Are There Any OTR Tanker (food Grade Only) Companies / Positions That Do NOT Have A Team-driving Phase For A New CDL Holder?

Or any that have their own CDL program? I guess nobody really wants to deal with HazMat loads if they dont have to, so if that's needed for a year or so to get experience I guess its not the end of the world, but I really have 0 interest in the team-driving training method some companies use.

You can rule Prime out then. even if i changed divisions from reefer to tanker, i would still need to team for a few weeks.

You can rule Prime out then. even if i changed divisions from reefer to tanker, i would still need to team for a few weeks.

Teaming with a trainer?

So you want someone to just hand you the keys to a food grade tanker and send you out there to figure it out on your own?

Do you know how to pump off loads? Are you familiar with venting? What about temperature controlled loads that can't get cold, do you know how they maintain the temperature? Do you know how to time your shifting to handle the sloshing of liquids in the tank? What about tank washes - are you familiar with the procedures? Have you ever inspected a tank for the specific problems that are unique to that type of container?

I drove a food grade tanker for a while and I'm here to tell you that you're out of your mind if you think you can just go out there and figure it out without any help. Don't be so short sighted. You're going to kill someone, cost your company big money, or destroy equipment trying to avoid a couple of weeks of proper training.

There is nothing more dangerous than someone who overestimates their own knowledge or abilities.

You can rule Prime out then. even if i changed divisions from reefer to tanker, i would still need to team for a few weeks.

Teaming with a trainer?

Absolutely. There's a lot to know about handling a food grade tanker. It's not rocket science, but it's dangerous enough to kill yourself or destroy a $100,000 tank if you don't know what you're doing.

I'm with prime if you moved from reefer to tanker you have to do 30 day in the tanker division to learn how to load or unload .

You can rule Prime out then. even if i changed divisions from reefer to tanker, i would still need to team for a few weeks.

Teaming with a trainer?

Absolutely. There's a lot to know about handling a food grade tanker. It's not rocket science, but it's dangerous enough to kill yourself or destroy a $100,000 tank if you don't know what you're doing.

I asked the question to frame context to Rainy's point. And highlight the absurdity of this, which Brett clearly accomplished.

Steak Eater I do not understand why you have an issue with team-training.

I am currently talking with a bulk carrier with a terminal located 1 mile from where I live. If I choose to move forward, they require 2-3 weeks of team training. I have zero problem with that requirement and actually embrace the need for it regardless of my 5+ years of experience.

So you want someone to just hand you the keys to a food grade tanker and send you out there to figure it out on your own?

Not at all. I certainly realize that a training period is necessary. But I have little interest in team-driving style training where the truck is constantly moving and trying to sleep in a moving vehicle for 40k+ miles, similar to Prime's TNT training period. Susan D has posted that her company does not use the team-driving method to train and I was curious if there might be others that do the same in the tanker field. Perhaps my question was not worded correctly to reflect that?

There is nothing more dangerous than someone who overestimates their own knowledge or abilities.

I'm not sure how you came to that conclusion and I'm starting to regret asking the question here. Sheesh.

Team training is somewhat misunderstood. It's actually a hybrid in most companies requiring a set minimum of fully supervised training (with trainer observing in the passenger seat), the trainee driving in solo mode. Progressing to teaming mode only occurs when both student and trainer agree to take that step.

There are pros and cons to both methods.

Sorry, I definitely misunderstood your initial post.

I have an option for you...

You mentioned OTR... I know but here me out. Oldenkamp http://oldenkamptrucking.com/ you can start with them they will hire you. They will train you as quick as you can learn and send you out local. You will work I think its 6 on and 3 off or 5 on and 3 off... Lots and lots of overtime and paid by the hour. But at the plants you can then run into the guys that are really OTR and ask them how to get in... If you dont want to work for them I can get you in where I am at... might even be able to rent you a room at the dairy we park our trucks at. How far are you from San Jacinto California.