How to Start...

Anyone have any information on companies hauling fuel in the Albany Ny area? Have been driving for 13year, reefer for 10. Flatbed oversize and heavy hauling for the last 3. Want to get into the fuel game as it seems to be more consistent work then flatbed i do now

 

Fuel hauling info?.....

I have 18 months experience....with an east-coast, 3rd-party fuel carrier.

Fuel can be consistent work -- or not. It depends (in part) on how many carriers are working a particular area.

It is also dependent on economic factors. Recall that....during covid...everybody basically stopped driving (well, almost). So most fuel haulers spent too much time sitting/idle (yes, that's an extreme case -- but it carries the point -- fuel isn't always bulletproof).

Should you switch over to fuel: you will most likely have to start off with a 3rd-party carrier (as opposed to a private fleet). You will...most likely....have to start out on evening/nite shift (6 pm - 6 am, or thereabouts). You will "slip seat" a truck/rig...with at least one other driver (no tractors are assigned).

You will work weekends & holidays (also, all at nite).

Thus -- your life will be on opposite sides of the clock....from all others close to you.

You will need (if you don't have, already): BOTH tanker, & hazmat endorsements. A "TWIC" card helped me score my fuel-hauling gig -- even though I never used it, later.

I requested nite shift, up-front -- because I knew:

• Nite shift brings some MAJOR ADVANTAGES to the table, for a fuel hauler
• I figured that's pretty much what they wanted to hear, anyway
• You thus immediately distinguish yourself apart from the other candidates

One last bit of info -- a common fuel-hauler jingle:

"Fuel haulers don't have accidents -- they have DISASTERS"

-- L

 

thanks for the info lual.
im not worried about night shift i worked for private fleet grocery distribution center Hannaford for 9 years. Started off with tues/wed off for 2 years before getting a rotating schedule then eventually fri/sat off after 6 years. Only left the job as there was no day shifts available all dispatch times where between noon and midnight since the place was built 30 years ago with no change in sight. Nights don't bother me as its much easier out there with less 4 wheelers around especially learning something new like fuel. I applied for a few fuel hauling companies and I got a call from a private fleets from the albany area to schedule an interview for next week.

 

Ended up getting a calls from 2 private fleets in the Albany Ny area and got job offers from both. End up going with the one with a set 4 day work week with the option to work overtime on 5th day. Other job was also great but it was a 4/2 rotating schedule for all driver no matter how long you worked there.

 

Not sure why you would want fuel hauling.
I recommend bulk non-hazmat food grade oil.
That's vegetable oils canola palm coconut etc as well as non-hazardous other liquids occasionally.
I managed to get into that here in Canada and it's great I don't really care if I do hazmat loads I have not done any yet. You get paid good money and when you stop the truck to actually do the oil unloading aspect you're immediately paid by the hour. If you show up at a customer and they are not ready for you, starting from the moment of appointment time you're paid by the hour even if you sit there three days you'll be paid 24 hours a day. That would mean $30 an hour the entire time. Why would you want the hassle of a hazmat load You're not going to make much more than a non hazmat.

 

Hauling fuel I don’t have to worry about sitting at a shipper for 3 days as I go home everyday. Start at 330am work 10-12hr shift 4 days a weeks making 35.50/hr and ot after 40. Work a fifth option day if Ii want which is all at ot rate. Go home to my wife and children everyday why would I not is the question