New Food Tanker Driver

Patrick B., thanks for reading this thread, I'm really glad it helped you with your decision!!

Well, I'm in it for the long haul............

So it's important to make the right choices out the gate. The worst thing that could happen is getting into a serious accident before I even hit one year.

Again, thank you all for your input. I know the other day I came off bull headed about this situation and even became argumentative. I sincerely apologize about that. I completely understand where you all are coming from and understand that you all have my best interest in mind. I really do appreciate that and that is why I first posted this post. Currently I am going to look in to other options. Driving a tanker is still something that intrigues me but clearly I need to get better experience first. The tankers aren’t going anywhere! Lol. Although I’m not sure what route to take next, I will look into something not quite as dangerous. Thank you all again, and once more , I apologize for the attitude earlier. Safe travels!

Google tanker crash flagstaff Az. It is a 3 compartment tank and was overturned on I-40. That can give you a visual of what we are talking about.

Schmeltz, that's really great to hear. You're absolutely correct, the tanker jobs will be there waiting for you. Whatever else you decide on your first year, do it safe, do it well, enjoy the experience... you've shown a great deal of maturity, flexibility, and humility with the ability to listen to our collective voice and decide against something you spent time looking into and had pretty much made up your mind with. Those traits will serve you well in this industry!

Again, thank you all for your input. I know the other day I came off bull headed about this situation and even became argumentative. I sincerely apologize about that. I completely understand where you all are coming from and understand that you all have my best interest in mind. I really do appreciate that and that is why I first posted this post. Currently I am going to look in to other options. Driving a tanker is still something that intrigues me but clearly I need to get better experience first. The tankers aren’t going anywhere! Lol. Although I’m not sure what route to take next, I will look into something not quite as dangerous. Thank you all again, and once more , I apologize for the attitude earlier. Safe travels!

Honestly dry van or reefer is the way to go and I say that because if you go flatbed I don't think the spread axle is going to handle nearly the same. Just put in a solid year and reevaluate rather you even wanna change after that. You lose money making company jumps.

If I change companies again it will be because I move out of our hiring area and I'm really hoping they work with me cause I really like the company I work for and the people I work with.

And just try this for the last few months before the move to tanker. Try slowing down before every turn in the mountains. If you got a cb you might wanna turn it off cause nobody else will be slowing down. For me this took some getting used to. I got pretty good at going down the hills at pretty high pace. So just going slower than everyone else seemed unnatural. If that's something you can relate to fix early cause it's a bad habit. Along with following distance. Start making a habit of leaving enough room to see around the truck in front of you (who's probably tailgating the truck in front of him) All those are habits that if you can relate to you might actively try to change before the jump.

Everyone knows tankers are dangerous cause they roll over easy right? I have a permit in my book for having a short axle lenght... let that marinate.

Google tanker crash flagstaff Az. It is a 3 compartment tank and was overturned on I-40. That can give you a visual of what we are talking about.

This brings up another point. When I pulled a dry van I passed wrecks and never really thought more than "man I hope they're ok."

Now when I pass I wrecked tanker I don't look. Not really sure what that says about me but.. on the rare occasion I do happen to see it.. It sticks with me for awhile.

Grump Old Man, weaving in the lane and swerving like you described will not be caused by the surge; that's distracted driving right there. You'd be well-served to stay clear of that type of behavior; make a quick pass or back off...

Good to know. Maybe he was texting, or he is one of those who forgets he is driving when on the phone.