such as basic control, safe operating procedures, distracted driving, hazard perception, vehicle systems and much more. Range training consists of Pre-Trip Inspection , Straight Line Backing, Off-Set Backing, and Parallel Parking, all of which are required to pass the DMV skills test. On-The-Road training covers speed and space management, and many other control topics. Our program uses automatic transmission trucks. Upon satisfactory completion of the program, a DMV skills test will be scheduled, and a truck will be provided."

~ Anne ~

Thanks so much Anne!! I really appreciate you providing that helpful summary. When I checked into getting my CDL four years ago, the only option was to go to Roanoke or Charlottesville as there was no training in Lynchburg. I was pleasantly surprised to find this program in my own city through the local community college.

Except for one little issue. I still can't get the truck driving out of my mind. I'm just a sentimental old fool I guess. Who would consider hiring an old guy with zero experience? Would there be any interest out there?

I'm 65, and like you I'm a grandfather. I'm nearing completion of my school training, and have started talking with a few companies. Yes, there is considerable interest. No one has even blinked at my age. The companies look at employment history, driving record, your health (for the DOT physical), and so forth.

I drove for 5 years, but it was a long time ago, and that experience is worthless now. Like you, I never really got it out of my system. So, for me, truck driving is going to be the bookends of my working career, with a few years trying my hand at odds and ends (sales, carpentry), before settling into 30+ years in manufacturing in between.

Best of luck!

Thanks Wile E. That is very encouraging to hear. I'll be very interested to hear how your company selection process works out.