TWIC + Hazmat = Better treatment for Newbie?

No it won't get you better treatment. It only gets you a larger data base of loads to pull.

Nothing like sitting at the port shuttling trailers for drivers that don't have a TWIC.

Working for an hourly wage 1/3 of what you would make driving that day.

OTR and TWIC can be a good thing, with the right company. One that doesn't abuse you as described above.

 

I agree with danc694u. Having both reduces the chances of you sitting for a couple of days. It also opens more employment opportunties.

 

The pride of being a Trucker is to say, "if you have it, I can haul it". Get every license, permit you can get! I all works for You in the long haul.

 

Actually TWIC and hazmat make you subject to more abuse when you don't really have the available hours but you are the only one available for the loads .

 

RickG I haven't had any problems pulling Hazmat Loads when low on hours. Companies are carefull about assigning such loads because it'll bring down the Federal and State DOT if there is an accident or incident. There are two big reasons behind this. The first is the fines. The second is the cleanup costs.

 

Hazmat generally isn't an issue.

But that TWIC card. Can be a headache. Especially if you're the only driver within 50 miles of the port. And the company has 5 other drivers headed to said port. That do NOT have a TWIC.

You might end up shuttling trailers while the other drivers take loads from you, and roll on down the road.

I've seen it happen.

 

I just passed my cdl A and headed to twic office in carson,ca i dont think it can hurt.

 

I got my TWIC from Carson also. If everything goes smoothly your TWIC card will be ready in a week, atleast for me it was.

 

Yes shuttling can be a headache. A lot of drivers don't get their TWIC on purpose so they don't have to deal with the issues inside the terminals. Some non-TWIC drivers have the nerve to call you and ask if you can hurry with their empty because they have a reload already. That's when you drag butt and go hit up Habib's hotdogs at the APL terminal in Oakland.