Contractor...

If you can get on with Schneider bulk right out of school I say by all means go for it. Many will make fun of the company but ya know what? Schneider's bulk training is probably the best you can get for learning about a tanker, especially with it being chemicals. And their pay package isn't too shabby either.

For all to remember, chemical tankers generally get paid for everything related to work (just like a union job), wheras food-grade has greater potential to be more laid back with more miles, yet no accessory pay (depending on the company).

If you discover that you like tank but not hauling hazmat then switch to food-grade after ya get your time in. Many of us food-grade drivers got our start doing just that...myself included :roll:!

If you discover that tank is not for you for whatever reason, IMHO, you can go to dry van or reefer with a greater sense of awareness and safety than many other drivers of equal experience because of your time pulling a tanker.

Good luck and keep us posted on how you do.

These words should be etched in stone!!!!

I met a Canadian O/O tanker hauler from Mississuaga this week. He runs very hard (his words) and clears about $10,000 a month. A lot of empty miles (due in part to being from Canada, no doubt). He was under a load from ON, Longview, WA. Then he was headed to Central CA for orange juice back to ON. His current load from ON to Longview paid $3.00 per mile... I would look into food grade if I ever went back out long haul. I like no touch freight. But the little trucks is not cool. I'm 6'5" and it's bad times in a mid roof or smaller.

As long as we're posting pics of trucks:

http://www.millerphotos.net/truck.jpg

Is that Canadian or US dollars? There is quite a difference in pay if you compare Canadian dollars to US. I don't know what the exchange rate is at this point but last time I checked $1. Canadian was equal to $.64 US. 8)

He specifically said American dollars.

$3 a mile sounds a bit curious

Hey y'all...:D!

Just dropping in to tell everyone hello and let ya know I'll be a little busy the next week or so. I'll update all my numbers after I get back to the house in another couple weeks or so. Here's a brief summary of what's happened, and what's scheduled to happen for now.

I did that Georgia-California load as scheduled, then reloaded back up to Wisconsin. From there came down here to Fair Oaks (Indiana) for a couple days off, and heading out tomorrow for Tennessee. Then going down to Georgia and get a reload back to Iowa. Finally, will reload in Iowa back out to California, and then will work my way to Florida for more time off :lol: :lol: :lol:.

Y'all be safe, more later :wink:...

$3.00 a loaded mile is not uncommon in the world of tankers.

My contractors do better than $10, 000 per month.

We pull Chemicals though. Most aren't all that funky, a lot of lube oils.

There are some very good tanker outfits out there.

If you are thinking about making the change.

PM me or call 800-972-8789
Joe
Liquid Transport Corp.

Hello again to all!

Hope this finds everyone doing great as always and staying out of trouble. Myself, doing the usual of shifting-and-sloshing, eating, sleeping, working out, but most important, HAVING FUN :D! Guess I should get this caught up...

Week 14:
-Bradenton, FL to Blackshear, GA (via Mulberry, FL), then to Ripon, CA (354 empty-2,652 loaded=3,006 total.....washout and live load 04-04/0840-1045, live unload and washout 04-07/2000-2230).
End of week total: 3,006 miles.

Week 15:
-Ripon to Hilmar, CA, then to Greenwood, WI (29 empty-2,155 loaded=2,184 total.....washout and live load 04-08/1200-1415, live unload and washout 04-12/0800-0900).
End of week total: 2,184 miles.

Week 16:
-Greenwood to Fair Oaks, IN (time off), then to Antioch, TN (384 empty-391 loaded=775 total.....live load 04-16/1115-1150, live unload and washout 04-17/1200-1320).
-Antioch to Blackshear, GA, then to Lenox, IA (470 empty-1,193 loaded=1,663 total.....washout and live load 1400-1530, Drop & Hook 04-21).
End of week total: 2,438 miles.

Week 17:
-Lenox to Rembrandt, IA, then to Ripon, CA (170 empty-1,784 loaded=1,954 total.....Drop & Hook 04-22, Drop & Hook 04-24).
-Ripon to Tipton, CA, then to Waupun, WI (159 empty-2,228 loaded=2,387 total.....washout and live load 04-25/0015-0200, live unload and washout 04-28/0730-0845).
End of week total: 4,341 miles.

Week 18:
-Waupun to Fair Oaks, IN (day off), to Millersburg, OH, then to Abbeville, AL (525 empty-833 loaded=1,358 total.....washout and live load 05-01/0715-0850, live unload and washout 05-02/1200-1520).
End of week total: 1,358 miles.

From there boogied on over here to the house, where I'll be 'til Saturday. From there reloading down south and heading back out to California for Thursday morning. Y'all be safe, more later ;-)...

2005 Totals (with leaving out 05-07)
Miles: 48,414
Loads: 25 (50)
Live Loads/Unloads: 41 (82%)
Drop and Hooks: 9 (18%)
Length of Haul: 1,937 miles
Days Out/Working: 94
Days Off: 33

Jim Aartman Totals
Miles: 120,839
Loads: 61 (122)
Live Loads/Unloads: 108 (89%)
Drop and Hooks: 14 (11%)
Length Of Haul: 1,981 miles
Days Out/Working: 239
Days Off: 78

I see Jim Aartman trucks often on the 210 freeway. I keep looking for the Marines plate to see if it's you Cyanide. So if someday you see someone waving like crazy...it might be me! Glad to hear that somebody is having FUN out there. I'm sure that regular workouts help in that regard. I can tell the difference in my mood when I don't exercise. Congratulations on being so self disciplined.