Basic Energy Services

Discussion in 'Discuss Your Favorite Trucking Company Here' started by BHMitchell, Nov 12, 2010.

  1. BHMitchell

    BHMitchell Bobtail Member

    13
    7
    Aug 15, 2010
    Pratt, KS
    0
    Well, I started a blog on this and found I am not the guy to keep up a blog so I figure ill make a post then we can continue discussion on this if you all like. I started at Basic three months ago. I was fresh out of CDL school and horrified at the thought of starting at one of these newbie places. I thought I'd get a job where my uncle works hauling water but they filled the spot before I was finished in school, so after some looking I found Basic. They provide acid, pressure, and cementing services for oil wells. I have been driving a bulk cement truck thus far. The experience is great! I get to drive in different terrain and road conditions a lot. If you are horrible at backing (like I was, and probably still am, lol) this will get you whipped into shape!

    The first two days was orientation and what not, then I had a drive test, and was sent out with another guy to learn the trucks and help me out driving. I would say, I had another person with me for about 5 jobs then I was by myself. There are other responsibilities besides driving involved, for instance, we have to lay iron to the well to cement, we can come in and work around the shop, and we service and make what repairs we can on our own trucks. But, the other stuff is fun! you get to take a big truck places I probably wouldn't drive my 4x4, you get to be outside and get dirty. Same crap I did as a kid, just with bigger toys!

    The pay is wonderful, I started here green as can be making about 3 dollars more an hour than I was as a paramedic after 10 years, so no complaints there. What I really appreciate is how focused on safety this company is. We are all told repeatedly to drive legal, not just make it look like we are, all employees are capable of stopping operations if something unsafe is going on and they really look out for their employees.

    A week after I started working there, I developed a pretty serious staph infection in my leg that I had to go to the hospital for and get iv antibiotics everyday. I received about a call a day from my boss or a dispatch person just to check up on me. This kinda made me nervous. I thought they were going to be running me off for being out so long. I went in to the yard to talk to them and show them my leg, I thought if they see how nasty it is then maybe I'll be ok. The boss told me, "I'm going to pay you your 40 hrs this week, you can use your PTO time next week." That made me feel pretty ###### good. If he hadn't have done that I'd have had to wait another 90 days for my insurance since I was out over a week!

    The benefits are great as well, you get PTO at 3.46 hrs a week (which increases over time), excellent insurance, safety points every month (used to purchase clothes, gear, etc. on a website), a monthly safety bonus (as long as theres no OSHA reportable accidents, 484 dollars last month), and uniforms (just bought us what I hear are wonderful looking winter coats, coveralls, hardhats, and liners).

    I am really glad I have found this job! Since I have been there I have never had my butt chewed. Everyone has been real nice. This is like the third largest oil field servicing company in the US, but it has this everyone knows you, we look out for each other mom and pop feel to it. I am home everyday and I am guaranteed 40 hrs. a week no matter how little I work, but theres more than enough overtime available.

    If anyone has a Basic yard in there area (Tx, Ok, Ks, Co, NM, Ar, La, Ut, Wy, Mt, ND), I'd definitely look at giving them a shot. They will train you, and obviously they will hire the newbiest of us and give us a chance. I had 0 driving experience, 0 oilfield experience prior to this and it didn't even make them bat an eye. I was told not to worry about it thats what training if for.

    I turned my newbie orange hat the other day for a white one, I've already gotten one raise since I've been there, that amounted to just shy of 70 cents, and I'm hoping to be moved up to a pupm truck in the spring.

    What more could I guy ask for.
     
    Big Red, MoneyCat, Big Duker and 2 others Thank this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Mdbluecrab

    Mdbluecrab <b>Crusty Crab</b>

    292
    301
    Feb 4, 2010
    White Plains, Maryland
    0
    Congratulations and good luck. It's rare that a rookie can land a good job as you did. Stick with it and enjoy.
     
  4. claredog1

    claredog1 Light Load Member

    236
    67
    Apr 11, 2008
    Goose Creek, sc
    0
    Hey BH, I have been thinking about going up to ND to work in the oil fields, I have been driving trucks for 11 years and operating vac trucks since 2003. I had been making pretty good money here but work has slowed with the economy. What is basics hiring process like and if you don't mind me asking how about the pay range and benefits, it sounds like a good co I'm going to see if I can find them online, do you know what the web site is. Thanks for any help you can provide.
     
  5. BHMitchell

    BHMitchell Bobtail Member

    13
    7
    Aug 15, 2010
    Pratt, KS
    0
    http://www.basicenergyservices.com/

    That is the web page. Each yard hires it's own personnel, all I did was put in an app, and interviewed. Yard boss called me back, he ran my MVR and background check, then I had to take a drug test and I was hired. I had 2 days of Safety orientation and about a week with a co-driver that was it. No big ordeal. My brother doesn't even have a CDL and they are thinking of hiring him and training him.

    Benefits are health, dental, eye insurance, and psychological/addiction counseling, monthly safety bonuses/safety points, PTO from day one, and training.

    They started me at 14 dollars an hour and I got a 70 cent raise after about a week. I get between 60-100 hrs a week. The only time I took home just 40 hrs a week pay was my first 2 pay periods when I was sick. All the shops and yard numbers are listed on the website.

    Also, the seem to be pretty good about raises and promotions, lots of room for growth.
     
    claredog1 Thanks this.
  6. Lowbed

    Lowbed Light Load Member

    193
    61
    Oct 23, 2008
    Edmonton Alberta
    0
    I'm glad you got into the oilpatch before some hired you for OTR. Service companies tend to have openings to upgrade yourself at tomes. You might just like getting into the pickup truck and head out to the rig and SUPERVISE the crew. Best of luck to you !
     
  7. BHMitchell

    BHMitchell Bobtail Member

    13
    7
    Aug 15, 2010
    Pratt, KS
    0
    Thank you, yeah service supervisor would be nice around 20/hr with 60hr/wk guarantee...mmmmhhhmmmm
     
  8. 1catfish

    1catfish Road Train Member

    1,456
    649
    Jul 18, 2010
    0
    sounds like a great job, stay with it. congrats!:biggrin_2556:
     
  9. BHMitchell

    BHMitchell Bobtail Member

    13
    7
    Aug 15, 2010
    Pratt, KS
    0
    I got called into work on my days off to catch a cement job. When I got there I had to sign a paper showing I was working my day off because apparently when you do you get a 100 dollar bonus!
     
    Last edited: Nov 18, 2010
  10. Skunk_Truck_2590

    Skunk_Truck_2590 Road Train Member

    2,093
    683
    Feb 16, 2007
    Stonewall, LA.
    0
    Yea, that's the only down side being on call but for the money you can complain. I'm trying to get on with either Basic, Key, CCS, Pinnenrgy, Select, Nabors or a smaller outfit here in my area. I'm just hoping my job history isn't going to hold me back from doing what I want. I have job hopped in the OTR side of thing's because of the lack of money but came ya blame a guy for trying to find something better?
     
  11. claredog1

    claredog1 Light Load Member

    236
    67
    Apr 11, 2008
    Goose Creek, sc
    0
    How's that oil patch job going BH?
     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.