Hey cyanide
 

Hey Leatherneck!! What can you tell me about aartmans New Mexico fleet. They called me from the Florida office and said they would like me to run the New Mexico fleet, but the girl couldnt tell me much about it, because shes only been there a couple months. So, before I said okay, I wanted to check in with you. Some guy is going to call me tomorrow to tell me more about it. She said they have a pretty large milk plant there (160 loads a day). Sounds like a semi regional thing - didnt know Aartman had something like that. Anyway, thought I'd ask. Semper Fi

Arik, before you commit to the Florida fleet I'd strongly suggest you call Jon out in Ripon and bounce what they've told you down there off him...800-871-9038, ext. 143.

thanks
 

Thanks for the info. I will call him first thing in the A.M. /something just didnt sit well when they said that about N.M fleet - sounded like a local thing, which usually only makes about $600 a week. I am not coming out on the road again to make $600 a week(on the raod again, meaning 48 state long haul - been regional for awhile, but tired of the low pay). Semper Fi.

I'm still alive y'all...

Just wanted to drop a quick line to everyone, hope y'all are doing great and staying safe. I'm doing great and just killing some time before loading tomorrow in Oregon heading down to Cali, then from there back to the Midwest! I'll update everything once I go back home, which won't be for another three weeks or so, but since leaving out have done FL-CA, CA-WI, WI-IA-OR, which is where we stand, rather sit at now LOL!!! I'm actually a day behind schedule due to the accident at Elk Mountain Sunday :cry:, but, as the old saying goes, there's a reason for everything...

Y'all be safe and have fun.

My dad used to drive a tanker, I don't know if I could stand the surge he talks about.

Sherri699...,

Hauling tanker is, in my opinion, the best part of this industry. As far as the surge is concerned, you have to be a smooth driver and exercise a lot of patience - every move you make, has to be planned ahead and executed in a smooth proficient manner. If not, the liquid can make your day long and hard. To each their own. To me, it beats the heck out of backing to a dock, and all the politics that go with it.

It's been a long time y'all!

I hope this finds everyone doing well and safe. I've been out having fun between work and working out over the past 6 1/2 weeks, and am glad to see the warm weather with as much as we run I-80 here. Things have been great as always, and am sitting around for the next week relaxing.

As I've said before, many of our runs are first come, first serve for unloading. And again, many products we haul simply do not have a delivery schedule that caters to slow, laid-back running due to temperature and product stability issues, especially during the warmer times of the year. :roll: :roll: :roll:

Now, let me get this thing picked up from where I left off way back when!

Week 11:
-Braselton, GA to Mulberry, FL (swap tanks), then to Auburndale, FL for load going to Anaheim, CA (529 empty + 21 empty + 2,521 loaded = 3,071 total.....live load 03-13/2130-2355, live unload 03-17/0800-1000).
End of week total: 3,071 miles.

Week 12:
-Anaheim, CA to Tulare, CA (tank wash and day off), then to Fresno, CA for load going to Neenah, WI (203 empty + 44 empty + 2,326 loaded = 2,573 total..... washout and live load 03-19/0600-1000, live unload and washout 03-23/0120-0330). This load was delivered almost seven hours ahead of schedule...
End of week total: 2,573 miles.

Week 13:
-Neenah, WI to Cedar Rapids, IA (via Rembrandt, IA for original scheduled load) for day off then load going to Portland, OR (643 empty + 1,913 loaded = 2,556 total.....washout and live load 03-25/0000-0200, live unload 03-29/0800-0915).
-Portland, OR to Vancouver, WA (tank wash), then to Hood River, OR for load going to Corona, CA (9 empty + 66 empty +1,070 loaded = 1,145 total + $30.....live load 03-30/1130-1315, live unload 04-01/1600-1730). This was one of our Western Regional Division loads, hence the extra $15 each for loading and unloading.
End of week total: 3,701 miles.

Week 14:
-Corona, CA to Chino, CA (tank wash), then to Tipton, CA for load going to Stockton, IL via Salt Lake City, UT (5 empty + 210 empty + 2,070 loaded = 2,285 total.....washout and live load 04-02/0015-0325, live unload and washout 04-05/0700-0830). This load was delivered eleven hours ahead of schedule...
End of week total: 2,285 miles.

Week 15:
-Stockton, IL to Neosho, MO for day off then load going to Vernon, CA (622 empty + 1,545 loaded = 2,167 total.....washout and live load 04-07/0530-0740, live unload 04-10/0730-1100).
-Vernon, CA to Tulare, CA (tank wash), then to Tipton, CA for load going to Waupun, WI via Salt Lake City, UT (177 empty + 11 empty + 2,188 loaded = 2,376 total.....washout and live load 04-11/0945-1230, live unload and washout 04-14/1700-1935). This load was delivered thirteen hours ahead of schedule...
End of week total: 4,542 miles.

Week 16:
-Waupun, WI to Cedar Rapids, IA for load going to Escondido, CA via Salt Lake City, UT (222 empty + 1,916 loaded = 2,138 total.....washout and live load 04-16/0000-0230, live unload 04-19/0700-0830).
End of week total: 2,138 miles.

Week 17:
-Escondido, CA to Tulare, CA (tank wash), then to Tipton, CA for load going to Waupun, WI via Salt Lake City, UT (275 empty + 11 empty + 2,188 loaded = 2,474 total.....washout and live load 04-20/0945-1515, live unload and washout 04-23/1800-2200). This load was delivered twelve hours ahead of schedule...
-Waupun, WI to Fair Oaks, IN for a day off, then load going to Spartanburg, SC (233 empty + 646 loaded = 879 total.....live load 04-25/0300-0345, live unload and washout 04-27/0415-0600). After unloading I booked it on down here to the house and as I said earlier, just relaxing and enjoying my time off.
End of week total: 3,353 miles.

You'll notice I've added a couple of new items in my statistics. One is the loaded miles and loaded length of haul in comaprison to the total miles/total L.O.H. Another is my actual odometer miles versus paid, dispatched miles. This figure obviously adds a few extra miles I drive when taking time off be it at home or on the road, which includes going to various gyms around the country, going shopping, to the movies, sightseeing, etc.

2006 Totals (with leaving out 05-08 ):
Paid Dispatched Miles: 48,200.....39,847 loaded
Actual Driven Miles: 48,712 (+512 miles = .011%)
Loads: 22 (44)
Live loads/unloads: 43 (98%)
Drop and Hooks: 1 (2%)
Length of Haul: 2,192 miles.....1,811 loaded
Days working: 94
Days off: 33 (23-Home, 10-Road)

Y'all be safe and have fun :wink:...

Cyanide,

Just wanted to give you a word of thanks for the information thread you keep up here to help us out. Your postings helped me decide to go ahead and try out tanker. I have finished CDL school and I think I got real fortunate by getting on with Superior Carriers right out of school. The terminal manager says I will go through a 12 week training program with them to get me a good start in pulling tanker. Thanks to you I have at least a small glimpse into the good and bad of pulling tanker.

Again, thanks for taking the time to post for those of us just getting started.

Your very much welcome!

Hey Redeemed! I'm glad I could help out. Please keep us posted on how your training goes and how Superior does things, if possible.

On another note, I had the pleasure of meeting Skywalker the other day. Hey Rob, maybe next time you won't be so rushed and you can come over for dinner :P!

Y'all be safe :wink:...

You got it Cyanide. I will start a thread up next week about my time with Superior. I get to meet my driver trainer Monday morning at 7:30am. We are supposed to head up to Cleveland NC for a pickup. I am excited and a little nervous to finally get started. I'll update as I can.

Thanks again!

Carlo, next time we can get together in Jax....I will find a way to spend more time with you....and take you up on that dinner invitation. Sorry I had to run, but you know how it goes..... :? :D :D

Devil Dog!!
 

Cyanide, whats going at Aartman now days?? Thought Id touch base with you, since our last convo. Well, they couldnt hire me, because I live in Texas. Had everhting approved, ready to roll out for orientation, and I believe it was Ron from Cali, who called me and said it would be too difficult for them to get me here for hometime. Thats a new one for me, but I also understand the running lanes, and the difficulty with hauling food grade(time sensitive). I guess I live too far from some of their accounts, which is typical for the part of Texas I live in, unles you are a flatbedder. But hey, if I ever move out of here, will be running for Aartman. As for now, still yankina tank in Texas!!! Take care leatherneck, and we'll shout at cha latter.

Hey everyone, how are y'all doing?!

I hope this finds you all doing great. I'm taking a chance to get this caught up since my son's been keeping me very busy since getting home, especially since school's finally out! I've been having lots of fun...as always...and it's been a good (almost) two years here.

Hey Arik, sorry to hear that Jon couldn't work things out for ya to be able to drive here. I'm suprised that he didn't try getting ya on out of the old Milk Mover's yard in Hagerman, NM. Wonder if they could've worked ya in???

Guess I should get stuff caught up now huh?! :roll:

Week 18:
N/A due to time off.

Week 19:
-Spartanburg, SC to Mulberry, FL (swap tanks), then to Auburndale, FL for load going to Modesto, CA (548 empty + 21 empty + 2,835 loaded = 3,437 total.....live load 05-08/1050-1855, Drop and Hook 05-12).
End of week total: 3,437 miles.

Week 20:
-Modesto, CA to Ripon, CA (swap tanks), then to Hilmar, CA for load going to Greenwood, WI (9 empty + 29 empty + 2,146 loaded = 2,184 total.....Drop and Hook 05-13, live unload and washout 05-17/1100-1245).
End of week total: 2,184 miles.

Week 21:
-Greenwood, WI to Neosho, MO for load going to Norco, CA (700 empty + 1,511 loaded = 2,211 total.....washout and live load 05-19/1300-1530, Drop and Hook 05-21).
-Norco, CA to Chino, CA (tank wash), then to Tipton, CA for load going to Waupun, WI (5 empty + 210 empty + 2,188 loaded = 2,403 total.....washout and live load 05-22/1940-2300, live unload and washout 05-26/0745-0910).
End of week total: 4,614 miles.

Now here's where the fun begins... From Waupun I headed down to Fair Oaks, IN for some minor truck work and to wait for my next load to bring me home. Unfortunately, the only load D.F.A. had available was going to Neosho, MO, which would've been great if I was staying out for another turn. But as it stands, they didn't, and I was deadheaded home, with all of the empty miles to be applied on my next trip out (as always). Whew, that's going to be a doozy :D!!!

Y'all be safe and have fun :wink:...

2006 Totals (with leaving out on 06-05):
Paid Dispatched Miles: 58,435.....48,527 loaded
Actual Driven Miles: 59,368 (+933 miles = .016%)
Loads: 26 (42)
Live loads/unloads: 48 (92%)
Drop and Hooks: 4 (8%)
Length of Haul: 2,248 miles.....1,866 loaded
Days working: 94
Days off: 40 (30-Home, 10-Road)

this is no B.S.
 

i had the pleasure of meeting mr cyanide last week at a truckstop on the road in iowa,i read his post and was wondering if i would ever run into him since i do work for the same company mr cyanide works for (JIM Aartman INC.) IVE WORKED FOR O/O's, C.R.E.,flatbed,refer,towing.pumped do do,and many other various driving jobs anyway mr cyanide it was a pleasure! now ladies and gents this is my opinion,i wouldnt want any other trailer sittin on my 5th wheel plate unless it was a tanker. (i was lookin for a job when i found this one)<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<how many times have we said this or heard this?
well i just would like to add,im not lookin for a job anymore i found one i like,JIM AARTMAN INC.also i may add that my team driver is workin for the same co.were both happy and we talk daily about just how happy we are with our co.............ahh yes we do laugh about all the good times flatbeddin it, tarpin in 100+HEAT AND RAIN not to mention our PAYCHECKS<<<NOW THERES A LAUGH ANYWAY I HOPE WE ALL FIND THAT TRUCKIN JOB WERE ALL LOOKIN FOR! i,ll be glad to answer any questions you may have. anyway the moral to the story is MR CYANIDE IS 100% ON TRACK HERE WITH HIS POST! LETS ALL MOTOR SAFE HOWEVER MANY WHEELS YOUR RIDING ON! KINGPIN1

Just in case any of you all are wondering... I spoke to "Cyanide" the other day...he's at home right now for some well deserved R & R...and he's doing something special as well....so it may be a few days before he gets back on line.

:D :D

Seeing that this original post is over a year old it still has contains very good bits of information. Yes tankers do pay for nearly everything you do, tank washes, waiting ect...Tankers is all I know. If I took a 53 footer into a tight little Pilot T/S I would probably tear off someones hood. Everybody worries about the surge but you get used to it. I like being able to see what is behind me. Not nearly as many blind spots with a tanker. And yes receivers are glad to see you arrive because they are usually waiting with 1 foot of product in their storage tank. Tank yanking is a different world.

Hope everyone is doing great!
 

This will be quick gang. About to head back out to California tomorrow after almost two weeks off on vacation. It was great and just what the doctor ordered. Sorry, I didn't update my numbers, I'll do that next time I'm home. Now, for the suprise of the day...

As a couple of you already know, for at least the next year this will be my last series of runs with Jim Aartman, and I'll be starting with Superior Carriers in August. Yep, I'm returning to chemical tankers and have a very strong feeling that things will be definitely better there than when I was at C.T.L. I'm very confident in my decision, and those who truly know me know that I've done a lot of ground work to come to this choice, even if it's only short-term.

I'll catch up with everyone in about three weeks. Y'all be safe and have fun :wink:...

indinan river
 

hey cyanide great info i am thinking about getting into tankers , nerver pulled them before been talking back and forth with indian river was hoping you could give me some info since you worked for them seems they told me they have a regional in ga where i live thank for any info keep up the awesome info

Wesland, to be honest I'd suggest you stay away from them. If you have hazmat, you can make a lot better money running regional or local with a chemical or fuel tanker outfit.

My final post with Jim Aartman (for at least a year)...
 

Week 22:
-N/A due to time off.

Week 23:
-Waupun, WI to Mulberry, FL (drop tank), then to Auburndale, FL (hook tank) for load going to Warren, MI (1,342 empty + 21 empty + 1,200 loaded = 2,563 total.....drop & hook 06-06, live unload 06-08/0800-1100).
End of week total: 2,563 miles.

Week 24:
-Warren, MI to Ionia, MI (tank wash), then to Belding, MI for load going to Rancho Cucamonga, CA (128 empty + 14 empty + 2,235 loaded = 2,377 total.....live load 06-08/2230-2345, live unload 06-13/0830-0945).
End of week total: 2,377 miles.

Week 25:
-Rancho Cucamonga, CA to Tulare, CA (tank wash), then to Tipton, CA for load going to Waupun, WI (206 empty + 11 empty + 2,188 loaded = 2,405 total.....washout and live load 06-14/1400-1600, live unload and washout 06-18/0700-0855).
-Waupun, WI to Rembrandt, IA for load going to Norco, CA (416 empty + 1,720 loaded = 2,136 total.....washout and live load 06-19/0815-1015, drop and hook 06-21). This load was the last one that could be completed before my two-year anniversary.
End of week total: 4,541 miles.

Totals from 06-25-2004 to 06-24-2006:
Miles: 287,200
Loads: 139 (278)
Live loads/unloads: 242 (87%)
Drop and Hooks: 36 (13%)
Length of Haul: 2,066 miles
Days working: 549
Days off: 181

Week 26:
-Norco, CA to Chino, CA (tank wash), then to Artesia, CA for load going to Neenah, CA (5 empty + 32 empty + 2,172 loaded = 2,209 total.....washout and live load 06-23/0530-0800, live unload and washout 06-27/0045-0330).
-Neenah, WI to Rembrandt, IA for load going to Abbeville, AL (433 empty + 1,229 loaded = 1,662 total.....washout and live load 06-28/0945-1200, live unload and washout 06-29/1830-2115).
End of week total: 3,871 miles

Weeks 27, 28:
N/A due to time off and vacation.

Week 29:
-Abbeville, AL to Jacksonville, FL (tank wash), then to Blackshear, GA for load going to Ripon, CA (272 empty + 80 empty + 2,643 loaded = 2,995 total.....washout and live load 07-14/0915-1345, live unload 07-18/0800-1000). Had tank washed next day at the yard before going to load.
End of week total: 2,995 miles.

Week 30:
-Ripon, CA to Hilmar, CA for load going to Greenwood, WI (29 empty + 2,145 loaded = 2,174 total.....washout and live load 07-19/1915-2130, live unload and washout 07-23/0645-0800).
-Greenwood, WI to Fair Oaks, IN for load going to Braselton, GA (384 empty + 685 loaded = 1,069 total.....live load 07-23/1745-1815, live unload and washout 07-25/1010-1130).
-Braselton, GA to Montezuma, GA for load going to Winter Haven, FL (175 empty + 351 loaded = 526 total.....drop and hook 07-26, live unload and washout 07-27/2040/2230).
-Winter Haven, FL to Mulberry, FL to turn truck in. (18 empty)
End of week total: 3,787 miles.

2006 Totals:
Miles: 78,565
Loads: 36 (72)
Live loads/unloads: 65 (90%)
Drop and Hooks: 74 (10%)
Length of Haul: 2,182 miles
Days working: 153
Days off: 55

Final Totals:
Miles: 297,853
Loads: 145 (290)
Live loads/unloads: 253 (87%)
Drop and Hooks: 37 (13%)
Length of Haul: 2,054 miles
Days working: 568
Days off: 195
:D

I'd like to say that my time at Jim Aartman was very productive and enjoyable. I'd like to credit a lot of that to the wonderful dispatcher and supervisor I had in Ripon (Pam and Jon). I never had a problem that they couldn't fix, and that the miles and hometime were always there for me. I'd also like to give a shoutout to Kari, for filling in when Pam and Jon weren't there. Y'all will truly be missed, and hopefully my travels with Superior will bring me through there to stop in and visit. :wink:

I'd also like to say thanks to Ron in Fair Oaks. Without him who knows where I would've went, 'cause I wasn't staying with Indian River. I feel fortunate enough to never have gotten that finger of steel in the chest! :lol: :P :lol:

Last but not least a thanks and farewell to the mechanics, fellow drivers, and other personnel that I was able to share the last two years with. Especially those who were formerly employed at the Mulberry, FL yard but somehow ended up leaving, sometimes under strange or unknown circumstances (Faye, Scott, Paula, and Chris) :roll:

To my friends still running food-grade, and those who may like to give it a shot, I wish you all safe and productive journeys. I still say that there is nothing easier than running this stuff with a company like Jim Aartman, Caledonia, Bynum, or Indian River/North American Tank Lines. That is, where the driver simply picks the load up and gets it to it's destination safely with no involvement with the loading /unloading. I'm going to miss it, but unfortunately (at least for now), "easy" does have a way of being very limited to the amount of income I can make without sacrificing hometime and having to run more miles, and also having a benefit package that is lacking in areas. We shall see how this goes...

So for the time being, this is it for my food-grade adventure. My next update will be once again as a chemical tanker-yanker. Honestly, I was trying for one of those cushy union gigs, but as always here in North Florida, they're only hiring for part-time and/or casual positions with a very L-O-N-G wait to get full-time status, which I simply cannot afford :roll: :roll: :roll: Anyway, as soon as I get a truck I'll put it's number under my avatar. Y'all have a great weekend and have fun. I can smell that barbeque on the grill already :D :wink:!!!

What made you switch to Superior and chemical?

C.T.L. Distribution stats...
 

Seems that there's a bunch of y'all asking about C.T.L. Distribution here lately. I was able to find my old journal from when I was with them from August 2001 to November 2001 and am going to post my info following the couple days of refresher training, orientation, and local running I did. Hope this helps out some. If anything confuses anybody, please ask for clarification. I'm sure that one of us on here can decipher my terminology...:P

Week 1:
-Jacksonville, FL to Riceboro, GA (95 empty, shipper load 08-28/0400-0645)
-Riceboro, GA to Largo, FL (307 loaded = 402 total, driver unload with receiver air 08-28/1445-1715).
-----Largo, FL to Mulberry, FL (55 empty, drop dirty tank, hook clean tank, wash fittings and hoses 08-29)
-----Mulberry, FL to Winter Haven, FL (15 empty, shipper load 08-29/1130-1445)
-----Winter Haven, FL to Vanceboro, NC (681 loaded = 751 total, shipper unload 08-30/1230-1345).
Miles: 1,153
Paid detention: 4.75 hours
Tank wash: 0
Hose, Fitting, Pump wash: 1

Week 2:
-Vanceboro, NC to Spartanburg, SC (300 empty, tank wash 08-30)
-Spartanburg, SC to Enoree, SC (20 empty, drop and hook 08-31)
-Enoree, SC to Miami, FL (670 loaded = 990 total, shipper unload 09-04/0800-1215).
-----Miami, FL to Jacksonville, FL (330 empty, drop dirty tank, hook clean tank, wash hoses 09-04)
-----Jacksonville, FL to Savannah, GA (143 empty, shipper load 09-05/0800-1015)
-----Two separate breakdowns enroute (09-05/2015-2215 and 09-06/2115-2315)
-----Savannah, GA to McCook, IL (914 loaded = 1,387 total, receiver unload 09-07/0345-0615).
Miles: 2,377
Paid detention: 6 hours
Tank wash: 1
Hose, Fitting, Pump wash: 1
Breakdown time: 4 hours


Week 3:
-McCook, IL to Chicago, IL (tank wash 09-07)
-Chicago, IL to Mexico, MO (390 empty, shipper load 09-08/0715-0915)
-Mexico, MO to Odessa, TX (898 loaded = 1,288 total, driver unload with truck pump 09-10/0915-1330).
-----Odessa, TX to Pasadena, TX (500 empty, tank wash 09-12)
-----Pasadena, TX to Manvel, TX (20 empty, shipper load 09-12/1030-1230)
-----Manvel, TX to Pompano Beach, FL (1,163 loaded = 1,683 total, driver unload with receiver air 09-14/0800-1230)
Miles: 2,971
Paid detention: 8.75 hours
Tank wash: 2
Hose, Fitting, Pump wash: 0

Week 4:
-Pompano, FL to Jacksonville, FL (285 empty, drop dirty tank, hook clean tank 09-14)
-Jacksonville, FL to Oglethorpe, GA (217 empty, shipper load 09-17/0700-1000)
-Oglethorpe, GA to Jacksonville, FL (217 loaded = 719 total, receiver unload 09-17/1745-1915, drop dirty tank, hook clean tank).
-----Jacksonville, FL then to Brunswick, GA (71 empty, shipper load 09-18/0745-1030)
-----Brunswick, GA to Hazlet, NJ (841 loaded = 922 total, receiver unload 09-20/0730-1230).
Milesl: 1,641
Paid detention: 8.25 hours
Tank wash: 1
Hose, Fitting, Pump wash: 0

Week 5:
-Hazlet, NJ to Rahway, NJ (15 empty, tank wash 09-20)
-Rahway, NJ to Linden, NJ (3 empty, shipper load 09-21/0730-1030)
-Linden, NJ to Highland, TX (1,554 loaded = 1,572 total, receiver unload 09-24/0900-1145).
-----Highland, TX to Clute, TX (50 empty, tank wash 09-24)
-----Clute, TX to Freeport, TX (5 empty, drop and hook 09-25)
-----Freeport, TX to White Stone, SC (1,018 loaded = 1,073 total, receiver unload 0800-1000).
Miles: 2,645
Paid detention:4.75 hours
Tank wash: 2
Hose, Fitting, Pump wash: 0

Week 6:
-White Stone, SC to Charlotte, NC (69 empty, tank wash 09-27)
-Charlotte, NC to Harrisburg, NC (10 empty, shipper load 09-28/0830-0930)
-One day layover enroute.
-Harrisburg, NC to Montgomery, IL (777 loaded = 856 total, driver unload with receiver air 10-01/0815-1100).
-----Montgomery, IL to Chicago, IL (30 empty, tank wash 10-01)
-----Chicago, IL to North Chicago, IL (30 empty, shipper load 10-02/0645-1015)
-----North Chicago, IL to Port Orange, FL (1,124 loaded = 1,184 total, receiver unload 10-04/0845-1100).
Miles: 2,040
Paid detention: 5.75 hours
Tank wash: 2
Hose, Fitting, Pump wash: 0
Layover: 1

Week 7:
-Port Orange, FL to Jacksonville, FL (95 empty, drop dirty tank, hook clean tank 10-04)
-Jacksonville, FL to Riceboro, GA (105 empty, shipper load 10-08/1200-1345)
-Riceboro, GA to Midland, GA (240 loaded = 440 total, receiver unload 10-09/1000-1145)
-----Midland, GA to Columbus, GA (14 empty, tank wash 10-09)
-----Columbus, GA to Oglethorpe, GA (64 empty 10-09/1845-2045)
-----Oglethorpe, GA to Jacksonville, FL (217 loaded = 295 total, receiver unload 10-10/1215-1400, drop dirty tank, hook clean tank).
Miles: 735
Paid detention: 3.25 hours
Tank wash: 1
Hose, Fitting, Pump wash: 0

Week 8:
-Jacksonville, FL to Brunswick, GA (71 empty, shipper load 10-12/1345-1530)
-Two days layover enroute.
-Brunswick, GA to Hazlet, NJ (841 loaded = 912 total, receiver unload 10-16/0800-1600)
-----Hazlet, NJ to Newark, NJ (20 empty, tank wash, then load 10-16/2200-2300)
-----Newark, NJ to Winter Haven, FL (1,087 loaded = 1,107 total, receiver unload 10-19/1600-1800).
Miles: 2,019
Paid detention: 8.75 hours
Tank wash: 1
Hose, Fitting, Pump wash: 0

Week 9:
-Winter Haven, FL to Jacksonville, FL (150 empty, drop dirty tank, hook clean tank 10-19)
-Jacksonville, FL to Savannah, GA (138 empty, shipper load 10-21/0445-0630)
-Savannah, GA to Franklin, VA (425 loaded = 713 total, receiver unload 10-22/0700-0815).
-----Franklin, VA to Charlotte, NC (261 empty, tank wash 10-22)
-----Charlotte, NC to Harrisburg, NC (13 empty, shipper load 10-23/1100-1300)
-----Harrisburg, NC to Yardville, NJ (531 loaded = 805 total, receiver unload 10-24/0800-0945).
-Yardville, NJ to Newark, NJ (48 empty, tank wash 10-24)
-Newark, NJ to Elizabeth, NJ (5 empty, shipper load 10-25/1000-1245)
-Elizebeth, NJ to Wayers Cave, VA (342 loaded = 395 total, receiver unload 10-25/2030-2230).
-----Wayers Cave, VA to Greensboro, NC (186 empty, tank wash 10-25)
-----Greensboro, NC to Augusta, GA (215 empty, shipper load 10-26/2015-2215)
-----Augusta, GA to Hague, FL (290 loaded = 691 total, driver unload with receiver air 10-27/1345-1615).
Miles: 2,604
Paid detention: 7.75 hours
Tank wash: 3
Hose, Fitting, Pump wash: 0

Week 10:
-Hague, FL to Jacksonville, FL (81 empty, drop dirty tank, hook clean tank, wash fittings/hoses 10-29)
-Jacksonville, FL to Moncks Corner, SC (250 empty, shipper load 11-01/0915-1130)
-Moncks Corner, Sc to South Pierce, FL (341 loaded = 457 total, driver unload with receiver air 11-02/1245-1815).
Miles: 788
Paid detention: 5.75 hours
Tank wash: 0
Hose, Fitting, Pump wash: 1

Week 11:
-South Pierce, FL to Jacksonville, FL (204 empty, drop dirty tank, hook clean tank, wash hoses)
-Jacksonville, FL to Savannah, GA (140 empty, shipper load 11-03/1330-1530)
-Savannah, GA to Wallingford, CT (873 loaded = 1,217 total, receiver unload 11-05/0845-1000).
-----Wallingford, CT to Newark, NJ (99 empty, tank wash 11-05)
-----Newark, NJ to Philadelphia, PA (90 empty, shipper load 11-06/0730-0930)
-----Philadelphia, PA to Greenville, SC (597 loaded = 786 total, receiver unload 11-07/1300-1445).
-Greenville, SC to Savannah, GA (230 empty, tank wash 11-07, then drop and hook 11-08 )
-Savannah, GA to Clifton, NJ (788 loaded = 1,018 total, receiver unload 11-09/1300-1445).
Miles: 3,021
Paid detention: 3.75 hours
Tank wash: 2
Hose, Fitting, Pump wash: 1

Week 12:
-Clifton, NJ to Newark, NJ (8 empty, tank wash 11-09)
-One day layover enroute.
-Newark, NJ to Harrisburg, NC (577 empty, shipper load 11-12/1000-1300)
-Harrisburg, NC to Allentown, PA (528 loaded = 1,113 total, driver unload with receiver air 11-13/0800-0915).
-----Allentown, PA to Baltimore, MD (Tank wash 11-13, 162 empty, shipper load 11-14/0915-1015)
-----Baltimore, MD to Orlando, FL (872 loaded = 1,034 total, shipper unload 11-15/1545-1700)
-----Orlando, FL to Jacksonville, FL (135 empty, drop dirty tank, hook clean tank 11-15).
Miles: 2,282
Paid detention: 2.5 hours
Tank wash: 2
Hose, Fitting, Pump wash:
Layover: 1

After my return to Jacksonville on Nov. 15th, I did several more local runs before leaving C.T.L. As I've said before, they're not a bad company, but there is more money to be made for doing the same job with other companies. More specifically, those who have a higher mileage rate, those who don't give up any free time to the customers, and those with better overall benefit packages :wink:...

Why leave Jim Aartman?
 

To all who are wondering why I'm making a change...

Because I need to see how I do with a good chemical tanker company with a good reputation. I need to see how I do financially with having a much better pay and benefit package, not to mention that I feel for the time being that I am ready once again for a challenge. Superior Carriers pretty much made me an offer I just couldn't refuse, with information which has been consistently backed up by the multiple drivers I've spoken with over the last few months. It seems that I'll finally get the best of everything...I'll be able to run as many miles as I want with available hours, get paid for everything I do when not driving, and, be able to run completely by the book the way we were intended to :D!!!

As I said earlier, the job with Aartman was easy beyond belief, but unfortunately, "easy" has a way of being very limited to the amount of income I can make without sacrificing hometime. I'm ready to try and see if I can make better income and to be home the same amount of time at a minimum. Even with the consistent long runs I've been doing the last three years between Indian River and Jim Aartman, there's still a lot of unpaid free time, and I want to see the difference between getting paid for everything I do versus having to drive tons of miles. At least for now...

Also, I see possible changes coming on the horizon for the future of the company that I may not want to be no part of. See how the bonus program changed at the beginning of this month in my info thread, and the cost for family medical insurance alone is going to $280/month next month. For that price the company should have much better coverage than a 65/35 plan :shock:!

But more so than anything else, I think I simply need a break from the routine. I've done this three years straight and am a little worn out. We'll see what happens with Superior, as I know I'll be doing a lot more work, with shorter runs and loading/unloading, not to mention running a very limited area of the country (including the Northeast...yuck!)

That's it, along with the pay package listed below :wink:...

SUPERIOR CARRIERS, INC. (1 year O.T.R. required w/HAZMAT, or, Student grad from approved school in top 3% of class per individual terminal's needs.)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...perior9200.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...riorFLD112.jpg
Starting mileage pay (Practical Route Miles):
.40 Loaded/.34 Empty

Loading/Unloading Pay (All live loads/unloads):
$20 first 2 hours, then $13.30/hour

Drop/Hook Pay (For load pickups/drops):
$10
Note...if a driver is delayed more than 45 minutes during a drop and hook at a customer due to the load not being ready, waiting for security, paperwork, sample results, etc. then the driver will be paid the $20 live load flat rate, then hourly as necessary.

Tank Wash Pay:
$20.
Note...almost all tank washes involve dropping the dirty tank and/or hooking a clean tank during which the driver is paid according to the hourly rate. If the driver is required to wait for their assigned tank to be cleaned then the driver will be paid the $20 tank wash flat rate.

Breakdown Pay:
$13.30/hour.
Breakdown pay will be paid until the driver goes into a hotel if necessary due to an extended breakdown situation, then will go on layover pay schedule.

Sleeper Berth Pay:
$10/night.

NYC Pay (per load going in or coming out):
$50

Canada Border Crossing Pay (per loaded crossing):
$15 first hour, then $13.30/hour

Local Pay (Loads under 76 miles of domiciled terminal. Also, 51% of your loads must be "local" to be paid this rate, otherwise will be paid the normal hourly rate.):
$15.04/hour

Layover Pay (after 15 hours):
$13.30/hour ($106.40 each full paid 8-hour period). First fifteen hours free, then paid eight, then ten free, then paid eight, etc if necessary. Hotel authorized for extended situations.

Holiday Pay, Bereavement Pay, Jury Duty Pay:
$106.40/day
Eight major holidays, one floating holiday, and three days for funeral of family member.

Personal Days (after 30 days):
$106.40/day
0-3 years: 2 days per year.
3+ years: 5 days per year.
Note...driver can "bank" up to thirty days.

Training Pay (Depending upon experience):
Experienced drivers: $13.30/hour all on-duty hours.
Inexperienced drivers: $100/day for up to six weeks, as deemed necessary by trainer.
Also, within sixty (60) days of hire, driver must attend the company's five-day safety and orientation course in Kingsport, TN. Driver will be provided company-paid lodging and training pay. If driver fails course they will be immediately terminated and not eligible for re-hire.

Vacation Pay:
$721.92/week.
2 Weeks at 1 year.
3 weeks at 8 years.
4 weeks at 16 years.
5 weeks at 24 years.

Time Off:
5-7 days out, 1-2 days in.

Insurance (after 30 days):
Health, Dental, and Prescription Insurance:
Single plan $18/week, $250 deductible.
Family plan $37/week, $500 deductible.

Life insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance are paid for by the company.

Vision Insurance:
Not available.

401k Plan (Open enrollment every quarter. Company automatically enrolls driver at 3% unless other amount requested or driver declines enrollment):
Company matches 50% up to a max of $600 annually. Immediate vesting.

Profit Sharing Plan (After 1 year)
Vested after seven years.

your posts, (and good luck)
 

I've been following your threads on this board. You are totally right in wanting to be paid for all your time and I'm quite sure you are making the right decision. You (and many others here) are just looking for that final "good job" where we are treated as we deserve. Your posts are quite intelligent and accurate, as well as informative. As we all have moved "up the ladder" in the trucking industry we should get what we deserve, and I'm sure you will do well. I too had a series of those "not so great" jobs before working my way up to line@UPS. Now, I will retire from them in about 3 years. My older brother worked at Superior for several years before moving to another chemical hauler (Distech). He has nothing but good to say about them. He states he made excellent money (55-65K average), had good benefits and was paid for every minute on the job. He only left due to a personal move to another state. He was also home almost every weekend and holidays for a "real" weekend. I would hope that you will continue to post as a lot of us "lurkers" look forward to it. All the best to you in your new job, I'm sure it will work out great for you. Meanwhile I'll still be in that "Buster Brown set" between Tucson/Phoenix and lovely Ontario, CA. BTW UPS drivers "hide out" on Channel 22 in case anyone wants to say hello, we don't bite (much)

My "week" of refresher training...
 

Let me start by saying this...if what I just did over the course of last week is a sign of things to come with Superior, I'm going to be real happy here! Talk about giving up no free time and being paid for everything. Well almost everything except for fueling, pre-trip, and post-trip like them union guys and gals have :-P!!! I just don't know how I'm going to deal with all this :lol:. The pay package is definitely set up to work for the driver's advantage.

Met up with my trainer...okay, maybe more like my evaluator Monday afternoon here in Jax and drove off north, and then finally returned Friday afternoon. Though we only did a couple of loads, I was constantly getting drilled with lots of info and Q & A concerning company policies, procedures, regulations, and safety, safety, safety!

I'll be heading back up to Garden City on Tuesday to get my truck and then begin my adventures as a solo operator once again. I can hardly wait :D. Now , as you read my numbers below, allow me to note that during my training I was paid the $12.91 hourly rate for all hours on-duty. This is how experienced drivers are paid here for training, whereas inexperienced drivers are paid a flat rate $100 per day. After this post, all of the mileages I give will be according to what the company pays and what shows on my settlement sheet, as I've always done. Almost forgot, another small point is that all trips here originate and end at the tank wash (if applicable).

Here ya go...
Week 1 (Training week)
-Jacksonville, FL to Garden City, GA
-Garden City, GA to Riceboro, GA (drop and hook. Delay due to load not being ready)
-Riceboro, GA to Calhoun, TN (driver unload with customer air).
-Calhoun, TN to Garden CIty, GA (drop dirty tank, hook clean tank)
-----Garden City, GA to Savannah, GA (live load)
-----Savannah, GA to Garden City, GA (drop loaded tank). This load was taken by another driver going to TX.
-Garden City, GA (Hook loaded tank). This load was dropped by another driver who had a medical situation arise and needed to get to the doctor. It originally came from Wilmington, NC.
-Garden City, GA to Riviera Beach, FL (driver/customer unload with customer pump)
-Riviera Beach, FL to Jacksonville, FL (drop dirty tank)
Gross: $616.46

I don't think that's too bad for only four days of very limited work. I'm betting that with a full five to seven day work week those numbers will be going up significantly :D.

Y'all be safe and have fun :wink:...

calhoun
 

when you went to calhoun did you go to arch chemical or bowater mill, i do not have my hazmat thought about getting it but never got around to it i am with decker out of ft. dodge,is i am happy i get plenty of miles and home when i say but it is still refers know what i mean still thinking about takers yea i have heard good and bad things about indian river so i think i will past , do you know if jim artman hires out of ga were checking them out mybe i will give them a call i was just through ripon 2 days ago should have stop in but had to hurry up and wait well be safe out there if you ever see decker 1003 give me a shout they call me rookie

Wesland, I went to Bowater when in Calhoun. It may be worth considering getting your hazmat just in case :wink:. Aartman will hire you in GA, just make sure that if you want to go with them to run out of the main yard in Ripon, CA as I did. The Mulberry, FL yard is the "Indian River division" of the company so to say and runs stuff outta there likewise :roll:. Anyway, I have all the contact numbers still if you want them.

Y'all be safe and have fun :mrgreen:...

:D :D :D SEE ? We told you it would work out and it did ! Glad to hear it..

It's still early Fred, but yeah, I like this gettting paid for everything stuff! Of course, I had it before with C.T.L. but, it was absolutely nothing like here!

To all, I've added another figure on my stats for runs here at Superior. That being to show how many live loads/unloads I do, as the driver. I'm doing this because in my info post I stated that chemical tank drivers do the majority of the unloading, and perhaps that depends on the company represented. Because as you can see above, I still have yet to unload anything since finishing training. The key word here is, yet :wink:...

Running completely legal never felt so good!
 

Hey everybody, hope this finds y'all doing great as always. Just sitting here enjoying my holiday weekend after running not too terribly hard the last few weeks. In a nutshell, I'm liking it here very much!

For all of my posts concerning my trips, I'm going to go off of our payroll schedule, which runs from 0001 Monday to 2359 Sunday. I'm also going to simplify all of my numbers by just listing my gross pay and the paid mileage for the week per my settlement sheet (I'm not listing sleeper berth pay, flat rate pay, hourly pay, or pickup/drop pay however). This is so that everyone unfamiliar with getting paid for everything related to work can see how much extra the acessory pay adds up over straight mileage pay only. You'll see what I'm referring to below. I've also added how many of my loads required placards, since many people assume that chemical tankers are always transporting regulated products. As you'll see, that's simply not so....

Week 2:
-Transit with another driver from Jax, FL to Garden City, GA for truck assignment (#8919).
-----Garden City, GA to Riceboro, GA (hook preloaded tank)
-----Riceboro, GA to Castanea, PA (customer unload. Flat tire repair during unload)
-----Castanea, PA to Karns City, PA (drop dirty tank)
Gross: $642.00
Miles: 1,027
Avg.: .625/mile

Week 3:
-Karns City, PA (hook clean tank and have minor weld repair on ladder)
-Karns City, PA to Petrolia, PA (live load)
-Petrolia, PA to Pearland, TX (customer unload)
-Pearland, TX to Pasadena, TX (drop dirty tank)
-----Pasadena, TX to Deer Park, TX (hook preloaded tank)
-----Deer Park, TX to Oakwood, GA (customer unload)
-----Oakwood, GA to Morrow, GA (drop dirty tank)
-Morrow, GA to Forest Park, GA (hook preloaded tank)
-Forest Park, GA to Tampa, FL (customer unload)
-Tampa, FL to Jax, FL for time off (drop dirty tank)
Gross: $1,467.56
Miles: 3,131
Avg.: .468/mile

Week 4:
-Jax, FL (hook clean tank), then to Garden City, GA (drop clean tank, hook preloaded tank)
-Garden City, GA to Kingsport, TN (driver unload with customer air)
-Kingsport, TN to Wellford, SC (drop dirty tank)
-----Wellford, SC to Greer, SC (hook preloaded tank)
-----Greer, SC to Pompano Beach, FL (driver unload with truck air)
-----Pompano Beach, FL to Lake Wales, FL (pick up another driver)
-----Lake Wales, FL to Garden City, GA (drop dirty tank)
Gross: $1,069.49
Miles: 2,013
Avg.: .531/mile

Week 5:
-Garden City, GA to Savannah, GA and back (2.75 hours local work)
-----Garden City, GA to Riceboro, GA (hook preloaded tank)
-----Riceboro, GA to Calvert City, KY (customer unload)
-----Calvert City, KY to West Memphis, AR (drop dirty tank)
-West Memphis, AR (hook preloaded tank), then to Greensboro, NC (customer unload, then drop dirty tank)
-----Greensboro, NC (hook preloaded tank), then to Dalton, GA (customer unload)
-----Dalton, GA to Morrow, GA (drop dirty tank, hook clean tank)
-Morrow, GA to Macon, GA (live load)
-Macon, GA to Bennettsville, SC (driver unload with truck air)
-Bennettsville, SC to Jax, FL for time off (drop dirty tank)
Gross: $1,261.10
Miles: 2,695
Avg.: .467/mile

2006 Totals, from solo start Aug. 8th (not including training week/pay):
Gross: $4,440.15
Miles: 8,866
Avg.: .50/mile
Placarded/Regulated Loads: 3
Days Working: 23 (includes yesterday)
Days Off: 6 (leaving out Wednesday)

I'm liking this :D!!!!

Y'all be safe and have fun :wink:...

I hear ya Cyanide, I should have done this tanker gig to begin with, man I love this kind of work. :lol:
Once you go tank you'll never want to do freight hauling again. 8)

Man this thread is massive!

Pardon my lazyness, but why did you leave Aartman? Would you recommend them to a guy who needs to get his foot in the "tanker door"?

I thinks he left Artmann cuz' he and I were talking about how much fun it was to drag hoses and play with chemicals and he got all nostalgic over that and getting paid for everything he does....so he up and got another tankeryanker job.... but this time its got placards on it...well sometimes!

Superior is like any good chemical tanker company....they have specific hiring areas, and tend to hire only within those areas. And they can be very specific about their hiring requirements. A Hazmat endorsement is a necessity, or getting one prior to going there is also.

I know you want to hear it from him....but I think he'll tell you its a good place to work..... :D

"The Slacker".... :D :D :D :D :D :D is home right now....but I'm sure he'll poke his head up before long... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

hey
 

cyanide

hey yea if you still have those contact numbers i will take them i think i have came to the conclucion that takers is going to be the way to go to get the miles i want 2700-3300 week in week out , refer varies too much ecpicially pulling meat nad produce thanks be safe

Deleted for new post...
 

Deleted for new post...

Skywalker, who you calling "slacker"?! At least I don't have a limp lightsaber :lol:. Maybe it needs a special little blue battery :wink:. I'll call ya tomorrow night after I leave out and we're on free time...

You!!! :lol: :lol: Home all the time, goofing off....living a halfway normal life!
:lol: :lol:

Nah, no little blue battery needed...it works when it needs to... :P :P

Ok...good deal. If you see this before you leave...go and check out this site-
its funny as the dickens....but apparently its for real!!

http://www.bumperdumper.com

I can't take credit for finding the site... Skullitor told me about it.... Is that a compliment or......

That's just wrong man! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Should have a pretty busy day tomorrow...Debbie had Tom drop his load nearby so he could grab another one and keep running, so I'm gonna run that to Green Cove, then back to Jax to drop the dirty tank and grab a clean one, then up to good old Riceboro and grab another preload bound for Kankakee whenever on Friday. Whew, don't know how I'm going to do it :P!!!

Wesland, here ya go...
Jim Aartman (Ripon, CA) 800-871-9038, ext. 143 Jon Pfitzer
Superior Carriers (Garden City, GA) 866-439-7727, Debbie Long

Sounds good.

Just FYI, I talked to a chemical tanker about a year ago in Mississippi who was quitting because he had recently been diagnosed with a rare and deadly form of cancer and was getting off the road ASAP to get full time medical care. He swore that the exposure to all the different chemicals he hauled played a part in his sickness. He said he didn't smoke, never picked up a drink in his life and ate his veggies. Take it for what it's worth...

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