Comments By Trucktographer

Who has Hazmat endorsement.?

I do.

Who has a TWIC card?

I do.

Who has in depth security background checks preformed on them on a monthly basis and is cleared for DoD loads and can go most places civilian authorities can not go?

Again that would be me!

I did not make this post to make fun of you or to say your wrong in any type of way so please don't think that.

I only posted this to show that there are more people than you assume that have a high level security clearance and they are not that hard to aquire.

Now the company you have gone to or going to may have a strict hiring practice due to major liability issues but that in no way makes their hiring qualifications unique to them alone. So it's not an issue of a government security clearance.

It simply boils down to if you are ready to take on the stress and headaches of owning and running your own trucks.

I hope it turns out good for you and I wish you well.

I wasn't trying to make the claim that no one else could have the reqs. I was saying it isn't as prevalent as someone that just wants to run dry, or just reefer, or just tank.

I'm going to write this response under the assumption that neither of you have ever held, known anyone that held, a high level Gov issued security clearance. Holding a clearance changes everything you know about any job you can think of.

In this case it works out in our favor because so few people can meet the requirements. This isn't some Super-Trucker nonsense. This about who can go through all the scrutiny necessary to do the work, as required by the customer (in this case DoD).

Out of all the drivers on the road, how many got their HAZMAT? I know in my class, and Swift orientation, I was the only one.

On top of that how many get their TWIC? Again, I was the only one on my group that has that as part of my plan.

Then on top of that, how many drivers can get a Gov issued Security Clearance? I've had a TS/SCI Full-Scope Poly clearance since I was 18 (got my first clearance when my current profile pic was taken all those years ago).

The money goes up simply because the pool of candidates is smaller than most jobs involving a truck.

The numbers I'm mentioning aren't from a recruiter but an O/O I met out on the road. He shared his experience and even showed me his weekly statement. He (and his teammate) don't even chase the big money jobs. I plan on taking every difficult (and high paying job) that comes my way. Simply because I don't plan on doing this for forever. It is merely a stepping stone.

In their favor, the company won't even talk to you about leasing/bringing on your own truck till you've been with them, and your current driving partner at least a year. It is a long interview...that goes both ways. If after a year I don't like how things are going I do something else. I'm not walking into this blind.

The 20k loads aren't the typical hazmat. I'm talking DoD loads. Those pay through the nose.

I'll take 70% of a 20,000.00 hazmat load over 72% of a 5,000,00 cupcake load.

SLT. Most of the information you'll find is old (2004-2006), and since new management has taken over they've remained pretty quite on the Internet. Made my ability to do my due diligence a little tough. But everything I've seen since joining has been positive.

On July 27th my dad, and I, left Swift (having given our two weeks notice and our DM letting us know we were always welcome back) and joined a specialty carrier. A week later we were flown to Phoenix for our week long Orientation. Lots of information to cover since this company specializes in HAZMAT and DoD loads. After two weeks of hauling broker freight, while waiting for all of our paperwork to go through, we have just picked up our first HAZMAT load. Should be an interesting journey. As company drivers we expect to only see a small jump in pay. The reason we made the move is that the money is more consistent (flat rate + weekly mileage bonus), instead of bouncing around week to week. And in a years time we are looking at getting our own rig and run for these guys at a very healthy 70% of line haul. These loads (especially if you are willing to do border crossings, which we are) pay exceptionally well.

I went through Roadmasters, specifically the one in Tampa. And I had pre-hire letters from plenty of companies (some you named) even though I live in Clearwater.

The instruction at the Tampa campus is pretty solid. Could they stand to update some of their gear (ie computers and trucks)? Sure. But what you're there for is the knowledge the instructors can impart. Out of the dozen, or so, I interacted with I only had one bad experience. Most of the people there truly want to help you learn to drive a truck.

Feel free to PM any questions you may have.

And here I was looking forward to the visual of you storming in, eyes ablaze. Oh well. The calm option was probably the better one.

Good luck.

I didn't request the make, but I did ask for a team truck immediately after upgrading. Even though I was going solo, my future teammate was getting his CDL soon, and I wanted to just get a good truck for us right from the start. So they got me a brand new KW T680. So like Brett says, it doesn't hurt to ask.

I wouldnt sweat the negative stories too much. Those are generally written by people with an axe to grind. I currently drive for Swift, one of the most internet-despised companies around, and while things haven't been perfect I can't complain too much.

The main things that will determine your experience, at any company, are simple.

#1. Your attitude, in a general sense.

#2. Your Driver Manager/Dispatcher.

#3. Your attitude towards your DM/Dispatcher, specifically.

#4. Your work ethic.

While each of these is a simple thing, they arent always easy.