Here is what is going on with me. I was done with my 42 days a week ago. I am still on the road. We were on my mentor's hometime. I was "stuck" in a casino hotel in Laughlin NV. Message came on the Qcom for me to tell my mentor to get his DM to route us to the nearest terminal so I could test out and go solo. Mentor had to go to the doctor on this past Monday. We got sent to Kingman AZ and picked up a load to Encinitas CA. Wrong direction to Memphis! They really want me to test in Memphis. Might be too many trucks in their inventory sitting. All I know is it is looking bad for getting home for Easter. We pulled a load for Denver out of LA. I am at the consignee getting unloaded. We'll see what we get next. Good thing is is my sweetie has next week off for spring break! I really can't afford to be home too long. General concensus is Swift isn't the best at getting you home. That is from talking to drivers at the truck stops. A friend of mine gets home for short times. If he is running by his house. I need to work. I am hoping I get a good DM. One that will run my tail off and get me home. The guy at Memphis told us if you have a hazmat you will get more miles. I don't know but I could have sworn that you get $.03 a mile more for Hazmat.
Rug Trucker: I was told by my recruiter that I had to have HazMat in order to even get hired. Nothing was said to me about extra pay... Maybe more miles because you're more valuable, but don't know about any extra pay.
Although orientation doesn't begin until April 5, they asked me to come down to the terminal today (April 2) for a quick road test. I passed. I understand another pre-hire had failed his road test this morning due to not being proficient with his shifting.... The tester did indicate to me that a lot of the mentors are interested in having the new hires drive drive drive but that we will again be road tested at the end of the 6 week training period. So it is still imperative to follow and practice daily (un)coupling, COLA, tug,pre/post trips etc.
Different answers with different recruiters. Oh well. I'd rather have mine than not as it means more potential and more options for a load.
It will also help with miles if you can go into Canada. I think they have what is called "easy pass"? or something like that.
There's a item called a FAST card. Companies and importers have to apply to be in the program. Drivers also apply for it, but I'm not sure if you have to be driving for a approved company or not, and if you get a card, if it's only good while driving for that company. A alternative is to get a Passport Card. It's just a card, instead of a Passport book, and only good for Canada & Mexico. But it's good for 10 years, and it's yours, no matter who you work for. It costs about half what a full passport costs.
I don't think there is extra pay for hazmat loads. I got my truck Friday. I brought it home. It is sweet. Highrise Volvo. I have to call breakdown and tell them I have an airleak. I am off 'til Friday. I got 5 days off after being out 7 weeks and 2 days. More later, I am going to Mississippi with my sweetie for Easter.
