OFC/Shmidt first impression

I started driving fresh outta school Oct 2012 with Schnieder pulling vans. It wasnt a bad place to start, but after a year plus experience the money just wasnt there to stay on as a company driver. After a fairly long search for my second job (I was being picky, as I hoped to find a place were I would stay awhile) I hired on to pull tankers with OFC/Shmidt in Plattesmouth NE. Ive been here a week now, three days of it was spent going over policies and reading about what it takes to be a tanker driver. Theres a bit more to it than pulling vans and bumping docks. The last 3 days were spent out in the field, and the next 1-2 weeks will be as well, depending on how I do in the eyes of my trainers. I know its pretty early on, but so far I feel good about the choice I made. Its a much smaller company of about 120 trucks which I really like. My biggest problem with sni was just how gigantic it was (aside from the pay).

They do expect you to work long days here which is fine. You will kill your 70 and take a reset every weekend. Many of the trucks are older, but the shop and maintenance is supposed to be very good. The truck Im getting is an 04 Classic that I voluteered for cause I like the big square hood. They say those ride rougher but pull better, and you dont have to worry adout def and much of the emissions bs. Plus I think it looks kinda cool.

Ill try to get in here and update how things go, but Im glad to say after a week I still like what I hear. Management seems like decent folks, drivers cant say enough good stuff about the shop, theres plenty of work, and pay seems like its pretty dang decent. Especially considering where I came from. I know it wont all be roses, but what job is? Im looking forward to learning to be a tanker driver and getting going with these guys.

 

Almost done with 3 weeks of training. Getting used to driving with the slosh. Also getting used to the whole tanker operation deal. My trainers and I feel like I am good to head out on my own. So friday I will get my truck and gear checked out, and monday I will head out on my own! Looking forward to getting back on the road, and looking forward to making more than my training pay. Although my two weeks training pay has beat any two weeks I drove for sni buy a couple hundred bucks. Was kind of sceptical about the money they advertised, but it is very possible to make what they promised. As long as you are willing to put in the work. Still feeling good about the place. Will be back with another update once I hit the road and get a taste of what my days will actually be like.

 

I just got checked out my truck and gear today. Will leave Monday for my first run. Home every weekend, but occasionally will be out 2 weeks. From what I can tell, I will run all over. Cant do CA cause of my older tractor, and the plan to keep me from running too far till i work the bugs out. Will be a bit till I know the area I will run mostly.

Matt, if youve been around the shop the last couple weeks, Im the big guy with a beard and coveralls. Say hi if you get the chance! So far I dig the company. Really seems like the kind of job Id hoped to find when I got into driving.

 

Im in a Classic #6067. When Dave or Mike asked me what I thought of the job I said so far the weather is my least favorite part. Picked a heck of a cold snap for my training, but Ive got to see some of the trials and troubleshooting involved with it. I think I will do well here once I get into my groove. For the time being I just hope to survive the learning process with no incidents. After catching and overcoming problems like stuck pumps, froze lines, and the wash bay installing a pipe backwards on a food grade pump before we unloaded caustic I feel good about my chances. Hopefully after a couple runs I will find my comfort zone. Its gonna be an interesting next couple weeks, and Im looking forward to it!

 

First week solo out of the way. Wish I could say it went smoother than it did. Didnt screw anything up, but it took me longer than it should to do anything. From a tricky pump I couldnt get to prime, to a rear unload trailer that I had to put a railroad tie under the dollies and crank way up to unload. I can say that on friday things actually went smooth for me the whole day! Once I nail down all the little tricks life will get much easier. So far Ive stayed within about 400 miles of home, and even got to take 2 of my 10 hr breaks at my house! They give you a sheet to figure up your pay, and it looks like this first week, which I imagine will be one of my smallest checks due to me taking so much time to get things going, will be within about $10 of my best week at sni. Plus when I got that big check at sni, my next check was about 1/3 of it. Im sure here next week I will be able to make more. Monday I head up to Sioux City, unload, swap trailers at our yard, reload, and head towards MO. It is long days with early start times in the morning, but if you put in the work, you get paid real fair for it. Still thinking this will be a good fit for me.