What can anybody tell me about gasoline haulers, especially in southern California? I already have TX endorsements on my Class A license, just lack experience. Been driving for only eight months now. I know that KAGWest requires one year driving experience, but they (per discussion with one of their drivers earlier this week) schedule drivers six days on then three days off. He told me he thought Cox scheduled drivers five on and three off. Is this typical for gasoline hauling companies (he thought it was)? Pacific Tank Lines in Riverside requires three years. Does anybody have any information regarding any other gasoline haulers? Would prefer double trailers as that is all that I have driven since getting my license
(thru my current employers partipication in State of California Employer Training Program).

dave

I cant tell you anything about hauling gas in SoCal but as far as the work schedule that usually how they work...the particular co I work for here in TX has 4 on 2 off which tends to work out pretty good for me, by the end of the fourth 14-15 hr day I could use a couple days off

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What do you mean this aint a drop&hook????

So, it is typical then to not really have the same days off per week, right?
Reason I ask is that I have been usher at my church since 1992 and I am really uneasy about giving it up. With rotating days off would not be able to continue being an usher.

You may be able to find a company that works 5 on 2 off but coming in the door its probably going to be a task getting off the weekend or atleast one of those days. Or maybe look into going to nights after your training. Besides nights around here are a whole lot less stressful and I can usually get off early enough on Sat night to get to church Sunday morning.

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What do you mean this aint a drop&hook????

Check out Gas Hauler's post's. He is the resident expert and I think he is in CA. Good luck.

Hauling fuel has been a great career choice for me. I've been a suicide jockey up here in Oregon for last 5yrs and love it. You might be able tofind
a company to train you with your experience its the time of year must
companies are at there busiest. You might want to look into Pilot travel
centers they might not pay the most but they have high fuel volumes and
easy deliveries. The drivers up here almost all work 5 on / 2 off. But you might as well plan working nights and weekends until you have payed your
dues. Pls keep in mind hauling fuel is not for everyone when things go wrong they really can go wrong. Never assume everything good to go and double check yourself. Hauling fuel you must have a routine and stick to it and never get into a rush. No one ever remembers that it might of taken an hour longer to do the job but if you have a spill or crossdump it can get costly quick. As far as these companies saying they need more experience
than you have apply anyways if they have your application on file and get
in a pinch they might just give you a call. Good luck

Suicide jockey???!!!??? Sounds spooky.

Right now with Robertson's Transport I work 2PM to 2AM and with my still doing part-time appraisals for Veterans Administration that schedule works fine with me.

Problem with Robertson's is that people do not always need cement but many still drive cars. Also, Robertson's is a training company and they pay per load. I am based at the Cabazon yard so can only do two loads max daily. They don't have any real incentive to stay. Sure, you get 1/2% raise in your load split (starts out at 23% of the load value), but with each 1/2% raise, they raise by $20 the minimum amount you need before they pay overtime. You start at $430 per week as your base to get overtime. I typically do $120 to $140 per night. So, after two loads per day I have:
$130 x 6 days =$780 Take the $780 and subtract $430 to get $350. Multiply the $350 by 1.5 to get $525. Add back in the $430 to get $955 per week.

That is if I get two loads. Have had many a week where I only did 7-9 loads per week. If you go to 23.5% then the minimum is raised to $450. If you go to the maximum split of 28%, the minimum for OT is $650. So, a driver with three years experience at Robertsons's will get maybe $50 to $75 more per week than I do. I have heard of instances where the new get actually get more take home than the 3 year driver. Brian, a three year driver who works 1AM to 1PM said that my gross last week of
$1,020 (had a bunch of down time that week) was more than his. Gotta get a hourly job and I heard to hauling fuel was probably a good way to go.

dave

What forum does Gas Hauler usually hang out in?

dave

do you actually know what it's like to haul fuel? the work is extremely strenuous - more so than tarping flatbed loads. I thought I wanted to do it, trained for 2 days and said "###### this," and went back to regional flatbed.

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"that truck driver tried to kill me!"

Its really hard to compare the 2, the only thing they have in common is both are more work than dry van/reefer. I personally dont find it to be that much of a workout. With that being said I would much rather lift a 35-45 lb hose 4-6 times a day than lift an 8 ft lumber tarp...............everOnly thing strenuous about fuel hauling is dealing with the public at gas stations, most have no consideration for you, some want you to stop doing your job so they can pump gas in their car, others want you to move the truck so they wont have to back out

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What do you mean this aint a drop&hook????