Posted: 9 years, 5 months ago
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I'm moving on with my HazMat endorsement during my transition week.
So, let's see if I have this correct.
I go to HazPrints.com and get the background stuff out of the way with Homeland Security where I pay around $80.
Then I go to a specific branch for fingerprinting, etc.
I see TWIC mentioned in this process. Will this Hazmat endorsement automatically get me a TWIC card or is this something extra. I also thought I heard at one point that the TWIC card is the one to get , vs another card that I don't remember the name of.
Any guidance through this pinnacle of bureaucracy would be greatly appreciated. :)
I can only speak for Texas, but here you have to take the Hazmat Exam at the DMV 1st, then once you pass they give you a document to take to a local identogo office for background and prints. Typically they will tell you it could take up to 60-90 days to get your Hazmat granted. This is where my TWIC card came in handy. Since I already had my TWIC a large portion of the Federal Background check was already done and TSA/FBI used the info from my TWIC to speed up the process. My Background check passed and the DMV office got my clearance in one week and mailed my new CDL with the new endorsement and received it in about 8-9 days. So I got lucky and the total time from testing to hazmat in hand was only 2 weeks.
I now have ALL endorsements, TWIC and Passport just so it would make me more marketable and hopefully open up more opportunities.
Posted: 9 years, 5 months ago
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First trucking company, Prime, Con-way or Werner: pros, cons, favorite, experiences.
I'm now getting back into trucking and this go around I want to give tanker a try for several reasons. 1) It's always fun to lean new things and there are so many types of tanker loads, you will have your fill of learning (I think). 2) No bumping crowded docks with a tanker. 3) No scaling loads and adjusting tandems. 4) Since I already have experience driving a 10 speed, I'd like to see what automatics are like and I've noticed several Tanker Companies use them. 5) With the company I'm hoping to go to work for in the next couple of weeks, they run out of my home town loaded and return empty, so no headed to tank washes while out on the road. Come back to the yard and grab a clean trailer.
The director of the school thought that tankers was the way to go. If you live in an area where there are oil wells or are willing to spend weeks at a time there, that is where the money is at. Hauling water is apparently very lucrative. I wanted to get other experiences first. I might try that after a period of time.
Agreed. I'm in Houston, so we have many oil refineries within 20 minutes of downtown at the ports, etc. So there are many tanker companies here.
Posted: 9 years, 5 months ago
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First trucking company, Prime, Con-way or Werner: pros, cons, favorite, experiences.
TxsGent, Sounds like you have it figured out!! that's great and good luck!! Keep us posted!!
I will add this, you said you are 52? I'm 51, 49 when I first went out on the road. I agree with what you said about a dedicated run like Dollar General (I've seen some of those places and they look like a royal pain to maneuver around at. Maybe a dedicated Lowes or Home Depot or the likes wouldn't be too bad....but they small stores are difficult at times plus unloading too. I also didn't want flat bed due to the reasons you listed. I ran reefer before and went to a lot of Walmart DC's and ports and for the most part I did not like those, but you tolerate them because it's all part of the job.
I'm now getting back into trucking and this go around I want to give tanker a try for several reasons. 1) It's always fun to lean new things and there are so many types of tanker loads, you will have your fill of learning (I think). 2) No bumping crowded docks with a tanker. 3) No scaling loads and adjusting tandems. 4) Since I already have experience driving a 10 speed, I'd like to see what automatics are like and I've noticed several Tanker Companies use them. 5) With the company I'm hoping to go to work for in the next couple of weeks, they run out of my home town loaded and return empty, so no headed to tank washes while out on the road. Come back to the yard and grab a clean trailer.
Posted: 9 years, 5 months ago
View Topic:
First trucking company, Prime, Con-way or Werner: pros, cons, favorite, experiences.
I have graduated trucking school and have my certificate in hand. All of the driving training had been pulling a empty van. On the last day, I asked if I could pull a tanker. It is loaded with water. The difference was significant. It will definitely take some getting used to pulling an actual load.
I still haven't decided on which company to pursue. Instead of narrowing it down any I have even added PTL to the mix. I will spend more time talking with the recruiters and see how can woo me their way.
Thanks for all the assistance TT!
Word of advise in terms of recruiters. Only believe about 1/2 of what they say and get as much as possible on an email paper trail. Remember, it's their job to talk to you into picking them. My 1st job out of school was with Prime. I feel they are a great company to start with, but as a company solo driver you will be on the N/NE a ton until you request home time. I see you're in Texas, not sure what part. But a lot of my trips home with Prime was coming in loaded, dropping at a near by Walmart DC, after that dropping my trailer at a drop yard and bob tailing home. When I went back out, they sent me to Laredo to pick up a Mexico load and off I went again.
Posted: 9 years, 5 months ago
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Schneider or Service Transport? Help
Hey Sly, here's my two cents on your dilemma.
Based on what I know about these companies, I'm gonna say that both are great outfits. Personally, I think that you can make more money than you quoted for Schneider, but I can't say for sure.
If I were you I would go with my gut feeling. If later on you decide you want to try a different company then it's not that big of a deal. You can always move over to a different company when you are an experienced driver. They were needing drivers yesterday, and they will be needing them tomorrow. So, if later on you think you want to make a change you can, but I've got a feeling whichever one you choose you will be happy at it once you get it all down concerning how they operate and do things.
Thanks, I always appreciate and respect your opinions!! :) My gut says Service Transport for a few reasons. One, I spoke with a driver that used to work for them and he was happy, made good $$ and said he very rarely had to load or unload, he said the customers for the most part did not want the driver touching their product, that's great by me..ha! He was out loaded and back to the yard empty. Was home several times a week and slept in his own bed. Second, while I have no problems slammin' gears, they use all automatic transmissions and to me that's a plus. It appears they use mostly Volvo Mid Roofs, Petes, a few International Prostars and some Macks. I was also told all their equipment including trailers are 2012-2015. If I'm hauling HAZMAT I surely want great equipment. They want me to come in and take a short driving test around the yard and then they will let me know. Third, Schneider's training pay (for 28 days) is $80 per day and then out with trainer on the road for 21 days at the same rate. Service Transport is less training time, at $100 per day at the terminal and $125 a day while out with a trainer.
So....unless I hear awful things from people about Service Transport, I'm going to see them soon for a driving test.
Posted: 9 years, 5 months ago
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I'm finished with my schooling 😏
Congrats!!! I remember being very nervous.....but the above comments are correct. BREATH!!!! It will be ok. I would recommend knowing your air brake test backwards and forwards. While I did fine, there were a few that failed it and that was it till the next trip to test.
My story, I had to take it twice for one simple and minor mistake the 1st time. I took a right turn and my trailer tires "rubbed" not hit or ran over, just barely rubbed the curb and that was an instant fail from the person that did the testing. But bet your bottom dollar, the 2nd time I did not touch a curb...haha!!
Grinding a few gears really wasn't a factor, I think they expect that to happen. Again, they are looking for safe driving, you're watching road signs, using your signals and let's not forget the parallel parking. As ugly as mine was, I did it and passed that part too, both times...haha!!!
Posted: 9 years, 5 months ago
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Schneider or Service Transport? Help
Correction...I put NW and meant to type NM for the Schneider runs.
Posted: 9 years, 5 months ago
View Topic:
Schneider or Service Transport? Help
Good Morning Drivers!! More Tanker questions!! I've got conditional pre-hires from both Schneider and Service Transport. Can you drivers please help me choose?
Schneider would be regional (out of Houston) Tx, Ok, La, Al, Ar, Ok with some NW and CO. Out Sunday-Thurs. Probably older equipment. They pay per mile and extra pay for load and unload, etc..etc. and an Extra $50 per load within a 100 miles of Houston and an extra $25 for 101-200 miles from Houston. Probably only an average of $40-$50K a year.
Service Transport runs would be all 48, but I don't know how that can be if they say out and back to Houston every 4-5 days and short runs (LA,OK,AR back same day)? They are out loaded and back empty and they pay is % based. They have new (2012-2015) equipment with automatics. Average yearly pay is advertises $50-$65K per year. Also supposedly a much smaller outfit and more of a family feel.
I'm leaning towards Service Transport.......can y'all help me out with some feedback please!!
Thanks, Sly
Posted: 9 years, 5 months ago
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Sly normally we say don't put your eggs in one basket and one count on one company giving you a job but you are not new to trucking so it's a bit different. If Schneider is willing to train you and then give you a job I say jump on it asap.
You are right except if you plan on going with a more local company driving tanker back home I believe most of them what 2 years of experience. Keep that in mind.
Right on!!! I hope I pass the 28 day orientation/training...haha!!
Posted: 9 years, 5 months ago
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AJ's HazMat Time
"Thanks for the input, Sly....
All the input helps me understand the process more."
No Prob.....It amazes me how something that's federally regulated is so different from state to state in terms of the order of things.