Brett's Book

I am sorry if there is a subject regarding Brett's book. I am reading the entire thing, but I wanted a thread where I could ask questions about the book. I did a quick cursory search and could not find it. So, anyway, my first question is about this:

Brett wrote: "Make sure they will give you the necessary training to get ALL of your endorsements including hazmat , tankers, doubles and triples, and passengers (buses). Make sure you get ALL of the endorsements. Each endorsement only requires a very short written test. You can also severely limit your job opportunities if you leave them out."

From what I have seen, this is accurate, except the HazMat endorsement. Here in IL, you have to keep taking it, and keep qualifying it. If you do want a job hauling HazMat, it is worth it, but if you are not working in that field, the endorsement is completely unnecessary.

I am sorry if there is a subject regarding Brett's book. I am reading the entire thing, but I wanted a thread where I could ask questions about the book. I did a quick cursory search and could not find it. So, anyway, my first question is about this:

Brett wrote: "Make sure they will give you the necessary training to get ALL of your endorsements including hazmat , tankers, doubles and triples, and passengers (buses). Make sure you get ALL of the endorsements. Each endorsement only requires a very short written test. You can also severely limit your job opportunities if you leave them out."

From what I have seen, this is accurate, except the HazMat endorsement. Here in IL, you have to keep taking it, and keep qualifying it. If you do want a job hauling HazMat, it is worth it, but if you are not working in that field, the endorsement is completely unnecessary.

It's always easier to get all your endorsements right out of the gate - than it is to try and make time to get them later on down the road.

Ones that you will probably never need (unless specifically going for that segment of the industry) are: doubles/triples, tanker and passenger.

As far as HazMat goes - we're not talking about nuclear material or toxic-glow-in-the-dark-waste here. Many common household items (bleach, car batteries, etc.) are frequently carried in amounts that require placarding - when they are carried by the truckload. Having the endorsement, will get you loads of "non-life-threatening" HazMat - where you might end up sitting and waiting for a load of cornflakes instead. Most companies are going to want you to have this endorsement.

Passenger: Most states require a pre-trip and road test using a BUS - in order to obtain this endorsement. I took the written, and when I road tested on a TT and went to DMV to upgrade from permit to CDL , the clerk asked "doubles/triples, tanker, passenger, hazmat" - and I just nodded yes. So I got the passenger, without actually doing the skills tests with a bus. Unless you're planning on driving a passenger bus, this is one you'll likely NEVER NEED.

Tanker: While most people will choose to go into driving tankers - there are "portable tanks", that go into a dry van - the total capacity of which, may require this endorsement.

Doubles/Triples: Unless you're going into a company that does a lot of line-hauls - the odds of you having to pull a double/triple are next to non-existent. BUT - if dispatch is in a jam - and needs someone to pull a double (breakdown, sick driver, etc.), being able to STEP UP and drag that load for them, buys future goodwill.

But as Brett mentions - the endorsements are only a written test, which the TT High Road Training, will more than prepare you for. That and the small additional cost at DMV to add the endorsements (HM being the most expensive at around $100 for the background).

It is better to HAVE AND NOT NEED - than to NEED AND NOT HAVE.

I went to a full-time country vo-tech school in '09 - never actually got a job in the industry. But I keep my CDL, all my endorsements, my DOT Medical Card, Passport and TWIC card all current - so if I decide to make a move, I can do so without a lot of the hassles of getting them in the beginning.

My $ .02

Rick

So, your HazMat is not yearly and expensive to renew?

I am sorry if there is a subject regarding Brett's book. I am reading the entire thing, but I wanted a thread where I could ask questions about the book. I did a quick cursory search and could not find it. So, anyway, my first question is about this:

Brett wrote: "Make sure they will give you the necessary training to get ALL of your endorsements including hazmat , tankers, doubles and triples, and passengers (buses). Make sure you get ALL of the endorsements. Each endorsement only requires a very short written test. You can also severely limit your job opportunities if you leave them out."

From what I have seen, this is accurate, except the HazMat endorsement. Here in IL, you have to keep taking it, and keep qualifying it. If you do want a job hauling HazMat, it is worth it, but if you are not working in that field, the endorsement is completely unnecessary.

Bill, you got your answers already. I just ant to point out a Reply feature yuo can use. Above the reply text box is a set of quick keys to help you lay things out. one says Quote. Click on that and you get something that looks like this:

< blockquote> < /blockquote>

Type or paste what you want between them and then when you post, you get

Brett's Fancy Quote

So, your HazMat is not yearly and expensive to renew?

Hazmat is typically a 4 year term.

Interesting in that, most states issue CDL's for 6 years - but with a HM, you have to renew the endorsement every FOUR (which requires the prints/background to be re-run for renewal).

Again - it's always better to HAVE, than NOT - regardless of the additional expense, and shortened renewal periods.

If you've been researching to the point where you have narrowed down which companies you are going to be shooting for, for your first employment - you can check their website (or call a recruiter) and see if they suggest/require the endorsement.

While it is a little more complicated (detail-wise) to test for (versus general knowledge/air brakes/etc.), if you use the online tutorial here - you should be able to get through it without a problem.

As I mentioned previously - I've had my CDL for 6 years now, haven't used it - and when it came time to renew my HazMat - I drilled using the High Road Training Program - and passed the test easily.

None of the other endorsements, require retesting (to the best of my knowledge).

Rick

Yeah, everything Rick said is true. There are plenty of standard items that marked as Hazmat. In fact, 90% of the Hazardous items you'll haul are things you'll find in use every day around the house. The Hazmat will have to be renewed every so often but it doesn't cost that much and it will certainly give you a little more flexibility when they're assigning freight at a company that hauls a mix of hazmat and non-hazmat freight.

Hazmat endorsement cost me about $120 and is good for 4 years in Minnesota, company reimbursed me for the cost, my CDL is also only 4 years, and the hazmat was set to renew with my license

One thing not discussed that I could find (I read the entire book today, it was THAT valuable) was parking on off-ramps. I see it done all the time, but is it legal? AND, my uncle quit trucking in the early 80's. He said one of the main problems was parking. How serious is it?

Also, the section on running over HOS; is it possible with e-logs?

Some states I believe North Carolina will give you a ticket for doing it, not 100% sure though, and with e-logs nothing says you have to stop, you could keep on driving if you don't want to keep your job. Not sure how other companies are doing it, but once you go over it's a point and each time is a point and at 20 points I believe the individual is terminated.