Where's the *good* bits?

Lots of OTR tanker jobs using sleeper trucks. That's what I used running coast to coast & border to border.

 

Trucking is a great career and you're making a wise decision getting your CDL.
The drivers you mention complaining about the issues you posted, would be failures in any job. Trucking is simple and if they can't succeed in trucking, then they couldn't even clean urinals and do it right at a fast food joint.
Get your cdl plus all the endorsements. Hazmat endorsement, TWIC ID Card, Passport Card are three items that lead to better paying jobs in trucking.
Which state/city are you in. If we know, plenty of us can guide you to the better paying jobs. Lots of $55K - $65K jobs available in OTR trucking for new drivers.

 

What you can expect from trucking is all dependent on the segment of trucking you get into and what you need from it and if family is a factor. Don't become focused solely on tanker until you've considered the other common options such as reefer and flatbed. Also, regional, 48 state, local ... all make for entirely different experiences. Some are only suited for a few options given their needs, wants, expectations, and goals.

If family or the need to be home regularly does not factor in, 48 state OTR can eliminate the need to maintain rent and utilities, and offers the opportunity to see the nation and get paid for it. But you need to be a self-starter and manage your time well.

 

Yeah whatever you do stay away from Cr England.

 

England pulls reefer anyway.

 

If I were you I'd take a hard look at Superior.

 

Abilene Motor Express is better than those. Great company with 100% driver no-touch freight. Abilene is right there in Richmond and hires new cdl grads.

 

That's good advice; Superior-Carriers is one of the top tanker outfits.
Here's some more that hire new cdl grads:
Tidewater Transit
CTL Transportation
SVTN
Girton Propane Service
Trimac Transportation
Schneider Bulk - this is Schneider tanker division. If you want van/reefer though, go with Abilene Motor Express right there in Richmond.

 

If there's a chance you may want to try tankers, then start preparing now for the heart rate test. You MUST pass this test. Practice by doing stair step excercise and brisk walking. This prepares you for climbing on a ladder to reach top of tank, then walking on a catwalk.