Hazardous materials job outlook...?

[Douglas]

I have a Class A CDL. If I got my Hazmat license (as well as the tankers license), what would the outlook be like to get a job hauling fuel or any other hazerdous materials? Even if I had no over the road truckdriving experience (although I drive dumptrucks and a street sweeper for the city I work for), would they hire someone like me? Although I've had one backing incident with my current city job, my MVR is clean; no speeding tickets or DUIs. (Somehow the incident never made it to my MVR).

Also, what would the pay be like? From what I've heard, hauling hazardous materials is supposed to pay fairly decent because the written test for the hazmat license is difficult. (I know I fit right in with everyone else when I ask this question).

[GMAN]

Unfortunately, most hazardous materials loads pay about the same or perhaps a little more than regular freight unless you are hauling something like radioactive or A & E. I dropped my endorsement the last time that I renewed my license. It just wasn't worth spending the extra money plus the cost of additional insurance to haul hazmat. Some of the major carriers might pay a few cents more for hazmat loads, but for the most part it pays about the same as anything else.

[Douglas]

What about getting a truckdriving job where you're home everyday? I've seen several gas stations around my area with tanker trucks that have regular cabs (nonsleeper).

[Malaki86]

Celadon pays an extra $0.03 per mile for the loaded miles of HazMat, plus you get paid more for your weekly vacations - $600 vs $300. Also, every year (might be 120k miles) the HazMat vacation pay increases (by what, I can't remember and not digging out the book).

I'm coming up on my 4th weeks vacation earned this year, so it was worth the hassle to me to get the HazMat again, especially since they paid for the BG check. So, I'm looking at an extra $1,200 in vacation pay for the year, plus whatever miles I've pulled as HazMat, which is probably in the range of 10,000 ($300).

[Kurbski]

Douglas, The Loves and Pilot drivers I talk to seem pretty happy.But they do alot of night driving according to them and depends on what schedules are available. As for me, I dont pull to many all nighters and like sleeping at night, and don't get paid anything extra for a placarded load either. I like OTR Tanker driving because we get .43 cpm & paid hourly for everything else we do, including delays, loading, unloading etc... Also get reimbursed for a 12.00 meal on a short layover or motel/ 2 meals if we choose on a 34 hour break. Our bcbs medical,dental and vision is only $65 a week for the family. But for a local job delivering fuel, most companies are looking for some over the road time which varies from one company to another. Just get your foot in the door somewhere, accumulate some seat time and then go from there. Good luck

[Orangetxguy]

Douglas, The Loves and Pilot drivers I talk to seem pretty happy.But they do alot of night driving according to them and depends on what schedules are available. As for me, I dont pull to many all nighters and like sleeping at night, and don't get paid anything extra for a placarded load either. I like OTR Tanker driving because we get .43 cpm & paid hourly for everything else we do, including delays, loading, unloading etc... Also get reimbursed for a 12.00 meal on a short layover or motel/ 2 meals if we choose on a 34 hour break. Our bcbs medical,dental and vision is only $65 a week for the family. But for a local job delivering fuel, most companies are looking for some over the road time which varies from one company to another. Just get your foot in the door somewhere, accumulate some seat time and then go from there. Good luck

Hey!! You Old Dalmatian you!! Howz the rubber turning??

I'm really surprised that you didn't take the opportunity to recruit a new fire training cadet!!

[Kurbski]

LOL, I am retired and doing the otr tanker yanker thing. Pretty much stay east of I 35. Sitting in Riceboro Ga making delay pay as we speak.lol Hope your doing well Stan.