A new tanker yanker

2-3 weeks after I got my Class A I was struggling to find work because I didn't really want to go OTR. My grandad was a long haul guy and he was always out. But I knew I needed experience if I ultimately wanted to be local. After researching and signing up to this forum almost 6 years ago I found that Schneider would be the best way to get a year under my belt. So I was 1 week from going to orientation in French Camp when my girlfriend needed to run some errands and wanted me to come. I had already spent a month calling every dang trucking company I saw in the area running a daycab with no luck. We went to a side of town I wasn't used to to go to the bank. I had only lived in CA for 4 months so I was still getting used to it. Suddenly I saw a tanker climbing a hill and I wrote down the name. When we stopped I googled the number and called them. They needed to hire one driver. I went in that day and filled out on app. My road test went horribly but they decided to give me a chance. Did that for a year then started hauling fuel. That girl is now my wife and we have an incredible baby girl. Had I gone with Schneider I may not have either of them. Crazy how things work out.

 

People speak from their experience. Back in your in-laws' day you might have needed 10 years experience to drive tanker for a good company. One hazard of listening to "veteran" drivers is sometimes they are talking about how it was, not how it is.

 

You gave your girlfriend your real name? That's a rookie move, but I'm glad it worked out well for you.

 

Congrats on the tanker gig

Also, am I the only one who actually wanted to go otr?

 

Right on! Congratulations on getting what should be a great start to a great career!
Keep us posted, definitely.
What kind of shift will you be working?

 

Nope, I would only go local as a last resort, like maybe if they couldn't find a McDonald's uniform big enough to fit me.

 

That's the main reason I went to cdl school; OTR trucking.

 

Welcome to the wet side of trucking.

 

Or dry if your in bulk