Jacob’s Petroleum Products in WV/PA

You need some serious experience pulling 48 to 53-ft trailers elsewhere -- before any fuel-hauling fleet will have an real confidence in you...with a fuel-laden trailer.

Off-road, or on-road.

This is especially true...given the current status of the overall CDL job market (or the lack thereof).

Also -- don't fill out any fuel-hauling job applications -- until you already have:

• a tanker endorsement
• a hazmat endorsement
• a valid "TWIC" card

In addition: a fuel-hauling fleet with a high turnover rate is NOT a good choice/place to "cut your teeth" with fuel, either.

-- L

 

I scored my fuel hauling gig becuz:

• I had the above-mentioned endorsements
• I had 2+ years of class A experience (with a clean safety record)
• I had a "TWIC"
• There was a fuel driver shortage, since many had quit from the COVID aftermath

Learning/doing fuel as a rookie will be far easier (& for about the same money) in south Ga/north FL -- since it doesn't get as cold, & you won't be dealing with snow & ice.

Suggestion: before moving to WV -- put in an app with FL Rock & Tank Lines.

They may ask you to relocate to Bainbridge, or Jacksonville, FL. They may also ask you to start out in their dry bulk division -- you could then transfer over to fuel later, after getting some experience with dry bulk.

Learn fuel where first, where there's far less ice & snow. Move north -- after you've learned the ropes, & know for sure if fuel is really what you want.

-- L

 

I started looking for my first driving job in Steubenville, Ohio in May 2013, when I was green and fresh out of CDL school, although I got my CDL in Sparks, Nevada weeks earlier.

I did a three week oilfield roustabout training course in Steubenville, which is why I started looking first in the Tri-State area.

Then I learned that Texas had the higher demand for drivers, so I drove there and landed my first job pulling Vac trailers. Truthfully, I had probably two dozen, “No, I can’t use you without two years of experience“, before I found a company that is self-insured and often hired fresh CDL’s.

I am so glad that I did not get a job offer right away in the Tri-State area, and instead went down to Texas, as I did not have to deal with the snow and mountain roads. Also, I later learned Texas paid several dollars more per hour for the same jobs.

My advice, go to Texas and look for Key Energy or Movac Service Co. as they were the only two companies that said yes to me. Another company called Llewellyn fuel, delivers fuel to the oilfield, said yes to me. All 3 also provided free beds in a skid shack.

Things have changed in the last 12 years, so ALWAYS ask anytime you see a service company, if they’re hiring. But if one is “green”, be sure say you are, so as not to waste your time filling out the application.