There are Mini-fuel tankers, usually diesel so a bit safer than petrol. Machine refuelling etc. or the Farm fuel tankers/ trailers are not as large as the jumbo petrol/ diesel/ coffee station refuelling trucks.
azzab54,
May 12, 2:53pm
Wow,im really under payed then,going on what you say. Im in the $20-$28 and a specialist field to boot.
tweake,
May 12, 3:51pm
they claim there is a shortage of drivers, but thats not really the case. there is plenty of drivers, they just have better things to do than drive trucks. and then there is those who are so bad at it they are better off doing something else. go to any town you will find truckies doing other jobs.
fuel tankers would be one of the highest paying truck driver jobs. possible only second to fonterra milk tankers. my guess is there is no shortage of those drivers, and quite possible long haul drivers to. where they are lacking is the short haul drivers where the pay is crap and the hours are bad.
nesta129,
May 12, 7:14pm
Yes,they have mini fuel tankers on airside at the airport to fuel the airside vehicles.Hours would be all over the place as the airport is a 24/7 operation.
nice_lady,
May 12, 7:51pm
It's even more difficult to get a job driving airside than it is on the road. You'll need all the road licences AND airside driving permits. Airlines are VERY paranoid who they let drive in close proximity to their multi million dollar aircraft!
franc123,
May 12, 8:48pm
Its common knowledge that trucking companies are playing the same game the fruit/viticulture/primary industry generally are playing. Theres good reasons why they can't attract staff and they're well aware of those reasons and have no issue playing dumb in front of the media, public and of course Govt officials. Theres no need to expand on this further.
stornello,
May 12, 10:38pm
I worked as a truck mechanic in the '70's, and have what we call Class 5 now. The aim was always to be a truck driver. but never found a truck driving job that was worth doing. but plenty of mechanics jobs that were.
strobo,
May 12, 11:05pm
That would be considered Ageism ie stereotyping and/or discrimination against individuals or groups on the basis of their age. according to emp /law . just saying!
gpg58,
May 12, 11:21pm
I have been thinking of giving driving a go too, so interesting thread. Does anyone employ drivers over 65 (i am 63) now, and just shut down my heat pump business, so thinking of something part time only, preferably long distance. Would my licenses still be usable? got all (heavy truck and trailer, wheels and rollers) in the 70's. Or is there something stupid like electrical licenses, where when they made changes, you kept your license, but had to then have a additional practicing license to use it for reward.(realise dg etc needed on top for such loads)
redhead18,
May 12, 11:28pm
Simple reality is EXPERIENCE. I.E. Ability to drive a ROADIE. [Note most fuel tankers ARE ROADIES. Also NOTE. post#17 ]
So Fonterra most of the fleet is AUTOMATIC-As well. Times have changed and ability to play ping shift ROADIE. mmkay So lemme see post#33. Okay so what we have here is an older experienced***(Years AGO) driver shall we say points and plugs. And we have liquid. Respectively pop a few inches off to the left and well . Gentle EASY. ETC. OR? . - . mmmmmm-
You try that in a power steer twin steer truck and trailer and well. ALL sideways and . R.I.P.
Link2 *****"The driver has got to far left for whatever reason and lost control," *****
NOTE. post#17 ]
! Driving any type of liquid load gives the truck a unique handling characteristic, they surge as the liquid moves around, the tanks are baffled but at half full they can be dangerous if you go into a corner to fast and shift the center of gravity to far. If you found a class 4 job driving a water truck doing dust suppression on construction sites to start learning on then you would get a good feel for liquid loads, fuel is something you will need to work your way up to, it would take a few years.!
redhead18,
May 12, 11:42pm
Note phill trees on right in both top pics in links unit went off left circa 400 meters before trees was full sideways on road and trailer went down bank and took branches off trees then ended up other side of road like 100 metres past tress. Sheesh reminds ya of accident Auckland Southern motorway bathtub spare tyre on tray hopped off and locked drive wheels truck AIRBORNE. landed on car fatal circa 95?
stevo2,
May 13, 5:44am
I have a mate drives the Tauranga/Auckland/Waikato triangle route every day. He does 11 hour days and the occasional 8 hour Saturday. He grossed $110k last year.
nice_lady,
May 13, 6:46am
So? Have you not read how difficult it is for people even only a bit over the age of 50, (ish), to get work?
And that's not the point. The point is - experience is needed and that takes time. And the OP is wanting to start a new career at 60. Good luck getting anyone to hire you at that age for a career that requires A LOT of training and experience.
annie17111,
May 13, 7:36am
my dad is 67 and drives a milk tanker, not for fonterra. Not sure about your licence but was assume you would need to do it again.
strobo,
May 13, 7:54am
#40 The divider then for an employer has to be ,have you the required experience,and appropriate licenses for the position available and any advertisement would need to portray those requirements.Not how old you need to be !There are plenty of fit and healthy 60-70 yrolds in this world.Ive worked with a 74 yr/old diesel mechanic who started late in his life,and still going strong! and another A grade Automotive/business owner changed his career in his mid 60s completing his building apprenticeship and continued building housing for a living. To be fair there are younger generation too who are eligible to apply but have not the experience either ,Iv,e seen it every other day , drivers but not operators on a big learning curve in the process of gaining experience at great expense wreaking gear/equipment costing companies ,trucks off the road or under repair.Every one started somewhere at some time!The key is specific training programmes and follow up designed to suite types of rigs.not one class covers all types IMP
fozzienelmo,
May 13, 8:37am
no why should your age matter the thing is finding a company that will give you a chance good luck
fozzienelmo,
May 13, 8:38am
i second this
fozzienelmo,
May 13, 8:44am
its a out of it feeling when driving a fully load liquid tank on your truck can scare the shit out of you too even when you are stopped your truck is swaying gently lol
nice_lady,
May 13, 9:04am
That's the catch. And yeah - good luck to the OP. Really
strobo,
May 13, 9:05am
#45 . If "scaring the shit out of you feeling is there don't even bother. The need is to show you are confident ,and have complete competency at all levels for one and the right aptitude regardless of age.Faking it till you make its won't work neither does having luck on your side. !
onl_148,
May 13, 9:58am
I understand that there is currently about 2000 truck driving vacancies in NZ ! I have some interest in forestry up Napier way. there are truck just sitting idol for the lack of experienced logging truck drivers! . The barriers to getting these jobs are: ** The cost of training courses, testing & licenses fees. ** Being able to pass the medical ** Being able to pass the random drug tests ** Getting experience. ** The pay and conditions ** Often long & stressful days, unsocial hours of work, maybe away from home overnight. ** Being an owner / operator is an option. but the purchase and running a rig is expensive. not for the faint hearted ! ** If you are under the age of 25, there are additional time & course / test constraints on your possible progress up the license classes.
The OP was interested in fuel tanker driving. this is a specialist area and as such has even more training and heaps of driving experience required.
If the OP can demonstrate genuine willingness / keenness / stickability etc then any good trucking company that are willing to take people on at the bottom, give them experience etc, will welcome you with open arms. The OP will have to be willing to start at the bottom. maybe with a forklift cert so can help around the yard, perhaps wash a truck or two, drive a small truck on the Metro run, (local deliveries around town). even in your own time spend a days out with a driver and his truck, to see what is what. it all counts as experience and more importantly shows you are willing and any time and money spent on you by the boss will not be wasted !
fozzienelmo,
May 13, 9:59am
yeh yeh what ever, its good to go out and drive all types of vehicles including vac tucks which i have done big and very small. your attitude well not- so keep going at a thing and taking care is key too getting better or experience why stop because YOUR SCARED im not and thats what makes drivers who they are today because they kept going and yes i was given the chance to get tbat experience and still do have those oportunities because of the company i work for, an yes i may not be able to spell who cares i say good luck to OP
philltauranga,
May 13, 12:37pm
It will scare the sh1t out of you when you feel it go, I did this Master Drive course and highly recommend it. Youtube: TR Master Drive Jane Dowdeswell | Deals on Wheels
Yes I think if you are good your mechanic wage should be at least $ 30 _ 35 per hour, that is really a base rate for someone good. We are paying our handyman $30 for unskilled.
nice_lady,
May 13, 3:02pm
Considering what mechanic charge rates are at the garage you'd expect them to be getting mid $30's at least.
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