What's Up At Old Dominion Freight

History of this company reveals the following: Old Dominion is a freight hauling company that was founded in 1934 by Earl and Lillian Congdon in the state of Virginia. They started out with one truck and through the years acquired other truck lines, continuing to expand. The company provides an excellent example of what dedication to a business can produce. They have a Speed Service (next-day and second-day shipments) and Air Express for airfreight. Their operating units are OD Domestic; OD Expedited; OD Technology; and OD Global. It is an international company and ships to Mexico and Canada as well as to U.S. locations.

Through the years, it has expanded and today has nearly 13,000 employees, 48,000 points of service, and 207 service centers. It has 5,159 tractors as well as vans and trailers. In 2002, their sales exceeded 556 million dollars. It is a non-union company and specializes in LTL (less-than-load trucking) services for general commodities. With LTL service freight is shipped to terminals where it is sorted for local distribution rather than being shipped directly to the customer. They use all the latest technology in determining the status of shipments, including Radio Frequency Identification tags that automatically record when shipment arrive or depart.

The requirements for their drivers are clearly laid out in the job descriptions and are not difficult for those with the required experience. Physical requirements are also listed and cover the general duties of a truck driver. For example: "Must be able to perform frequent pulling of freight weighing up to 500 pounds on a dolly or cart as well as occasionally pulling of freight weighing more than 300 pounds with or without mechanical aid."

Their driver requirement site reads as follows:

Owner/Operator Driver Requirements:

Minimum age 22

High School Graduate or Equivalency or 5 years accident-free driving record

CDL and proper endorsements (includes Double or Triples and HazMat)

Minimum one year experience in tractor/semi/twin trailer operation or completion of truck driving school course

Must Take Old Dominion Truck Driver Training Program

Must take company medical exam and pass DOT drug tests

Line Haul Driver Requirements:

A valid CDL with HazMat and Triples endorsement

One-year tractor trailer experience, OR graduated from a State Certified truck driving school, OR passed the ODTDT.

Good knowledge of vehicle control and safety systems

Be ready for around-the-clock trips to deliver/pickup freight and to be away from home for long periods of time

Pass company physical fitness test

Pass DOT drug test

Pass Old Dominion orientation/training program with a company driver/trainer

Age 22 years or older

Their positions open for owner-operators and company drivers have excellent benefits. A line haul driver averages $75,000 to $90,000 per year. They also have a driver-training program and a truck lease purchase program. The truck lease purchase program features 1/no money down and no credit check or traditional money down and a credit check.

This company has received numerous awards for excellence over the year, the latest being the 2012 CIO 100 Award. They have received this honor for the past four years, which "…exemplifies the highest level of operational and strategic excellence in information technology".

Reports from drivers vary with most satisfied after working there for years. Information about this company and what it offers can be found atwww.odfi.com.