How secure are trucking jobs and how easy is it for new driver to get job?

A trucking job is secure as long as you can pass the physical and keep cdl license reasonably clean.
There is no age restrictions in trucking; lots of truckers out there in their 70's and 80's, both men and women.
Must pass a drug test also. Most do hair follicle and some do urine.

 

CDL driving is secure like farming. It ain't going away, no matter what. But the security comes from 2 approaches. The first approach is for a CDL driver to quit his current job when he gets angry and start at another company. There is ALWAYS another company that will hire a CDL driver. The easiest thing in the world is to jump into a spiral of worse and worse employers. The second, and much harder approach is to do nothing until you have researched your first company/employer. After selecting a good place to work for you, with a long reputation of paying well and treating drivers well, you work for them until you want to stop working. Few drivers do that for numerous reasons. You get out what you put in. If you go the easy route and change frequently you can always have A JOB, but it's not very likely you will like the latest job as much as some earlier job.

Make decisions like the outcome is important.

 

as a general answer I'd say go find something else.
unless trucking is really something you want to do. and the lifestyle and everything that comes with it is appealing to you
trucking is going to go through more big changes but at 60 and no experience that shouldn't make a difference.
not sure how much money you need to make, but all jobs are raising wages, there should be plenty of local 9-5 opportunities paying the same or more
if you want to drive theres box truck and other courier services without the license

as an example right now with a cdl, skill, and experience it kinda goes like this. you apply to say 10 jobs 9 of them call you back the same or next day wanting you to start the next monday.
not to say the economy isn't going to change but that's a different discussion

 

You can save a lot of money by living in the truck. Even with autonomous trucks, I believe trucking is more secure than most jobs. We still dig holes with shovels after all. Trucking is not a just a job, it's a life style. When you shut down for the day, you have to consider what creature comforts are available where you parked for the night. Also, at the age of 60 you have to make sure you're bathroom situation is always under control before you start your daily drive. At that age, when you gotta go, you gotta go, and now!

 

I am 59 and just got back into driving full time. There are a lot of pros and cons. Wait and everyone here will tell you them all. For me I tried to get some premium companies out the gate. I applied too early and was dropped due to time limits on the app. Recruiter5s have to get you behind the wheel within a certain time frame.

Now looking back what I thought would happen did not. Eventually I got hired with CFI. I am a very capable driver as over 45 years I have been in and out of the industry many times. Compared to the 80s now is a cake walk. Getting your CDL is the most varied decision to make. Here in Missouri the State helps younger folks with paying tuition and room while in school. I chose to pay ahead and not have any locks by the company on paybacks incase it did not work out. Good thing I did because my recruiter was great but the Fleet Manager was bad. At my age I do not need a babysitter and could care less about proving myself. I left CFI with little or no notice. You would think this is an end all for future driving but nooooooo. Everyone is looking for drivers.

I tried going to another major carrier, but they would not let me go without another 6 months with a trainer. I do not like team driving so I kept looking. I did find a local company but it too did not work out. Then I found the company I am with now. One year from starting I only have 45,000 miles of wheel time, but I am only paying off medical bills so it was OK. Now the company I work with is great. Clean truck, great on repairs, and they even gave me a credit card for needs on the road with the truck or trailer. Pay is average or a bit below for flat bedding, but I am home every weekend. Most weekdays I can be home too. I will gross between 35 and 45,000 each year which is good for me.

Back to the school. Choose a good solid school with manual transmissions. You may never need it but another 3 weeks and $`1500 to add it later sucks. Do a 160 hour federal school. This meets all insurance companies requirements and can waive the 1 to 2 years experience with some carriers. Now many schools have their own testers as well. This would be a bonus as waiting for a test date can delay working.

Truck driving is not an easy life to get used to. You can make good money if you are in shape and willing to push hard. I drive my 10-11 hours within the first 12 hours. No long lunch stops or hanging out at the fuel pumps. Keep the doors closed and wheels moving and money is there for you. Younger drivers forget the basics quick. Keep practicing them and using them. You will find ways to make getting your truck where it needs to be much easier if you keep the basics taught in school working for you. Diets suck while driving and too many eat only truck stop food and it shows. Avoiding carbs and sugars while driving is the biggest challenge. Finding a good salad and a solid diet is not easy. I am stuck with what I did in the military and stick to my same routine. I am not in the best of shape, but what my body has gone thru I am amazed I can walk. 2 years ago 150 feet was about it for me. When you do stop, walk, move stretch keep flexible and avoid just sitting and watching movies or playing games. Take advantage of empty lots and park more than once. It helps later. Again never forget the basics.

For me I like the solitude of driving. Nothing beats watching a sunset or sunrise while driving. With my Long Nose Peterbilt it can be quite dramatic with the reflection off the hood and chrome. Many call us older drivers glorified steering wheel holders. Cool. I will keep driving and making good money under my terms. I can drive my 13 speed, I have driven 18 and twin sticks back in the day. The Navy had this one truck with a third stick but I only drove it once. The only difference I find between most of the automatics and manual trucks is the companies control shifting more in the autos. The new CFI trucks with speed allows only drive, reverse and park. Might as well drive a Corvair. Flatbeds are a lot of work especially if you have to tarp loads. Them tarps are heavy, at 60 this may be a limiting factor. Dedicated accounts can be a blessing for many, but you lose seeing new places. It is the same problems and same roads every day. Back in the day these were union jobs. Getting into a Union company can also be better for pay. Walmart sucks but the union drivers do very well.

Good luck. Many choices to make. Start with a good school.

 

I'm 55 just got my cdl class b. It's extremely easy to get a job now with no experience. Pretty much any kind of truck. I'm located in Mass

 

Very easy to be hired. The challenging thing is finding the right company and where in the industry is the best fit for you. When I entered, I did research on many companies. Every aspect of them to see how their policies, lanes, training, pay, etc. matched my needs. We all don’t want the same type of job, or prioritize the same aspects of it. As an example, I wanted the least amount of time on a trainers truck as possible. Others want more. To me that was more important than pay, and swayed my choice. It turned out well and I’m actually making good money and am happy with the choice overall. Having some experience now, I can clearly see some of the companies I passed up would not have been a good fit.

The job is as secure as you make it. Keep a clean record, do a good job, don’t job hop too much, and gain some experience. You write your own ticket in this industry. The ticket opens or closes doors. Totally up to you.

 

If you have a pulse your hired.

Fired from a trucking job ? I’ve been trying to get fired for well over 20 years and can’t seem to get fired no matter what.

 

I say go for it! Self driving trucks will be here soon. I can’t wait! I look forward to having R2D2 do the the driving. THEN, I can dedicate all of my energy to searching for Kentuckians. I’ll be able to check every license plate that passes by!