Tanker or Refrigerated

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Mike2633, Jun 14, 2013.

  1. Mike2633

    Mike2633 Road Train Member

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    Hello,

    My name is Mike and I am considering going to truck driving school at the end of this summer/early fall.

    I was wondering if any of the Werner drivers currently in the Temperature Controlled Division could share some insight?
    I am wondering about average load and unload times and all the good and the bad.

    I have read a little bit about Werner's Temperature Controlled Division which isn't much because, from what I am told it's not a big part of there company. However the little bit I read on this forum most people have said that Werner's Temperature Controlled Division is not really bad. Like any thing else it is what you make it.

    So you guys know I am single, with no kids so the part about being over the road doesn't scare me.

    The reason I ask about Werner specifically is because I guess from what I read the refrigerated people who work for Werner go to the same places a lot, which is nice because you know where you are going and the second time around is always easier then the first.


    Also any insight on Schneider's tank division would be great as well.

    Thank you for your time
    Mike
    Northeast, Ohio
     
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  3. ethos

    ethos Road Train Member

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    I have posted about Schneider in the past. Look up my threads. I have no opinion on Werner, I have never worked for them.
     
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  4. southpaw2153

    southpaw2153 Light Load Member

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    Just my own opinion, I wouldn't touch refrigerated freight for anything. Tanker will have a lot more rules to follow, dealing with chemicals, but you rarely wait at a receiver since they usually don't order expensive chemicals until they are needed. Refrigerated loads are going to have you sitting a lot waiting for a bay door to open and then - if you go to certain supermarket distribution centers - you will wait for hours, sometimes, for the inspector to give the final approval for that load. (Albeit, you will probably be sleeping in your bunk as lumpers will usually unload your truck)

    Schneider is a good company to work for. They don't b.s. you and I never had a problem with getting any money that was owed to me. Just take it slow until you get some experience under your belt with a tanker. It is very easy to roll a tanker. The heavier the load, the better, is how I feel with tanker. Not as much surge. Good luck!
     
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  5. pawpaw1

    pawpaw1 Medium Load Member

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    I haven't pulled a reefer since the early eighty's. back then , there was a lot of dock time. No pay for that, then. And Werner wasn't on the radar. We had Monfort. And National. Big reefer companies then. Ask an old timer about Monfort.
    I pull a tank , now. I Think the $$$ is better. If I'm delayed by shipper, or reciever, I get paid for it.
    You're a Newbie . The best money is probably gonna be Heavy Haul. High dollar freight there. For a youngster , that's my advice.
    Tanks are a second best, IMHO. If you go that route , remember this : Schnider seems to have good training, but as a Schnider tank wagon driver, don't expect too many open arms from many seasoned pros. Like many large outfits , they'll cut a rate in a second. And they aren't the only ones , but are a big target.
    Hope this helps. Good Luck !
     
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  6. airforcetoo

    airforcetoo Heavy Load Member

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    I've heard worse about Werner than I have Schneider... Some drivers have even told me that Schneider's a good company. Like the guy before me said, it can be easy to roll a tanker if u don't know whatcha doing ...so get some dry van experience out the way first then go into a specialty ... And above all else, be safe!
     
  7. Mike2633

    Mike2633 Road Train Member

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    Thank you all, I really do appreciate the insight. My dad used to drive and he hated grocery terminals and food terminals, said they do nothing but waste your time.

    My dad said the best driving job he had was Roadway Package Service (RPS any of you guys remember them? Now there FedEx Ground) Line haul in the mid 1990's. My dad said LTL is the way to go with a decent company like Old Dominion. Might not pay as good as tanker, but in his opinion it beat OTR any day of the week.


    However I was wondering Schneider had a job posting for tanker drivers regional from Coraopolis, PA just wondering where those guys go to in terms of what city do they run to?

    Thanks again I really appreciate it.
    Mike
     
  8. southpaw2153

    southpaw2153 Light Load Member

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    Those tanker jobs in Coraopolis can run anywhere in the U.S. or even Canada. When I worked for Schneider Bulk a few years ago, I can remember taking loads out of the BASF plant to Phoenix (and then to L.A., then Bakersfield), upstate NY, and down to Texas. I liked working for the tanker division at Schneider. Averaged about $700 take home but had weeks where I regularly brought home $850, $900 and even $1100. Just depends if the chips fall the right way.

    If you do go for Schneider Bulk, just be prepared for the pre-work screen. You have to be able to lift a milk crate weighing 60 lbs from a table to your waist, then up to you eyeballs 3x. It is harder than it sounds. And if you aren't in good cardio shape and you heart rate gets too high while doing ANY of the pre-work screen exercises, you are sent home immediately.
     
  9. ethos

    ethos Road Train Member

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    A regional run probably won't get you to Cali. I am OTR and I don't know a great deal how regional is set up. But Cory deals with a lot of the Northeast and Canada. The student I have now said only two people failed the work screen and he is not in good shape at all. Kinda worried about that top bunk actually.....


    But if you do come to Schneider and your based out of Cory you will go to BASF in Monaca and Nalco in Ellwood City a lot. Both are decent plants, easy in and out usually. You will probably go to Ohio a fair amount too. We have a lot of customers in Ohio. Can't remember any specifically at the moment, they kind of blur together but they are there.
    What type of hometime are you looking for?
     
  10. southpaw2153

    southpaw2153 Light Load Member

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    I don't know if the original post was asking about regional. If that is what he meant, my bad. He asked where do some of those runs go out of that area and I just stated that I had pulled loads out of that area (Monaca and Ellwood) going to Texas and Arizona/Cali. A lot of stuff out of those two facilities also went to Chicago, as well.

    Hope you are safe sleeping in the bottom bunk. That would be a bad way to go out. :biggrin_25512:
     
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  11. southpaw2153

    southpaw2153 Light Load Member

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    Oops, just read Mike's original post again. He was asking about regional. My apologies. That's why I should stay off the computer late at night when I'm tired. Just made myself look like a bigger fool than I already am!! :biggrin_25511:
     
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