New to Hazmat Tank doing research on next job

Most companies say this. But it really depends on what each terminal needs at the moment. But no matter the company, if you could go in person to their terminal and talk to the terminal manager directly, you will get better results.

 

Chemical tank work can vary from one terminal to the next. Company terminals in areas like Houston, South Louisiana and parts of the east coast handle anything and everything. Other terminals may have a primary shipper and have a limited number of products. Some Haz, some not. My last company was Dana out of Hope Arkansas and we ran a lot of resins, both Haz and not Haz. Also a fair amount of Corrosives. All terminals have a lot of out (loaded) and back (empty) runs. Or vice versa. There are also drivers that like to run the "system", which is OTR. Deliver a load, get a tank wash and go load up again.
I know about Dana and QC. I've run for both. Both will train drivers with driving experience in tanker work. Dana is all company owned terminals and benefits, holidays etc are the same company wide. Dana also owns Liquid Transport and Suttles and runs them all as one company. QC has many of what they call "Affiliate" terminals, which are owned by franchisees. Everything from pay to bennies etc will be somewhat different from one terminal to the next. Dana seems to be buying all Autos now and I know QC runs them out of Hope too.
The other companies, I have no clue what they may offer. But you have listed some good companies. Best to go directly to a terminal and talk to the manager in person. Keep in mind that tanker, like the rest of trucking is in a slump right now.








keep in mind that even the chemical tank industry is slow now.

 

I left because I'm 75 years old and in March I decided it was tine to retire. Again. I had previously retired, also from Dana, for nearly 7 years and when I decided to go back to work I went in to the terminal and talked to them. A few other companies I called told me that I would have to go out with a trainer for 2 to 8 weeks before they gave me a truck. With Dana, the first time I had been behind the wheel of a truck in seven years was when I took the road test. I appreciated that they did this for me and I made sure that I did a good job for them. They may not be the best tanker outfit but they still have the small company feel.