New CDL-A, Tanker Company Paid Training

Hi everyone,

I'm a newbie in PA having a CDL-A with Hazmat & Tanker endorsements. I recently applied to a bunch of trucking companies and, thankfully, I have received a positive response from a couple of companies who hire newbies.

However, the money offered by them during the training period varies hugely! For instance, one company is offering $600 per week during the training on a tractor-trailer, but another company is offering $200 per week during the training on a tanker. Please note the difference in the vehicles. I'm not sure how long the training period could be, they have said it could be 2-4 weeks or even more!

Since my interest lies in driving a tanker, I would like to ask for your esteemed and experienced opinions on these hugely varying wages on the above vehicles. Is $200 per week standard for the duration of the training on a tanker?

Can I ask the company paying $200 to increase the amount? Are both the amounts justifiable and standard in the trucking industry?

What's the industry standard for the amount of payment during the training on tankers?

Looking forward to your opinions and guidance. Please take into account that I'm asking these questions because I'm not well-versed with the trucking industry and it's payment structure. :)

Thanks & regards

Derrick

Welcome, I hate to be the one to burst your bubble, however it may save your life.

I pulled tankers for about 6 years. I loved it. However it is a much different type of trailer and load that new drivers should never attempt. There are way too many variables that new drivers are not prepared to deal with. Depending on the load any mistake can be disatrious and fatal. Any tanker company offering brand new drivers a job is an idiot and I would certainly never work for.

As for company pay during school and/or training. That is wide and varied throughout the industry. You should look at the entire picture of what the company has too offer before making a decision on them.

It used to be any reputable tanker company required 2 years driving experience. Then it was mostly reduced to 1 yr experience. That is for the most part an industry standard.

Get your feet wet, so to speak and at least 1 yr experience before taking the leap to tankers. Perfect your driving in all aspects, because tankers do get in some pretty close quarters.

Just because someone is legal to drive something doesn’t make it smart or safe for them to do so.

What PJ said, verbatim. Except for the "pulling tanks 6 years" part....