The Fuel Hauler Thread

Looking back I wish I struck the iron harder back in 2018/19. Of course I was dumb and intent on staying in NM during those years. Guess opinions and feelings on a place can change after several years. Had I just shut up and made a move a few hours to the east then, we wouldn't be having this weird convo right now.

 

Life happens but you have to roll with the punches. I should have gotten into fuel years prior to when I did but oh well, we can all play that game.

 

Understandable. But I still feel like those are some brain cells that I'll never get back. Land of Entrapment lives up to the name.

But at least my record is still clean.

 

It would be best to figure out your living situation first IMO. If you only want to be a fuel hauler, move to a city or surrounding area that has a loading rack so you can cut down your commute time. *Most* companies park their trucks near the racks so it'll increase your job prospects as well.

After that, I would speak to a driver before the recruiter. How things are done where I'm located compared to WHITEOUT OUT WEST are guaranteed to be totally different, and that information can only be provided accurately through someone who works in your area everyday.

Also, be open minded with other private fleets and contract carriers too. Getting good quality experience anywhere in Fuel hauling will be a net positive for you, but long term I do recommend working for companies with their own stores.

FL, GA, TX are the most competitive states to get hired on, so the old adage of "it's not what you know, but who you know" -- will help you greatly.

 

I'm also looking/open to KS, MO, NV and UT as well when it comes to fuel positions. Kansas seems to be the cheapest when it comes to housing and I have seen quite a few openings on Gemini website when it comes to there.


Current milk hauling company has me going up to Hutch only occasionally though. Seems like I get tossed up into CO a good chunk of the time. Like NM, CO has fallen off of places I want to live/work.

 

The really good fuel hauling jobs in our area are never advertised. First of all, most of the drivers stay with a good company until they retire. Turnover is almost nil.
Most reputable tanker companies have a stack of applications and they can choose their drivers.
The loading racks and the coffee shops are where you hear about a decent job opening.
Get a lower rung fuel job, bide your time, get to know everybody, and keep your ears open. If you're not plugged in to the system the better jobs will be filled before you even hear about them.

 

I did mention I was willing to give the contract carriers like Groendyke and United Petroleum a shot. They seem to have openings/postings in the areas I'm looking. I'll keep at it with PFJ and Loves though while making the move out to the respective areas.

Just trying to breathe some new purpose into my CDL career before I jump into a baggage handler position at an airport. Or a sample puller/lab tech at one of the creamery facilities I drop at.

 

@bentstrider83 have you looked into SWTO. Marathon is a good company to work with so I would give consideration to anyone affiliated with them. They probably haul mostly gasoline too which is a lot better than hauling diesel all the time, something that the truck stop guys never admit

 

To each their own, but diesel demand is a lot more consistent than gas, freight is always moving, cars arent. I'd 100% rather get into a wreck hauling diesel than gas.

 

@bentstrider83

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