Fuel Haulers That Hire Rookies?

I didn't imply one couldn't get a job with no previous tanker experience, merely that a newbie isn't going to be placed in a tanker position driving fuel. Even so, what occurred to your dad is the exception and not the rule. He couldn't make that move today. The insurance companies dictate who drives what and when.

 

They also ask for "experience and qualifications" and have the applicant fill out a sheet indicating what type truck was driven in previous job(s) and number of miles driven in said truck but good luck. That's exactly how I managed to secure my position, by not taking what everyone said is the norm.

 

In my case I have driven nothing but dry van for several years and just landed a job hauling fuel for Keenan out of the Charleston, S.C. area. They do require previous tractor trailer experience but have no policy in place about having to have tanker experience.

 

I forgot to mention that one of the companies (Transport Services) that Chinatown listed is a member of the Keenan family and is in your area.

 

That's just not true. I know of atleast two companies in Las Vegas that have hired people right out of school. As a Major we didn't want drivers that hauled other types of product in tanks because of the bad habits. We would send new drivers to those companies that hired new drivers and tell them to see us in a couple of years. BTW, gasoline tankers are NOT proverbial bombs if you know what you're doing. That's a statement the press makes.

 

True! I was right out of school when hired on with Gemini/Love's and have been with them for 16 months now with no incidents. Yes it is harder to get a fuel hauling position with no experience but I'm proof that it isn't impossible. How you present yourself when applying for these positions goes a long way not to mention having a clean driving record with no criminal background. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't get a position like this out of school and don't listen to the 2 years experience that most companies say that you must have. Apply anyway. You never know when you may be in the right place at the right time when they are needing someone most.

 

Yea, you're right. I broke a cardinal rule that there are exceptions to every rule. I stand by my statement regarding the proverbial bomb. All the experience and skill in the world won't change the volatility of the load if someone else makes a mistake. Happens all the time that drivers are involved in accidents, sometime fatal, through no fault of their own.

 

I only reason I made that statement about the bomb is because the lay person thinks that the tankers will explode and go crazy when they get close. It's hard to explain to everyone about vapor rich or product rich and you must have a proper air to fuel mixture to burn. They do not know you can sit a loaded tank of gasoline on a fire and nothing will happen. Now induce some air and it will burn so fast it will be just like an explosion. Our safety department would demostrate by lighting a open dome with a full comparment. The flame would shoot very high but when the instructor kick over the lid the fire would just go out. Look at every tanker fire and you'll see somewhere the tank was ripped and induced air. There are a very few that burned without air induction but the temp inside must reach it's auto igntion and that somewhere around 600 °.