Local hazmat jobs

@lual Where you at?

 

With all due respect -- a daily commute of 40 mins (twice a day) will begin to suck in a hurry -- for hauling fuel.

That may well be part of your problem.

You really need to somehow cut that commute in half.

Also: do what I did -- to get some fuel hauling experience....first try getting on with one of the non-private fleets:

Petroleum Transport Company -- Spartanburg, SC -- fuel delivery -- home daily

and/or

J H Seale & Son -- Spartanburg, SC -- fuel driver -- home daily

Submit to them a complete on-line application....wait about a week ...then follow-up with a phone call, to check on the status of your application.

-- L

 

I did a quick search. Take a close look at all of these and start applying.
20 Best hazmat tanker driver jobs in Gaffney, SC (Hiring Now!) | SimplyHired
I'm sure there are other websites.
as @lual stated. "Also: do what I did -- to get some fuel hauling experience....first try getting on with one of the non-private fleets:"
If you can't get on hauling fuel right away get tanker/hazmat experience.
Like they say: Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

Market is tight now for drivers. You have ZERO tanker/hazmat/fuel experience. You are competing with those who have the first 2 and possibly all 3. Kudos for the clean background, driving record and endorsements.

 

Don’t beat yourself up over it, you have experience but no tanker experience. Times are kinda slow in trucking right now and that’s when employers get very picky especially if it’s a private fleet. I know it can be frustrating at times I went from oil, chem, fuel, cryogenics but each one of them except oil required previous experience. Then all of a sudden one day you get a new guy in and ask him what he did at his last tanker gig. He’s like oh this is my first one, that’s when you know the company is busy and standards get dropped.

 

A true story -- here's how I got into fuel....

Back when COVID was at its peak -- people quit driving (compared to the norm)...so the world (basically) stopped using fuel.

Thus -- those fuel loads just weren't needed (again -- compared to the norm) -- so A LOT of drivers quit fuel -- & got jobs elsewhere.

This trend presented an "open door" to aspiring fuel rookies....as demand for fuel picked back up, later.

At that point in the market -- I submitted an application to a 3rd-party carrier -- & then went on vacation with an old friend.

This carrier finally called me back -- 3 MONTHS TO THE DAY after I submitted an on-line app to them.

The rest is history...as they say.

Patience in the fuel world is key....obviously.

And no -- said vacation did not last for 3 months .. . Not even close.

Clearly -- the fuel market has shifted since then.

Have you tried J H Seale & Son already/before?

Have you applied with Florida Rock & Tank Lines?

-- L

 

Some other pointers that will make a difference:

• Don't apply for a fuel job without a TWIC. Yes...I see you already have one; make sure on your application they know this -- if it's not otherwise specifically requested.
• If you speak to a recruiter &/or a hiring manager -- ask for a night shift position. If you volunteer for that "up front"...it can help you stand out from the other candidates. Later -- I was glad I had asked for night shift -- it offers A LOT OF COOL ADVANTAGES over day shift (including better pay).
• When it rains...it pours. Chase multiple opportunities at the same time. When I was offered the fuel job, I finally had to choose between that one & another hazmat tanker job (but not fuel). Obviously -- I chose fuel...& haven't regretted it since.
• If you are 40 minutes (or more) from the fuel racks -- & your competition is measurably closer -- guess who probably gets hired (especially in the current job market).....?

-- L

 

If you think you want a job with fuel -- don't give up. A successful track/safety record with fuel is indeed a worthy goal to pursue, because:

• Fuel haulers (successful) are a unique breed of driver; a good track record there somehow commands real respect....& opens up a lot of other doors, later (but that's another topic for yet another thread ).
• Camaraderie amongst fuel haulers seems rather high -- even with/between competing carriers. It's truly a world made up of professionals -- who are willing to step up & help each other, as needed.
• Fuel will further separate/distinguish you from other drivers like those who aren't proficient in English...& who can't/won't get a hazmat endorsement. Especially in the current CDL job market -- you need that.

-- L