Fuel hauling ?

Apoligize if Im hijacking this thread .. Got an idea for a new thread Ill take my questions there

 

If the whole load won't fit, we call dispatch and they decide whether to do a split drop or not. On a split you usually try to keep the smallest compartment for the next station. You can't break a compartment unless the whole thing will fit. Driving with an empty truck and a loaded trailer, you just use EXTRA caution.

 

Hauling fuel is a marathon, not a sprint. Yes, TAKE YOUR TIME! If anything is questionable, call dispatch, and get verification. Also, I can not emphasize this enough, ALWAYS check the address and verify the location. Nothing worse than dropping at the wrong location.

 

Just curious? What kind of money do gas haulers make?

 

This is the path I'm taking as well. I've found the pay varies greatly depending on which company you're with, what part of the country you're in and how much experience you have. I've talked to drivers in my area making $23.50 per hour with carriers and I've talked to drivers making $45/hour with Shell. Check out ads for fuel haulers in your area but I'd recommend finding the company you want to work for first and proceed from there. Know you're going to pay some dues before getting out there and making the high dollars. Most companies want Hazmat and Tanker endorsements AND experience with both. I know the better paying jobs in this industry want very clean driving records, clean background checks, stable work history and many companies are even running credit checks on drivers. There are a few companies that will train greenhorn drivers but they're few and far between and will more than likely require relocation. Start contacting every company you can find that does the job you want and inquire with them. Get on with a tanker outfit doing food products such as hauling milk. Check pump vac companies. One of the drivers I spoke with started out sucking out port-a-johns. Not glamorous and it's down and dirty but it did the job for him 'cause today he's driving with BP.

 

Hey... thanks 900,000 for the info... Great advice.. I very much appreciate your input..

 

If we can't help each other in this industry, no one else will. I'm in the same boat as you, trying to get those initial dues paid. Good luck to you, CommanderUsmc!

 

Just know that his advise is a little misleading. He's very correct on how fuel haulers make different money in different areas. But know that the top jobs are watched by the drivers that have been hauling fuel for awhile. And those drivers are the ones that have a spotless records and a reputation to back them up. Plus it helps to know someone. Some wait until there's an opening then go for it, some don't. But be advised that the larger companies are downsizing and selling off their equipment and with that goes the high paying jobs. You really have to look for the right area then roll the dice for those very high paying jobs and hold your breath. The industry is changing and a good dedicated carrier is the way to go in my opinion. One that's been in bussiness for a long time and makes it's living from hauling fuel. That eliminates the majors like Shell, BP, or any other company that produces it's owned product. If they have upstream operations (finding,drilling,piping, refining.) then they have huge expenses and look to cut corners. And those corners are the downstream operations ( terminals,trucking,stores.).

Tankers are the best job I have ever had and I'd do it all over again. It just takes a lot of inside knowledge to where to go to set your goals. Right now things are changing and you've got to be aware as much as possible. I would have never thought that Chevron, ARCO, and a few others are either gone or on their way out but all the sighs were there. So if you're looking at tankers, start where you can get the best pay and best benefits no matter what the product. Forget those $45 an hour jobs because they will not be there very long.

 

My ears are always open from you industry veterans. I'm actually looking toward hauling crude and as I'm sure you're aware, the three major areas in this country are taking on new drivers with experience (how's that for an oxymoron?). I recently learned Schneider (who would have thought?) is now active with the fracking industry in the northeast and sent a slew of fleets up there. Of course, this is leaving a very bad taste in the mouths of veteran drivers there. These guys (the Schneider crew) are taking a whole lot of abuse from the others. And just like you say, their drivers aren't making anywhere near what the others are making. Maybe it's a sign of the times and things to come. I do know the others are raising cane over this decision and are questioning their safety. I don't know if they're qualified or not but this is some of what's happening up there as of the present. Thanks for the sage advice, gashauler.

 

Sorry, I can only speak of fuel haulers after the crude has been refined.