Will Age Be A Factor?

Something that has been on my mind but I have held off asking. I know companies can't refuse to hire people because of their ages, but I wonder how hard it will be to find a company that will actually hire me or give me a chance at my age.

I see all the pics of the drivers and you all seem to be young guys and gals. I am in my mid 50's, looking for a career change. Except for middle age spread (a little overweight) and controlled high B/P, I am in pretty good health.

Will my age hold me back in finding a good driving job?

How do most companies look at age for their drivers?

Your age will not hold you back at all. In fact, it's more of a help than a hinderance.

Believe it or not, the average age of truck drivers nationwide is in the upper 40's. So you're pretty much average age.

Trucking is one of the rare industries that prefer age to youth because with age we all tend to make more cautious, prudent decisions and trucking is all about safety. Not only that, but you need people on the road that can think for themselves, make smart decisions, and handle a huge variety of situations. The more experience you have in life, the more likely you'll be able to find ways of handling the everyday stresses and tough decisions you'll need to make out there.

So don't give it another thought. Your age is no concern whatsoever.

Thanks Brett. That takes one issue off my mind.

Joe, I just had to weigh in on your question about age being a factor. You're in you're mid 50ies; you really make me feel old. I will be 65 next month and have been accepted by two national companies to start work as soon as I can. I do have many years of OTR experience, but have been retired for almost 3 years. I now find myself alone and want to get back out there and be productive again. The only that could hold you back is personal circumstances or lack of desire to accomplish your goal but certainly not your age.

Joe, I was 53 when I got hired. I was starting a second career after retiring from 30 years of self employment. But I've got to tell you this, just because I think it will both amuse you and relieve your anxiety, the same week they hired me they hired another man who was 78 years old!

78 years old. WOW. That is cool.

When I get on the road, I hope I meet him out there somewhere.

Maybe I shouldn't be that surprised. I have meet a few bus drivers out there that are at least that age.

I have been a technician at a large semiconductor manufacturing company for 34 years now. I just turned 53 and plan on retiring from that and becoming a truck driver. I expressed an interest in Stevens Transport here in Dallas, and they have expressed a big interest in me even though I told them it would be a year or two before I retire. So yeah, they want "seasoned folks". :-)

I'll toss in my comment here. I'm 57 years old, with 35 years experience in the computer field. I was kicked to the curb a couple years ago, perhaps because of age, perhaps because of my job being outsourced to India....I'm not sure.

I spent a couple years trying to get continued work in my field, but my search was evidently narrow enough (my local area) that I wasn't able to find anything.

At the end of May I enrolled in a month long school, and am currently finishing up my 10 day orientation with a trucking company.

Age is not an issue at all. Go for it!

I'll toss in my comment here. I'm 57 years old, with 35 years experience in the computer field. I was kicked to the curb a couple years ago, perhaps because of age, perhaps because of my job being outsourced to India....I'm not sure.

I spent a couple years trying to get continued work in my field, but my search was evidently narrow enough (my local area) that I wasn't able to find anything.

At the end of May I enrolled in a month long school, and am currently finishing up my 10 day orientation with a trucking company.

Age is not an issue at all. Go for it!

Basically the same thing happened to me. I am 58 and I got 5 offers within three days of getting my CDL. No age factor for me.