Cyanide

I was thinking about tanker driving after I attend school. Just how many times a day/week do u have to climb up top the tank? Is putting on the protective suit a daily occurrence or seldom done? According to your posts the farthest West u go is Tennessee. If I sign on with your sister company Carry Transport, Just how far West would they go? If u wanted as must home time as possible which division would u sign up for?

thanks

crunch

I saw one of those Volvos in Springfield a couple of weeks ago.

Crunchy you will get on the dome every time you hook up to a tank and anytime you are loading or unloading. I usually look on top for leaks en route but that doesn't require going all the way on top.

Rob

I got a bad knee. Would driving food stuffs around for Carry be any easier? I was kinda hoping it would all be hook and drop. hehe

thanks

crunch

I would think that this job would be very difficult with a bad knee,There are times when I have to get on top of the tank multiple times a day.

Crunchyknees wrote:You aren't going to find a 100% drop-and-hook tanker operation with any of the major players out here. Even with food-grade you still must climb up top and open/close the dome lid as necessary. Food-grade companies such as Carry, Foodliner, L.C.L., H.R. Ewell, etc. where the driver unloads the majority of the products can actually do more work than us chemical transporters. Trust me, my wife can testify to that! :wink:

Typically, I climb up on the tank several times a day:

1. When I hook a clean tank at a tankwash or terminal, I go up top to secure the dome, and make sure all of the washout caps are tight.

2. When the tank is finished being loaded, whether on the shippers property or off...depending on their rules...I go back up and double check the securement of all dome dogs and washout caps, and also make sure the valve on the "christmas tree is closed and the chicago fitting is on.

3. If I offload that same day....usually I will go up to either hook up the air or nitrogen line to "air off" the load, or will open the dome for a pump off. In some cases the bulk unloaders will do this. But when the unload is complete, I will still go up and make sure all is secure and tight.

4. If I am making a run that goes over night, after my ten hour break is over, and I reinspect the rig before moving....I go up on top to make sure everything is nice and tight. Vibration and temperature changes can cause things to loosen up a little.

5. Even if its a "drop and hook"....I am up and down the ladder to make sure everything is secure. I trust no-one....to do my job. I am ultimately responsible, and I make sure that everything is right before I move the truck and do enroute checks as required or needed.

As you can see...we are up and down a lot.

I think if you really have bad knees...if could be a difficult job for you. If you have problems walking on a narrow platform...and risk having a knee give out...as in its happened before....tanks may not be a good idea. While the compensation for pulling chemical tanks is very good in comparison...the reality is that it is a "safety sensitive" job...and you have to be able to climb up on the tank ladder and walk the platform, and be able to bend and tighten caps....the gratings (walkways) are rough and not nice on knees...I do it all standing up.

New Volvos...

Are limited in number and being assigned to the most productive drivers in the fleet (or at least are supposed to be) so that they can run the hell out of them and try to break them. Apparently Volvo has given us these trucks with a 5-year/500,000 mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, and the company wants to see exactly how well they are concerning reliability and when something does break, how good that warranty truly is!

Anyway, just finishing up unloading here in Huntsville (nothing new there :P), and will update what I can now before heading back north. Y'all be safe and have fun...

Week 22
-Jacksonville, FL (hook clean tank)
-Jacksonville, FL to Savannah, GA (live load)
-Savannah, GA to Greenfield, IA (customer unload)
-Greenfield, IA to Westville, IN (drop dirty tank)
-----Westville, IN to Valparaiso, IN (hook preloaded tank)
-----Valparaiso, IN to Huntsville, AL (customer unload)
-----Huntsville, AL to Valpo, IN (drop dirty tank)
Gross: $4,095.75
Miles: 3,032
Avg.: $1.35/mile

Superior Carriers, (Dedicated Account) Independent Contractor Totals, January 01 to June 01, 2008:
Gross Revenue: $60,156.61
Hub Miles: 47,127 (ALL ODOMETER miles off-duty and on-duty.)
Loaded Miles: 25,632 (54%)
Empty Miles: 21,495 (46%)
Avg. Revenue: $1.276/mile
Total expenses: $39,359.17 ($12,410.65 Fixed and Variable Costs, $26,948.52 Fuel for 7,507.286 gallons.....6.277 m.p.g. and $3.589/gallon)
Taxable Net: $20,797.44
Avg. Taxable Net: .441/hub mile
Days Working: 89 (58%)
Days Off: 64 (42%)

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

Superior Carriers, Company Driver Aug. 05, 2006 to Oct. 07, 2007 (Training status July 31 to Aug. 4, 2006)
Gross Pay: $61,343.70 (All training pay, mileage 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 June 01, 2008:
Gross Revenue: $91,962.39
Hub Miles: 74,805 (ALL ODOMETER miles off-duty and on-duty.)
Loaded Miles: 40,449 (54%)
Empty Miles: 34,356 (46%)
Avg. Revenue: $1.229/mile
Total expenses: $59,822.10 ($18,334.16 Fixed/Variable Costs, $41,488.09 Fuel for 12,063.326 gallons.....6.201 m.p.g. and $3.439/gallon)
Taxable Net: $32,140.29
Avg. Taxable Net: .429/hub mile
Days Working: 141 (59%)
Days Off: 97 (41%)

:wink:

As for Baby Bullseye (Carry Transit), she ran locally pretty much all of last week and ended up grossing a little over $1,100 off of 600 or so miles! :shock: Believe you me, she ran her azz off and hustled hard doing all that local stuff! :lol:

Yea I did just miss you. I just got back from Wicklilffe KY, funny people down there. Dropped dirty tank at Kingsport, got loaded in Va. and have to deliver Monday in Revere Ma. Tuesday off to Cleveland and deadhead back. I think I'm going home on Wed. and make a long weekend of it. Not sure where I'm going next week, but I'll drop a note before then and see if your around.

Great check list there Rob !! A "slosh test" is in order to! Always nice to find out if a leak is in the works.

Damn...now you made my back ache !!! All that climbing you reminded my of !!

Stan...good point on the "slosh test"....I generally do one as well, and especially if the load is "Hazmat"....

My wife says since I started this job... "My buns are tighter"! :oops: :oops: 8) I guess its all that up and down on the ladder. 8)

LOL. Glad it was the wife saying that, and not the guy that just washed out the tank. :lol:

Skywalker wrote:Tell the truth... What you're really doing is straddling a wheel over your shoulders with your head poking through the center hub and doing deep, high-rep squats!!! :lol: BTW, those do happen to work great when you're at a terminal and just can't swing by the local gym... :roll: :twisted:

Cy

How bout the protective suit. Is wearing that a daily ritual? It must get awfully hot in there!!

Crunch

I've worn my rain suit twice in 18 months,and never have put on my white cover-all suit(wonder where that is?).

I was heading up I-95 from Daytona to Flagler and came across a Superior Carrier tanker this morning (6/19) around 7:45am. Was it anyone that reads or posts to this thread? I was glad to see an SC tanker running in my area. I'm still hoping to apply to the company or it's sister company Carry. Just wondering.

yeah, i've worn the rainsuit once so far, for some caustic biocide.
basically, i hooked everything up, put on the suit, opened the valves, took a few steps back, opened my coat, and let it run. then when it was done, i close up my coat, undid all the stuff, then ripped taht sucker off.

i've worn the respirator a couple times, when dealing with waste acetone. you get your face over the manhole with a tankload of that, it's pretty hard to breathe. Ick.

there's a bit of a learning curve with tanker, the big thing being that so far i seem to have 24 hours to deliver any load. That's plenty of time for these loads unless you hit any glitches or delays.

My worst so far was picking up in missouri, they had me at the shipper loading for 3 hours, didn't get out of there until 1100, then they (the shipper) were telling me it had to be on the other side of atlanta by 730 local or it would be refused. the miles were fine for the time, but it was some slow going thru a lot of 2 lane roads and construction zones. let's just say i took one for the team, but that's the only one they get from me like that.

Welcome your newest baby brother to the Superior family! FINALLY found out today I was accepted for the entry-level driver position WOOT! Im so happy, I worked my ass off for this spot. Fresh out of school this is the only place I truely wanted to be. I have worked, and I will CONTINUE to work to earn and keep this spot. Im here, happy, and at home. I have the pee test and physical hopefully Monday which will be a piece of pie. I just want to be locked in and have my name placed on payroll before I get totally excited.

So what can I expect family? How do I start off? I know, be myself and continue to be professional. Any tips? Heads up?

:P :D :P :D :P :D :P :D :P :D :P :D :P :D :P

Congrats. I also started with them right out of school. I recorded my training experiences on another board. You have a PM with the link.

I've been visiting this website for several years now. I have been thinking about going back to driving a truck. I drove OTR for 2 years back in '85. I haven't been happy with my current job but I'm nervous about making the jump. Being fuel prices are through the roof and I've heard that there are drivers scared of losing their jobs. I have talked to the terminal manger in Wilmington, NC last year, told him my employment history and he said I should have no problem getting on with Superior. I will be calling him again soon. But my question is, my job I have now is secured, but I'm miserable, would it be wise for me to get my CDL and apply a driving job with Superior or stay put and wait for the economy to get better? How secure do you guys feel at this moment? Thanks.

DDCavi..... CONGRATS and welcome aboard! Take in everything that you can while with your trainer(s). It will go a long way to help you out with being brand new into the industry. Also, don't hesitate to ask questions here if anything pops into your head about the job or the company; and that is bound to happen sooner or later.

Crunchyknees..... Wearing your full suit daily is almost non-existent unless you run locally, which from my experience with C.T.L. involved almost 100% corrosive products. Depending upon the company as well, as a road/system driver, you can literally go months without ever breaking your suit out. The only time recently that I myself ever suit up is when I pull a load from Kingsport, TN back up to Indianapolis (did that a few weeks ago which is listed below). Yes it can get very hot and uncomfortable wearing full gear, but better to be safe than to risk chemical burns or worse.

FlaCrakr..... Nope, it wasn't me you saw. I didn't get back down to FL until a couple days later. Stay positive bro, you may just end up in one of these blue trucks just yet!

BobMack..... I can't or won't suggest anything concerning your situation and possibly coming here but I will say this, I am very secure with my job and am confident that Skywalker and a few others who do and don't post on here or other message boards would say the same thing.

Y'all have a safe and happy Independence Day. Don't blow yourselves up!!! :lol: Most recent numbers in next post.

2008, six months down...six months to go

Hope this finds everyone well. Just sitting around slacking for the holiday weekend, about to have a big barbecue and then enjoy the festivities tonight...safely of course! :P Here's what's been happening over the last (almost) month. I'll catch up with y'all later on, have a few cold beers calling my name!

:D

Week 23
-Valparaiso, 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 Valpo, IN (drop dirty tank, hook preloaded tank)
-----Valpo, IN to Westville, IN (drop loaded tank, hook preloaded tank)
-Westville, IN to Huntsville, AL (customer unload)
-Huntsville, AL to Valpo, IN (drop dirty tank, hook preloaded tank)
-Valpo, IN to Westville, IN (drop loaded tank), then home.
Gross: $4,899.46
Miles: 3,512
Avg.: $1.395/mile

Week 24
-Valpo, IN (hook preloaded tank)
-Valpo, IN to Huntsville, AL (customer unload)
-Huntsville, AL to Westville, IN (drop dirty tank, hook preloaded tank)
-----Westville, IN to Huntsville, AL (customer unload)
-----Huntsville, AL to Valpo, IN (drop dirty tank, hook preloaded tank)
-Valpo, IN to Westville, IN (drop loaded tank, hook preloaded tank)
-----Westville, IN to Huntsville, AL (customer unload)
-----Huntsville, AL to Valpo, IN (drop dirty tank)
Gross: $4,739.47
Miles: 3,389
Avg.: $1.398/mile

Week 25
-Valpo, IN (hook preloaded tank)
-Valpo, IN to Huntsville, AL (customer unload)
-Huntsville, AL to Westville, IN (drop dirty tank, hook preloaded tank)
-----Westville, IN to Bristol, VA (customer unload)
-----Bristol, VA to Kingsport, TN (drop dirty tank, hook preloaded tank)
-Kingsport, TN to Indianapolis, IN (customer unload w/driver assist)
-Indianapolis, IN to Westville, IN (drop dirty tank, hook preloaded tank)
-----Westville, IN to Huntsville, AL (customer unload)
-----Huntsville, AL to Jacksonville, FL (drop dirty tank)
Gross: $5,195.24
Miles: 3,426
Avg.: $1.516/mile

Week 26
N/A due to time off.

Superior Carriers, (Dedicated Account) Independent Contractor Totals, January 01 to June 29, 2008:
Gross Revenue: $74,990.78
Hub Miles: 57,454 (ALL ODOMETER miles off-duty and on-duty.)
Loaded Miles: 31,147 (54%)
Empty Miles: 26,307 (46%)
Avg. Revenue: $1.305/mile
Total expenses: $47,800.29 ($13,905.33 Fixed and Variable Costs, $33,894.96 Fuel for 9,092.694 gallons.....6.318 m.p.g. and $3.7279/gallon)
Taxable Net: $27,190.49
Avg. Taxable Net: .473/hub mile
Days Working: 107 (59%)
Days Off: 74 (41%)

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

Superior Carriers, Company Driver Aug. 05, 2006 to Oct. 07, 2007 (Training status July 31 to Aug. 4, 2006)
Gross Pay: $61,343.70 (All training pay, mileage 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 June 29, 2008:
Gross Revenue: $106,796.56
Hub Miles: 85,138 (ALL ODOMETER miles off-duty and on-duty.)
Loaded Miles: 45,964 (54%)
Empty Miles: 39,174 (46%)
Avg. Revenue: $1.254/mile
Total expenses: $68,283.02 ($19,828.69 Fixed/Variable Costs, $48,454.33 Fuel for 13,648.734 gallons.....6.237 m.p.g. and $3.548/gallon)
Taxable Net: $38,513.54
Avg. Taxable Net: .452/hub mile
Days Working: 159 (59%)
Days Off: 107 (41%)

:wink:

I start with Superior on August 4th WOOT!

So how much could one expect to profit as a minimum a week as a company driver for superior after gross?

Not sure what you are asking but I have averaged right at $1000 per week gross since I finished training and got out solo OTR. That is before taxes. I imagine it will slow up a little in Dec, Jan and Feb. The last month has been better than that. Since March my smallest check has been $750 gross and largest has been $1350. Managements promise of 48-52K per year seems very doable. I am a first year driver and seeing what the megacarrier training company guys are making I am happy. Note these numbers are before taxes and I don't take per diem

Thats exactly what I meant wsyrob you answered my question

The actual net income per driver will obviously vary depending upon individual tax withholdings, insurance choice, and 401k contribution. Also, some weeks will be better than others (i.e. a week where you're on time-off and perform minimal work or none at all). All things considered, I personally had no problems having more than enough money deposited into my account every week. True to form though, this will give you and anyone else interested my breakdown as a company driver here for weekly gross pay and miles. Though I think I'm missing a couple of weeks here......

Superior Carriers, Company Driver Aug. 05, 2006 to Oct. 07, 2007 (Training status July 31 to Aug. 4, 2006)
$616.46=====47.75 Hours (Training week)
$642.00======1,027 Miles
$1,467.56=====3,131
$1,069.49=====2,013
$1,261.10=====2,695
$1,117.88=====2,136
$926.52======2,005
$571.56========124 (Orientation week)
$1,440.82=====3,346
$1,377.71=====3,093
$1,677.98=====2,551
$899.13======1,372
$832.75======1,955
$758.78======1,752
$1,057.48=====1,838
$1,214.08=====2,575
$795.82======1,329
$764.07======1,332
$1,110.70=====2,381
$539.06======1,160
$1,487.38=====3,311
$106.40=========0
$1,142.07=====1,551
$780.76======1,514
$1,443.57=====3,216
$1,198.61=====1,947
$683.22======1,539
$1,039.30=====2,063
$877.76======2,019
$1,456.29=====2,915
$1,238.67=====2,080
$1,034.55=====2,150
$442.56=======666
$1,117.01=====1,865
$1,248.31=====2,070
$1,583.44=====3,212
$106.40=========0
$1,197.02=====1,748
$413.43=======431
$1,157.16=====2,038
$661.00=======938
$1,331.06=====2,968
$897.04======1,674
$1,413.73=====2,721
$1,357.80=====2,056
$649.99=======617
$1,468.27=====2,408
$1,157.51=====2,144
$216.60=======226
$1,363.77=====2,731
$648.03======1,651
$1,233.74=====2,488
$1,053.95=====1,792
$780.82=======226
$721.92=========0
$569.98=========0
$319.49=======704
$1,758.57=====3,182
$1,072.15=====2,196
$1,289.45=====2,150
$648.12======1,296
$834.63======1,161

:wink:

Off topic I know...but I saw one of Superiors new Volvo trucks yesterday...very nice!! Not a shabby young driver on it either...she was quite pleasant to talk with.

Huh :?:

You forgot the second half.... Not a shabby young driver on it either...she was quite pleasant to talk with!!!

"She" was maybe 31-32......I'm 51...she is "young".

Pubescence will possibly (doubtfully) ignite a longing for the fairer sex within DDCavi. Thus, maybe one day, he will understand what you were saying Stan. Then again, maybe not. :shock:

You still talking?

I got the "drift".....did you?

She sounds like someone I have met....and she's a really nice lady...and I mean that in a "proper way".... :D

Yea, I got the "jist". Hard to detect someone's emotions in a message.

I sure thought that I got the "drift" Skywalker. It is indeed unfortunate that DDCavi finds it humorous to insinuate that Orangetxguy was making a homosexual reference. I would think that a newbie tanker driver would show more respect. I personally am very disappointed, yet not surprised.

Are you serious? You definately have a one track mind. It sounded like he finds young drivers to be mostly "punks". I misunderstood the use of "shabby". God forbid you ever make a mistake. Belpre you need to get off your high horse.

PS I have TONS of respect for Orange, Skywalker, Cyanide, Wysrob and 99% of the other posters in this thread. This topic IS THE REASON I set my sight on Superior. Back off, im not going to fall for your immature personal attacks.

PSS I think this is the fourth time Ive edited this. I just want to make it absolutely clear, that I in NO way was trying to insinuate that. Belpre is just trying to incite an internet fight, while making me look bad infront of people I respect.

Welcome aboard DDCavi. I haven't been on here much, Been running like a dog. I'm out of Springfield Ma. so I'm sure we will bump into one another. You'll have a good time in Kingsport. Mike and Jack keep things light. Right now I'm in 8959 but that will end this week. My 08 is in and will be in that seat next month. I decided to take another 2 weeks off for some bikin's, bikes and beer in Newport, and a little fishing.

By the way, Springfield terminal is hiring, just got rid of a driver, things were not going his way. If anyone oiut there is interested, drop me a note.

You getting a new Volvo? Or still sporting an International? Thanks BTW, Im here to succeed even though Im scared beyond belief.

LOL....This got way out of hand...for some reason!!! I guess the next time I meet a "young" female driver...whom is pleasant on the eyes, as well as in conversation....I better refer to her has a "Hottie"!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

As for the other thing there DDC....

Listen to the people whom will be training you. Once you are "On your own"...always remember..slow & easy. If you have a question on ANYTHING when you are in a plant, you have the right...and are expected to excercise that right...to STOP and ask questions. Plenty of problems can be avoided by asking questions.

Also..as the driver of the truck...when you are in the plant...if you are uncomfortable with something...tell your contact. Most of the operator's you're going to be dealing with will know what to do, to aleveate your discomfort. They may know a different way to approach whatever situation is causing you to be uncomfortable...and believe me..each and every one of those operators wants to get you loaded and on the road just as safely as possible...so they will help you anyway they possibly can.

Some of these plants were not built for the trucks of today....it is allowed to stop and get out an look...as often as you need to get out and look. Even with a guide...it is expected that the driver look at every possible problem, before turning something insignificant....into something unmanagable.

.

Yep Dad, errrrr Stan. :wink: The prodigal son, DDCavi wandered out of the yard, fell in with a group of mangy mutts, and briefly forgot his manners. He's back on track now. I'm sure that he will be fine from now on. :wink:

No I will be in a International. I don't rate a Volvo yet. Though I have been getting as many miles as those guys. But SPCR only bought 20 or so to try out. But what the heck, their giving me a brand new truck to make money in, hmmmmmm no complaints. Don't be too nervous. I was a little too, but for the first few weeks they will probably keep you local letting you settle in then start sending you out. Like Orange said, Slow and Easy. Don't give a 2nd thought as to who is behind you trying to push you, take your time and get you and the product to the consgnee safe.. If your not sure ASK. So now I sit here in a hotel in Oshawa On. because the first sample didn't pass. So now I'm not getting unloaded till tomorrow a.m. sooooo lets see,
hotel paid for by consignee
30 hrs. demerge OUCH
paid to do nothing - priceless