The Fuel Hauler Thread

They should put a couple of cameras on the trailer so they can watch you unload too.....

 

Thanks. It will be good to be back with a solid company. I was with them for 2 years in 2004-06 in Vegas, then 3 1/2 years at the Martinez terminal 2008-11. I used to do a run of ethanol to Kinder Morgan in Fresno, then back haul transmix to Tesoro Golden Eagle when I was in Northern California. Good times!

 

Hey, make sure you use the governed truck to your advantage. They'll jack you for your bonus every single chance they get, if you're caught speeding! You'll hear about it like 2 months after you do it. But you will hear about it for sure. I talked to Mike Williams today actually. Really nice guy.

 

They don't ever pump out premium that has been dropped in the wrong tank. During this time the public gets a little better gasoline because you might have raised the octane depending how much you dropped. It's cheaper for the company to just write off the premium than to pump it off. (That is except diesel) It's the other way around when the company gets excited because they can get hit with very large fines. You never want your gasoline to be lower in octane that is advertised. When this happens the smart companies will pump the underground storage tank dry and all of it's piping.

 

When I was there Shell was not allowed in town because of a contract they made with ARCO. We also had all of the Terrible Herbst stations. Then ARCO with their very high dollar amount for a franchise and the rule you must have a AM/PM store run Herbst right over to Chevron. Herbsts main complaint was he wanted to run his own country stores in the stations and ARCO would not let them. There is really no reason why ARCO could not have stayed because they were number 1 in sales for many years.

 

Yes, Mike Williams is a class act. He and his wife built a very successful company, and is one of the biggest private fuel transporters on the west coast. Its not unusual to see him at the terminal in Stockton on the yard moving things around, or in the maintenance garage turning wrenches. They are very strict, and run a tight operation. Speeding is not the only thing you will lose your bonus for. You have to stay on your toes all the time and stick with company procedure and a solid routine. The best thing about the Vegas terminal is they get all the new equipment for a couple years before it gets run in California. Some sort of tax benefit to run them out of state before going back to California.

 

I hear you. These days I think it is more strict on paper. Since they're hurting for drivers so bad at the moment , nobody is getting fired for thing like speeding. They have guys who have cross dumped who are still working there. One thing I noticed about Mike Williams is that he has the impeccable work ethic that is necessary to build a successful company. He is always working, it's that old military man work ethic.

 

Yup Mike Williams. Good guy. I switched to oil so I left gas hauling for now. This company has the hours I need and pays for insurance for the family. Couldn't turn that down. Doing a run all week to Bakersfield to load then to Redwood City. See yall out on 101/5/99

 

They are fair. Over the years at Williams, I had my fair share of incidences, and issues, but in the end, as long as you are honest, and take steps to improve your performance, they will cut you some slack.
It is true, there is a real shortage of drivers in California. I have a friend who works at Sentinel and he told me everyone is hiring, and most pay by the hour. If you have any fuel hauling with pump operation experience, and can get in a truck right away with minimal training, you are definitely in demand!