Narrowed my search to 5 companies. Please help me narrow it down

Why not Schneider Bulk? You can park at the tank wash there in Knoxville. Do a year chemical tanker with them and you can be making some good money down the road.

 

Schneider Bulk is Schneider van. Same company, different division.

 

None of those companies are ones you are going to retire from. They will all offer the same basic crap. So ask yourself how do you want to be set up. You want to be van, flat or tank. You wanna get paid down the road go tank. Your first year is nothing more than an experience builder anyway.

 

There is a major Dow plant there in Knoxville, I've picked up at a hundred times. Highway transport is their primary carrier. Drop an app off with them. You probably won't get in but you might. They are a good company. But there are quite a few good tank companies in and around Knoxville. Lots of out and back and local runs. Even if you don't get hired on right away, do a year, see the country and then apply again. No big deal. Don't fret too much over who gets you first. I bet 90% of drivers on this board aren't with their original company. Sure there are some but it really doesn't matter.

 

Schneider Bulk would be excellent to start your career. They also have a good veterans program, so maybe get some extra cash each month along with your regular pay.

I've made several deliveries to that Dow plant in Knoxville when I drove for Tankstar.

 

Your numbers seem low for TMC. TMC has told me $500 a week for the 7 weeks of training. And starting at .40 CPM or %

 

Another vote for Schneider bulk. Tankers all the way. Better pay. Better customers.

 

Tanks.

Screw that tarping on an elog. Just asking for trouble.

That leaves one company for you.
14/7 if you want a normal life but you will have to commute to Schneider's yard. Remember that part.