Fuel haulers, I have one question. How???

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Duchess1992@reddit (OP)

I just want to say thank you to everyone for all of your input!

I have found a few companies based on all the information I was given here. I've also decided to pivot away from fuel for now, and focus primarily on getting tank experience.

I did however also apply to FaRT. Based on the reviews, pay will be terrible, equipment will be terrible, hours will be terrible, but training will be some of the best. So, I gotta do what I gotta do

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MrMiller52@reddit

Its crazy bc my first job out of CDL school was hauling fuel. I learned how to load and unload the fuel before I learned how to drive the truck

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LeveledGarbage@reddit

Its crazy bc my first job out of CDL school was hauling fuel

You fall into the category of "really fucking lucky" lol.

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MrMiller52@reddit

The exception not the rule if you will lol

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I would have liked to gone into it right after school, I couldn't afford the training, and I was already working for a company that needed class A drivers to begin with, so they offered me way more money than any company would right out of the gate

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daemonescanem@reddit

Go food-grade tanker. Road guys make well over 100k, I'm local and make 100k.

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Duchess1992@reddit (OP)

A few folks have mentioned that, and I think you guys are right. I feel like I'm trying to fly before I can even walk. And who knows, I might like it better 🤷🏿‍♂️. I can definitely say I never thought I'd be a truck driver, and here I am 13 years later and I can't imagine anything else

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daemonescanem@reddit

What part of FL are you in? My company has a terminal in Valdosta GA.

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Duchess1992@reddit (OP)

I'm in Orlando

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WilyNGA@reddit

Indian River has their main terminal only about an hour from you.

https://indianrivertransport.com/

If you want to do OTR tanker, it's a great company that I worked years for. I am out of trucking now, but wouldn't go back unless I could get back on them. They require >1 year OTR experience but will train tanker I think.

Food Grade tankers are different than Fuel Tankers (I drove both) and you will see a lot of I95 up to the NorthEast working out of Orlando. I lived in Georgia but worked out of Clovis, NM terminal when I did OTR.

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Duchess1992@reddit (OP)

Last I checked they weren't hiring at the moment, but I do check every now and then. I'm wanting to get away from OTR for a bit, but I'm not completely opposed to it. Especially if it'll ultimately get me what I'm looking for.

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WilyNGA@reddit

I don't know about Winter Haven, but Clovis had local drivers/loaders who just worked in the area. They would come out to the farms and load the OTR guys and then themselves, and then they would haul their trailer back. The day shifters delivered and picked up at local places.

I do know that Winter Haven loads a lot of OJ and the nearest plant I went to there was Lakeland. It is possible they have local work.

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daemonescanem@reddit

Here is my company.

https://www.adm.com/en-us/culture-and-careers/join-team-adm/

Valdosta doesn't have any openings right now, but if you make a profile, the site lets you create a job alert for that terminal. So when an OTR spot comes open you get an email.

I've been with ADM 15 years this November. So they are pretty solid as far as trucking companies go.

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Duchess1992@reddit (OP)

Holy crap I appreciate that a lot!!!

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Dezzolve@reddit

You might be applying to the wrong kinds of tanker jobs.

You’ve got quite a lot of normal experience but from your post seemingly no actual Hazmat/tanker beyond the endorsement on your license.

You’re going to have to start with a training tanker company. Simple as that. They’ll put you on someone else’s truck for a few weeks showing you the ins and outs and getting you carded at most terminals you’ll be pulling out of.

Check out Eagle Transport or PTC, I believe they both train and have terminals across Florida.

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Duchess1992@reddit (OP)

I figured I would be training with someone, and I am totally comfortable with that.

You mentioned training companies, and that's where I fall short. I don't know any.

The hazmat has been used quite a bit. I pick up a lot of short haul stuff with my current company, and some of it is hazardous. It's kinda random when you get it, but we get it.

I will definitely check out those companies! Thank you!!!

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mistman1978@reddit

Florida Rock is gas hauling company.

They don't pay great but do train.

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WilyNGA@reddit

Seconded. I worked with Florida Rock and Tank Lines in both Florida and Georgia.

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Duchess1992@reddit (OP)

Do you mind if I send you a direct message for a little more information and input?

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czina123@reddit

Florida Rock or Eagle are the companies you want to apply to

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Wheres_Jay@reddit

Well, I can't leave a regular comment, only a reply. Good luck. I'm not typing all of that again. Lol

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Present-Ambition6309@reddit

That’s way cool of you to show OP this. Good stuff, Go you!

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Guilty-Tale-6123@reddit

Are there any companies around you that haul fuel AND other products? That's kinda how I got into it, but it was unintentional.

I got hired on with my company to haul cryo, but then I bought a house in a state where my company doesn't haul cryo, so I switched over to fuel. I was brand new to fuel, but had a little over two years with the company

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Duchess1992@reddit (OP)

There are a few actually. I have been mostly focused on fuel, but I am going to switch what I was doing. I'm looking into chemicals, and even just water hauling for pools and stuff. Someone mentioned that, and since there are more pools than people in Florida, I think that is a much easier barrier to entry. I figure, grind hauling any tanker, hazmat preferred, then I have a higher chance of getting what I really want.

I'm really open to anything liquid that keeps a roof over my head

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Guilty-Tale-6123@reddit

I started with chemical right after I got my CDL, stuck with the mega for two years, and then got hired on by who I work for now.

Chemical fucking sucks, but it's worth it to get your foot in the door

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Tripalicious@reddit

Try pilot flying J, they offered me a regional tanker position with only 1 year of experience hauling hazmat pretty regularly. However, it paid about 2200 to 2600 a week, working like 55 to 60 hours, which I think is lower than a lot of other tanker jobs. It was like 32 an hour, OT after 40, with food, phone, and weekend bonus pay.

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Duchess1992@reddit (OP)

I refresh the pilot listing everyday 🤣

They're not giving it up for a bit I feel. But I keep on checking

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Minimum-Jacket-705@reddit

I need new reading glasses. I read this as “fuel haters”. I really hate fuel so I rushed right to the comments. I hate paying for fuel sooooo much.

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MOODkilla2300@reddit

It’s not you it’s Florida,I have over 20 years pulling tankers and would have the same problem if I wanted to work local,Florida is over saturated with drivers,look at the pay here compared to other states.

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Duchess1992@reddit (OP)

I can respect that, and I appreciate your input.

Based on these responses, I am going to pivot away from fuel for now. A lot of people have suggested chemicals, or food, or even dry bulk. I'm not really looking to make a bunch of money, I just want stability and to spend more time at home for now. Eventually I'll pick up OTR again, but right now I need a break.

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LeveledGarbage@reddit

Honestly much like every other "good" job, you gotta know someone, or get really fucking lucky.

I am one of the ones who got really fucking lucky. That being said, KAG or Alpha Transport will definitely hire new tanker drivers.

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Thepopethroway@reddit

Florida

There's your problem

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Duchess1992@reddit (OP)

🤣

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flynnfx@reddit

C'mon up to Canada.

They are screaming for hazmat drivers, from Ammonia to condensate, diesel, gas, jet, oil, sulphur , just to name a few.

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Equivalent-Ad2783@reddit

Gas hauling is tough to get into, just like cryogenic. The companies most likely to accept without experience tanker experience are Florida rock and Kenan.

But it also depends on your location. You need to find out the companies that are local and just straight up call them. Half the problem is more applications than needed drivers and someone that works for them will most likely get a friend in first before they pick someone off the streets

I'm in cocoa and do food tankers. I don't want to haul fuel but they're tough to get into from what I hear from other drivers.

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TruckinTuba@reddit

I just applied, I was hauling hazmat tanks into refineries at a company before I went to actual retail fuel hauling, all they had to do was card me for loading instead of unloading. And no company is going to require you to be carded to get hired, at least not in my area some of them would offer a "hiring bonus" if you were already carded but it wasn't required

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Technical-Wasabi9118@reddit

You need tanker experience. Look at oil field. Even places that do hitches or water hauler. Tanker is so so different than anything else. I started box, went tanker and did other stuff like winch and rgn and step deck. It took two years of tanker experience to get me where insurance could cover me.

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victoriousDevil@reddit

Try to talk to the next driver you see. A lot of companies like to see a current driver referral on the app.

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Duchess1992@reddit (OP)

Whenever I have free time, I look for people that are currently fueling wherever I am. And I will ask them as many questions as they're willing to tolerate 🤣

This post Malone has gotten me one referral, so I will definitely follow that and see where it takes me

Thank you!!!

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WatersEdge50@reddit

What does Post Malone have to do with getting a job?

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Duchess1992@reddit (OP)

Post alone*

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Comfortable-Menu2099@reddit

I was working for JB Hunt and pay wasn't great. I walked into the fuel office and said I want to work here they said we will work you tell your dick falls of are you sure? I said sign me up.

So my advice show up in person they will train the right person.

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Unfair_Fisherman_605@reddit

Velocity Rail Solutions will hire, pay is shit but do a year then go somewhere better like Pilot or loves.

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SUPRA239@reddit

Fuel hauling doesn't pay well in Florida anyways. I got in couple years ago with first company I applied with. Lasted 2 years then bounced. Most fuel companies in FL start out at $25/hr. No thanks at that low for hauling hazmat.

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WatersEdge50@reddit

$25hr? Yeah no thanks. I make $31.50 driving a school bus full-time 40 hours a week. I spend more time alone on the bus sitting around doing nothing than I do hauling kids.

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Duchess1992@reddit (OP)

I totally get it, my position when I first started paid significantly better than anything any company would offer me without tractor trailer experience.

However, I've gotten myself into a position where I can definitely take a financial hit for a sustained amount of time in order to get to where I want. Most companies will start low, but with commitment to the type of work, not necessarily the job, I can move up.

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santanzchild@reddit

Start in chemical tanker.

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saywhat181@reddit

I got lucky. I had been driving non-commercial box trucks for better part of a decade. Was dicking around on indeed looking at non-cdl driving jobs, and saw a posting for a tank wagon position.

Knew you needed at least a class b with tanker and hazmat, but decided to go ahead, and drop my resume. They called me back the next day, asked if I had a CDL. I said no, and they offered to put me though school.

Now I have a class a, no restrictions, tanker, and hazmat. Mostly run a tank wagon, but they have me run ethanol loads in a big boy every now and then.

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kazilla99@reddit

Mind if I ask how much you're clearing a yead in that tank wagon? I might have a similar opportunity and I don't really know what the average is.

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saywhat181@reddit

I hit 70k last year.

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Duchess1992@reddit (OP)

I am definitely jealous 🤣

I've got zero restrictions, and hazmat experience, but no tanker experience. I too started driving a box truck, and looked at a driving school in my area, filled out their little pre-screening application, and they called me like 5 minutes after I filled it out. I went through school, and started driving the tractor trailer with the company I was already working for. Been doing that 13 years now

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Different-Grand-7473@reddit

Start out at a small Mexican owned place and get your experience then hit up a white owned spot.

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Duchess1992@reddit (OP)

I'm not gonna lie, that's a wild way of putting that lol

The gist of what you're saying is find a smaller company with less benefits and pay, and move to a better place once I have enough experience

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Different-Grand-7473@reddit

Ok you cleaned it up for me a little. Lmao

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every_body_killa@reddit

Eagle or Gemini

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MasterpieceAmazing87@reddit

I’m no hazmat guy, almost got into but if I were you..I’d go haul milk for a year then apply. Not sure what else to tell ya

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Present-Ambition6309@reddit

Love it when the tanks get sucked in, so cool to watch. 🤣 Not for the driver of course, but to see it, I crack up. Like a dry van driver leaving the doors open going down the road. 🤣 free comedy, especially coming out of LA, Ca. It’s hilarious to me.

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MasterpieceAmazing87@reddit

Ok

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Mindless_Sir_9612@reddit

Try florida rock always hiring will train

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Prune-These@reddit

Drive around in your car, when you see a fuel stopped and outside their truck ask if he knows of any companies hiring.

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throwra_sd2ba40858@reddit

Is there KAG out where you live? That’s kind of like the Swift for fuel hauling, and there everywhere in the country as far as I know. Florida or the south in general really is rough for fuel hauling from what I understand though, are you sure it’s worth it? I’ve heard guys out there getting like $25-$28.

Like other people said, you can try to get into food grade tankers to get that initial tanker experience. You could also try Class B hazmat hauling, some of those guys get paid just as much as the class A tractor-trailer drivers.

I had no hazmat/tanker experience when I started, and I didn’t go through one of the “starter” companies and I also didn’t know anyone that was already hauling fuel. I actually applied for every company in my area, and I went straight to hauling for a private fleet at around $2100-$2300 a week. I think what helped me though was having diversified experience. I’ve driven OTR, dry van/reefer, I’ve done local LTL with touch freight and doubles, I’ve hauled cars, driven belly dumps, and pulled pneumatic trailers since I started trucking 7 years ago. Fuel hauling isn’t a hard job, but requires a lot of attention to detail, because one fuck up could cost a lot of money. The average reefer OTR driver doesn’t even do a pre trip, my boss would rather have someone like me with 6 years experience that’s open to learning and can adapt to different work environments than a driver that just drove on a mostly empty interstate for 15 years. That’s why I always tell new drivers to focus on experience and learning rather than just trying to get money.

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absurdistpassenger@reddit

It wouldn't pay shit in Florida anyway

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lawrence_k@reddit

Groendyke and Dana Transport

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Redsoxdragon@reddit

It helps a ton to have non haz tanker or general hazmat experience. You're also probably applying to the higher end jobs without knowing. Up in my parts, there's fuel haul companies that pay $45+ an hour but ain't touch you without tears of fuel experience, but here's companies that'll get you in at the low $30s.

When you're doing fuel; it's genuinely one of the most expensive lines to train a driver. You have to put a high income guy in with a higher income trainer for 1-2 months while you wait on authorization from terminals. It's thousands of dollars to do that, you gotta do tests, get in practice loads and do a practical exam to get cleared. And depending on your area, you could have severalnto go through. Not too many companies want to bite that bullet

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Duchess1992@reddit (OP)

Pool water

I'm pretty sure there are more pools than people down here, especially in Central Florida. I 100% going to look into that!

I always figured people just put a hose into their pool, and wait until it's full. Why I thought that, I don't know, I've never really seen a pool get filled, I've only just been in full pools.

Thank you!!!!!

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mistman1978@reddit

Move!

Absolutely not kidding. Florida has a huge oversupply of truck drivers. Getting a good local gig in Florida is possible but luck/timing is a big factor.

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Duchess1992@reddit (OP)

That is the one thing I'm not willing to do. But I definitely appreciate the input

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derpmcturd@reddit

I mean, you dont have to leave your home to move. Get a license in a different state, try jobs there, open a ups mailbox, find a company that goes to florida, thee are many ways to do things

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Duchess1992@reddit (OP)

DOT wouldn't like me getting a license in a state I don't live in, but what I can do is maybe look for a company that has a terminal in Florida but is it necessarily based out of Florida. My current company for example is based out of Denver, but goes to Florida on a pretty consistent basis, and that's where my in was. I can look at surrounding states, that are looking for OTR with a terminal in Florida but getting licensed in another state unfortunately isn't legal.

I do appreciate your input, and I hadn't really considered looking for companies that are based elsewhere with routes to Florida, I've only been looking within Florida. A simple oversight, but one I missed all the same. Thank you

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InterestingMatter506@reddit

You asked how and got the answer and now you’re not willing to accommodate lol.

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Duchess1992@reddit (OP)

I have gotten other responses that don't require me to upend my entire life. Moving out of Florida isn't something I'm willing to do, and I feel like that's pretty reasonable. If you combine the other responses I've gotten on this post, both publicly, and privately, moving isn't a necessity. I'm not currently desperate for a job, but I would like to get into hauling fuel.

If you have any constructive advice, I'm more than willing to hear what you have to say. Moving is my only caveat. Others have suggested food grade liquid, bulk products, and other non-fuel specific products like chemicals. All of those are good options, and I am implementing them in my long term strategy.

Thanks in advance for your helpful input

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Crushker@reddit

Also depends what part of Florida too. I was in the panhandle and there wasn't shit for a trucking company up there. At least no one that would pay anything.

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commandough@reddit

The cushy 100k a year home every night jobs are ones where you need to know somebody already at the company

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LLCoolDave82@reddit

When all else fails get hired at Florida Rock and Tank. Lol

Where do you live in Florida?

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Baconated-Coffee@reddit

Florida Rock and Tank is like Welfare Express of fuel hauling in the south east.

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notbannd4cussingmods@reddit

Yep. Fuck these fuckers. They will train you right though.

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Wheres_Jay@reddit

I heard UPT bought this company. UPT is a good option to get carded, then bounce!

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bcsublime@reddit

I would recommend getting some non hazmat tanker experience first, a tanker full of fluid takes some getting used to. Nothing like the feeling of slosh pushing you past the intended stop point even when driving cautiously

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Duchess1992@reddit (OP)

I will definitely look into it, thank you!

It's not necessarily liquid, but it does act like liquid. I've hauled bread and those racks break loose constantly, and they essentially act like liquid and will push you beyond your intended stopping point. It's pretty easy to tell when they break loose, and depending on where you're delivering to, you can go into the back of the trailer to fix it.

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Gonzotrucker1@reddit

How many jobs in the last 10 years? That could hurt you badly for any job.

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Duchess1992@reddit (OP)

Two in the last 10 years. Three technically four because one company bought out another in my entire career

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Beneficialsensai@reddit

Companies have their pick of drivers right now,keep trying and no most of them dont like you reaching out.Try dry bulk tankers,sugar,flour,cement.