Need info on Oakley transportation

@Sapphire_Glitter --

FAIR WARNING: The tanker training at Oakley Transport (for the pump-off process) is VER-RY SHORT.

They basically do it as if you had pretty much learned this skill set elsewhere.

I speak from first-hand experience.

If you're not already familiar with/comfortable doing a PTO from a tanker trailer, then I cannot in all honesty encourage you to go next to Oakley Transport.

Get this skill set elsewhere--first.

What large city/state are you nearest? What tanker work have you already done?

Maybe we can make some other recommendations for you, and save you from making a potentially big mistake.

--Lual

 

@Sapphire_Glitter --

I also did reefer before I switched over to tanker....so yes, I empathize with why you'd want to stay in the tanker world!!!

Veteran tip: Oakley promises the big bucks (in part, at least) because a lot of their loads are booze loads going into, and back out of, Canada.

They also carry some sort of orange/citrus peel extract (I think that's correct) which is actually more dangerous than gasoline--it's extremely flammable.

Note also....both of the above load types are indeed hazmat loads--even though they are both also "food-grade".

There's good money in booze (some people are willing to pay very good money for good bourbon/scotch, etc). In milk? Not so much.

Before you sign up with Oakley....let me introduce you to a couple of other opportunities that I think will pay you the same (or more), train you MUCH BETTER.......and allow you to park your rig at a nearby terminal (as needed).

UP-FRONT NOTICE: Before pursuing any of these (including Oakley)--finish getting your hazmat. Also--get a TWIC. If you don't already have a US passport--get one. Note too, that I have no affiliations/connections with any of the following....just passing on info that I have been exposed to before. NO kickbacks.

Option1)

Based on the info you've provided thus far--I think you could well be a "shoe-in" for the so-called "relocation program" over at Venezia Transport (they hire drivers out of your area for this position):

Description:
Are you an adventurous driver looking for growth in your career? You could be a great fit for our driver relocation program! In this program, Venezia will provide transportation, to one of our Northeast locations to do 4 weeks of OTR work.

At the end of the 4 weeks, Venezia will provide transportation back to your home state with a minimum of $8000 in pay for the month and a full week of home time to top it all off!

Position Overview:

• Guaranteed $2000 Weekly Minimum
• We are offering a limited time $10,000 Sign on BONUS for prior tanker experience ($7,000 for no tanker experience)
• Excellent Benefits Available w/ in 30 Days (Medical, Vision, and Dental)
• One week of Home Time Every 4 Weeks

Position Details:

• This is an OTR Tanker Driver Position
• All Miles Paid Practical- Each Stop Paid (Loading and Unloading)
• No prior Tanker experience? No Problem, paid training offered
• Must be willing to run to Western Canada from Pittsburgh, NJ & Chicago as needed
• Drivers must remain flexible to work for any division licensed for
• Program is at Management’s discretion, drivers who cannot consistently perform to expectations may be removed from the program

Schedule:

• Must be willing to stay out for 4 weeks of OTR (Flying back to your home state on the 28th day)
• Return to your home state for one week of home time
• Return North on the 7th day to continue work
• 10 Hours of Paid travel time there and back

Benefits:

• Medical, Vision, and Dental
• Safety Bonus
• Paid Vacation / Holidays
• No Slip Seating
• Company Paid Life Insurance
• Short/Long Term Disability

Company Culture:

• Venezia is family-owned and operated, which means that every driver that runs with us is a part of that family.
• We take action to ensure equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or other legally protected characteristic.

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@Dave1837 here on the Forum currently drives for them--and can probably answer at least some of your questions. He seems pretty happy there, too.


Option 2)

This one is well worth checking out, based on positive feedback I've gotten elsewhere. What's also cool about this one is they have some southern cross-country routes/lanes, so you could do some real driving out west, if you like. Fleet size is probably about the same as Oakley. Nearest terminal for you with them is Tampa:

Locations – Andrews Logistics

Good luck, Driver.

--Lual

 

Pumping off isn't hard at all.
Once they show you once, you'll be fine.

 

Referring to what @lual posted, I just talked to on of our drivers a few weeks ago at our main terminal in limerick PA. They fly him from his home in FL to PA and he runs from Jersey to Canada for 4 weeks and then they fly him home for a week. He was very happy.I make around $1800/week and that's off about 2,200 miles, home every weekend. They leave you alone here too, real easy going in my opinion

 

If I go to a new place, anywhere, I call dispatch and ask if another driver can call me and give me directions. Done it several times and it's never failed me. Or come on here and ask

 

@Sapphire_Glitter --

If you have found yourself to be "directionally challenged"....that's ok.

At least you had the courage to admit it--& I admire you for that.

If that's the case, here's my newer recommendations:

1) While you're busy getting that hazmat, TWIC, and passport--spend some ample time here on the Forum, and look at/study different threads that talk about GPS options and GPS-related phone apps. Learn to develop a navigation plan A, & a plan B--for every trip. I always look at each of my deliveries (and the streets/roads leading up to it) on Google Maps (using the overhead satelllite views), and make sure my final destination location point is in total agreement from each GPS source--otherwise, sooner or later, you will get led astray (been there, done that).

@Dave1837's suggestion (see post above) will help, too.

To a younger person, this is probably shocking advice: buy yourself a Trucker's Randy McNally Atlas--and learn how to use it. There's lots of valuable info for trucking in there that you won't find/get on Google Maps.

2) It sounds like this next job will in fact be your first true OTR trucking job--so.....to build up your confidence level in your navigational abilities, and also start off with a carrier you can stay with--I suggest you ignore/forget ALL the above discussed job options. Instead--start off with Indian River Transport, and run the southeastern US with them (check out this SE job posting--you'll also need to scroll down after it opens, to really see it):

Indian River Transport Company

The southeast will....generally speaking...be more forgiving if you make a navigational mistake....than the northeast or the upper midwest. Overnite parking options are generally not as tough to find in the southeast, either (except most inner city and metro areas).

Later....as your confidence and skiill levels go up....you can move on up to run OTR-48 with Indian River--and also do loads into Canada with them, as well.

With Indian River--a lot of their deliveries apparently don't involve a driver pump off. You can later learn that with them, if you like (see the following thread, for details--starting at post #1232)--it would appear from this info that the near future is probably a great time to join up with them:

Indian River | Page 124 | TruckersReport.com Trucking Forum | #1 CDL Truck Driver Message Board (thetruckersreport.com)
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NEWBIE ALERT (based on personal, first-hand experience):

To do tanker duty at Oakley, you must learn their pump-off procedure, step-by-step. With all due respect--it's not just a "see it once--and you've got it down cold" situation. It's pretty detailed, actually....and specfic to Oakley's own way of doing things. The pump-offs at my current employer are actually much less detailed, and simpler.

If you're not much mechanically inclined....if you've not the plumber type.....if you haven't previously worked some with pumps, valves...and large, long hoses.....the learning curve for all this will probably be short--and rather steep.

If you don't get their pump-off procedures 100% right, and pretty quickly....you wash out......and then....<<gulp>>....off you go....to their reefer division.

I wouldn't wish that fate upon my worst enemy.

Virtually 100% of your reefer deliveries will very likely be up in the northeast. Better bring your navigational "A game" with you--ALL of the time.

You've already expressed how you feel about reefer duty....but.....if the above is a chance that you're willing to take....then go ahead, and sign up with Oakley.

If you then don't get a good trainer there--may God have mercy on your soul.

--Lual