I have tanker and hazmat endorsements...should I get TWIC too?

The CA ports always required a TWIC. It was a flash pass up in Oakland but the LA/Long Beach ones actually had you slide it and I remember one port required your thumb scan to match what was on file to your TWIC.

I think the more credentials the better. A good example was just a couple of days ago for me. I was in Fountain CO looking for a good reload out and found one that was hazmat but also requiered a tanker end. I have both but the broker I was talking to said I was the 7th driver he talked to that didn't have the combo endorsement. So long story short I get a great reload out for $2.40 a mile to a great freight area.

 

Other/many places where I picked up & delivered chemicals required TWIC. Even if they were not "A Port".

Whenever I have the opportunity to get an "endorsement" or credential I get it. I have an additional wallet, in my other back pocket for all that stuff.

 

You have my condolences.

 

I'm a company driver and just bought my own TWIC card. It's not reimbursed, but since our company has loads coming out of ports, its to my advantage and in my best interest to get one. If not, I get a crappy load coming back west out of Jersey and sometimes pays less then flipping burgers at McDonalds. Heck, the TWIC card is $129 and paid for itself, and then some, easily in the first load I got out of a port. It's well worth it to have, but only if your company has loads available out of the ports.

 

Check with your company to see if they will reimburse you the cost of a TWIC. My company did with me and I'm a O/O.

 

Get all the endorsements you can because you will never know where life takes you and what opportunities may come up. I also got TSA certified for the airports. I have already been to LAX a couple of times for one crate at $4 a mile long haul.

 

If you're going to pull tankers get TWIC. I used mine every week. It's for seaports, chemical plants, and some military bases.

 

Experience trumps a TWIC to be sure...

My opinion stems from pulling tankers... if that interests the OP, then a TWIC simply makes sense to this driver, irregardless of who pays for it.

Though is it a perk where a company ponies up for it.