My trucking journey

Depends on what you want to do.
I too enjoyed my time pulling tankers, I was with a company that did both chemical and food grade.
I’ve unloaded everything from Acids to Whiskey.

Food grade is a LOT easier then chemical, and most of you do get it in you(shouldn’t if your paying attention) won’t hurt you, where chemicals could kill/burn your skin.
Some chemicals just breathing could dissolve your esophagus, and turn into a yellow gas cloud when hits the air.

Been there hauled that.
Hopperbottom can be enjoyable, but some loads like soybean meal in the summer get sticky, won’t slide, or chicken meal freezing in the winter, can be a pain.

But tanker shippers/receivers all have different attitudes when you get there, more laid back, glad to talk, and most jet you stay overnight on property if you need too, same with hoppers.

 

I did tanker with Schneider when i started pulling tanks, they’ve got a great tanker training program, be either Houston or Coraopolis PA(pittsburgh)
I did mine in houston in mid summer, not advisable if you’re not used to working in heat.

They’re otr tanker is 6 days off per month, put in to qualcomm,your dates you want off, now i hear they’ve a tablet system.
Day you arrive home didn’t count nor did the day you leave on.

Cons, slow trucks, mine went 65, some 60-62, i still had a manual 10, they were buying a lot of autos.
I still enjoyed most of it, my driver manager left and they put me with some kid who didn’t know anything about trucks.
We stayed into it and i left for another tanker company, he still calls on occasion wanting to know if i’ll come back.

I’d still recommend starting out, i still know a guy on tankers there.

 

@mdmgolfin works there maybe he can confirm.

 

I came on as an experienced driver didn’t hear anything about something like this in orientation. I’m unfortunately not the keeper of such knowledge