[clamper1797]

A tractor trailer driver can earn $40K+/year. A Raymond Reach or counterbalance forklift operator can earn $30K to $35K per year as a shipper receiver.

If someone will hire the ex Silicon Valley engineer for 1/4 of what he's used to. Sure he'd be happy and thankful for the driving job but would be a fool not to leave that job for a job in his own industry when times get better. Employers know this and WILL NOT HIRE these people for this (among many others) reason.

[scripter]

Employers know this and WILL NOT HIRE these people for this (among many others) reason.

I've often heard that's the case. There are many tractor trailer job openings in our local paper. I actually applied for one of those jobs a few times earlier this year but they never bothered to call back, and they were "desperate for drivers". The wife would rather move than have me gone that much anyway...

[pyx]

Employers know this and WILL NOT HIRE these people for this (among many others) reason.

Like when we're over 35 years of age or when there is a glut of H1B visa programmers and systems people from India and Pakistan who will gladly work in America for $8.00 or less per hour.
As I suggested, driving a rig pays $40+K per year and there's nothing undignified about a shipper/receiver (forklift operator) who can still steadily put food on the table.

[XBob]

157- you hit the nail on the head - and a lot of the fools on this thread don't understand what you wrote:

"If someone will hire the ex Silicon Valley engineer for 1/4 of what he's used to. Sure he'd be happy and thankful for the driving job but would be a fool not to leave that job for a job in his own industry when times get better. Employers know this and WILL NOT HIRE these people for this (among many others) reason."