Researching Tanker Gigs

I've been trying to plan for my 23rd birthday in about 6 months when I'll finally meet most of the hiring requirements for better trucking gigs. I will have 18 months driving experience by that point - a combo of dry and reefer. Some OTR, some local (interstate).

I've done the most research on dry bulk, but have also recently warmed up to the idea of doing cryo or gasoline, since the money is good and the opportunites are there.

I was hoping someone could lend guidance on what may be a good fit for me as far as field or even companies.

Looking for someone that will train for a person with no bulk/tank/hazmat experience. Prefer a 5 day work week, home nightly, 2 consecutive days off - or at least obtainable within a couple years. Doesn't matter if it'a long shifts and/or nights, but would love consistency. Working 8am-6pm one day and then 10pm to Noon the next is killing me. My aim is to be making 65-70k in about 3 years (or less).

And, I hate having to admit this, but I've run into issues with being both young AND female. Seems easy to overcome being one or the other, but both has been an obstacle. I don't mind having to prove myself in the beginning... but endlessly fighting for respect and equal treatment is ######## when it comes from a management level.

As far as the physicality of a job, I'm fairly fit - but my lifting ability caps around 75-80lbs if I'm restricted to using my arms. If it'a something I can manhandle with more of my body, I can go up to about 115-125.

Any advice or recommendations?

 

I'm in South Jersey, near Atlantic City. The Vineland area, Philadelphia area, and probably as far north as Lakewood area would be within a reasonable commute. Carneys Point is probably too far out.

 

Believe me, I have nothing but respect for this part of the industry. I know as far as the insurance goes... most places near me will hire at 23 for fuel hauling. Haven't really been able to find much on Cryo requirements as of yet, haven't had much time to look into it. But I also know that... even with meeting insurance requirements that doesn't mean I would be looked at as a serious candidate. Definitely trying to get a read on all of that.

I can, have, and do deal with the generic catcalling and unwanted attention (not to mention the never ending "Why in the world are YOU trucking?" type questions). It gets old, but I've accepted it as part of the job.

However, I had a potential offer with a fairly big company recently, 1st interview went fine -- showed up to the road test only to be pulled inside by a different guy beforehand to go over the "physical demands" of the job because apparently it was his opinion the first guy I had interviewed with must have glossed over it. I explained, again, that I currently do driver unload. Sometimes it's fingerprinting the entire floorloaded truck, sometimes it's palletized. I throw CHEP pallets around like every other driver out there on the docks. The position I applied for was alll palletized and consisted of just pulling pallets off the truck 90% of the time - no breakdown. Yet somehow he didn't seem to think I would be able to handle that. Even pointed out they currently have no female drivers and those in the past "couldn't hack it" and "quit". After dealing with that, it was pretty clear to me that if I had hired on, I would be in a battle to prove I was every bit of capable as the guys. I would understand this to a degree if I hadn't ever had a position involving driver unload-- but that's not the case. I have too much dignity to work for someone that doesn't think I should be doing the job.