Career Trajectory and advice

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Cabover4us, Aug 8, 2025 at 1:31 PM.

  1. Cabover4us

    Cabover4us Bobtail Member

    2
    7
    Dec 15, 2021
    0
    Came in here to share my little relm of success in finding good paying work. Struggling for most of my young life up to 35 jumping around job to job.
    Until I was able to get into a cryogenic driving job in Albany, NY area thru a family friend he recommended me. This corporation headquarters located in Allentown, PA a worldwide company. His boss was very warey of the amount of jobs I went through. But John Denton stuck his neck out for me and 30 years later in Dec of 2024 I was able to retire.
    From early on I did all the flavors of trucking trying to find what I liked, finally landed in cryogenics in 1995, and back in 1985 I thought the same thoughts but didn't persue then. I honestly don't think I, was mature enough for that position at that particular time in my life. Local satellite terminal ackually in Glenmont, NY outside Albany hired me, hauling nitrogen, oxygen, argon, hydrogen liquid trailers. Luckily I was hired
    (thank you Herold McC) in may 1995.
    Reason for my posting is in reading so much uncertainty and struggling for so many I thought I would encourage a small sector of driver to apply and improve your lives. The money is fabulous the work is clean, benefits are good, they supply all the supplies and tools. It all depends upon whether as a man or woman you can accept the requirements asked of you. Most can't because they are stringent, cryogenics are dangerous but knowledge is safety. Learning cryogenics is alot at first but sticking with it pays off. Normal training lasts around 4 weeks. Our company gave us uniforms, winter fire safety coats among many different supplies needed to do the job. Also you have computer work to be done in a timely manner. Those are mandatory. They were very liberal on your hair or beards, but be fore warned go to a customer that requires clean shaven face they will hand you a razer I mean sitting at the customer's site security will hand you razer and point you towards the bathroom. As a mature adult you would do as expected. The last 12 years was running team with my friend Scott O, we did hydrogen and then split off into argon with short bursts of oxgen/nitrogen thrown in to help out when needed. The money to be made in cryogenics is astonishing, we did team and each of us in the $150K doing hydrogen, doing argon was in the $135 to $140K. Regular day driving local was 100K to $120K depending upon how hard you work. There's a few local drivers that are extra hard workers in the $130 range. Load the trailers empty the trailers thats what's expected. Hooking up a hose isn't all that bad. Yes they have driver facing cameras forward as well. No phone use while truck is rolling. Any phone use while rolling and on camera is termination.
    One thing I stipulated to management when the cameras arrived, "I will not change the way I drive, I have driven safe for all my career this far I don't intend to change.
    I use my mug and eat behind the wheel listen to xm at night with earbuds. My driving within their requirements included my 100 Oz mug with ice and some snacks and foods in our refrigerator /freezer. We installed a microwave for food preparation. We as drivers also supplied xm for listening entertainment.
    Why more men and woman interested in a life long career they can retire from don't have the will to inquire in these cryogenic driving jobs boggles my mind.
    Good luck in your future endeavors
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. tscottme

    tscottme Road Train Member

    You did good work. You didn't try to tell the company and customers how things will be. You were a good employee. Not all truck drivers can say that. Good job, driver. Welcome to your vacation.
     
    Accidental Trucker Thanks this.
  4. Cabover4us

    Cabover4us Bobtail Member

    2
    7
    Dec 15, 2021
    0
    Thank you for the kind words.
    Some history.
    AP was the absolute best job I ever had and loved going to work. Got so much satisfaction working saving seeing an end coming in retirement. I was one of the regular guys short hair, no jewelry, no tattoos, wore company issued clothes every single day, pen protectors in both shirt pockets, two lights on belt, a real working geek. I realized very quickly that I was living the dream job lottery.
    Early on starting working at AP I tried teaming on occasion helping out when other men on vacation. Being brand new trying to fit in, giving in to all situations was waring at times while on probation.
    Teamed one other time with another work friend short time couple months. At 2013 position opened up on hydrogen I had hydrogen experience for couple months but not officially qualified, Scott was junior to me but ran team for many years with different guys along the years. We decided to team up because he had years and plenty of experience to help me get my qualification, sounds selfish, but wasn't my mindset.
    I agreed to Scott if he helped me qualify I would repay the help by running the night shift. We talked about me trying day shift, tried couple times but couldn't stay awake. So I was the nite guy, oh my huge mug and some snacks and good to go. Scott worked days. We had so much fun, good talks, discussions, arguments, trivia, personal, worries, 70 hours a week really gives time for communication. Worked out great, a good partnership and a fantastic friendship.
    Again, I thank you for your kind words.
     
    FullMetalJacket Thanks this.
  5. Ex-Trucker Alex

    Ex-Trucker Alex Road Train Member

    1,408
    2,397
    Jan 7, 2023
    0
    Not trying to be pedantic here; you sound like a safe driver and had I stayed in the business, a run like this is probably where I would've wanted to go. But you should know that driving with earbuds is illegal in most states, ESPECIALLY New York.
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.