Experience Tracker for Prime Inc. Tanker Division

Hey everyone! This will be my Tanker Tracker thread for Prime Inc. I noticed that not many people have updated or given any current information on what is going on over here so I thought I would share! Just a little background on me, I started driving with Prime as a Company Driver in 2016, but that was on the reefer side and I did that for two years, took some time off, but now I’m back, and this time it’s tanker yanking! When I returned back to prime, I was required to go through orientation again as an A-seat driver, Which is a pretty painless process, we get to skip some of the initial pains that come with PSD orientation here, and if you’re curious about what Prime’s orientation is like, There are plenty of threads hear that cover that ground. So today is my actual first day of Tanker Boot Camp, where I will learn how to break down the pump, Tanker operations, and the things that make hauling a tanker unique! It is a two day course that will prepare me for the challenges ahead. Company Driver pay is now $.051/mile for tanker division, and they have also recently opened up a regional route out of the Springfield terminal. It’s all food grade, in a smoothbore. I will update y’all after I finish with the Boot Camp tomorrow to give my review of the class, Follow this thread if you’re interested in finding out what my average miles are, what areas I’m currently driving in, and what I’ve learned while I’m here! Thanks for checking out the thread and looking forward to sharing my findings! Hammer Down!

 

Hey gang! Today I finished up my 2-day tanker boot camp! Here is my experience:
Yesterday we had a small cohort of 3 people including myself, started at 7 AM sharp, and watched a nice one and a half hour video that gives us an overview of how to operate the tanker pump as well as the procedures required to successfully move the product from the tanker to the receiver, and also went over the procedures for loading a trailer from the shipper.

After that we went and had lunch, followed by a nice trip out to the east practice yard and went over all the pieces and parts on a tanker they have for training, and our trainer Jeff (Super informative, nice guy) did a brief rundown, and helped us build a mental system for properly unloading a tanker.

Day 2:
We got a free breakfast, and attended Prime’s weekly safety meeting on Friday morning. We met back at the East training yard afterwards, where each of us we’re given the opportunity to put into practice what we had learned from the day before.

There sure is a lot of stuff to learn for tanker, it’s not as simple as the reefer side by any means, it’s like I’m practically learning a whole new job. After each of us completed successfully pumping the load off the tank, and filling the tank back up from the holding tank we pumped into, we took a break for lunch, then headed back to the original meeting room we were in on Monday to meet with the road assist, And go over some of the particular nuances we would face as tanker drivers on the road, we then took a final written test that certifies us with in the company to haul tanker.

The training was pretty extensive, the people over on this side a really nice and pay a lot of attention to detail, which is great for me because I’m a detail oriented person. I am now placed on a waiting list for a truck and was told it would be sometime next week when they would have one ready for me. That’s about all I have for now, will update y’all once I get into a truck, and get my first load out of here. Thanks for checking out the thread and looking forward to giving y’all some more insight on prime tanker operations in the year of 2019!

 

It’s two days of training for learning to operate the tanker, I’ve already been driving a truck for two years, so I don’t need any training in that department. It’s not terribly difficult, you just have to make sure everything is hooked up properly, and that there are no leaks, and obviously don’t ever start pumping without opening the dome vent. I will be making some videos in the very near future, I’m looking forward to sharing them with yall!

 

@REO6205
We haul all Food grade and a few inedibles as well, Common products will be: Chocolate, Coacoa butter, Soybean Oil, Palm Oil, Peanut Oil, Vegetable Oil, Lecethin, Juice, and Wine. Still waiting on a truck, and was told it will be sometime next week before they have one available for me.

One other thing I will mention, I was under the impression when I started that Prime tanker only runs in the Northeast and over to Chicago, and down to GA, but after talking to a few other drivers and speaking with the dispatch team found that we actually do go all over the country, yes the primary focus is in the Northeast, but they have expanded their tanker division to cover a little bit more ground than they used to. Will let you guys know when I finally get out of here!! Looking forward to hitting the road!!!!

 

@Ruckie
Yeah, I prefer OTR myself, but they do offer regional routes here at Prime Inc. for their tanker division for people who live in specific areas. I believe those routes are reserved for their lease operators though. Glad to hear that you’re enjoying it, I’m looking forward to jumping on the bandwagon with you