Anyone feel the effects of oil/gas yet? (Alberta, BC, Sask.)

I pull oil and there's been a significant slowdown. Also, the MINUTE oil prices went down, the oil companies were asking for huge rate decreases. Well, not really asking. More like forcing rate decreases by pitting companies against each other to create bidding wars for the work. I've heard as high as 30% rate drop by some companies. I know my detention time hourly rate dropped 45%. And when you're sometime waiting to unload for 6-10 hours a day....that's a huge hit.
Luckily, I drive my own truck. I don't know how you could pay drivers and still make money right now. I've been considering going OTR just to get out of this mess for now.

 

We got one company out here that stole some of our work. The bid they put in is for Super B loads on a 5-6 hour rounder. I talked to a couple o/o hauling it and the said after fuel and wages and truck payment...they're profiting about 50 bucks a load. They better hope they have no breakdowns or even blow a tire. Lol

 

Sounds about right, that's how it was in gp when I left almost a month ago. I sat for 8 out of 14 days on my last shift. Just after I left the company announced they were charging 150 for standby and forcing the drivers to take 20/hr on standby.

 

Yeah...we got a couple oilfield companies that are refusing to pay waiting time now...and still want cheaper rates on the haul as well. I told my boss that I didn't buy my own truck as a hobby. I gotta make money with it or what's the point? Sure we can keep working by reducing rates but if rates go too low...its just a slow path to going broke eventually.

 

Hobby trucks pull RV's

 

The rates are in the toilet now. I recently switched companies because the hours just werent there. Place im at now is still fairly busy doing bulk transport and from what the other guys are saying they stay busy year round doing other non oilfield work

 

Yup, she went fer a dump. Cutthroat rates, crappy work environment, safety dept has become a compliance dept as they try and justify their jobs.
I am curious how they figure to hold onto anybody or hire if they cant pay people enough to stay here?

 

My old tanking job was perfect for someone who lived in gp and could stay up there all the time and work when there was work. A 14/7 shift didn't work so well.