Wanting to leave the Vans and come to the Tanker World!!

Another company to consider, Andrews’s Logistics out of Southlake, Tx. I’ve done really well with them. They are regional, don’t know how strong they are in the area you’re looking at, Mitch is the recruiter, he will give you the straight story, no BS. We haul new motor oil and some resin. Most of my friends don’t have or need hazmat, hope this helps.

 

You might consider Andrews Logistics, we haul new motor oil and resins, no waiting at tank washes like food grade. I’ve done very well with them,based in SoCal. $80k last year.They have terminals in Charleston and Pittsburgh that run in the area your looking at. The recruiter is Mitch, hope this helps, Jim

 

I am with Oakley out if Lake Wales, FL and this is one of better gigs I have worked. All food grade & hazmat food grade.
I only have 8 years experience as a CDL, all in tankers. Never drove a van, except in CDL school. Went from school into the West TX Oilfields.
I suggest you get a TWIC & Hazmat Endorsement. That will help with hiring on. A Passport is a plus.
I love tankers! I especially like the "rear view." I've hauled water, oil, and retail fuel.

 

Service Transport in Charlotte NC. Ask to speak with Charles. Definitely need a TWIC and Hazmat endorsement. Not sure what the driving experience requirements are but I know we are hiring. Haul every liquid chemical I know of except fuel and food. Lower 48 and Canada if that's your thing. I don't know if it's official policy but based on what I've observed, they try to keep you either western US or eastern US depending on your home terminal and we all share the central US. Our home office is Houston TX and I'm out of the Jax FL terminal. I have never gone farther west than TX except for a few southern CA loads that I volunteered for.

The tankwash is the worst part of the job but if you know what to expect at each one than even that can be enjoyable. Uber delivers to most tankwashes so I use the time to relax. It can be a nice break from the constant hustle at the truckstops.

Sometimes you have to where the FRC or your pickle suit to unload but most of the time just regular PPE and the customer does all the work. I only did dry van for 3 months but long enough to know that switching to tankers was the best career move I could have made.

Nicer people to deal with and much better money. I hear some people say they get harassed by DOT but that has not been my experience.

But the single best part of being a tanker is the the 48 ft trailer. Most truckstop parking are or were designed for 48 ft trailers. Backing is easier at Pilot/FlyingJ when most 53 ft trailers struggle. That 5 feet makes a big difference. Call me a p*ssy but I never claimed to be a super trucker.

 

Don't mean to write a book but a few things I'd like to add as far as routine.

Haul butt to get to load and unload appointments on time. Eventually you'll get to know each customer and makes it a lot less stressful for them and you. You'll develope a routine with each customer to the point that they just wave you in, sign your paper work and leave you alone.

Then after each unload you get sent to the nearest tankwash enroute to your next load. Not a lot of them in the country so it may be 15 miles from where you unloaded or 500 miles. No appointment time for the tankwash so you can catch your breath between loads as long as your clean before the next load. You can expect to stay at the tankwash overnight or drop your trailer and bobtail to the nearest truckstop. Most tankwashes allow overnight parking and even provide showers.

I've only been tanker for 5 years. My first year I made $67,000. 2019 was my best year and I made $79,000. Last year was a little slow and I got $74,000. I usually stay out 4 to 5 weeks and home for 1 week. I've been trying to cut that down to 3 weeks but my DM doesn't like it.

Everybody has their own system and some will say mine sucks. I busted my butt like I never thought was possible in the last 5 years. I developed an easy routine that makes me good money. I'm getting too old and grey to be trying to prove myself anymore. I drive safe, try to make the company maximum profit and relax as much as possible.

 

1) Call Schneider now. Have them fly you out to Houston in a nice hotel. Their Tanker/Bulk training is highly regarded in the entire Tank industry.

2) Drive with them until you feel like you've learned enough.

3) Resign and apply for Trimac, Heniff, Superior, Greendale, Dana, Quality... it really doesn't matter, everyone pays more than Schneider. Just look up "qualawash or tankwash" in Google maps nearest to you. Drive there and apply with whichever company has the most tankers there.

You need Schneider training otherwise you'll melt your face off with hydrochloric acid on one unlucky day. The high paying companies do not train very well because they assume you know what you're doing...

 

o ok

 

If a tanker company is “Desperate” for drivers, there’s a reason. And it probably doesn’t have anything to do with to much work. If you get my drift.

 

Man, work is drying up fast. My boss says it has to do with the new Democratic government attacking the petroleum industry which also hurts many other chemicals.

It isn't just my company either, my friend's chemical company seems to be hurting too. I'm considering running wiggle-wagons until it gets better.

 

We are slow too, but normally are at this time of year. We've a diverse customer base and the pandemic probably plays a part too but the management team put an ad on the website for a couple drivers so maybe they know something. Not likely but who knows.
And our stock has taken a hit since the election just as it hit a 12 month high.
I am only booked for a 9 hr day tomorrow and that's unusual.

 

Heniff acquired Superior a while ago. I don’t dig that % of load pay.