To hazmat or not to hazmat?

[BigDumbDog777]

Ive had some drivers tell me not to mess with hazmat because it's not worh it. More hassle, more paperwork, obviously much stricter regulations, more danger, for really same or very liitle extra money as non-hazmat. is it worh it getting a hazmat endorsement? I'd have no prob passing the background check so thats not an issue for me. but is it worth the hassle and risk?

[Uturn2001]

As far as risk goes, the majority of materials hauled under a haz mat designation are not that dangerous. Things like cleaning supplies, paint, etc are usually given a haz mat label but really are easy to haul. It really is only if you get into hauling hazardous waste, radioactive products, explosives, etc that things can get a bit dicey, but those items are generally only hauled by drivers with a lot of experience and a great safety record.

While there are many companies that no longer require a haz mat endorsement there are still enough that do that not having it can really limit your employment choices.

I have had haz mat on my CDL from day one (1998) and I have probably hauled less that 10 haz mat loads in that time pulling general freight in vans and reefers.

IMHO if you do not mind paying the processing fee you might as well get it. You may never need it, but it would be there if you do.

[farder]

HazMat is no biggie. More of a pain in the butt than anything. Especially if you're a smoker.

[Skywalker]

Lets see....you don't bother getting a hazmat endorsement, because your company does not require you to have one....though they do get hazmat loads to pull.

Ok, now you're sitting in a place, waiting for a load...you've been sitting since the day before, and along comes "Joe", he just got unloaded a couple of hours ago...and he got a load assignment....you didn't. Why, because he is going to go and pick up a hazmat load while you might sit even longer.

Gee, I can't think of any reason to get a hazmat endorsement.

My driving job "requires" it. How many hazmat loads do I pull....about 30 to 35% of my loads are hazmat.

Dangerous? No. Only a dangerous driver is dangerous. More paperwork? Maybe a little, but its no big deal. More rules? Yes, some. Nothing that really redefines the wheel though.

I've had my Hazmat endorsement since I got my CDL years ago. Its paid off.

[Rockee]

but is it worth the hassle and risk?

Yes it can be the difference between having a job or not having a job, or like Skywalker said, between having a load or not having

[rcpilot]

Realize that with the new requirements on getting your hazmat, many of drivers have been grandfathered in certain states, meaning they don't have to go through the process until their current hazmat endorsement expires, and now that the majority are coming up on their renewel and bam.. with certain felonies and NOT being a U.S. citizen you cannot get a hazmat endorsement... many of dirvers are losing their endorsement and this will and has opened up the hazmat market both in job opportunities and more pay.. I have seen ads where co. are paying more per mile if you have your hazmat whether or not you are hauling hazmat items... I say get it... it opens up alot more opportunities for you.

[Sealord]

Get it unless a background check wouldn't be passed. As previous posters stated, more employment opportunities, more load opportunites. What's not to like. BOL

[Evinrude]

[ but is it worth the hassle and risk?[/quote]

just ask this widow..



http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedconten...n.7438988.html

[nickbtubas]

accidents happen and you accept them especially when you haul fuel for a living. he knew the risks and succumbed to those risks as a result

[flood]

Skywalker put it very well

usx doesn't require has-mat but our base pay is higher because we both have it and more if the load is has-mat. about 15% of what we pull has some has-mat in it.
we get longer runs with less downtime because we have it.

some customers "like Fedex and others" every load MAY BE has-mat so only has-mat teams get them. also usx paid for the background check.
so does it pay to have it YES

[Malaki86]

You don't have to be hauling hazmat to be killed in an accident...

[BigDumbDog777]

wow...lol...so what you all are saying is dont get it?...I wish you guys would be more clear...lol...just kidding. seriously thanks for help and advice. I went ahead and did the background check/fingerprint, I might as well go ahead I figured. I now feel better with what I did after reading all your tips, experience, and advice. I wont have any problem with the background check. Thanks again on helping a newbie.

[VitoCorleone99]

Or you and "Joe" both just got empty an hour ago. There's a 2,200 mile non-hazmat load and a 300 mile hazmat load. Poor old Joe... Somebody has to pull that hazmat load so he gets screwed. It can cut both ways. I say do what you want to do. There's plenty of work out there either way. It just depends on what company you're looking toward.

[Rockee]

Sure there is plenty of work either way. But if I was coming out of school and wanted a job, I would want to have "one up" on the next guy down the line. Why pay xxx amount of $$$ for schooling and then you cant even market yourself because you are limited as to who you can apply to? Ol' Joe might have to take a crappy 300 mile run because of his endorsement while poor Frank is still looking for a job because he dont have his..............

[farder]

Sure there is plenty of work either way. But if I was coming out of school and wanted a job, I would want to have "one up" on the next guy down the line. Why pay xxx amount of $$$ for schooling and then you cant even market yourself because you are limited as to who you can apply to? Ol' Joe might have to take a crappy 300 mile run because of his endorsement while poor Frank is still looking for a job because he dont have his..............

Dude, there's a zillion openings for drivers. You do NOT need HazMat. You can EASILY get a job without it. Good luck either way you go.

[wonderman]

i love haz-mat loads you have to be a little more careful but i make a lot more money doing everything legal and right. I haul tanks and the customers are wonderful you always have an appointment and i never wait...if i do wait i am paid for my time....wonderman

[Rockee]

Dude, there's a zillion openings for drivers. You do NOT need HazMat. You can EASILY get a job without it. Good luck either way you go.

I think you missed the point that me and other have tried to explain

[Skywalker]

i love haz-mat loads you have to be a little more careful but i make a lot more money doing everything legal and right. I haul tanks and the customers are wonderful you always have an appointment and i never wait...if i do wait i am paid for my time....wonderman

Yep, thats right!! 8) 8) 8)

[Skywalker]

Or you and "Joe" both just got empty an hour ago. There's a 2,200 mile non-hazmat load and a 300 mile hazmat load. Poor old Joe... Somebody has to pull that hazmat load so he gets screwed. It can cut both ways. I say do what you want to do. There's plenty of work out there either way. It just depends on what company you're looking toward.

Vito...yes that can happen, but the sword cuts both ways.

Back when I was a "Red Racer"...I emptied out in Atlanta one day...then deadheaded down to Valdosta, and loaded a hazmat load to Sacramento, CA......seems I was the only guy in the area with the endorsement to do it.

Its a gamble....but then, I found in my case I didn't get saddled with running short hazmat loads...as much as I got shorter non-hazmat loads.... so its a little of the bad with the good. 8)

[Copperhead]

I have hauled various hazmat loads for over 20 years. Hardly any more of an issue than hauling regular freight. A couple of extra steps to take but nothing spectacular.

That being said. There are a number of companies now that are basing their pay scales on whether you have hazmat endorsement or not. I saw this coming when we had to start getting background checks. I saw the same thing happen when the CDL kicked in back in '92. This will be more pronounced. There is no doubt that a hazmat endorsement will command a premium in the pay scales. It is already happening.

Therefore..... since hazmat hauling is really a joke once you've done it for a while, and since there will be a premium pay for hazmat endorsed drivers, it is a no brainer........ get the endorsement and sit back and enjoy.