ask your questions about prime inc here

One of the enrollment counselors at my school told me to "get all I can." I think that's good advice--all it takes is a test and some dinero. But, like IP says, if you don't have it you will not be pulling it. Get all you can. You just never know...

 

My previous driving career we were required to have HAZMAT, but I'm guessing with the new TSA regs and all, it's different now, but I'm with you, get everything you can. I vaguely remember when I had to convert to a CDL back in 80 something, we only had to take the written test(don't remember doing any skill or road test), friend of mine told me to get the doubles endorsement, so I did. Years later when I was leased with Ranger(Landstar) I stumbled on a sweet deal in J'ville, FL. Local Ranger agent down there was getting ALL the Xmas UPS overflow. Wasn't much that wasn't pups and man did it pay BIG time. Spent 3 weeks just running intrastate FL, all drop and hook.

I'm sold!!! lol

Thank you VERY much for that advice. I just now was reading about HAZMAT and all the new TSA rules and regs, fingerprinting and such. I thought tanker was just an endorsement, like doubles, just wanted to check. Thanks for the heads up on the HAZMAT. Things sure have changed!

I appreciate that info "brat"!(funny that's what I call my favorite niece, brat ) I'm not a native Mainah, but I have been "stuck" up here for awhile. Nice to know I'm not the only crazy one from this neck of the woods!

 

If having hazmat is not a big deal at prime, i rather save my money and not get it. If i have to sit waiting for a regular reefer or dry load i don't mind. I had to sit alot with the reefer company i was with when i had hazmat, and besides that you don't get paid extra so why spend the money on it. Other prime drivers are doing fine without it.

 

You'll do better with it. They pay company drivers $50 per hazmat load plus mileage. A couple of loads, and its more than paid for the background check.

There is a cycle to how reefer freight works yearly... at low tide, you need every tool you can get your hands on. You guys don't want to bother? Fine with me. I'd rather be running than sitting around the truckstop grousing about why there's no freight. Remember, if you don't have the endorsement, you won't be offered the loads.

 

I did not know you get paid extra $50 for every hazmat load you haul, i thought all you get is the cents-per-mile they give you at solo status and that's it. As long as i am getting a return on investing in hazmat endorsement i don't mind getting it. Thanks ironpony.

 

Company drivers are now required to have Hazmat, TWIC and passport.

optional for Lease Ops.

It's left to the fleet manager to make sure you have them or in the process.

 

I was just told yesterday by my recruiter when she set me up for OCT 18th I do not need my hazmat. so do I need now and she didn't know. I live in MO.

 

Which is why, for me, getting it right away is the thing to do. I would rather not have to determine WHO in the company has the straight story. I have the passport, so the TWIC isn't that difficult (well, other than having to deal with TSA, which I've done since their birth...yuck) and if having hazmat and a passport will get me a load before someone else since I live fairly close to a major border crossing, well, better for me. I want to be as qualified as I can for them.

 

just remember if you are getting your cdl at prime then changing it to another state you have to pay hazmat transfer if you already have it.

but I agree better to have it and not use it then miss a load and the income during slow times

 

Can you apply for the passport at prime as well as the twic?