Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders

Task by task

Each task this job involves, as listed by O*NET, rated on whether a large language model like GPT-4 could cut the time it takes by at least half at the same quality. Tasks marked Seen in real AI use appeared in conversations with Claude in April–May 2026 (Anthropic Economic Index).

• AI can speed this up on its own: 1 (5%)
• AI can speed this up with extra software: 0 (0%)
• Little or no AI speed-up: 18 (95%)

• Record operating data such as products and quantities pumped, gauge readings, and operating times, manually or using computers.AI can speed this up on its own · core task
• Seal outlet valves on tank cars, barges, and trucks.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Verify tank car, barge, or truck load numbers to ensure car placement accuracy based on written or verbal instructions.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Start pumps and adjust valves or cables to regulate the flow of products to vessels, using knowledge of loading procedures.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Check conditions and weights of vessels to ensure cleanliness and compliance with loading procedures.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Observe positions of cars passing loading spouts, and swing spouts into the correct positions at the appropriate times.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Monitor product movement to and from storage tanks, coordinating activities with other workers to ensure constant product flow.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Operate ship loading and unloading equipment, conveyors, hoists, and other specialized material handling equipment such as railroad tank car unloading equipment.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Operate industrial trucks, tractors, loaders, and other equipment to transport materials to and from transportation vehicles and loading docks, and to store and retrieve materials in warehouses.Little or no AI speed-up · core task
• Connect ground cables to carry off static electricity when unloading tanker cars.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Copy and attach load specifications to loaded tanks.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Remove and replace tank car dome caps, or direct other workers in their removal and replacement.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Test samples for specific gravity, using hydrometers, or send samples to laboratories for testing.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Test vessels for leaks, damage, and defects, and repair or replace defective parts as necessary.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Unload cars containing liquids by connecting hoses to outlet plugs and pumping compressed air into cars to force liquids into storage tanks.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Clean interiors of tank cars or tank trucks, using mechanical spray nozzles.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Lower gauge rods into tanks or read meters to verify contents, temperatures, and volumes of liquid loads.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Operate conveyors and equipment to transfer grain or other materials from transportation vehicles.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task
• Perform general warehouse activities, such as opening containers and crates, filling warehouse orders, assisting in taking inventory, and weighing and checking materials.Little or no AI speed-up · supplemental task