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Moving to Midland/ Odessa TX

Discussion in 'Oilfield Trucking Forum' started by GA-TRUCKER, Apr 3, 2014.

  1. Apr 3, 2014 #1
    GA-TRUCKER

    GA-TRUCKER Bobtail Member

    31
    35
    Apr 3, 2014
    Atlanta, GA
    0
    Hello everyone, New to the forum, I have a Class-A w/ tanker and dbls and trpls and applying for Haz-mat Monday. I have a total of 2 years oilfield labor experience, 1 1/2 in Towanda PA and 6 months Odessa/ Midland, TX. I am moving to West Texas in June. I was living in Odessa last year for six months and worked in the oilfield as a field service tech but came back to GA for a family emergency that has kept me here longer than anticipated. During the time here in GA I worked for a company driving a 1700 gallon water straight truck for six months. However the truck was an automatic, I am wanting a water hauling job in the Permian basin however my experience only includes automatic transmissions... I graduated from Chattahoochee technical college in Acworth GA in February 2012 which was an eight week class and that was a manual but they taught me to double clutch and most oilfield companies when I was out there last year wanted me to float gears when I was interviewed. My question is how likely is it for a company to actually hire me if I can't float gears well? I don't wanna do fracking or anything else unless need be. Also, is it still booming like it was all last year? Does any other companies allow double clutching? I know of two companies that didn't have an issue but I'm wandering about others.

    (Also, I drove for Don-Nan for 1 day 53' flatbed, I drove without issues in a Kenworth from Odessa to Kermit and back, and quit because a better paying company happened to call me. However there trainer allowed me to double clutch.)
     
    GA-TRUCKER, Apr 3, 2014
    GA-TRUCKER, Apr 3, 2014
    #1
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  3. Apr 4, 2014 #2
    Arky

    Arky Heavy Load Member

    837
    570
    Jun 7, 2013
    0
    Its usually the opposite....most drivers know how to float and the companies kick em back at the test drive for not double clutching. Your biggest problem is going to be lack of experience and 2 years since cdl school. You may want to see if you could find a refresher course somewhere close and go ahead and do that.
     
    Arky, Apr 4, 2014
    Arky, Apr 4, 2014
    #2
  4. Apr 5, 2014 #3
    77fib77

    77fib77 Road Train Member

    8,599
    49,123
    Jul 7, 2010
    St Louis
    0
    I think someone will take you. I float gears.
     
    77fib77, Apr 5, 2014
    77fib77, Apr 5, 2014
    #3
  5. Apr 5, 2014 #4
    Patrickm213

    Patrickm213 Medium Load Member

    350
    151
    Dec 12, 2013
    0
    I don't think anyone is going to care how you shift as long as you can shift. Every driver I've ridden with since I got out here has ground the gears so badly. I was shocked since I was so nervous about needing to shift smoothly. I wouldn't worry about it.
     
    Patrickm213, Apr 5, 2014
    Patrickm213, Apr 5, 2014
    #4
    Big Duker Thanks this.
  7. Apr 5, 2014 #5
    Mad Frenchman

    Mad Frenchman Light Load Member

    158
    127
    Jan 8, 2014
    Texas
    0
    2 days in the field and you ll float like its the only thing you know
    at first the low gears might give you troubles but it will come.

    the more practice the more fluid and natural. Listen to the truck and pop pop
     
    Mad Frenchman, Apr 5, 2014
    Mad Frenchman, Apr 5, 2014
    #5
  8. Apr 8, 2014 #6
    Aireal

    Aireal Medium Load Member

    602
    326
    Aug 20, 2012
    Garden City, TX
    0
    I wouldn't worry about it, as long as you don't grind the gear's I doubt any one will care.... heck if listening to the guy's up/down shift at 158/33 is any indication, no one will care IF you grind the gear's... Good Luck
     
    Aireal, Apr 8, 2014
    Aireal, Apr 8, 2014
    #6
  9. Apr 9, 2014 #7
    bbq247365

    bbq247365 Light Load Member

    161
    158
    Oct 19, 2012
    0
    Welcome to the oil field!
     
    bbq247365, Apr 9, 2014
    bbq247365, Apr 9, 2014
    #7
  10. Apr 9, 2014 #8
    Big Duker

    Big Duker "Don Cheto"

    2,921
    2,862
    Sep 18, 2007
    Weatherford, TX
    0
    Quit worrying and get to work. If you can dbl clutch smoothly you're in. Like mentioned above, there are people driving out here I wouldn't put in a Lil Tykes plastic car much less a truck. Good mechanic can make more then oil hand repairing the stuff these guys destroy. Try to be the exception. A good driver who doesn't make stupid mistakes and leaves his ride ready for the next shift.
     
    Big Duker, Apr 9, 2014
    Big Duker, Apr 9, 2014
    #8
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