Is going tanker a good idea over van, flatbed, refeer?

For a newbie, I think that I would stick with a van or refeer until I gained a little experience. With a tanker there are several "learning curves" that a newbie shouldn't be putting themself into.

 

My first job after getting my license was a tanker. I got excellent training from that company. I think doing tanker first I learned more in my first year than I would have if I pulled a van. Now I pull a Reefer. I think you'd be ok with a tanker first as long as you get good training. I can't see Schneider not giving you the best training.

 

I see you're in Kankakee. Have you checked with Superior Carriers? I'm not sure if our Kankakee terminal hires from the school you are attending, but its worth a shot.

 

Go for it.... you gotta start somewhere, and honestly, starting with tanker will get you a good sense of hard work and safe driving over starting off in a van trailer. You will be more cautious and a safer driver in the end. Best of luck to you in whatever route you decide.

 

I think its an excellent idea, if they will take you jump on..

Use Schneider for training and some experience then move on to a better paying job if you like..

I was shopping hazmat tank jobs a year ago with 17 years experience and a spotless record and guess what ?? Nobody would touch me ( Altom, Heniff, Hazmat Enviromental to name a few ) without previous tanker yanker experience..Just putting that put there FWIW..

Good Luck freind..

 

Schneider's training can't be that great . My carrier just got a good contract near Houston that Schneider lost due to poor performance . Last year I delivered to a customer inEasley , SC that told me a few days earlier a Schneider tanker load was a day late . The driver told him he got so shook up coming down "a big mountain " the previous day he just stopped for the day when he got to the bottom .

 

Absolutely! Tanker experience is invaluable. You would be a fool to become a lifer at Schneider and even Schneider knows this. Get your time in and move on. Fuel hauling is a great job that pays more for less hours...period.

 

I am kinda partial to flatbed....so I can't say if tanker would be better than flatbed. But anything would be better than van and reefer...IMHO anyway.

 

i tried to get on with hazmat recently and they are a tough nut to crack. from what i heard from there drivers they make really excellent money too.