Please Help! About to pack up RV for Midland, but don't have a CDL

Discussion in 'Oilfield Trucking Forum' started by MadMax17, Apr 11, 2013.

  1. MadMax17

    MadMax17 Light Load Member

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    Jan 10, 2013
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    Had CDL, with 18 mos. exper... Lost CDL after a( 4 yr old) Dui. I'm wanting to move to Midland ($$$) asap. MOST ARE SAYING TO GET THE CDL "BEFORE" COMING TO TEXAS...
    DO I NEED THE CDL BEFORE GOING THERE???
    I know about the OTR companies "offering FREE CDL trng" =BUT they OWN you for 1 yr

    But are the oil companies any different??? Just go there??? Get hired w/o cdl & make considerably less to START, then get cdl?
    I currently live in Vegas, am about to pack the RV & go to Midland, but seeking to get CDL ($700 "refresher course" cost) before coming to Tx, my current expenses here in Vegas & cutting into my "future rent" monies... All to get the CDL.
    Can someone PLEASE CLARIFY THE STIPULATIONS OF GETTING A CDL VIA THE OIL COMPANIES OFFERING THEM?!?!?!

    Thanks guys for immediate responses !
     
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  3. dannythetrucker

    dannythetrucker Road Train Member

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    well you can get a job anywhere in Midland. gas stations, fast food, box stores, etc... everybody is hiring. IMO, the wages are not going up fast enough to match the cost of living increases so it is no goldmine for someone like you if that's what you are thinking. But it is a chance to stay busy.

    Now, there would be some advantages to going there and getting settled, get an address and a place for your RV, get your license switched to TX and cdl at the same time. When you go to get a job, you will have more success with some of the better places when you already live there and have a TX license.

    pm me if you want, I can give you a guys number who might let you park your RV with sewer, water, and electric. not cheap to get a spot like this in Midland these days but this guy won't gouge you as bad as some of the others.
     
    d o g and MadMax17 Thank this.
  4. MadMax17

    MadMax17 Light Load Member

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    Jan 10, 2013
    Las Vegas, NV.
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    Danny,
    I am here in Midland, hard to get the apps. in because of electronics involved (they hijack your app to another site, they're site does a semi crash, etc).
    I ended up driving my own car down here, now living in a travel trailer (with slide out, all util, water, heat, facilities, ice, gym, etc ) for $1,100 per month. It's a good deal with out a 'contract' at a high priced apartment that would be unfurnished. I'm ok with this deal.

    My only problem is finding someone who will "TRAIN" A NON - CDL PERSON?!?!?!?
    I have my cdl permit, just gotta get someone with a truck to borrow for driving & pre trip inspection.

    I can get a 'cab' driving job if push comes to shove, but I thought there were other jobs around the wells, 'roughnecking' etc?

    Max
     
  5. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Michigan
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    I got lectured last week by someone who did the same thing. I told him that if you go down there without a license, then you will have to do more than apply on line - you will have to hoof it around and actually talk to people. As one guy said to me when I was down there, without a license you have a one in two hundred chance of getting a job and one in three hundred getting something that pays more than living expenses.

    If you have to do a year or 18 months driving for someone to get your license and experience, then that's the price you have to pay which is a lot better than not getting back into the cab at all. I think like that guy, there are too many people that hear there are high paying jobs and a need for people without realizing that they have to pay their dues when starting or when there is a gap in their driving career.

    Sorry to go on about this but I'm still pissed at being lectured by this guy, as of this morning his sister said he is still sleeping in his car, and was told without the experience, he should find a job bagging groceries.
     
  6. gogetta26

    gogetta26 Bobtail Member

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    Madmax... I am starting work with sos staffing for Schlumberger as an equipment operator. I go thru 2 weeks of orientation (safety training)... but how long until I go train for my cdl?
     
  7. glenn71

    glenn71 Medium Load Member

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    Just go down and get a job as a frac fueling helper. Tons of hours, pay anywhere from $12-16/hr, and whichever company you choose will probably train. You won't need a CDL to start.

    You get to spend 16hrs a day dragging hoses around in the dust and mud, but it's a start.

    Check with companies like Thomas, Pel-state, etc. Those are the only two I can think of right now.
     
  8. Patrickm213

    Patrickm213 Medium Load Member

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    I do not understand this post. I do not care about the back story so this is a rhetorical question. What is stopping you from going to the DMV and just getting your CDL. Either you are eligible or not.
     
  9. glenn71

    glenn71 Medium Load Member

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    OP can do that too, but maybe they just don't have the extra cash. Wouldn't be the first person to show up in the oilfield hat-in-hand.

    Just get there OP. You'll find work. Good luck. And check with those frac fuelers. They will hire you without the CDL. If you don't know who they are just ask around.
     
  10. Driver5

    Driver5 Light Load Member

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    Jan 9, 2014
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    Lol considering this thread is more than a year old and he mentions in post 3 that he's already there, your advice is probably gonna fall on deaf ears.
     
  11. Arky

    Arky Heavy Load Member

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    Actually... I think he has been there...done that... and went back home...best I remember.
     
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