forced hazmat endorsement!?!

Why couldn't I get the HM, later if I needed it?

 

You certainly can, but the point is that the freight sales is trying to go after needs a larger pool of drivers with the endorsement. No large pool of drivers... no freight. The idea is that by increasing the amount of freight that we are all available to pull, both the company and drivers benefit.

As for what happens to transportation during a downturn... we're a "leading indicator." Wall Street is still humming merrily along, while shipping (trucking companies) are just not moving anything. By the time YOU know what's happening the downturn is busily hitting your pocketbook, and you're sittin' around wondering why there aren't any loads. That doesn't get you home a couple of times to get your endorsement... you need to have it on your license when the freight is already slowing down. Wall Street figures it out after about 3 or 4 months...

 

What is with this hazmat requirement id really love to know when that message got sent out cause I didn't receive it

 

It is really at the FM's discretion. I wouldn't broach the subject if they haven't gotten to you about it yet.

 

Yea I am not gonna get it doesn't pay from the ppl I have talked to just like the pass card for company

 

Yeah that is my game plan

 

So let me get this straight...

The company goes out of it's way to corral more freight... so that you guys can make more money. But... because it might be a little difficult (yep, gotta tape them placards down) and it might take $85 to get a background check, y'all are gonna sit on the sidelines. Like the rest of the drivers at the truck stop, complaining about no loads.

You do understand that because you don't have the endorsement, no one is going to tell you about these loads being available? So you won't hear about them...

Unbelievable.

 

I will do it when and if it benefits me. Right now, I am making plenty without it. I don't live week by week, so if it slows down I can worry about it then. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

 

I'm hearing over and over tgat no one is sitting. I'm rolling too... Where are these people waiting for loads. And no I don't get more hazmat in winter when it's slow. I get a hazmat load about every other month. Yeah it pays for itself after a couple loads, but I think the hazmat pay is only a small consolation for the hassle.

especially so if you are a smoker. Now I quit almost 2 years ago, but I certainly know what a pain in the butt hazmat can be.

Aside from that, I'll take the $50 per load but it's not really worth painting a giant DOT bullseye on your truck.

my FM says it's not a requirement... Until then it's your choice. If they can't get enough drivers then maybe they should offer more incentive. Let the forces of supply and demand dictate the direction of the market.

Sales books a lot of team freight that pays very well and we have a lot of incoming students and trainees. Given IP's premise for hazmat, how about he take on a student or trainee, make some extra money, help the company, and get some of those hires off the sidelines.

unbelievable.

 

When the message was sent out from my FM, he did not give a date wrote something like IT WILL BE REQUIRED TO GET HAZMAT SOMETIME IN THE NEW YEAR, MORE DETAILS TO FOLLOW. I am surprised that one FM gave a specific date and mine did not.