I agree.....CTL may not have the best overall pay package in the tank industry....but they are a good place to start out. They will train you right, and get you started..... 8)

 

Yes and no. Lots of OTR companies have you with a trainer for 2 months. Thats fine by me if I start with SC. Specially since im a newbie. Ill take ALL the training I an get. Your training was only 2 weeks shy of 2 months so not to big of a deal. Also it depends whether you work 5 or 6 days a week. Once again, ill take the training.

 

More training is "better" than less training when it comes to tanker operations. Our trainers have one heckuva lot of experience...especially with tankers.

The longer period of training...or so it might seem....but in actuality is roughly the same as regular OTR....is more intense as it will generally be more hands on...because you will be learning the "safety protocols" or the "ropes" of many of our shippers and receivers. All are not the same, and some have their quirks..... But you will learn how to "air off" and "pump off" loads....and you will learn it well. You will also learn to do it by following a process that works properly. Driving....you will learn how to drive correctly and handle a "smooth-bore" tanker and control the surge and not get beat up by it. Its "all about SAFETY".....and you will learn how to do it all "SAFELY"! The school in Kingsport is fairly intense and deals with a lot of Hazmat handling and some hands on as well. And the two gentlemen who teach the week long course are very good at what they do.

Its well worth the time and effort. 8)

 

well, tomorrow i go get my first load. i'll have an experienced guy in my passenger seat watching me do it and making sure i don't kill myself. otherwise it's all on me.
it'll be a waste pickup, and my first time pulling a loaded tanker.
i'll follow up with impressions if i make it thru alive

 

arty:

 

Sooo....the "Slacker" surfaces!!! Phone tag...you're it!!! :P

 

He just wants to see a noob take a chemical shower :P
man, it's too early...


Okay, so i went to illinois, picked up 3500 gallons or so of waste, and pulled it back into wisconsin.
I was pretty sweaty and tense on the first stretch of road trying not to slam it around too much. I felt it, but i think i kept it under control. It's not like it's going to just fly off into space for no reason. They may be getting ready to turn me loose soon.

tomorrow i have to deliver a new trailer to the main headquarters tomorrow. so it'll be a night in the truck. whee! i can finally catch up on all my stockpiled podcasts i save for driving.

 

He tagged me when I was in High Point Wed. with his gangster joke. hahaha, caught me off guard.

 

spent 5 hours in the tank wash and 1 hour on the shoulder after getting rear-ended.
what a pain in my ass :/

 

Harleypiper... Always be on your guard when dealing with me! :lol:

DDCavi... Keep that positive attitude going and eventually good things will come your way.

Phreddo... dammit man! Are you okay? At least you got paid for it all right?

About to hit the hay and wanted to say hi to everyone again and update things quickly. Still slacking off in FL til Monday so my son and I are definitely cramming in more movies and cook outs with the extra time. Looks like we'll break out the dvd's and watch the not-so-new, yet improved entertainment system at home there (new sub woofer for the surround system and we modified how the t.v. is mounted in the entertainment center). Definitely makes a difference! Now, once I go pick up that new high-def dvd player and do some other minor tweaks to everything..... :roll:

Anyway, I'll catch back up with y'all later. Here's what's happened up to recently. Be safe and have fun!

Week 19
-Valparaiso, IN (hook preloaded tank)
-Valpo, IN to Westville, IN (drop loaded tank, hook preloaded tank)
-----Westville, IN to Elizabeth, CO (driver unload with truck pump)
-----Elizabeth, CO to Westville, IN (drop dirty tank, wash fittings, hook preloaded tank)
-Westville, IN to Huntsville, AL (customer unload)
-Huntsville, AL to Valpo, IN (drop dirty tank)
Gross: $4,559.65
Miles: 3,409
Avg.: $1.337/mile

Week 20
-Valpo, IN (hook preloaded tank)
-Valpo, IN to Huntsville, AL (customer unload)
-Huntsville, AL to Valpo, IN (drop dirty tank, hook preloaded tank)
-----Valpo, IN to Huntsville, AL (customer unload)
-----Huntsville, AL to Jacksonville, FL (drop dirty tank)
Gross: $2,371.96
Miles: 2,277
Avg.: $1.041/mile

Week 21
-N/A due to time off.

Superior Carriers, (Dedicated Account) Independent Contractor Totals, January 01 to May 25, 2008:
Gross Revenue: $56,062.86
Hub Miles: 44,095 (ALL ODOMETER miles off-duty and on-duty.)
Loaded Miles: 23,833 (54%)
Empty Miles: 20,262 (46%)
Avg. Revenue: $1.271/mile
Total expenses: $36,852.80 ($12,105.80 Fixed and Variable Costs, $24,747.00 Fuel for 7,017.283 gallons.....6.283 m.p.g. and $3.526/gallon)
Taxable Net: $19,210.06
Avg. Taxable Net: .435/hub mile
Days Working: 84 (58%)
Days Off: 62 (42%)

Compared to what I did as a company driver...

Superior Carriers, Company Driver (July 31, 2006 to Oct. 07, 2007)
Gross Pay: $61,343.70 (All mileage pay, training pay, orientation pay, hourly pay, holiday pay, personal day pay, vacation pay)
Hub miles: 115,898 (ALL ODOMETER miles off-duty and on-duty.)
Avg.: .529/mile
Days Working: 318 (72%)
Days Off: 124 (28%)

Superior Carriers, (Dedicated Account) I/C Totals, Oct. 08, 2007 to May 25, 2008:
Gross Revenue: $87,866.64
Hub Miles: 71,773 (ALL ODOMETER miles off-duty and on-duty.)
Loaded Miles: 38,650 (54%)
Empty Miles: 33,123 (46%)
Avg. Revenue: $1.224/mile
Total expenses: $57,315.73 ($18,029.16 Fixed/Variable Costs, $39,286.57 Fuel for 11,573.323 gallons.....6.201 m.p.g. and $3.394/gallon)
Taxable Net: $30,550.91
Avg. Taxable Net: .425/hub mile
Days Working: 136 (59%)
Days Off: 95 (41%)

:wink: