Hazmat/Freight Companies That Train? (Schooling)

Most of the training companies with schools (like CRST for instance) run hazmat. The question would be if the trainer you ended up with bothered to get it.

 

If you're referring to HazMat specialty companies, I don't think any of them really hire rookies. Like us, for example. We are purely hazardous waste. It requires a certain experience and knowledge to do correctly and legally. You can't really bring in someone fresh off the streets and them just have that knowledge you pick up from wheel time.

 

*SIGH*!! Our "Pack of Geniuses" have decided in their August Wisdom to start hiring 1st timers. Not going so good so far.

Of our "current class" we have a guy who's on his 13th training run.... but can't find his way across the yard. Just no sense of direction whatsoever. We also have a young lady who can't roll up the dollies, can't pull the 5th wheel pin, can't handle the discharge hoses and wants to visit the tourist sites along the way.

Folks, I know you're enthusiastic and all.... but hazmat tank is really dangerous for a rookie. Not only for you, but lots of folks around you. Really, alot of industrial chemicals are deadly and an accident,spill, or (God forbid) a rollover is a bigtime deal.

 

Oh man. Whoever made that decision should be sent packing. Someone is gonna get seriously hurt.

 

You need to start somewhere, In my opinion everyone deserves a shot after a significant amount of training and riding with someone for a awhile. Everyone is different and who's to say he can't do the same job as you in a shorter amount of time? Most companies don't want to take the risk but I am sure you will find one that will take you aboard.
Good luck, It isn't easy by any means.

 

Somethings are only learned through experience. Hazmat can be some serious stuff. No amount of telling me how you MIGHT be able to do it will change that. Driving a truck can by deadly enough. Coupling it with some real nasty substances multiplies that risk. I don't want some fresh cut newbie out on the highway beside me and my family with some of the wastes we haul. Period.

 

That's all well and good Marc, but let's talk reality here ok?

Newbies...... we're not trying to insult you here. You've got a heck of alot of things to learn and practice and do your first year out; not the least of which is the realization of just how little that "driving school" actually taught you. You've got the pressure of learning to handle the truck itself. You've got to learn stuff like proper loading, caring for the load, delivering the load properly and on schedule in places and circumstances you've never known before. Plus you're changing the way both you and your family live. That's a heck of alot of pressure and distraction right there.

Hazmat tank requires a far greater amount of concentration simply because of the inherent danger of the load itself. You need to have all that other stuff done and taken care of before you even consider hooking onto a load whose placard is "skull and crossbones".

 

Hazmat is an animal all of its own. Not only are you dealing with the everyday hazards of driving, you are also dealing with the hazard of hauling a dangerous load. Tankers are very different in how you drive due to surge and the like. I was one of a very few out there that was given an opportunity to haul hazmat as a new CDL holder. I had less than a month OTR experience when I was in the right place at the right time and got on with Gemini hauling fuel for Love's. It was a huge deal and my regional manager had to get on a conference call with his boss and the vice president of Love's to get approval to hire me. Their standing policy has always been 2 years experience. I count myself quite lucky.

This has been an adventure for me not to mention a huge learning experience. I had never driven a tanker before and had VERY minimal experience driving a tractor trailer to begin with. I've taken everything very seriously with this job and am cautious in all that I do. Now I'm 9 months into this position and I truly love it. I can't see myself doing anything else. Am I a veteran now? Heck no and I still view myself as a newb, but I'm learning a great deal each day and have learned so much thus far.

If you can find a company that is willing to give you a chance without having 1, 2 or three years then jump on it. Truth be told though that chances are you will need to get some experience under your belt running dry, flatbed or refer before you will be able to get on with a company pulling Hazmat. Never know though could get lucky like I did.

 

I guess you missed the whole excessive training and riding with another driver part in my post.. At any rate I agree with most of this, However I don't think it's good if a driver is constantly worrying about his cargo. The only thing that would worry me is other drivers and their negligence but we can not control the actions of others.. But what we can do is stay alert and be prepared in the case of an emergency. If you are hooking up to a load that is hazardous and you are nervous to leave with it then you should not be pulling it in the first place.
I also agree that if you do find a company to take that risk jump aboard! You won't find those come along much at all.