The Cryo Hauler Thread

Gotta say training in the winter sucks

 

The referral isnt the most important thing, its actually not very important other than making sure someone at that particular terminal knows your name. It does absolutely nothing in the initial process and it doesn't push you through the Linde system any faster than if you're a random guy from an Indeed ad. .

Until you get your face to face interview, no one cares who you are. I had the Superintendent from one Terminal refer me to another one and all it basically did was make sure the other guy knew my name. He wanted to hire me based on my experience, but there were other guys in the system before me, and he hired 2 of them before me, becasue they applied before me and interviewed well before me. I was lucky that both quit to do other things. But It did nothing with the initial hiring process. Linde has so many inefficient moving parts that the most important thing you can do is to keep in contact with your recruiter. Once you're in the system and they are going over your application, you'll get kind of a snotty email that basically says they're looking at your app. Dont bother them until they reach out. That can happen within a week or it can take a month. Then a Recruiter will reach out and be your point of contact , and you'll have emails to answer and interviews to schedule, then if they make you a formal offer, they schedule the DOT Physical and drug test, then when the results are verified, and you are unconditionally hired, you tell them your start date. This can take weeks if you have a terminal Manager that is very busy.

Good Luck, I think you'll enjoy it. I've researched up there AT Dennixx's Barn and there is a Linde/praxair CO2 plant in Marshall, Mn at the ADM plant on the north side of town that is also hiring, both seem good places to live and work.

 

As we near the end if week 51 of 2024. 73 drivers were terminated this year. And as I've trained ppl and most say that they are in cryo for the money and the money only. I remind them that this isn't the job for them. About 50% of the ppl that make it to actually getting hired on dont last 12 months. Some cant follow rules, some can't back in a straight line if there life depending on it. Some are just old and think the company should cater to them because they are a senior citizen. Some cant respect that this is tankers and try to drive it like a dry van. Others don't respect the product and dont wear there PPE. Or want to sit in the truck while unloading.

Cryogenic work isn't for everyone!!! Yea the pay might range from $100k- $180k p/yr. But everyone isn't going to make it. Just like Airborne or Ranger school when I was in the Army. Ppl that couldn't make it dropped off.

But as far as referrals, I wouldn't do it for my best friend, brother, or anyone. You may think you know a person. But until you've lived with or worked with that person. They may be completely different than you thought.

My former Asst. manager from one cryo company was my referral at airgas. Once I applied and gave him the requisition number that I applied to. The hiring process started immediately (He had some pull at the company). But after my 1st month, the terminal manager was fired. Then on month 2 one of the asst terminal managers was fired. And amazingly at month 3 the last asst terminal manager was fired.

However at about the 6 week mark. I went in for the week of classes at the office where the big wigs work. And on the 2nd day the VP of distribution & logistics introduced himself. So someone asked him what happened to our terminal manager. This guy replied "I'm just like Jesus Christ. You either following what I say or you won't have a position her at airgas. Im all about indentured servitude!" Me and another guy looked at each other like did he really say that. So as we went on break we both said to each other that we wouldn't last long here. And I quit after 8 months.

And I'm sure that wasn't a good look for the manager that spoke highly of me. And referred me for to the position. But I couldn't take it anymore so I moved over to another cryo company.

You can't refer everyone into your work place. They might quit, could be a screw up, might make you look bad or etc.

 

FAN - TAS - TIC post!!!

THNX much -- for telling it like it is....

-- L

 

WARNING: Southern Pines Trucking is a Nightmare Employer

If you value your time, money, and sanity, stay far away from Southern Pines Trucking (SPT). This company is an absolute disaster from start to finish, and here’s why:

1. No Pay to Start—Literally: Your first week is unpaid. Yes, zero dollars for a full week of orientation, during which you'll endure pointless, irrelevant training about PGT Flatbed. They pay you $12.50/hour for orientation after the first week, capped at 40 hours—a pathetic rate that barely covers gas money.


2. Training Pay is Insulting: When you finally get to "training," your pay is a measly $125 a day. If you think that’s bad, wait until you’re told to buy your own boots and jeans, as the company only gives you two cheap shirts. Apparently, investing in their drivers isn’t in their budget.


3. Ancient Trucks, Endless Problems: SPT loves to cut corners, and it shows in their equipment. Expect to drive old, unreliable trucks that break down constantly. Oh, and if it does break down? You get no breakdown pay for the first 24 hours. You’ll be stuck twiddling your thumbs for free while they figure out what to do.


4. Self-Taught Orientation for Cryogenics: If you’re joining for cryogenic hauling, prepare to be massively disappointed. Instead of real training, they dump you in front of a computer for a week. You’ll learn next to nothing and feel totally unprepared for the job.


5. Fleet Manager? What Fleet Manager?: Need help on the road? Too bad. Fleet managers are practically ghosts here. They won’t respond to your calls or messages, leaving you stranded in difficult situations. You’re completely on your own.


6. Punishment Policy: Southern Pines loves to punish drivers. If they decide you caused any damage—like tire issues—you’re automatically charged up to $500. They’ll nickel and dime you, deducting $25 a week from your paycheck. It’s theft disguised as policy.


7. They Exploit Your Time: Being away from home for three weeks at a time might sound normal for trucking, but with how disorganized and unsupported this company is, every day feels like a year. Sure, they’ll fly you to your truck, but it’s hardly worth the misery you’ll endure once you’re there.


8. Disorganized Chaos: This company is an absolute trainwreck. Their operations are a mess, and no one seems to know what’s going on. Communication? Nonexistent. Support? Forget about it. They’ll leave you floundering while they pocket the profits.


9. Financial Trap: If you’re hurting for money, this company will only make things worse. The low pay, endless deductions, and out-of-pocket costs for equipment and mistakes will have you questioning why you ever took the job in the first place.



Final Warning: Avoid Southern Pines Trucking at All Costs

This company is a toxic cesspool of incompetence and exploitation. They treat drivers like disposable tools, offering no support, minimal pay, and outdated equipment. If you’re even considering applying, do yourself a favor and look elsewhere. Working here will crush your spirit, drain your wallet, and make you regret ever stepping foot into the trucking industry.

Run. Don’t walk.
RUN away from Southern Pines Trucking.

 

Wow, that sounds horrible. We did already have a driver tell us a bit about that company. He ultimately left. @aramil248

 

What's odd. My experience wasn't like theirs? I honestly only left because the type of work probably wasn't for me. Really only issues I had was with carrier apu, pony motors and winter stuff. Rest was fine.
I noticed they don't really mention the training. Because what they mention about computer. Was just taken during the PGT orientation. Which was just required hazmat stuff. Also I think something with airgas. Because that carrier requires special training.
I honestly question if we got someone who leased with SPT here? Not accusing but part of what they said sounds like that. Or they just didn't treat the equipment right.

 

What's opinion on companies like LGT or Genox? Because I'm honestly thinking about seeing about getting back into cryo. Because o think hauling dry van and reefer for 5+ years is getting tiring. There is also kag

 

KAG has had a bad reputation in northern ohio for many many years. Up here they’re the Swift/Amazon of the bulk world. I’ve known several drivers that worked for outfits that were purchased by KAG and none of them were happier or better off once KAG got their claws on them. Don’t know about how they are in other areas of the country but go in with eyes wide open if you choose to look into them

 

They’re out 3 weeks and home for one week.
Everytime I’ve talked to them, I don’t get why they work there. The pay is so low and they end up making less than a company driver.

If you don’t mind being out three weeks at a time, Air Products has some open positions in the northeast. Solo driving.