Endorsements

Question: Is it advantageous to go ahead and get all endorsements while in school? And also the TWIC card?

Thanks.

 

It will certainly make you more marketable and open more options for you.

 

I am wishing I had done so. I'm planning to add tankers and HM, just to have them so now I have to do the MVD thing all over again. It would have saved a lot of time and BS to have done it the first time.

 

Thanks for your replies. Information is much appreciated!

 

if you dont want to use the endorsement dont bother getting it ... companies could pressure you to use it like say hazmat... even if you dont want to drive hazmat... get the endorsements you think are good for you
I never got doubles endorsement (triples are illegal in Texas) because i think it is too unsafe
but did get tanker and hazmat... but now think tanker endorsement was bad idea.. i think tanker doesnt pay well enough for the dangers and i refuse to walk on top with no railing or tie off
hazmat is the one I actually am ok with but alot of ppl think it is too dangerous and so dont get it or dont use it
just saying dont be qualified for a job you dont want to do... it is a waste of your time

 

Interesting perspective, thanks.

 

that is not quite true actually it is the federal gov that requires the fingerprints and background check..only places they approve of can be used (by the way getting a passport card speeds things up alot)... it is the hazmat test that doesnt transfer why I dont know should be the same info on it

Now that is true but flat bed would have a hard time securing many tanks that big and depending on the substance may need a heavy permit... van can secure it better but still
I just think companies push ppl to do things they shouldnt or dont want to do... and job wise types of trailer loads divide up the industry... you apply for van you only haul van... same with tanker... no sense paying and testing for something you dont want to do in the first place... I know tanker was an easy test and you dont need to have the official cdl first to get the endorsement like hazmat but i just would have rather me not get tanker... just like i refuse to get double/triple endorsement

 

The school I will be attending is located in the same state in which i reside.

I think I am leaning more to tanker work. But, I still have a lot to learn before the decision is made.

 

I will point out a little tip... when it comes to hauling... there are more van goods to move than any other type
so if like the mountains doubles and triples are a good thing (trains and mountains dont mix but we still need to get over them so)
if you like drop and hook and want more miles otr van is your ticket
if you want to go to plants, factories, and gas/truck stations and get hazmat then tankers are ok
if you want routine routes and still not drop and hook then tanker is still your best bet as frac sand and water haulers do that

but dollar for dollar outside of oil and gas cdl jobs or hot shot local to local... van with or with out hazmat otr gets the most money and even more than that if you are expedited (the otr version of hot shot) I did a bit of that too when I pulled van but my partners didnt manage their recap and I was forced to do resets I didnt need and schneider counted each reset as time off even if I could not leave the OC/Terminal ... I know schneider takes newbies and I know they pay better than places like swift by alot but if at all possible get a non trucking job that just needs cdl with or without endorsements because you matter and you are not a slave, you time matters, and living in a company cubical (sleeper cab) is just not OK