Pros/Cons Of Non Tanker Hazmat
Topic 16407 | Page 1
I am struggling with whether or not to get my hazmat. I've already received my TSA approval letter and the company I'm going to work for pays $75. a week more in training & .07 cents more per mile for hazmat. My wife ,who drove for 9 years with her late husband, says I don't (and she won't) want to pull hazmat because of hassle with shipper's getting shipping papers right, having to follow hazmat routes, following all the hazmat rules, etc... I really don't see the problem but I've never btdt. Can anyone help me with my delima? THANKs
Your wife is a wise woman. Hazmat requires a lot of additional oversight, and adherence to a lot of different rules.
In the end, I would like to point out an appropriate saying: "Happy Wife, Happy Life." It sounds like you taking Hazmat loads will make your wife unhappy, with predictable results for your life.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
Shipper:
The customer who is shipping the freight. This is where the driver will pick up a load and then deliver it to the receiver or consignee.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
I worked for a chemical company before going OTR. To me, hauling hazmat wasn't a horrible thing, but to be sure, you do have more rules you must learn and follow, as well as having to learn all the hazmat symbolism, how the bols are formatted, not to mention more rules of the road.
Then you have to deal with placards, which makes you much more noticeable to the dot officers, and having to watch for certain routes that are no hazmat routes. However, if you learn, and follow the rules, make sure your ducks are in a row, it's not that bad.
Granted, I worked for a chemical company locally, so I have never actually driven OTR hazmat. I'm sure it's even harder than the local stuff I was doing.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
OTR:
Over The Road
OTR driving normally means you'll be hauling freight to various customers throughout your company's hauling region. It often entails being gone from home for two to three weeks at a time.
DOT:
Department Of Transportation
A department of the federal executive branch responsible for the national highways and for railroad and airline safety. It also manages Amtrak, the national railroad system, and the Coast Guard.
State and Federal DOT Officers are responsible for commercial vehicle enforcement. "The truck police" you could call them.
I am struggling with whether or not to get my hazmat. I've already received my TSA approval letter and the company I'm going to work for pays $75. a week more in training & .07 cents more per mile for hazmat. My wife ,who drove for 9 years with her late husband, says I don't (and she won't) want to pull hazmat because of hassle with shipper's getting shipping papers right, having to follow hazmat routes, following all the hazmat rules, etc... I really don't see the problem but I've never btdt. Can anyone help me with my delima? THANKs
Your wife is a wise woman. Hazmat requires a lot of additional oversight, and adherence to a lot of different rules.
In the end, I would like to point out an appropriate saying: "Happy Wife, Happy Life." It sounds like you taking Hazmat loads will make your wife unhappy, with predictable results for your life.
Wife doesn't care if I haul hazmat and I really don't care to haul hazmat if I can get out of it, I just don't want to sit still making no $$$
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
Shipper:
The customer who is shipping the freight. This is where the driver will pick up a load and then deliver it to the receiver or consignee.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated
What's the 'struggle' then in figuring out whether to get your hazmat endorsement? You'll earn more, and it's really not a hassle at all if you understand the regs.
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
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I am struggling with whether or not to get my hazmat. I've already received my TSA approval letter and the company I'm going to work for pays $75. a week more in training & .07 cents more per mile for hazmat. My wife ,who drove for 9 years with her late husband, says I don't (and she won't) want to pull hazmat because of hassle with shipper's getting shipping papers right, having to follow hazmat routes, following all the hazmat rules, etc... I really don't see the problem but I've never btdt. Can anyone help me with my delima? THANKs
HAZMAT:
Hazardous Materials
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts of especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under HAZMAT regulations
Shipper:
The customer who is shipping the freight. This is where the driver will pick up a load and then deliver it to the receiver or consignee.
OWI:
Operating While Intoxicated