Midland/Odessa Bound for Oilfield Helpppppp!!!!!

There are plenty of jobs in this area. I have been working for a company hauling chemicals to the rig sites for drilling mud.
I heard about a job hauling sand for frac. that was 2 weeks on 1 week off. I applied and talked to the boss and told him I would like to work 10 weeks on 3 weeks off and he immediately said DONE, what else? $1500 per week guaranteed and they pay lot rent for my rv where its set up now. They offer shared housing also.
Good luck
Jim

 

There you go! Man after my heart. Thinking outside the box. Little wheeler dealer cuss and discuss. That is the perfect way to play the oil patch. More often then not you can get what you want or more then you were offered. Great job!! Hope lots of those asking all the questions read you and H's posts.

 

thinking about doing the same thing myself. 24 years cdl a, clean records tank experience blah blah blah.
I have no oil field experience but lots of tanker experience and lots of miles under my belt.
I let my TWIC expire last year because I never used the stupid thing.
Question is, do I need to get the TWIC back to work in the oil patch?

Thanks
Dave

 

The answer is no .... and yes.... it depends. If you want to run oil back to the gulf, you'll need it. Anything else, probably not. If I were going to the Corpus Christi/Houston area...maybe San Antonio as well, I would get it. West TX or anywhere away from the gulf by more than a couple hundred miles, I wouldn't worry about it. Also, if you have the Hazmat, most will give you time to get the TWIC... if needed.

You have more than enough experience to walk right into the best driving Jobs in the patch. All ya gotta do is decide which job you want. They will be happy train you for the patch. These companies are full of people like myself that just barely scratch in with experience. They chase people like yourself like a dog after a bone.

 

thanks for the quick reply. I guess the next question is, what is the best jobs in the patch?
Here's what I was thinking/planning on maybe doing....
Purchase a 40ft fifth wheel rv because rent is so high in Odessa and parking it at one of the many rv spots posted on craigslist in the area and then stocking money away.
Not real sure of this plan but I'm just thinking about it at this time.
Is this realistic? I live in Ohio in a much different place than Odessa. I have hauled loads in and out of the plastic plant there 10 years ago and this is all I know about Odessa, and what I read on craigslist and this forum.
Any information would be helpful before I start putting real money on this plan.

Dave

 

There are a few things that you need to decide on first, before looking at specific companies and/or job types. What fits you best? Sleeper truck, living in the truck full time with very few of the expenses associated with oil field economies... and very likely more income? Very possibly will be with a smaller company with lesser benefits, but earning and saving being better. Most of these jobs will have the option of working a few weeks and taking a week or more off to return home as well.

Or... a good solid job with a top tier company, outstanding benefits and retirement packages, 50-65 hr/5-6 day work weeks, $60k-$80k/yr...determined by the amount of hrs you want to work for the most part?

I prefer and I am now working a sleeper truck for a third party carrier. We pick up the slack from some of the top tier carriers. I work 4 weeks and go home for 7 days...or I can work extra if I want...my choice for the most part. I'm in very new equipment without an overwhelming amount of supervision and safety nazis.

Before I took this job, I worked for a well known, top tier crude hauler. The benefits are great at those companies. Some have great schedules if down time is important to you. I have worked a schedule where you worked 5 days on/2 off one week, then 5on/3off the next...11-12 hr shifts. Gravy schedule, with plenty of downtime, but very seldom more than the 2 or 3 days off....not enough to return to OH except when the week or two of vacation you will accrue (most of these top tier companies have good vacation packages as well). With these companies, you'll need a place to live whether it be an RV or an apt. Personally, for me, the living expenses vs the income just never added up for what I was looking for in the patch. But, the companies and the total package they offer is absolutely top shelf.... and there are a LOT of these jobs.

One last thing to kick around. A new driver will likely have his/her best chance of breaking into the oil field by going into the areas where the boom is the heaviest and doing what he has to do to get started. For someone with your experience, I would note that there are lots and lots of jobs on the outskirts of these boom areas. The same options apply with same companies. The difference is that you could avoid purchasing an RV and paying lot rent in a lot of these outskirt areas. Get an apt, live a nice life and avoid the drama associated with a boomtown. Or...work out of a sleeper truck but still have less of the boom to deal with. You'll make about the same either way..in my opinion. These opportunities are available to an experienced driver in a lot of areas... OK, NM, KS, CO, etc.

So... which sounds like the best fit for you? We all have different goals and comfort levels. The good thing about the patch is that there are so many Jobs available, that there is something for everyone...you just gotta know what you want. Or...get your feet wet, then take a look around.

 

"So... which sounds like the best fit for you? We all have different goals and comfort levels. The good thing about the patch is that there are so many Jobs available, that there is something for everyone...you just gotta know what you want. Or...get your feet wet, then take a look around."

Outstanding advice from Arky as usual. He helped me a great deal when I was getting started.

As a new driver fresh out of school it took me 2 hours to find a job in Midland. I also received 5 calls from other companies I applied to in the same week, they were just a little slower getting back to me. We rented a cabin in San Angelo for a week but only used a couple of days.
If you haven't been here maybe you could fly in to Midland and stay at a hotel for 2 days, rent a car and put in apps. I contacted companies and said I will be in the area on these dates and would like an opportunity to meet with a recruiter. I put in apps from Florida but got no response, I think they like to see that you are not wasting their time and will really be here. Boots on the ground as some people say.

 

If you do have clean records and tanker, I can give a contact in Midland/Odessa for crude hauling. PM for details.