Diary of a New Tanker Driver - Comcar CTL

dcnascar · Feb 19, 2016

GolfPro said: ↑

Okay, so first week by myself is in the books. To sum up. First, the bad & ugly:

- Paperwork and info wrong on very first load, 90-minute delay
- Directions to first unload wrong, another 90-minute delay
- Directions left me at a dead-end in a residential neighborhood
- Left heel in tank, first unload
- Got back very late that night, which led to...
- Dispatcher giving me impossible-to-fill load time 3 1/2 hours away, due to 10-hour break
- As a result, had no time to unload at consignee
- Given wrong tank to fill at loader, which led me to...
- Stupidly taking full tank to get loaded
- Got lectured to by terminal manager
- Got right tank loaded and unloaded, but ran out of 14 hours, which led to...
-Staying overnight at a truck stop totally unprepared
- Didn't know how to keep the truck warm at night and froze for several hours

Now the good:

- Driving is great - I love it. I've always enjoyed it and listening to satellite radio
- People are great so far at CTL (including the terminal manager...been very helpful after my initial screwups)
- People I've met on the road are friendly and helpful to a new driver
- NOTHING went wrong today (Friday)! Loaded and unloaded with no problem (and I didn't even have to unload...they did it for me)

What I've learned:

I've got too many mood swings. I probably had more problems the first week than most new drivers have in two months, but certainly that won't be the last of them. I've read the comments that the first year is hard, and I realize that. I have to embrace this new adventure and hopefully adequately provide for my family. When things go wrong - and they will - just have to learn from it and move on. I still don't know if tankers are for me long-term, but the more I get used to it, the more it becomes normal. At least now I don't feel like I'm on an alien planet anymore.
Click to expand...

GolfPro said: ↑

Okay, so first week by myself is in the books. To sum up. First, the bad & ugly:

- Paperwork and info wrong on very first load, 90-minute delay
- Directions to first unload wrong, another 90-minute delay
- Directions left me at a dead-end in a residential neighborhood
- Left heel in tank, first unload
- Got back very late that night, which led to...
- Dispatcher giving me impossible-to-fill load time 3 1/2 hours away, due to 10-hour break
- As a result, had no time to unload at consignee
- Given wrong tank to fill at loader, which led me to...
- Stupidly taking full tank to get loaded
- Got lectured to by terminal manager
- Got right tank loaded and unloaded, but ran out of 14 hours, which led to...
-Staying overnight at a truck stop totally unprepared
- Didn't know how to keep the truck warm at night and froze for several hours

Now the good:

- Driving is great - I love it. I've always enjoyed it and listening to satellite radio
- People are great so far at CTL (including the terminal manager...been very helpful after my initial screwups)
- People I've met on the road are friendly and helpful to a new driver
- NOTHING went wrong today (Friday)! Loaded and unloaded with no problem (and I didn't even have to unload...they did it for me)

What I've learned:

I've got too many mood swings. I probably had more problems the first week than most new drivers have in two months, but certainly that won't be the last of them. I've read the comments that the first year is hard, and I realize that. I have to embrace this new adventure and hopefully adequately provide for my family. When things go wrong - and they will - just have to learn from it and move on. I still don't know if tankers are for me long-term, but the more I get used to it, the more it becomes normal. At least now I don't feel like I'm on an alien planet anymore.
Click to expand...

Just keep at it, it will get better! Each week, it should get a little easier and you should get more comfortable with it. Pat attention, learn from your mistakes, and move forward. Keep a positive attitude, as best you can.

Mann0567 · Feb 20, 2016

I currently pull a propane tanker, and I can honestly say that I love this job. When I first started pulling tankers, I kept a notebook, and kept notes, on all the places that i loaded and unloaded at. It made life alot easier. Good luck,, and remember when you're frustrated, put everything down, and step back. Most of the time you will figure out whats wrong, correct it, all without causing any damage or most importantly injuring yourself....

GolfPro · Feb 21, 2016

From the "Just when you didn't things could get any worse your first week" department:

Today I loaded and finished an unload. Everything went smoothly (except for a 5-minute struggle to hook up the air hose), and I was putting the customer's 3" hose back when I tripped and fell over it. when I say fell, I mean violently forward. I scraped the crap out of my right forearm and my right hand thumb pad was killing me. Thank goodness I had on my hard hat and full face shield or my face would have taken the brunt, too. I could never stem the bleeding with antiseptic wipes, so I just put on the large band-aid and said to heck with it. I figured my hand might be broken but since it was slowly getting better and functional, I figured it was just bruised pretty bad (turned out that was the case). Wait, that's not the end of it.

So I go to the loader again for tomorrow's pre-load, drop the trailer and park the truck. As I was getting out, I reached up to lock the truck (which I had forgotten to do) and proceeded to step backwards onto the ground...except I wasn't on the bottom step. That's right - I thought I was on the bottom step when I was on the top step. Another stupidity on my part. Five feet later, I had fallen directly on my back. I could hardly move. I slowly got up, shuffled very slowly to my car and for the second time this morning called CTL Accidents. This time I could not refuse medical treatment as I was (and still am) in excruciating pain.

After taking x-rays, the doctor determined it was a very badly sprained back. So I got a prescription for industrial-strength drugs and took off to the pharmacy. I won't be working for awhile, needless to say. Wait, that's not the end of it.

So I get to the pharmacy and realize I didn't have my wallet. After a thorough search of the car, I realized it must be back at the doctor's office. I called them and they claim they did a thorough search but couldn't find anything. I think I actually lost it in the parking lot, and they did search there but also found nothing. I returned and couldn't find it, either, in the bushes, by the sides of the road, nothing.

Maybe I'm not cut out for this after all. Too many signs telling me something, first and foremost I'm an idiot. I plead guilty. But this is getting too weird for me.

street beater · Feb 21, 2016

GolfPro said: ↑

From the "Just when you didn't things could get any worse your first week" department:

Today I loaded and finished an unload. Everything went smoothly (except for a 5-minute struggle to hook up the air hose), and I was putting the customer's 3" hose back when I tripped and fell over it. when I say fell, I mean violently forward. I scraped the crap out of my right forearm and my right hand thumb pad was killing me. Thank goodness I had on my hard hat and full face shield or my face would have taken the brunt, too. I could never stem the bleeding with antiseptic wipes, so I just put on the large band-aid and said to heck with it. I figured my hand might be broken but since it was slowly getting better and functional, I figured it was just bruised pretty bad (turned out that was the case). Wait, that's not the end of it.

So I go to the loader again for tomorrow's pre-load, drop the trailer and park the truck. As I was getting out, I reached up to lock the truck (which I had forgotten to do) and proceeded to step backwards onto the ground...except I wasn't on the bottom step. That's right - I thought I was on the bottom step when I was on the top step. Another stupidity on my part. Five feet later, I had fallen directly on my back. I could hardly move. I slowly got up, shuffled very slowly to my car and for the second time this morning called CTL Accidents. This time I could not refuse medical treatment as I was (and still am) in excruciating pain.

After taking x-rays, the doctor determined it was a very badly sprained back. So I got a prescription for industrial-strength drugs and took off to the pharmacy. I won't be working for awhile, needless to say. Wait, that's not the end of it.

So I get to the pharmacy and realize I didn't have my wallet. After a thorough search of the car, I realized it must be back at the doctor's office. I called them and they claim they did a thorough search but couldn't find anything. I think I actually lost it in the parking lot, and they did search there but also found nothing. I returned and couldn't find it, either, in the bushes, by the sides of the road, nothing.

Maybe I'm not cut out for this after all.
Click to expand...

Dude the universe owes you big...... keep moving forward driver.....

Wayneo · Feb 21, 2016

street beater said: ↑

Dude the universe owes you big...... keep moving forward driver.....
Click to expand...

#### man. Maybe you should stick to golf!

street beater · Feb 21, 2016

Wayneo said: ↑

#### man. Maybe you should stick to golf!
Click to expand...

Right!? He musta ate puppies in a past life or somethin........

(Just tryin to make ya smile g p)

RogerThat72 · Feb 21, 2016

Keep getting hurt and your company might take you as a risk and move on.

Good luck

wsyrob · Feb 21, 2016

Ouch

dcnascar · Feb 22, 2016

GolfPro said: ↑

From the "Just when you didn't things could get any worse your first week" department:

Today I loaded and finished an unload. Everything went smoothly (except for a 5-minute struggle to hook up the air hose), and I was putting the customer's 3" hose back when I tripped and fell over it. when I say fell, I mean violently forward. I scraped the crap out of my right forearm and my right hand thumb pad was killing me. Thank goodness I had on my hard hat and full face shield or my face would have taken the brunt, too. I could never stem the bleeding with antiseptic wipes, so I just put on the large band-aid and said to heck with it. I figured my hand might be broken but since it was slowly getting better and functional, I figured it was just bruised pretty bad (turned out that was the case). Wait, that's not the end of it.

So I go to the loader again for tomorrow's pre-load, drop the trailer and park the truck. As I was getting out, I reached up to lock the truck (which I had forgotten to do) and proceeded to step backwards onto the ground...except I wasn't on the bottom step. That's right - I thought I was on the bottom step when I was on the top step. Another stupidity on my part. Five feet later, I had fallen directly on my back. I could hardly move. I slowly got up, shuffled very slowly to my car and for the second time this morning called CTL Accidents. This time I could not refuse medical treatment as I was (and still am) in excruciating pain.

After taking x-rays, the doctor determined it was a very badly sprained back. So I got a prescription for industrial-strength drugs and took off to the pharmacy. I won't be working for awhile, needless to say. Wait, that's not the end of it.

So I get to the pharmacy and realize I didn't have my wallet. After a thorough search of the car, I realized it must be back at the doctor's office. I called them and they claim they did a thorough search but couldn't find anything. I think I actually lost it in the parking lot, and they did search there but also found nothing. I returned and couldn't find it, either, in the bushes, by the sides of the road, nothing.

Maybe I'm not cut out for this after all. Too many signs telling me something, first and foremost I'm an idiot. I plead guilty. But this is getting too weird for me.
Click to expand...

How you feeling today GolfPro? When you get back to work, slow down, take your time and think EVERYTHING through, before starting! If will come to you, in time. Be safe, take care.

Mainah · Feb 23, 2016

GolfPro said: ↑

Well, in the meantime I had to call the terminal manager about something and he reamed me out for Monday, where I delivered but didn't get all of the product out. The girl there told me their tanks were full, no more was entering, and the hose felt light.
Click to expand...

When ever you have product left in the tank always call someone. I had a load of bleach one day and there was 4800 gals. in the trailer, but the customer could only take 3800 - 4000 gals. I let my dispatcher know and had to drop the trailer in a different spot than usual, so everyone knew there was still something inside and it needed be reweighed. CTL may have a different procedure for those situations and it could be different for other products.

GolfPro said: ↑

Yesterday I was given a trailer to load. I hooked up and took off...it had product in there. I took off, figuring it was excess from a previous unload and it would still be okay. STUPID ON MY PART, I admit, but I didn't know what else to do. I got to the loader and it was full. I called and was told the previous consignee refused the load, which is why the trailer was full, and I was to return to the yard and get an empty trailer.
Click to expand...

If your not sure a trailer is loaded or empty, look for a seal, a wash ticket, or open the cover and look in. It may sound stupid, but it is a quick and easy way to find out if something is in it. Also, if it starts rocking back and forth when you move, you know there's something in there.

GolfPro said: ↑

I've got too many mood swings. I probably had more problems the first week than most new drivers have in two months, but certainly that won't be the last of them. I've read the comments that the first year is hard, and I realize that. I have to embrace this new adventure and hopefully adequately provide for my family. When things go wrong - and they will - just have to learn from it and move on. I still don't know if tankers are for me long-term, but the more I get used to it, the more it becomes normal. At least now I don't feel like I'm on an alien planet anymore.
Click to expand...

I've had my fair share of issues at times myself. I have only been pulling tankers for 8 months, but trust me it gets easier. One thing that may help you, is to develop a system for doing things. If you do them in a certain order, keep that order and don't deviate, you might have a few less things to worry about.

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