Driver Application Process in Texas

Discussion in 'Oilfield Trucking Forum' started by Tevatron, Sep 19, 2014.

  1. Tevatron

    Tevatron Bobtail Member

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    Sep 19, 2014
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    Can someone please tell me why the companies advertising for oilfield drivers seem so secretive about their requirements? Is it just me, or is the below common? Why do they want one to fill out an application without spending just a couple of minutes telling you what they need? Case in point:

    I have one year OTR 18-wheel experience, 70,000 miles coast to coast, 138 loads delivered with just one late load. I have a perfect CDL record. No accidents, no tickets, no CSA issues. I have the X endorsement. I also have a squeaky-clean personal record, no arrests etc. I have no physical issues, taking no meds. I am very fit. I have never taken any drugs and will therefore pass any drug screen, any records check, any physical.

    I have all my records with me, all the phone numbers, addresses, etc. I can give them whatever they ask for on the spot.

    I live near Big Spring Texas smack in the middle of the Cline in my RV I own free and clear along with my truck. I am right here, right now, ready to go. I have no family, no home, so I can work any holiday. My wife is with me right here. I prefer driving at night in the middle of nowhere as I enjoy the peace and quiet. In other words I have no need to go home or for any other time off needs.

    I would really like to stay where I am, but will relocate if I can get a decent RV spot.

    The only draw back is that I have no oil field experience, and while I have the tanker endorsement I have no tanker experience. All I have pulled is dry van and refer, which is a hell of a lot harder to see around and back than what I see as far as a vac truck water trailer.

    I stop by the yards with the big signs flapping in the wind saying "Hiring CDL Drivers". I tell them I will be more than glad to sit right there and fill out their application if they will first tell me whether or not they will hire me with no tanker or oilfield experience.

    They will not answer me. What the heck is the big secret? In my way of thinking - which I guess is all wrong - what is wrong with a simple "yes" or "no" or "maybe?"

    I have been self-employed for 20 years. I have my own internet business which does not make huge money, but about the same as what I made OTR. Thus I can claim I have no periods of unemployment for over 20 years, and I have and carry with me all the tax records for 10 years to prove it. I am beginning to think this has something to do with it all, not getting answers.

    I have checked all my records - Hire Right, CSA, etc. - to make sure there is nothing there that could cause this, and there is not. I am 58 years old and thought maybe my age was the problem, but I see many drivers who look older than I do.

    When I do fill out the applications it takes a lot of phone calls to get an answer, and so far I can't get a straight one. I just can't imagine why they just can't say whether or not they will take me seriously. Why not something like , "Go back OTR for another year then come back." Any ideas?

    Thanks, greatly appreciated!
     
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  3. TracyN

    TracyN Light Load Member

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    Aug 7, 2014
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    Have you checked with Nabors in Big Lake? I would imagine your experience would be almost exactly like ours was.

    Go online and fill out a profile on their website. After you fill that out, apply for the vacuum truck openings they have there in Big Lake. I filled out the profile for my husband and I and before I could finish the first application, they had called my husband. This was on Monday of last week. We drove down and both interviewed with their Manager on Wednesday and got a conditional job offer on Thursday morning. On Friday their girl in HR set us up with our Physical Assessment, Medical Card and Drug Test which took place this past Tuesday. Now all we are waiting on is for them to get the results back, which I know we will pass. We don't do drugs, we passed the Physical Assessment on site and with past law enforcement, our backgrounds are clear. We also got a copy of our DAC and we know it is clean. Like you, our past OTR experience was dry van and reefer. We had no oil field experience.

    With that being said, he told us that starting woud be $18 since we had driving experience and the pay would go up to $20 after 90 days. I am sure there are other places that may pay better, but this is our foot in the door out in the oil field. Now we are just waiting for the go ahead and looking for a place to park our RV. There are no spots available in Big Lake so it looks like we will be driving back and forth to Rankin until something there comes open. Not looking forward to that part after the long days that we will be putting in, but it looks like that is the way it will have to be until we can find an open spot in Big Lake.

    Oh, the Manager there in Big Lake is Ray Goodall. Really nice guy so you may try to call and see if you can get ahold of him or Michelle at their yard there. Since you are in Big Lake, they are at the location that is right on the corner at the stop light, not the location west of town.

    Hope that helps some!
     
  4. Tevatron

    Tevatron Bobtail Member

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    Sep 19, 2014
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    Thanks a Million TracyN! Your message was a big help. Thanks for all the information.

    We are in Big Spring so the daily drive to Big Lake and back would cost me since my blasted diesel dually pickup truck gets only 11mpg. Like you if we could find an RV spot there, or close, I'd take a stab at it. However, I will apply any way and will hope that something works out for a spot.

    I greatly appreciate your taking the time to help me with this. The very best to you and your husband down there!
     
  5. TracyN

    TracyN Light Load Member

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    Oops! Big Lake, Big Spring.... Only about 70 miles difference! LOL!
     
  6. Mad Frenchman

    Mad Frenchman Light Load Member

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    They didnt start to drill the cline... they have already too much going on with the old permian.. the action is in Irion, Reagan, Crockett.
    RV spot in Big Lake are starting to be scarce.. and $$ as far as I heard.

    Most of the bigger companies will require you to fill up some online applications before even considering you for anything.
    the no tanker or oilfield experience shouldnt be a problem to get hired by anyone , it ll just mean a lower starting pay, but the money is in the overtime anyways so do not only look at the hourly, make sure to ask about how many hours they get on average.

    Based in Big Spring you might want to consider Garden City, or even maybe Sterling City , less of a commute than Big Lake. (that's if you dont find a place to relocate)
     
  7. Arky

    Arky Heavy Load Member

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    There is likely a couple reasons why you are not getting anywhere with your direct contacts. First off, you are likely talking to somebody that can't make a hiring decision in the first place. Fill out the app and they can fwd it along. Second, if you are walking in with this attitude about them not doing their business the way "you" think they should, you are letting them know up front that your app is going to the trash anyway.

    It is their choice as to what hiring process they use. If you don't like it, just leave...kind of simple. I'm betting that, if your experience and record is as you say it is, if you had actually just filled out the first 3 apps without demanding an answer up front... you would be working right now instead of whining on an Internet forum.
     
    stanman63 Thanks this.
  8. Patrickm213

    Patrickm213 Medium Load Member

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    Nabors Big Spring will hire you
     
  9. cmbks21

    cmbks21 Medium Load Member

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    Bob Phillips. Based out of weatherford trucks in garden city.
     
  10. Patrickm213

    Patrickm213 Medium Load Member

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    But yeah definitely check your attitude
     
    stanman63 Thanks this.
  11. drivinman

    drivinman Bobtail Member

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    Insurance Companies. They tell the trucking firm who they will insure, and at what price. With only one year exp. many cannot hire you without paying more for insurance.
     
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