Fuel hauling ?

Get a routine and stick to it. If anything breaks the routine, go back to step one. Don't allow yourself to be rushed outside of your comfort zone. Double/Triple check before you open the betts valve. Remember, paperwork can be fixed after/later, cross dumps can't. You have to have patience getting into busy stations. Verify and check off, correct address, identify the fills (87/89/91/CD) for some reason, for some it helps to say it out loud "I have a 2000 compartment of 87 octane going into an 87 octane tank, it is the right tank and the product will fit". BEFORE opening the valve, AFTER you open the valve wait ten seconds and shut it off halfway, the hose should jump a bit. This is a good way to verify flow. Also pay attention to how long it takes to drop your various compartments (use your watch at first) and watch/listen for when it starts to get to the last of it. In time, you'll know right when it should happen. There's SO much more. I'll answer whatever questions I can for you.

 

Liquid Surge/slosh is different and takes some getting used to when stopping and accelerating. You hold the fuel forward when breaking, you can feel it hitting the front of the tank and then start dropping gears. When you start moving forward, you can feel the fuel hit against the rear and then you start grabbing gears. If done right, the fuel want slosh or surge much. I drove a bobtail fuel tanker and it felt like a ship out at sea sometimes. It would literally rock the truck side to side when agitated. You get tempted to adjust steering depending on the dirrection of the slosh but you just keep the wheel straight ahead.

 

Most companies will train you in the loading and unloading of petroleum products. at my company we require two years driving experience, but you better know how to drive. There is no time to train someone to drive truck while training in petroleum loading and delivery. We have 13 loading racks in our area and each one requires the driver to be certified before loading. I wouldn't worry about it to much. Just inpress them with you driving and good, confident communication and you will be alright.

 

Very good points. I wouldn't worry about the product moving so much in the truck if the truck is set-up right. Just about all gas haulers have compartments with bulkheads if the compartment is big enough. With the compartments and bulkheads it's nothing like a smooth bore tank. I've even brought back a half full compartment on the rear of the trailer and not feel it so much.

You'll be tested at each loading facility and most give you three times to pass the test. It's mostly safety like where are the emergency shut-off switches and what to do when a spill happens. The racks are getting more and more modern and are computer operated. They try to take the human element out as much as possible but you still will need to think more when loading and unloading.

Everyone says get into a routine and don't try to be as fast as the guys that have been there for years. Stay at you own safe pace and you will catch up in time to come. If you have to take notes when training do so. It's better to look and make sure than cross dumping. You'll need to remember a few points. Do everything the same (if you can), stay in your own safe mode, know where all the safety gear is located, know how to put a gasoline fire out, remember the properties of the product and how it acts, and above all NEVER GUESS. There's more and you'll pick them up. Read the rules in the little green book or at the FMCSR's web site. Show the company you'll be an assest and relax. I believe you'll enjoy it.

 

Gas hauler.

Where do you work now. I was at ARCO/Bp for 10 years. 3 years as a driver, 3 years as Safety Manager(Transportation Safety Advisor). and 4 years as an Operations Manager. I remember Vegas closing and the work going to th carriers.

 

I left way back in 1998. I'm now retired.

 

TAKE YOUR TIME!!!! Either when trying to get in a store or loading or unloading or even paperwork. You can screw up quicker than you can imagine, and the more you do it the more careful you need to be because when you start thinking you got it, that's when you put diesel in the gas....don't let anybody rush you and don't get yourself worked up. Good luck

 

A nice steady routine is everything as a previous writer said. If you have a slip seat partner, always check your compartments before setting out. I've been almost caught twice in recent times because the previous driver was too lazy to check to see if all compartments were empty, or he assumed all was well. Scullying out at the rack on your first load is not the start you hope for especially if you try to load diesel on top of unleaded. I've seen it too many times. It can crush you. Getting into a busy gas station requires patience and a certain amount of assertiveness. You can't be too polite when some dithering 4-wheeler decides to take his/her sweet time getting out of the way. If I block somebody in and Ive started to drop then they are out of luck. They will have to wait til I'm done. Once I drop the cones though, I'm all business and I don't want anyone around me. No distractions because I need to focus on the job at hand. If I've got a mix of fuels to drop inc Diesel, I'll drop the diesel first for the simple reason, I can flush the hoses nicely with gas so I don't make a mess. If you're a rookie starting out, go slowly at first and take your time. This job can bite you in the butt so fast, you're head will spin out of control. We can all make mistakes, but it's your chance to minimize or eliminate them as swiftly as possible. Just stick to the rules at every rack, be respectful as they are only doing their jobs too. Good luck

 

He must be REALLY lazy, as I thought all compartments have retain sensors to avoid this. If we return from a trip with a partial compartment, we drive pro bono that day. The drivers that get me are the 4 wheelers who are parked at the air hose and have to check ALL their tires (and take their sweet time doing so) even though they see you waiting. Even the store managers will say to just box them in...if they're parked in the wrong spot at the wrong time...too bad so sad. Personally, I think it's a little rude, as I will give them the opportunity to move first.