Arky's Sunoco adventure begins in the west TX oilfields!

I find getting into a routine and doing things the same way every time keeps me from making mistakes. Also sometimes when drivers, pumpers, etc come over to talk with me I like to make sure I am doing my job and not getting distracted, THEN once I have things under control I will have a conversation. Until then I run around and do my job and leave them standing there. I have seen a driver set a hose down with no cap on it and spill, guys overfill their tanks and spill out the vapor recovery line, and drivers too worried about talking to other drivers and forgetting to open and close valves. I know several drivers where recently run off the property where I unload for sitting in their truck while pumping off, getting further than 25' from their rigs while pumping off, and not reporting big spills. Something Sunoco makes us do while we unload which I thought was silly at first is put a cone out at the front and back of our rigs before we offload. Then when you are done offloading it forces you to walk the entire length of the truck to pick them up so you double check your work. Don't laugh because some fool tried to drive off the other night with the hose still hooked up and stretched it out!

 

You are absolutely right. I prefer not to do too much talking while unloading. I used to haul dust and I think every driver in our fleet at one time or another drove off with a hose attached to the trailer. Usually because somebody came over and talked to them about some company bs and got them agitated/distracted. The last thing you need is a driver coming over and complaining or gossiping about company policies while you are unloading.

 

I've seen drivers rip scully lines out ... one company had two drivers that did it on back-to-back days. I check, double-check and then triple-check -everything- before getting back into my truck. I have a repetition and order that I do everything from pulling into the rack to pulling away and I don't deviate.

 

I hate that. I used to drive a truck that ran on Propane and everywhere I went to get fuel was a different setup.

 

It will come. When I began I had a spiral notebook with numbered steps I carried and consulted each time until I had it down. In regard to your ground line, remember, first thing to hook up, last to come off. Remember that and it will become easier. I triple-check my valves to this day. EVERYTHING gets checked three times. I've seen drivers who get their petroleum showers at the riser and loading head. I don't want to be one of them. A whole lot of product comes out in a very short time when a mistake is made. Be safe and good luck to you.

 

I have noticed that some driver ads say you have to climb a twenty foot ladder. When they say ladder do they mean a straight up ladder on the side of a tank or do they mean stairs with handrails? I can do either but I prefer stairs.