Milk tanker drivers

[madpuppy]

:?: Can any one tell me what a dairy ( farm ) milk tanker driver makes hourly ? teamster in California, I have been driving for a large grocery distribution center, and after twenty years I`m looking for a change. Any information will be appreciated 8)

[madpuppy]

8) I found out myself, and if anyone is interested, a local teamster milk farm p/u driver makes 15.00 hr. plus benies for you and the family, it is a very long day. This is not what I am looking for now anyway !.I guess I will stay hauling groceries for 23.00 hr. plus benies. Thank you to the drivers that read my post. C-YA 8)

[rcpilot]

I worked for tanker co. in Cali last year doing the local ranch pickup and your right, it's long days and low pay.. I'm now driving for them again doing the OTR or as they call it Line-Haul, more money, MUCH better equipment... I'm driving again for Jim Aartman. If ya want something different and don't mind being on the road check them out

[Jackrabbit379]

I wouldnt know what they make. I see the same guys that haul milk. Seems like a lot of dedicated runs, hauling milk. There is one in Windthorst,Tx. About 30 miles south of Wichita Falls. Lonestar Milk.

[GOOSEMAN]

I pull milk out of Michigan to Indy, Penn, Ohio, Ken, Ill. Drove Class "A" equipment 379 Pete's, oldest truck is a 2005. We run with 5 OTR trucks, 6 farm pick-up trucks.
The apy varies - $170 - $250 a run, depending on what location your heading to.
The OTR guys run a odd 3rd shift, depending on where I'm going I head out between 10p. - 12a. home sometime mid-day.
Enjoying the job alot, not really getting rich, but I drive incredibly maintained/clean & awesome trucks. Home during most of the day with the family.
And all I have to do is drive (5.7 miles) to the shop, Pre-Trip my truck and roll............Came back, park my truck and come home !!! (opps) turn my paperwork in.

So. to answer your question $1470.00 a week....(gross) - 7 days..

[mike3fan]

I pull milk out of Michigan to Indy, Penn, Ohio, Ken, Ill. Drove Class "A" equipment 379 Pete's, oldest truck is a 2005. We run with 5 OTR trucks, 6 farm pick-up trucks.
The apy varies - $170 - $250 a run, depending on what location your heading to.
The OTR guys run a odd 3rd shift, depending on where I'm going I head out between 10p. - 12a. home sometime mid-day.
Enjoying the job alot, not really getting rich, but I drive incredibly maintained/clean & awesome trucks. Home during most of the day with the family.
And all I have to do is drive (5.7 miles) to the shop, Pre-Trip my truck and roll............Came back, park my truck and come home !!! (opps) turn my paperwork in.

So. to answer your question $1470.00 a week....(gross) - 7 days..

Sounds like someone drives for Joe,where in the hell is Corunna anyway? 8)

[GOOSEMAN]

Southwest of where Joe's shop is at.... @ 15 miles to downtown Corunna.

[joettanne]

but I drive incredibly maintained/clean & awesome trucks.

Milk trucks always look so nice and clean. Do you have to work the weekends as well? Are the tankers full-bore or are there ones with separate compartments?

[madpuppy]

8) There are no baffles in milk tanks as far as I know, and as for working weekends, I know a group of farm drivers have been trying to get the cows to take the weekends off for a long time ! but as of yet the cows are standing there ground and saying no, :twisted: they want to be milked every day

[joettanne]

Yep! Those darned old cows! Just keep makin that milk 24/7, 365/year!
So that would certainly be a disadvantage to hauling milk from the farm. I read your earlier post, and you mentioned that all they pay is $15.oo/hr. That doesn't seem like much for hauling tanker.
Is there a special endorsement for tanker in California?

[GOOSEMAN]

Joe:

#1. - That is the only kicker, I haul Milk 365, pretty good if I need a day off here and there.

#2. - Smooth-bore, Yes it is what you think, it really takes some getting used to.. It will move you 1' - 2' in either direction at a stop , if you ain't got a good foot on the brake. And you seem to take the curves and turns a whole lot smoother and slower !!!

As far as the trucks, you could eat off any part of the truck and trailer. There is a 4 mon guy that washes the inside and out [every] time you park it in between runs. The trucks looks like they have rolled off the showroom floor everytime I get into it...

It' a lot of fun driving something that looks and runs like new for a long time !![/u]

[GOOSEMAN]

Joe - Where have you seen the trucks before ?????

[Mackman]

A nice new clean truck doesnt pay the bills. keep that in mind. Give me a 25 year old mack ro model and 25 bucks and hr and i will be happy. But a nice truck does make your job nicer.

[GOOSEMAN]

Mack: You are right about getting $25 an hour, but I tell you what, every night that I get in my truck I know in the back of my mind, that I don't have to worry about it breaking down and not making any money at all.

Got to admit that getting into and driving a spotless well maintained truck , kind of puts a smile on your face as you heading down the road !!!

[joettanne]

Joe - Where have you seen the trucks before ?????

Joe!? Are you referring to me? I'm Annie. :wink: LOL

I haul smooth bore tanker. So I know all about the 'wave'!

There are a lot of milk trucks here and they are always nice looking as well. A lot of them have the chrome rims all around. The tanks are all stainless steel and always kept clean. The trucks are all fairly new. But they have to be because like you said, the trucks go every day of the year.

I live in a farming community and one goes by here every second day for farm pick-up. But you run the highway right? You don't do farm pick-up?

Annie

[madpuppy]

8) yes you have to have a tanker endorsement in Ca. And I was told by a Teamster agent the pay is 15.00 an hr. plus benies

[GOOSEMAN]

Annie:

I run OTR, Ken. - Tenn. - Ohio - Ill. - Indy.

You are right chrome right to left / top to bottom, I'm soooooo glad I don't have to polish it once a week, like they do !!!