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Priorities

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Commuter69, Oct 17, 2014.

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  1. Oct 17, 2014 #1
    Commuter69

    Commuter69 Road Train Member

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    Long story short; after a number of factors outside my control, I was unable to start school when I thought, but will next week.

    Due to a gap between the cost of the school and the grant I am receiving under the WIA, I need to absorb some of the costs temporarily out of pocket (I will be seeking employer reimbursement for only the funds I pay out). Because of this, my thoughts to complete school and have everything I need in hand to make myself as valuable as possible, I need to space them out. I had decided to come out with the tests passed for the HazMat, Doubles/Triples, and Tankers endorsements. Since I need to space out the costs involved with:

    Passport Card: $55
    HazMat Endorsement Threat Assessment program (HME) Fingerprint/Background: $86.50
    TWIC: $129.75

    How would I prioritize these so that I can say that they are all at least in process soon after hire?
     
    Commuter69, Oct 17, 2014
    Commuter69, Oct 17, 2014
    #1
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  3. Oct 17, 2014 #2
    lcfd15

    lcfd15 Medium Load Member

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    Well like yourself, I am heading off to school but not until 10/10 and going through a company rather than a school. I already went and got my permit with endorsements and TWIC.

    My opinion after making many calls and hearing from A LOT of the guys and gals here on the forums, is that it depends on what you want to drive and what company you go with.

    For instance I went and got ALL endorsements so that way I don't have to go and test for them later, got my TWIC and not worried about my passport. This way, for the same reason as you, I would be more marketable to companies.
     
    lcfd15, Oct 17, 2014
    lcfd15, Oct 17, 2014
    #2
  4. Oct 17, 2014 #3
    Commuter69

    Commuter69 Road Train Member

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    This is why I am asking minds better than mine here....
     
    Commuter69, Oct 17, 2014
    Commuter69, Oct 17, 2014
    #3
  5. Oct 17, 2014 #4
    teqntexas

    teqntexas Medium Load Member

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    well not knowing where your hailing from, or what your looking for, otr, reefer, flat, hot shot, oil field, parking lot, tanker i'd say use the velcro approach, through it all against the wall and goes with what sticks.

    2 ways to make good money. get your tanker and hazmat and get hired on being a tanker yanker, or go flatbed and eventually get into oversize. if i had it to do over, i'd go the tanker route.

    As for the passport, again, have NO CLUE where you live, and what you WANT TO DO but i'd hold off on that for now. Hazmat, then twic.

    Best of luck there future Driver.
     
    teqntexas, Oct 17, 2014
    teqntexas, Oct 17, 2014
    #4
    mickimause Thanks this.
  7. Oct 17, 2014 #5
    Balakov100

    Balakov100 Road Train Member

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    You do know a lot of companies don't require any of those.

    If I wanted them or thought they were needed.

    I would do HM
    TWIC, Passport.
     
    Balakov100, Oct 17, 2014
    Balakov100, Oct 17, 2014
    #5
    mickimause and HotH2o Thank this.
  8. Oct 17, 2014 #6
    Commuter69

    Commuter69 Road Train Member

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    I am in Sacramento, CA and know that to get the TWIC involves a fingerprint/background check as well. So I am thinking the HME for the HazMat, then the Passport, and then the TWIC?
     
    Commuter69, Oct 17, 2014
    Commuter69, Oct 17, 2014
    #6
  9. Oct 17, 2014 #7
    chris886

    chris886 Medium Load Member

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    Hazmat first, it opens a lot of opportunities. as far as twic or passport, it depends on where you live and who you work for. if you live or want to drive by the border get passport. if you are by the cost and want to go to ports get the twic. however if you get hazmat and twic at the same time you get a discount because they can use the same background check
     
    chris886, Oct 17, 2014
    chris886, Oct 17, 2014
    #7
  10. Oct 17, 2014 #8
    kemosabi49

    kemosabi49 Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    All the tanker companies I know of will hire you without the Twic. You'll have to get one within a reasonable amount of time but don't need it right away. They will not hire you without hazmat and tanker though. And although I have a passport, I haven't needed it. I just don't go up there. Doesn't pay enough.
     
    kemosabi49, Oct 17, 2014
    kemosabi49, Oct 17, 2014
    #8
  11. Oct 17, 2014 #9
    lcfd15

    lcfd15 Medium Load Member

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    well I will put it this way. I went in for my Hazmat and TWIC background on September 10. I checked the website when I got home at 2PM and it had already processed and I was approved. I received my TWIC card in the mail 7 days later (PIN 3 days after that) and my HazMat letter about the same time I got my PIN. I don't know how its processed out there, but it was quick as hell here in Georgia.

    As for your passport, you can pay a bit more if you had it "rush" processed so if you don't have the extra dough right now to get it, I would hold off.
     
    lcfd15, Oct 17, 2014
    lcfd15, Oct 17, 2014
    #9
  12. Oct 17, 2014 #10
    HotH2o

    HotH2o Road Train Member

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    Sep 23, 2012
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    1. Hazmat
    2. TWIC
    3. Passport

    That is my 2 cents. I don't have a passport but I also don't plan on leaving the country anytime soon either.
     
    HotH2o, Oct 17, 2014
    HotH2o, Oct 17, 2014
    #10
    Commuter69, BrenYoda883 and lcfd15 Thank this.
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