Recession Effect?

My first 12 months as a solo driver, I made $85,000 after bonuses and all. I am looking at making at least that, possibly exceeding $90,000 my second 12 months. Just offering more perspective.

You ran hard, you ran long. O/S and G'Town shared sames.

It's possible, and probable. A testament to stay with your starter company/first company/training company and kick butt.

Pretty much the mantra of Trucking Truth; good for you!!

~ Anne ~

The real truth is that there is a lot of room for increased income potential. Lots of meat left on the bone.

There are many variables to the original poster's second question. The first question is easy to answer, history already proved it. Work hard, work well and be willing to be flexible, you come through the other side; often, better than going in.

As to the second question;

1. If your company/division is specialized in a specific type of freight, such as retail delivery to home improvement, clothing or sporting goods stores, you might see a different impact than OTR drivers who are hauling manufacturing products or food products.

2. Past recessions had elected officials willing to accept that some of their policies/practices were not helpful to get out of the recession. Not so this time. If anything, it appears they are willing to keep doing the same things, expecting a different outcome. Not to get too political, but many of the people making policy decisions have never solved problems, let alone managed departments for which they're now responsible.

Like the others said, work hard, safe and on-time, you're likely to come out okay. But, if we had the magic answer of what the outcome will be, well...we'd probably be sipping margaritas on the beach or kicking back in the mountain hide-away.