Hello from Lakeland, FL.

Those companies you noticed in your area probably don't hire new cdl school grads.
Call and ask.
Heyl is one and requires 6 mos. experience.
Some pretty good companies already posted on this thread, that hire new cdl school grads.
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I don't know of any company that has their own tanker fleet; maybe someone else on here does. It's cheaper for companies that use tankers for their product to contract that out to a tanker company.
Two already posted are Heniff in Post #10 and Indian River in Post #6.
Heniff terminals are in Lakeland and Orlando, from the website.
Indian River is in Winterhaven.
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Two flatbed companies listed are Rinaudo Enterprises and Cypress. Both hire new cdl school grads and both have terminals in Jacksonville.
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As for reefers, we can give you a dozen or so names that hire new cdl school grads.

 

@DRandi --

In post #40 above, you mentioned Oakley.

This is apparently Oakley Transport....out of Lake Wales, FL.

As it turns out--I used to drive for them.

While they do have their positive attributes--that is NOT a good place for a beginning driver. They don't take rookies.

All the private tanker fleets that I'm aware of do not hire beginning drivers--they want at least 1 year of driving experience--and preferrably more.

If you are leaning towards tanker duty--given the current economic climate....and your location....I think your best bet would (again) be Indian River Transport.

With Indian River, I think they will let you do local work, regional...or over-the-road loads.

If the current recession later gets really nasty, I think the odds are high that they will in fact still keep you running with steady work.

There is a Forum thread here....specifically on them. It is one of the best threads here on the Forum:

Indian River | TruckersReport.com Trucking Forum | #1 CDL Truck Driver Message Board (thetruckersreport.com)

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I started my CDL driving with Schneider.

Schneider will hire you for tanker duty, even as a total rookie.

I think tanker duty at Schneider is a pretty good gig for a driver who's young, ex-military, right off the boat back from overseas, is single....with no kids or other serious responsibilities, and doesn't need to make a lot of money--but wants fantastic tank training.

After training there--be prepared to sit, quite a bit--unless you are on a dedicated account.

Given your location.....you can do MUCH BETTER than Schneider, money-wise.

--Lual

 

DO NOT consider Florida Rock and Tank Lines. Plenty of info around.

Dump doesn’t pay, because, in FL, that market is flooded with immigrants who’ve no idea about properly figuring operating costs.

As I previously mentioned, you can’t go wrong running reefer. Cold storage facilities are going up, everywhere. Future food demand, in FL, is going to continue to grow, with all the new residents.

 

Take another look at Dot Transportation that @lual posted.
Ocala
55 SW 52nd Ave
Ocala, Fl 34474
www.drivefordot.com