After reading bits around here tankers seem good to get into. i got my hazmat and tanker endorsment, but no experience. what company would give me a break, or should i look into a speical class or something? if anyone knows i appreciate the advice.

Where do you live for starters?

I live in Theodore, AL, which is real near the gulf and next to Mobile, AL. I checked with Superior cause they got a plant bout half hour from me and Trimac does to but don't have enough experience to get on with either of them.

Clap for the Wolfman! :lol:

C.T.L. then...

As much as I hate to say that! However, they are a good place to start from and learn the tank side of the business, and learn it safely. But get out of there after a year and move on to a company who has better pay, benefits, and hometime for doing the same job.

Am I biased? Yes I sure am. I bounced all of the runs I did my first month with Superior following training and used the comparitive pay rate for my present experience as if I was with C.T.L again....after the first month alone I was over $400 gross lower than what I made here :shock:! Not suprising since C.T.L. hasn't made any changes to their pay package since mid-2001.

In my opinion it's the same as starting for a lower c.p.m. van/reefer carrier who will train you so you can get your first year in (insert name here), then moving onto Crete/Shaffer for example.

:wink:

Wolfman is inquiring about tankers however, not Acklie...

And if he is wanting to do tankers from the start and can get his foot in the door he should even if with a "tanker starter company" such as C.T.L. Yes, even though C.T.L.'s not the greatest, to get your foot in the door and learn tankers they are very good as a stepping stone. An additional plus is that they have a terminal literally right in his backyard.

Transitioning from one tank outfit to another after a year of experience is much easier than coming from a van/reefer. You'll already know what to expect with the tank and it's handling characteristics, as well as the different aspects of chemicals, associated hazards, load/unload procedures, etc. The biggest point of contention is simply learning the new company's way of doing things. Which is much easier than trying to teach an experienced freight-hauler how to handle a tanker.

:wink:

I appreciate it man. Funny enough, I've been kinda funneled into checking out CTL because everyone else said i don't have the experience. I filled out their online applaication and called them yesterday but got an answering machine. Gonna go down there in person today and see whts what.
Thanks for the help and the advice.

If CTL will cover Wolfman's taste for a tanker in AL, where would a new driver find a suitable "training" tanker outfit in the west? Say the Phoenix AZ area. Granted I can search for all this info yet won't find the seasoned experience this forum can provide.

you might try highway transport. they have a 2 week tanker course, not sure what the qualifications are, but they are a great company, they have terminals in Chattanooga, knoxville and Houston, not sure if they have others or not
http://www.hytt.com/wwwroot2/hyttEmp...aspx?type=1000