‘A Big-Rig Career Change’: Boomers Hit the Open Road
Travel Blog • Eva Holland • 09.14.07 | 12:14 PM ET
We’ve all thought about quitting our jobs, filling up the gas tank and giving in to the lure of the open road. Now comes a story not about 20-somethings acting on the urge, but 50-somethings. The Globe and Mail reports that an increasing number of baby boomers are taking up long-haul trucking as a second career. One-third of the drivers at Schneider International, the largest trucking firm in North America, are in their 50s or older—an increase in that age group of 46 percent from two years ago.
“What’s driving these former desk jockeys to pursue second careers on the open road?” asks reporter Patrick White. “Ever since Burt Reynolds first donned a cowboy hat for
Smokey and the Bandit, the 1977 comedy centred on a tractor-trailer delivering bootleg beer, a certain romance has cloaked the life of the rough-and-tumble trucker.”
The drivers White interviewed cited good pay, independence, and, naturally, time spent outdoors as reasons for the shift.
“I’m surrounded by windows and sunshine, looking at some of the most beautiful countryside in the world,” says one recent cubicle-bound convert. “What could be better?”
Related on World Hum:
* ‘Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance’ Author’s ‘Last’ Interview
* Generation X: Dragging RVs Into the 21st Century
* Interstate Reading: Road King
Photo by dizfunkshinal via Flickr, (Creative Commons).
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randy hamilton 09.14.07 | 5:26 PM ET
I am a thirty something that is full-time RVer who has been working and living on the road since 2004 when I lost my home to hurricane Ivan. I am a freelance designer and photographer. My wife and I have created a book with photos of the solo lost and lost abandoned shoes we have come across as we journey cross country and back. We have combined the photos with stories surrounding the discovery of each shoe. We invite you to check out our project at the listed website.
jv 09.14.07 | 7:03 PM ET
A friend of the family retired and did this years ago. He managed to a grand total of *one* cross-country trip before hanging up his keys for good.
This is one of those gigs that sounds superficially attractive, but after a while isn’t it just ... well ... driving?
Joanne Theodorou 09.14.07 | 7:58 PM ET
I grew up with “Route 66” as tv backdrop, and the allure and possibility of endless adventures on the open road sounded terrific…even “Thelma and Louise” added to the mythology of opportunities and the beauty intertwined in the wild, colorful road trip. But untimately, work is work and driving a big rig carries big responsibilities. But I am now in my 50’s and looking for a little excitement—Route 66 is gone,and the colorful diners, rest stops and plain folk of the road seem to be gone too… but I am hoping that someone will prove me wrong! Now that I have the travel time, the attractions seem to have disappeared. Convince me this is not true!
TambourineMan 09.14.07 | 9:39 PM ET
Don’t know ‘bout y’all, but after seeing Smokey and the Bandit, I didn’t want to drive a truck. I wanted to drive Burt’s sweet Trans-Am and bed Sally Fields.
http://www.bandittransamclub.com/
RD Griffin 09.16.07 | 6:04 PM ET
after 25 years over the road,{ I am trying to defeat leukemia at the present time }. If I could go again I would because you always see new things and meet new people every day. This is the most diversae nation i have been in out of 17 nations gone to with military. From the Alps to peru to Japan this is the most beautiful. Drive on gear jammers, God speed
Job Centre Plus 02.20.08 | 5:33 PM ET
It really doesn’t surprise me that many people are turning to this sort of career choice as many have said above that it provides some rather unique experiences and a great sense of freedom.