Any Tanker Companies Hire Straight Out Of School?
Topic 252 | Page 1
Tankers are really tricky and dangerous to drive with the liquid sloshing around the way it does, and you're looking at chemical tankers which adds that much more danger with the hazardous materials. I don't know of any tanker companies that hire new drivers. You're going to need some experience first.
I would also consider food-grade as opposed to chemical. I pulled a food grade tanker for a year and I loved it. It's a really unique style of trucking and it's way more enjoyable and relaxing going into an orange juice plant and hauling yummy orange juice concentrate than it is going to a chemical plant on the Jersey Shore and hauling hydrochloric acid.
Yeah I think it'd be a challenge. I am open to both food-grade and chemical, but I see your point about the chemicals. lol.
Weird question but do tankers filled with gas also behave the same way as ones with liquid?
do tankers filled with gas also behave the same way as ones with liquid?
Actually that's a very good question.
I can't speak for all types of gases, but a lot of gases are stored and transported at a temperature that's low enough for the gas to either be in a liquid state or mostly in a liquid state. So yes, many gases, like propane for instance, are a liquid during storage and transport and can slosh around quite a bit.
I know Schneider has a tanker division, I haven't called them just yet, but it seems like they might possibly put new hires into tanker division.
As far as I know, Schneider is your only option. I will give you the info on them. You can compare it with what you find out.
I had a recruiter speak with my class at school. He said it was $80/day training. You MUST have hazmat/tanker endorsements before orientation! Tanker was 28 days training out of Texas. You are at the terminal for 9 days, then OTR with a trainer for 2 1/2 weeks, then back in to the terminal for 3 days. You start out at 33 cents, and move to 39 cents after 6 months, and 41 cents after 6 more months.
I hope this helps so you will know what to expect! 
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
Terminal:
A facility where trucking companies operate out of, or their "home base" if you will. A lot of major companies have multiple terminals around the country which usually consist of the main office building, a drop lot for trailers, and sometimes a repair shop and wash facilities.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
Awesome. Thanks for the info. Now I will compare that with what they tell me when I talk to them in a few weeks. I've got all my endorsements already thanks to this website!
Hi,
another option could be
Student Truck Driver Opportunites Available at Prime:
• Reefer
• Flatbed
• Tanker
Prime Inc: http://www.driveforprime.com/student.php?r=simplyhiredcompanytanker
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
As already been said, Prime does have a tanker division, and yes, they do hire folks with little/no experience. You will have to go out with a trainer for 40,000 miles before you will be allowed to go solo.
I presently drive for Prime in the reefer division. I don't know anyone in the tanker division that I could put you in touch with, sorry.
Any other questions about Prime I will do my best to answer.
Reefer:
A refrigerated trailer.
CTL will hire you in the tanker division if you have hazmat and tanker endorsements, they are based in Florida but have many locations.
Bill
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
Brett: what are companies that you know of that have a tanker division hauling food grade products? I've toyed around with the idea of driving a tanker (and I have all the endorsements), but am somewhat concerned hauling hazardous chemicals. BTW, I've only got about 9 mos experience OTR at this point.
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
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Been looking around the interwebs trying to find some tanker companies and/or divisions that hire straight out of CDL school. At this point (before even getting my CDL... lol) I THINK I want to be a tanker driver. Pay looks decent, highly specialized skillset, would be delivering to some interesting places, and so on.
As far as I can tell pretty much no one hires tanker drivers straight out of school. I've looked at Quality Distribution Inc., Superior Carriers, Ruan, Goodman Tank Lines, few others I can't think of.
I know Schneider has a tanker division, I haven't called them just yet, but it seems like they might possibly put new hires into tanker division.
Are there any other companies anyone can think of or has personal experience with regarding tanker driving for a new graduate?
Like Brett and many others say, stick out the first year and more opportunities open up. Seems like all the tanker companies want 1 year experience, some even say 6 months. But if I can start out tanker I think that would be good for me.
CDL:
Commercial Driver's License (CDL)
A CDL is required to drive any of the following vehicles:
Dm:
Dispatcher, Fleet Manager, Driver Manager
The primary person a driver communicates with at his/her company. A dispatcher can play many roles, depending on the company's structure. Dispatchers may assign freight, file requests for home time, relay messages between the driver and management, inform customer service of any delays, change appointment times, and report information to the load planners.