Shortages and capacity trouble in the bulk industry.

I will share the reason I changed companies up here. And I think this is the mindset of NOT ONLY the carrier, But the supplier and customer. At least in the Tanker side, as I've seen it. Again, MY experience.


To make this story short! (Readers Digest version)

Had a driver with MANY years experience and was a "trainer" (lol) with my first company. Was well known to be a "cowboy", but as yet had NOT made a KNOWN mistake. Several drivers were complaining about his "work ethic", so to speak, but the company hadn't made a move on him yet.

Then, last December, he was caught using a wrong hose, because it burst (Sorry, but Thank goodness) and he spilled 300 gals of Acid OUTSIDE the containment area because he didn't want to take time to unhook his pup and park his T/T properly. No one was hurt, or could have been hurt, because of the delivery point area, other than him.

Sooo, He was terminated. Banned from ANY of the "sites" (which means he can't get ANY job in this area or where the "customers" AOOs are). And when I say ANY, I mean ANY!!! It's a small fraternity and once you've been banned, your in deep doo-doo! This isn't a big city up here where you can hide and go across town and work. AND to top it off, when I was in Arizona on TDY. I was talking with another company's manager and he said that this particular person had actually contacted them regarding work. And they turned him down because of his incident. THAT'S ALMOST 900 MILES AWAY!!! But the Hazmat universe is alot smaller than you think!!!

PLUS, the company I was working for almost lost their contract and is STILL suffering, because they went from ALL the loads to a fraction of the loads they were getting. They (customer) have since allowed 2 other companies to come in here and carry and is lowering their (1st carrier) loads in ALL chemicals.

I switched to another carrier ( better pay PLUS seeing the writing on the wall) and have since been given the WHOLE story. I am good friends with "someone" with the supplier and have been told point blank that they and the customer are actively trying to get other carriers in place to remove the 1st carrier.

Sooo, I'm still trying to keep this short, Because of 1 "boneheads" stupidity ( as well as, someone who should have KNOWN better!!!) The driver lost his job and we ALL could have come home without a job that evening had the customer wanted to. The carrier WILL lose their contract. It's only a matter of time. AND NOW we have to be "watched" all of the time to make sure we're working properly and safely. Now I MAY have to wait for an operator for however long ( I have waited 2 hours once) because NOW we can't touch ANYTHING until an operator shows up. They usually show up pretty quick, so I can't complain to much. But, before, we could just call and let them know we are there and hook up, unload, and go about our merry way!!! Not now, we have to be watched hooking up AND when we disconnect,


So, at least in MY experience, they DON'T play around with "Dunderheads"!!! THANK GOODNESS!!!

 

Same here bud, You boo boo at BASF or Shell etc and get barred, all sites get notified and they use your DL ( the mag strip ) to track you in their system.

This can actually be a good thing ( from a certain perspective) ....... take Schneider, he's advertising here for tanker hands with no experience required ...ok fine..... well there's no way to teach someone what they need to know about tanks, chemicals and fittings in a couple of weeks, not gonna happen.......ok fine again

One of these 14 day wonders is going to show up at a customer and have an incident out of ignorance and a lack of experience then you get barred and the carriers contract is in question. Happens all the time. Good for my carrier and good for my bottom line. ( the perspective)

Here's the real cringer ( eyewitness account ) I watched a SNBC ignore a 4x8 sign , make a difficult turn and end up on the front lawn ( tractor ) loaded ( trying to turn around ) of a major chemical mfg. headquarters........PDL locked in digging holes like a gofer and sunk to the axles on a weekday in front of god and everybody.

Do you want this guy? This carrier pulling your hazmat?

No joke, a true story.

 

I would say, UnBelieveable! But nothing surprises me anymore. I just can't understand what's going (or NOT) thru peoples minds sometimes!!!

The good part is, they weed themselves out and the pool gets smaller. Not bigger. And Like you said, NO WAY can they run a "driver mill" for tankers. That will kill their business QUICK!!! It's just not the same.

We're not talking about an accident involving cereal or clothes or washing machines.

 

I guess I got lucky, just started a new job for a petroleum hauler hauling DEF. it pays hourly but deep down I still feel tanker work should pay substantially more then entry level van driving. I researched all the tanker companies when I took this position and while I could probably make a little more running chemical for percentage pay, I like having a Monday to Friday position. I only stay out two or three nights a week, have almost zero detention time, and nobody telling me to break the law or run illegal. The only down side is I'm in a day cab so not much room or storage, and I gotta find a hotel that I can park a tractor trailer at on the nights I can't make it back home. I guess we will see in a six months to a year how well it all works out. In the past few years I have been a job jumper due to working for a few companies that promised either decent equipment or no running outlaw then going back on what they promised. I have twelve years total experience and five years tanker, with zero accidents or Csa violations. I would consider myself a very qualified candidate yet some of the big tank companies blew me off and weren't interested in me. Even after going through why I left the jobs I left due to faulty equipment or constantly being forced to violate HOS or other DOT rules. I guess I'm rambling due to the fact I felt like I'm paying a certain price for not breaking the rules and just playing along. Either way at the young age of 42 with almost 13 years driving experience as much as I enjoy driving a tractor trailer I think I'm getting to the point of looking for a way out of this business. That's one more safe experienced driver ready to hang it up. Let the newbies and illegals take it over like all the other good ole fashioned American businesses that have been decimated by cheap illegal labor.

Adam

PS the company I'm with now does not let you run illegal or break any laws, and while their trucks aren't brand new they are fixed right and I no longer have to fear scales or inspections.

 

What company do you currently work for?

God bless every American and their families! God bless the U.S.A.!

 

Jokingypsy.. Just Curious what is "DEF" also How far from your home base do you have to go?

just curious

 

Here is description (not a fan of wiki but it will suffice): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diesel_exhaust_fluid

 

You need to drive about ninety minutes due north and start walpapering the PA frac fields with resumes. With your experience they will love you up there. You can forget about entry-level wages and haul crude for 300-400 a day.

AND, you could probably job hop all you want. In the oilfield contracts come and go, so they kind of expect you to do it anyway.

 

Good for you Gypsy! Keep doing it right! Those carriers that passed on you? They did you a favor man. You told them you left others for equipment problems and trying to run you hot which means that's what they have / do. It's all they know and it will bite them in the arse soon enough.

There are carriers that want good and safe drivers, just gotta find them.

Good luck man....

 

You know what Brother? Relax and enjoy yourself. I'm in the same boat. I no longer have to fear the scales, DOT inspections, HP troopers, Etc. And it sure takes a load off. You can't buy that.

I'm now paid just UNDER $30 hr PLUS ACTUAL overtime. It was hilarious when my last boss tried to get me to stay with them. He said, "I'll make sure you get as close to 70 hrs as possible" not realizing, the math was already done in my head. I can now work 50 hours and be within $150 of the same $$$ as working 70 hrs with him. DUH!!! I'd RATHER HAVE THE 20 hrs of free time. If the pays virtually the same.

As you've seen, the grass is RARELY greener on the other side. You still have to mow it too!!! However, I'm ALWAYS looking for a better SITUATION for me and my Bride. But I always make sure that it's worth the jump. Things may SOUND better, But ARE they??? As I get older ( and hopefully wiser. LOL! ) MY TIME is more precious to me than ever!!!

Don't be afraid to jump, IF IT'S TRUELY WORTH IT. Research your jump. Do what's best for you!!! Everyone has what they want their life to be. And it's different for EVERYONE!!! What's good for me, may be totally different for you. Don't be afraid of hearing "NO", It's their loss.

Hang in there and find the right job FOR YOU!!!