Diary of a New Tanker Driver - Comcar CTL

GolfPro, take this with a grain of salt because it's coming from someone who hasn't even gotten their CDL yet:

You are obviously a smart guy, if you want to stay in this industry you will do well, I have researched every type of trucking out there and there is no way I would start out on a tanker. The fact that you gave it a shot, shows you have ambition and aren't afraid to work hard. I think this alone will make you stand out to your next employer.

I hope you find a company that works for you and gives you the training and ability to do your job, CTL certainly failed and that's on them.

Reading this post really confirms all the reasons why I want to get into this field, I can't believe how many people got on here and took the time to give advice, post up maps, routes and truck stops to help you. This is really a field where if you want to succeed, there are plenty of strangers willing to help you and want to see you do well.

 

^^^^ @GolfPro you've gotten great advice here. I've been doing this since the 80's, and legally CDL-A since 04. I put my time in to get where it's all easy EXCEPT FLATBED OS/OD (sorry @TripleSix .. i tried ) . . . there's a wealth of info here, and diving into tanking I probably couldn't have done it early on, either. The brake/clutch/pto was like "huh?" It's all foreign for a while. I'm sorry it didn't work, but I still think they threw you to the wolves too soon, really mean that.
Don't give up entirely! Heck, if you can drive that mean bullet thru traffic and get to your destination, that says a ton right there. You got the trucking, man. Step over to LTL .. ask @ethos ~ or, dry van. I've never done reefers so can't speak for them bad boys, respect to all tho.
You got the TRUCKING part! Starting out tankin yankin is probably tough; i never thought twice about it, but if it were my 1st gig . . . MAN O MAN.
LET us know what happens. Don't quit the industry; we NEED men like you. Just b'cz tanking wasn't for you (yet??) Please try other avenues. I'd love to see you out there someday, knowing you did this, because you have it in you, and YOU CAN.
KUDOS man. Thanks for updates and honesty; look into flatbed for the higher $ or just check around....you are a commodity to many companies, trust me.
@Chinatown .. any ideas,
SIX.. sorry to front you like that, y'all are a special breed.

 

schneider is a good company and they have a much better training program than CTL, i'm going on 2 years with them and make good money here. just take the job, 30 cents with accessory pay is still decent money and 6-12 months down the road the doors will open to better paying jobs... i don't know why you would flush your CDL down the drain, make the sacrifice. just don't take the dollar general account, the georgia pacific is supposed to be pretty good.

 

^^ AGREE. D/G is hard to get in and out of. Never have done it, but i cringe when i watch those that do. He's right, the G/P is CARDBOARD usually. Full and LIGHT. No tandem troubles.. rarely a need for CAT's. Cardboard / Corrugated . . . same difference.
Don't quit, man. You've got SO much going on in a positive light. Guess we tanker-yankers take it for granted like we did it from day one but not so.
I struggle with skateboards in the off-season, and I've been at this for many years. I doubt I could do what those big boys do.
Respect, man.
To you, as well.

 

I Schneider have the Home Depot account in your area jump on that it paid around a grand or more a week 2 yrs ago

 

What about Schneider bulk? Or dry bulk companies (I.e. A&R and Tidewater). Yes you had a spill, but it's not like you wrecked the truck.

 

Just stopping by to check on your progress, @GolfPro . . . hope all is well with you and yours. Enjoy Easter for what it means to you and yours, if nothing else.

 

I also got invited to orientation with G&P out of Columbia, SC. I really want to do tankers, but I don't know if it's now possible without proving myself.

 

Schneider bulk prohibits contact lenses, and for me that's non-negotiable (I'm not eligible for Lasik, nor do I have the money for it anyway). The more I think about it, the more I'm confused by CTL's refusal to give me a second chance.