Sentinel Transportation/Phillips 66

Nearly half a decade of posting on this website, and I've seen my career transition from a guy who could barely shift the truck without fear of murdering an innocent school bus full of children and catching a vehicular manslaughter case--to a professional driver, beginning a career with an elite fleet of fuel haulers.

I can't give too much information, and this isn't even a done deal yet. But very recently, I interviewed with Sentinel Transportation--a subsidiary of Phillips 66. At the loading rack, in my area, we call them the "Red Army" because of their strict policies. And yet, after a four-hour interview and being cross-examined like I was in an FBI interrogation room, answering the most arbitrary and nuanced questions about my background--I left the meeting feeling more excited about a possible job, than I ever have.

I did a thorough pre-trip, and got behind the wheel of a truck and trailer, proudly displaying a 76 logo. This is the last of the private fleet majors, so to speak. Arco and Chevron all sold out; Arco sold out to Tesoro, but still run the Arco trucks in the Los Angeles area. Chevron, liquidated all of their private fleet and contracted the work out to common carriers. I've learned all this, in my research, working in the fuel hauling industry, and perhaps most importantly, reading this website and networking.

Sentinel Transportation have their corporate offices in Wilmington,DE; for tax purposes, I suppose. But they seem like a bunch of good ol' boys down in Texas.

"You're going to be in the military here," a driver trainer told me recently. The strict policies and almost militaristic procedures ensure you quite literally do things "by the book." But you get what you pay for. And they're paying us really, really well.

The position, is about $85,000 a year for a 4/3 work schedule. It is my understanding, that picking up that 5th day will push a driver to $100,000 or more. The benefits at this location are reasonably priced, and they offer a Teamsters contract.

The one thing I did like, were the red, unpretentious Kenworth trucks. The simple writing on the side in black writing, reading "Sentinel Transportation," shows that they do not need flashy advertisements to project the image that they are the very definition of professionalism. They do not actively recruit. Word of mouth opens up the possibility of snagging one of few spots in this company. If you can hang, and stick to a strict routine, and conform; this position seems to be one to retire from.

We will see how this goes. For all I know, they will fire me for holding my cup of coffee too long. But in all the trucking jobs I've had, this is by far my favorite company, and I've only driven 29 miles in one of their red Kenworth trucks.

Many thanks to the dudes on this website who have pointed me in the right direction. Truckers report.com has been an invaluable resource to me, and my professional development. Ya'll pointed me in the right direction, and mentored me as I read as much as I could. Nearly half a decade later, it looks like this driver's big break has finally come. I went from complete poverty and near-homelessness, to breaking into the upper middle-class; all thanks to a simple grant from the local welfare office. This is the definition of the American Dream.

 

I hope I can make it. I'm scared. But it is a golden ticket, with long-term potential. They're located in every city I want to live in. We shall see how this goes.

 

This is what I'm talking about. Look at how unpretentious that truck is. They don't need some stupid flashy logo, the simplicity communicates that they're the best in the industry. That chromed-out tank and the 76 logo tells the story. Good god, I've never been more enthusiastic about an employer in my life, except for when I made $10,000 a week taking online surveys, cashing money orders for my Nigerian Prince, and sending the overpayment back to him through Western Union.

Anybody else have some input on this company?

 

Thanks, man. They're combing through my background with a fine-tooth comb right now. But I'm closing in on the prize. They said if it all comes back clean, I should start next week. I am so worried dude! But this, this is that opportunity I've been building a career for. This is no joke, this is the big leagues for sure. I hope I won't die of an anxiety attack before I reach it.

 

It's still a waiting game. I"m trying to figure out if these dudes in Texas are doing a background check, or a SECRET security clearance. The anxiety is killing me.

Picture Hunter S. Thompson in the Nevada desert circa 1971, sweating in anxiety as a hotel clerk's face morphs into some sort of weird reptile, and terrifies him. That's me waiting by the phone this week.

 

Thanks for that. I hope it all goes as planned. The situation I'm in at the moment, means I'm narrowly avoiding a horrible financial ruin actually. Feast or famine.

Oh if anybody is reading this and wants to let me drive their truck for a few days in the exchange of some cash, send me a private message. I have to make some change to buy my kids some bread, ya feel? I'm close to San Francisco/Sacramento at the moment.