is geting a hazmat worth it?

Discussion in 'Flatbed Trucking Forum' started by Bigchevy, Oct 27, 2013.

  1. MJ1657

    MJ1657 Road Train Member

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    Melton hauls it as well. I recall Noggin posting pics of some hazmat loads he hauled.

    If your company hauls it absolutely get the endorsement. Its those little things that separates you from the rest of the pack.
     
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  2. Ponderingmuscle

    Ponderingmuscle Bobtail Member

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    You know I am curious, how do you get the double and triple hazmat endorsement?
     
  3. Cluck Cluck

    Cluck Cluck LTL Wizard

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    You mean. doubles & triples and HazMat?
     
  4. landstar8891

    landstar8891 Road Train Member

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    For what it's worth...I just did my Haz Mat and it costed about 300.00 and alot of messing around..Another over the top L/S requirment...

    IMO it is NOT worth it..For all the B/S you have to go through,the payoff is not there...I haul monster money freight that is 100% NON HAZ...

    Keep in mind too..You are putting your CDL at risk and CSA SCORE for these loads.The payoff is not worth it IMO..Not to mention the FINES...
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Oct 27, 2013
  5. missjhawk

    missjhawk Medium Load Member

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    Yea true flatbed don't pull haz but u may not pull flat 4 rest of yo life having haz+tanker will open doors that might be or pay u more than that flat bed ever will I think it's a 100 well spent in my eyes I heard of a job up east that pay .57 for tanker plus extra .5 for haz
     
  6. skellr

    skellr Road Train Member

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    Is the pay worth it as a company driver? All the hoopla and restrictions you jump through worth the extra pay or do you want hazmat experience for the future? It could help you find loads but you should be running you butt off anyway; being company flatbed.
     
  7. Criminey Jade

    Criminey Jade Road Train Member

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    It's worth it if you want to haul for companies like CAST. I have seen them running corrosives and radioactives in casks on flatbeds on I-70. I don't know what CAST drivers earn to take these loads, but I'm guessing it's pretty fat money.
     
  8. Bigchevy

    Bigchevy Light Load Member

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    I do run my ### of and make good money got all endorsment except passanger... dont want, and hazmat, just want to have options, but i want to get into hauling equipment and heavy in future
     
  9. kachup

    kachup Medium Load Member

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    yes, only if the company have haz mat freight. Some pay real good too beside those empty haz mat tank container that a few year ago you didn't need the tank endorsement to haul them on flatbed or SD.
     
  10. TripleSix

    TripleSix God of Roads

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    If there were absolutely no flatbeds pulling hazmat loads, then there wouldn't be a market for it. But there are, and so there's a market. Is it worth dealing with all the extra responsibility? Well, you don't hit the gym, put on tons of muscle, and run the 40 to be a golfer. If your company doesn't do it, it won't benefit you at all to get hazmat. But if they do play football, that speed and power and size does give you the edge.

    MJ said something I like. Every driver starts out the same...at the bottom of the pile. No one ever starts out at the top. I've said this before, call any company and ask them what does the average driver make and what the top driver makes, be it company driver or owner OP. the top driver will make 1.5 to 2x average. Think about it...he's playing the same game as you, for the same team, going by he same rules as you but makes almost twice what the average on the team makes? There's not one big glaring difference between the average driver and the one on top, it's a million little differences.

    It's one thing working for TSMT, where hazmat is their meat and potatoes, you have to have hazmat just to eat. But if your carrier does hazmat at all, you can bet your bottom dollar that the top driver in the company has an H endorsement.

    "Is it worth it...the extra headache and responsibility?"

    Thats not a question that the lead dog would ever ask. TWIC card? Lead dog has one. 2 yr medical? Lead dog has one. If its needed for the job, the lead dog carries it on his truck. You never see the lead dog showing up to a shipper and not having what he needs to do a job. Got holes in your tarp? Lead dog does too, but I will bet money that the lead dog has a tarp or two with ZERO holes in it. SPecialized hauler? Bet the lead dog has a height pole and a ladder.

    Want to make money? Separate yourself from the pack.