It’s tough out there for a guy like myself. I have been in radio 39 years. Still do my weekend show. However, radio is like a lot of other “mature” industries. It’s a river of blood. The chances of my landing a new full time job are slim. Meanwhile, I have a wife and two teenage boys. At 57 few “entry level” positions are in my reach. It’s humbling. Never thought I’d be in this position. But, a lot of us “boomers” find ourselves here. The idea of driving is appealing. Yes, I’ve read the stories of the downside. But, I appreciate Schneider teaming up with AARP and welcoming people such as myself. Listen. I don’t have other “skills.” B.S. and M.A. in Broadcast Journalism and 39 years behind a microphone don’t count for much to a 38 year old HR trainee.
Dude, My heart goes out to you. Good luck. I tried OTR driving and I got to tell you, it sucks. Say good bye to your family. It takes years of driving to get one of the dedicated runs this office person is talking about. Here’s a hint. Call UPS and see if they need drivers. THEY HAVE A WAITING LIST!
Night all.
“The chances of my landing a new full time job are slim. Meanwhile, I have a wife and two teenage boys. At 57 few “entry level” positions are in my reach. It’s humbling. Never thought I’d be in this position. But, a lot of us “boomers” find ourselves here.”
Good Lord, you sound like me. Got laid off in May along with a bunch of other “old folks” and haven’t been able to get a decent job since. I’m 57 and am working part-time for a contractor in the place where I used to be in charge. I’m working with another guy who’s in the same predicament. It sure puts you through some mental changes doesn’t it?
Hi David, I am still young, but all these stories about older folks being shown the door in their mid-50’s scares me. I’m struggling just to pay rent in San Jose, and hoping that housing prices drop to the point where I can afford one. Funny how a computer engineer with a master’s degree in computer science has to struggle in Silicon Valley.
I actually listened to your show on KLIF back in Fort Worth before my parents moved us out to Monterey. I had to have been 7 or 8 years old. That was over 20 years ago now. I was surprised to hear you on the weekends here on KSFO—more that people could survive for over 20 years in the radio business than anything else :-).
What seriously needs to happen in this country is for the government to protect our labor from countries who don’t protect their own. I’m pretty sure we don’t want to live like the poor of India and China, but instead of lifting them up, the competitive market and US trade agreements bring our own workers down. The federal government has to realize that this country is in competition for business with other countries and Ireland and Singapore will actually give businesses incentives and tax breaks while the US hands out more red tape. Much of what the country regulates tends to hurt families just starting out in favor of established workers. Prop 13 has the effect of shifting the burden from more established people to the ones just starting out trying to afford a home that his older neighbor could never afford in today’s market. It’s like the boomer generation climbed the ladder and then took a saw to it for generation X and Y.