New to Hazmat Tank doing research on next job

Im gonna start off by saying if this is in the wrong place or could be placed better mods please move it ❤️

Now into the real content and my endless rant on worries and things im searching for since I know absolutely zero about many of these hazmat only carriers so please do tell me any of the common practices or what I should look out for

I just passed my hazmat testing im waiting on the background to come back and looking to hop into hazmat tanks or general hazmat if the money's good enough

I got a few issues, 1 absolutely no pump experience aside from a food grade load and basic instruction which honestly id prefer a refresher on since its been a year
Second issue is I know a ton of hazmat carriers under tanker require you to be able to drive manuals. I have an auto only restriction, id be fine with looking into a company that could help me get the auto restriction off my license but otherwise I dont have the money to go do everything necessary to go rent a truck/trailer, practice & test out etc myself, the temp job im at now is barely gonna get me enough to hop out of here with some pocket change so im not broke starting my next job

Another worry how do I absolutely prevent spills, I hauled food grade and have spilled milk and yeast in the past (mainly due to poor seal on the dome but I digress) any safety tips for a food grade guy moving to hazmat tanks where a spill is an absolute NO?



Im based central Florida, Tampa area, job has to be OTR, has to be able to park at a truck stop for home time(florida terminal is also a plus but not a requirement)

willing to learn/test manual if the company will help



Im aware most hazmat carriers use driver facing cams but I dont want a carrier to be so micromanaged that theyre gonna fire me if I so much as change the song tapping my phone or answer a phone call or let it roll a few over down a hill(I know its hazmat and I take my job and safety very seriously, this jobs already dangerous and its about to be more so but I dont wanna be babysat)

Im aware PPE is necessary for loading/unloading but it would be preferable if it was one of those FR jumpsuits or no uniform while driving (im aware this isnt always a possibility)

Would prefer all 48/49 OTR + Canada, and id be entirely fine with hauling OW Permit, RM/TP doubles as well and a company that has more western lanes is a plus

What im hauling doesnt matter to me as long as I can get freight, my miles in and a decent pay 60+cpm starting at least

Ive looked at Groendyke and they dont hire tampa currently as of this date, highway transport doesnt hire my area

I wont work for Airgas, KAG or Messer as ive already been informed how their management operates and it wouldn't be a good fit

Would like to haul different types of hazmat tanks simply for experience (dont really know how many companies do a lot of different types of freight/tanks vs just single/limited product like Gas/diesel, LPG only etc


Hopefully I can get some ideas and look em over i know theres always work in crude, fuel and airports

Like I said anything in the range of what im looking for is appreciated im completely in the dark as far as this search goes aside from a few well known tank companies or the gas stations/truck stops. The tanker side isnt nearly as well documented as the van/reefer side side anything is a help!

If its OTR with a sleeper cab throw the suggestion my way!

Hopefully this will be my final company. If its got a good work/life balance, vacation and operates out west where I plan to move as well im hoping to get something that is a permanent stay

 

Been driving for 4 years, 2 of which was food grade tanks

 

Last I recall its mostly Florida rock and tank, kag, groendyke, QC and Quantix

There were others and some food grade carriers but cant remember who

 

Yeah hazmat is pretty well tracked nomatter what, I have friends with Western Distribting and Tri State so I already know how dead serious these hazmat loads or government freight can be based on what they've told me

Main reason is I know specialized freight gets better treatment and the pay is better, I loved food grade so I figured with the pay boost hazmat was the way to go especially with some hazmat carriers paying 70cpm+

A few of the companies I was interested in like badlands and heniff required manual, I know theres auto fleets hut i cant help but feel im also missing out on some potentially good jobs not being able to drive manual

 

Ill give Dana a call but their requirements say 1 year of chemical tank experience required