alo

With delivery jobs, when someone leaves, they need someone else straight away. Tomorrows work must get done. So if you happen to enquire about a job just when someone leaves, you are likely to get it. If nobody leaves, there are no jobs available.

You need to be smart enough to pick up the new skills quickly. For example, an important part of driving a truck is being able to secure the load. See what others do, analyse your load, and ensure it is secure. If things fall over or fall off, you may not be at the job long.

Eric S.

I made a living as a musician (trumpet) my adult life but the entertainment landscape changed in Las Vegas and there is no living to be made performing anymore unless you're married to someone with a good job. It took a long time but I finally got a job working security that pays pretty well with good benefits. I commute on bike to work about 25 miles round trip and often spend the entire shift patrolling the property on bike so I'm likely riding about 200 miles/week, though a good chunk of that is not exactly "training". Still, at 53 I've got more stamina for the job than some of the people more than 1/2 my age. A couple guys call me The Terminator.

As many job listings as there are, I got almost no responses to inquiries and only got an interview for my current job because of my wife knowing someone already there. It's tough to start over.

rumrunn6

just found out one of our divisions was forced to merge with a giant competitor. it was either that or lose that division's customers altogether. at least now we'll be able to keep some of that cash flow & those employees will keep their jobs. was a tough choice for the owner. my division is unaffected. but the same can certainly happen to my division I suppose

Flip Flop Rider

yes there is a screening. It's essentially a temp company that specializes filling substitute jobs, both short term and long term. The company is Kelly Services

Most people, if they are certified, will go ahead and work full time, I mean why not? The certified subs around here are retired teachers who have kept their certificate current, I get that. But in my county alone, I'm guessing over 100 people are needed daily, and that figure probably goes to 200 on Fridays.

No way we could have 200 certified teachers on stand by.

You need no college degree either, a lot of college kids do it

vinfix

What kind of work were you doing? I would encourage you to set your sights a little higher than driving a truck. A good contract job is better than a bad "permanent" job. I know it's no comfort, but getting laid off comes with the territory with contract jobs. The flip side is, you have flexibility, and you can go get another one! And if you get laid off again, you'll still have made double what you would have dropping off packages or people.

The dirty little secret of a lot of big corporations is as much as 2/3'ds of the staff is temporary, so the headcount doesn't get reported to Wall Street and they can cut people loose.When I was younger I spent a lot my engineering career as a contractor. A lot of the contract guys I ran into were older, and had been laid off from some big company. Some of the capital equipment manufacturers were predominately staffed with "job shoppers", designers and engineers that had a job as long as there was a project.

Flip Flop Rider

Schools here don't even have all of the full time teachers in their schools 100% certified. There is a teacher shortage here, and I'm betting everywhere

CliffordK

Local delivery jobs often have a lifting requirement. I don't know about long-haul, but make sure you are up for the job requirements.

I could imagine driving 3 or 4 hours a day, but don't think I'd be up to driving 12+ hours a day.

Gravity Aided

I've been driving shuttle buses for a major corporation. I've done that since I was in photo lab management. That photo gig went kaput about 16years ago. I've been driving since. Good work, nice job. Some older fellows around here deliver rental cars, or drive for medical transaction companies.

Kabuki12

In 1985 I had a great job at an aerospace company with good benefits. After 12 years with the company(I started in 1973) , I decided to start my own tool grinding shop and quit the factory. My co workers thought I was nuts as I was somewhat tenured into my journeyman position. A few years after I left, the factory shut down and most people couldn't find work. I am still at it doing my own thing and I will say "it ain't the easy way to go", but my skill is still in demand and I do OK. I am now getting my retirement check every month and that covers my supplement health plan. I can't imagine starting a new profession at 65 years old , but you have to do whatever is necessary to make it and I would. Joe

downtube42

I was downsized at 57, though I did get a severance package that took the sting off. It took me seven months of applying around the country, but I eventually landed a job in my field in Texas. A year later I found a similar job in the PNW, where I wanted to live in the first place. There are companies out there looking for experience and talent, and are willing to look past grey hair.

OTOH, one of the engineering contractors who works with me now told me his secret of continuing contract employment into his late 60's: hair dye.

I can understand wanting to get out of the corporate game, but I think there are ways to control the timing yourself.

Digger Goreman

School paraprofessionals are permanent and make more than sub teachers.

alloo

You could become a bus operator. Most transit districts will train you, but be aware of mandatory overtime. You could work for a rent a car place shuttling cars. Costco is another option. Good luck! Maybe you could enjoy your time off daily and do what you've always wanted to do now that you have the time. You would be surprised how much your expenses go down when you stop eating out and live a simple life. Being a senior in some places look for the discounts and deals at recreation centers...etc. I wish you well as we all get old at some point in our life.