MY GUEST

Charlie, --- is a specialized tanker man. Working with a pressure vessel, he hauls gases, such as Liquid Oxygen, Nitrogen and Argon. His terminal is located in Washington, West Virginia, in the USA.

 At present his terminal contains equipment from 3 different brand name companies.

AGA GAS operates in the Northeast, and Midwest of the USA. Its sister company "HOLOX", operates in the Southeast and Texas. LINDE GAS, along with the others, will be amalgamated on January 04 / 2004 as, LINDE GAS LLC.

 In general, his work is a daily schedule. He maintains a constant working night shift, keeping within a 270 mile radius. At times he will run a longer trip, but is usually home everyday.

 The deliveries are to Hospitals, Healthcare facilities, and Industrial manufacturing plants. It can be a single, straight load drop, or could run into 3 or 4 multiple deliveries.

 At times when he arrives for work, he could hit it lucky, and start out the shift with a preloaded trailer, otherwise, will have to load it himself. With no set route to follow, it makes the shift more interesting. The trips may be 50 miles, or 550 miles. Variety being the spice of life, it leaves little time for boredom to set in.

Adding to the change of pace, Charlie is also the driver trainer, at his terminal. It usually is a 4 week, one on one program. The trainee rides with him for 2 days, observing the procedures. The next 2 days are spent in the classroom going through HAZMAT (Dangerous goods) training. The balance of the 4 week program is spent riding along with the student, acting as his guiding light.

For the student to just get his foot in the door, he must have a minimum of 5 years driving over the road, with a minimum 2 years pulling a tanker, and must have a perfect record. One has to really be on the ball, to safely handle this type of equipment and product.

 There is one downside to this job; (in my book, anyway) it is a slip seat program. He gets a different truck every day. But we have to remember that big business has to utilize its equipment to the fullest.

 With this type of trucking job, you somewhat, get to have your cake and eat it too. You get to move around at work, and still have time for a home life.

At present, and temporarily, the fleet is displayed in an assortment of colours and logos. The final amalgamation of the acquired companies, will bring in a uniformed colour scheme. Flying the flag of LINDE GAS LLC.

A STRANGE SET UP, (To me anyway)

The above CENTRE Photo, is a PORTABLE LANDING GEAR (Dollies). The new trailers, came minus the dollies. A weight conservation. When dropping a trailer, for any reason, you have to insert this cradle under the trailer, before being able to drop it.

The heart of the load transfer, starts at the tractor. The above LEFT Photo shows the PTO operated alternator, and breaker box, that powers an electric motor in the trailer to run the discharge pump. The CENTRE Photo, of the rear control compartment, shows the frost still covering the lines, an hour after unloading. The RIGHT Photo shows his trailer being parked after his shift is finished.

When the transition period is completed, it will be a great looking fleet.

           ------------- William (Diesel Gypsy) Weatherstone                         RETURN TO HOME PAGE

RETURN TO "TRUCKERS AT WORK" MENU