Only $30k Gross First Year? Old Dominion is Just a Stepping Stone??

I don't know why you are calling BS on that, I have had exactly that happen, only it was a terminal not a truck stop.

 

OK I made about $35k my first year and that was jumping through 2 months with 2 different training programs at starter companies getting next to nothing to barely survive on, then working 2 months driving a ready mix truck and being laid off unable to collect unemployment. I started working at Dominos delivering pizza until the spring where I started driving again.

So yes you can make $30k a year but you almost have to try and do that bad.

 

$30-40k your first yer is accurate, but that is an AVERAGED number and includes bottom-feeders like SWIFT and Knight and others that pay stupid small CPM and also tend to not run you hard.

You can certainly do better if you have a clean MVR. Look for 3-6 week training programs, no more. Also don't take LESS than 36 CPM. Lots of companies offer that and more to new drivers.

 

I think "blairandgretchen" have her on the right track with Old Dominion.

 

Yeah random truck stop, terminal. No difference there.

 

May as well be grocery store and you're wearing something 'trucking' related - which is why I ditch the apparel on home time . . .

 

If you listen carefully to truck stop and company terminal whiners they will tell how and why they make so little money, often in the same breath. It's because they place limitations on themselves.

They:

Don't run at night
Won't go west of the Rockies
Won't go to New York
Gotta have lots of home time
Gotta play World Of Warcraft instead of sleeping
Won't change a light bulb because it's not in their job description (and blow 4 hours waiting for road side service)
Won't accept any load that needs them to run hard
Etc
Etc
Etc

Listen carefully. They'll tell you exactly how not to behave or think.

 

I started out at Knight Refrigerated and was on track to make 44k first year but left for flatbed after about 7 months in. Nice equipment too, they take really good care and have frequent checks to make sure your safe.

 

I've heard the total opposite about OD, I've heard they run you to the bone but that the pay is very good.

 

That can be a pro or con depending on how one prefers to run.