Sentinel Transportation/Phillips 66

Yeah SuperPet, don't let it discourage you. I put in applications for 2 years at Sentinel before someone gave me a shot. I got called back from the guy in Texas about 5 times in the last 2 years.

The tanker, is a different beast than a dry van or reefer. But a fuel tanker, is very stable , so a lot of the nuances of hauling tanker (liquid surge) are not applicable. I think Sentinel tries to hire people who are already a little experienced hauling fuel, carded at some local racks, etc. If you really want to haul fuel, I almost think this company is too strict for someone who hasn't done it before, to come in directly. I think it might be like trying to take advance calculus when you aren't proficient in Algebra 2, if you know what I'm saying. I think it would almost be setting yourself up for failure, their safety procedures are a separate training "course" in itself.

If you want a foot in the door, you could try someplace like FDS in San Jose, Williams, there's a few other companies that will train. Do it for at least 6 months ,but a year is better. See if you like it, and then pursue a job at Sentinel. The vibe I get from Sentinel, is that nobody quits ever, and everybody is well-established in their jobs. It's definitely not like a lot of trucking companies where the revolving door is never-ending. If you got a job at Sentinel you would probably want to make sure you actually enjoy hauling fuel, because some people really hate the detailed work involved. It is a lot of detail to remember, a lot of extremely strict safety policies and dealing with overzealous rack operators who want to "lock out for life" over the smallest perceived infraction. The work is also deceptively labor-intensive, those hoses are definitely not light when fully charged with fuel...

 

Right, well that's probably because you got out before you hit 50. I think over half the workforce there is over 50, bunch of old salty dudes who've been hauling gas since they were top-loading and the rack operators were dying of cancer from breathing in all that vapor. Way back in the day when dinosaurs roamed the earth, and vapor recovery hoses were not even considered necessary.

 

The rack operator would come up on you from behind and stab your arm off, and tie off the bleeding stump with a diesel-soaked tourniquet.

Then the rack operator would move in with you at your personal residence, for a lockout period of three weeks, during that time frame he eats directly from your refrigerator, puts your cell phone on a "minutes only " plan and uses it during peak hours. He sleeps with your wife during this probationary time period, and forces your children to call him "daddy." He forces you to wear six layers of FR clothing all day, never taking it off to shower. He slaps you across the face as hard as he can at random time periods during this lockout period.

 

It's not funny man. These are actual paranoid delusions of mine.


Alternative Fact:
The rack operator is a murderer and a criminal who is sleeping with my wife, trying to steal my family from me, and is persecuting me every time he looks me in the eye. He comes into my house and sticks his fingers in the peanut butter, logs into my Roku Smart TV and makes unauthorized movie purchases on my account, and screws me hard by stiffing me with the bill. Who would pay $0.99 to watch "Liar Liar" unlimited times for 2 days straight?.... jesus, this is a real sick depraved individual. I'll get this fool someday, and when I do, I'm gonna do something I regret.

 

Haha good god, this is going to make me look really unprofessional by the way. I should quit while I'm ahead. I'm going to get off the computer now, and think about.... Safety. And the Smith System. later.