Anyone have info on McKenzie Tank Lines?

Discussion in 'Motor Carrier Questions - The Inside Scoop' started by Redcon.One, Jun 24, 2017.

  1. Redcon.One

    Redcon.One Bobtail Member

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    Anyone have any info on this outfit? I'm currently with LTC/Dana and looking for something better in the chemical tank world. I spent an hour and a half on the phone with their terminal manager (McKenzie) at their Pensacola location. It sounds almost too good to be true. I'll be running with their "gold team" if I decide to take the bait and make the transition. He gave me gross rates to the tune of $80,000/year and roughly $1,750/week for drivers who like to run 4 to 8 weeks at a time. I'm curious if anyone has any experience with McKenzie Tank Lines and can perhaps validate what I've been told.

    Thanks and stay safe out there.
     
    Last edited: Jun 24, 2017
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  3. haz-matguru

    haz-matguru Road Train Member

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    I haven't worked there, but was offered a job twice. A former Co worker of mine worked there and told me to stay far away from that place. Where do u live? There may be better local gigs in the
    Tanker world
     
  4. Redcon.One

    Redcon.One Bobtail Member

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    Any reason in particular he said to stay far away? I live just north of Atlanta in Canton, GA. What perked my interest with McKenzie was .64 cpm loaded while operating on their gold team. Sign on bonus (which I didn't get from LTC), quarterly safety bonus, and longevity bonus at the end of each calendar year (neither of which are offered by LTC). 401k company match (no retirement plans at LTC) and per diem pay (not offered at LTC). We aren't even subject to a raise at LTC baised upon merit or longevity. So, in short, anyone throwing bread crumbs my way I'm going to consider. I just need to make sure I'm not suffering from the "grass is greener" syndrome and make sure the job will be as advertised.

    How long ago did he mention that to you?

    If you have any good chemical tanker outfits to suggest that'll be a good place to hang my hat, do tell.
     
    Last edited: Jun 24, 2017
  5. Redcon.One

    Redcon.One Bobtail Member

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    Thanks, Shock Therapy. I've come across the Glassdoor and Indeed reviews. I can't say I'm very impressed with the majority of what I see posted. This being the main reason I created a thread based solely on this. I'm trying to look at it optimistically after such a pleasant phone conversation with their terminal manager (hour and a half phone interview) and hoping maybe this was some years ago and things have changed. There's just no way to tell unless I can get talking with a recent/current employee. The thought of jumping to another company again makes me nauseous. Based upon what I know right now I'm sitting on the fence 50/50 as to wether or not I'll accept a job offer. I'll make some time over the next week and a half to drive down there and do a sit down interview, both of us seemed pretty keen on that. So I guess the proof will be in the pudding based upon my own personal interaction before accepting the job. I'll try and pull some McKenzie drivers aside at the terminal and keep this thread updated in case someone else needs the info too. There isn't a lot of info here about McKenzie.
     
    Last edited: Jun 24, 2017
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  6. Shock Therapy

    Shock Therapy Road Train Member

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    Your welcome and good luck!
     
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  7. haz-matguru

    haz-matguru Road Train Member

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    Pay and home time was the issue. But I was going to haul LP for them. Don't think they even do that anymore. They rent most of those trailers out to other carriers.

    How much are u looking to make. I'm sure you can do better thank bulk tankers in your area. Have you thought of fuel, cryo, haz waste, or chemical delivery with muti compartment trailers?
     
  8. Redcon.One

    Redcon.One Bobtail Member

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    From what I've gathered, this gold team operation is a new thing for McKenzie. The pay I pretty much summed up in my initial post, which is based solely upon what other drivers at his terminal were grossing who run like I told him I like to run (running anywhere from 4-8 weeks). Time off is 1.5 days off per week out (give or take as long as it's not excessive, he sounded flexible with that). The minimum time out for gold team is 21 days with set pay scales of .64 cpm loaded and I believe .41 cpm empty. I was very keen on making it obvious if I stay out for two months and I request off for 2 weeks I don't want to hear any issues, and he seemed completely fine with that. So my home time I've worked out with him I'm good with, and if the pay is as advertised I'll be happy. System rates for LTC are .48 loaded and .30 empty. Rather insulting if you ask me.

    To answer your question, pay and home time are my biggest concerns as well. I'm looking to gross anywhere from the realm of 60k - 70k. I tell you what, when he was reading drivers year to date gross at 6 months and projecting their gross for the remainder of 2017, I was giddy. Over 80k those fellas out there running like I like to run. I haven't really considered any one particular niche in tanker, it honestly never really crossed my mind to find a niche.

    Anything worth mentioning to that end?

    LTC has compartment trailers as well but mostly smooth bore. We generally haul chemical with some food grade out of Texas. I haven't touched any of the food grade, I've been chemical smooth bore about 95% of the time here.
     
    Last edited: Jun 24, 2017
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  9. haz-matguru

    haz-matguru Road Train Member

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    Loves, fuel south (if that's still there name, they got bought out), Florida rock, quick trip are all decent fuel hauling companies

    Air products, Praxair (about to merge with Linde) are great cryo companies in that area.

    Robbie D Wood, Hazmat ennvironmmetal, stant, and clean harbors are good haz watse companies.

    Nalco, dist tech ad flow Chem are OK chemical distribution companies.

    All of the companies I've listed pay 45-72k take home after taxes. (I never list gross pay)

    Some are 2-3 nights out per week. Others are home everyday. U don't have to be otr
     
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  10. Redcon.One

    Redcon.One Bobtail Member

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    Well that, my friend, is very intriguing. I've got some more homework to do then. Being out 2-3 nights a week beats OTR to death if I can net what I was looking to gross! I've seen Air Products and Praxair posting jobs on indeed but didn't really pay them any mind. That's about to change! I appreciate your input haz-matguru. You've definiately given me a lot more to consider.
     
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