Military to Trucking

Discussion in 'Oilfield Trucking Forum' started by Jay Terrell, Mar 31, 2015.

  1. Jay Terrell

    Jay Terrell Bobtail Member

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    Hey guys just joined. Hoping to get some info for when I get out of the Marines. I get out in the middle of August and I'm currently getting my CDL class A I graduate in April. After that going to try and get has mat and tanker endorsements. I'm really trying to get into running oil and make some pretty good money. I know North Dakota and Texas are hitting it pretty hard right now and I'm willing to move me and my wife where ever. Just wondering if there's any fellas out there with some experience under their belt and could point me in the right direction of what I should do from where I am now and any suggestions. Thanks I really appreciate it.
     
    Chinatown Thanks this.
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  3. ethos

    ethos Road Train Member

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    Well the problem with the oilfields is that the market always changes eventually and the start laying people off. This is so regular it could be it's own natural cycle. You could move to Houston and start pulling chemical tankers. After a couple of years you could he making 100k or more. Plus chemical tankers don't have that cycle effect. That would be my opinion on what you should do.
     
  4. Jay Terrell

    Jay Terrell Bobtail Member

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    Alright I'll look into the chemical tanker idea. Do they hire guys without any experience? I'm not really looking to be go almost all the time away from the wife that's why I figured oil hauling might be more local and good pay.
     
  5. ethos

    ethos Road Train Member

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    You may have to run a year or so OTR, then again you might get lucky. The worst thing you can do for your career is go to a crappy company by that runs you local or out and back but also pays you like crap. If you need to go OTR then go, get it done. You will be much better set for your future. Start you trucking career off right with no limits. Sure, local sounds nice but when you're working 16 hour days, 7 days a week how often are you really home? Some places are like that . Call and try Superior carriers or Trimac, they both have terminals in Houston. That 65k a year or more, first year. Sometimes they will hire a rookie, call and ask. I work for Trimac and I make a lot more than 65k. You can too, it just takes a little time.
     
  6. ethos

    ethos Road Train Member

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    In my opinion the absolute best thing any new driver can do though is to go tanker from the start in any capacity. You will make more with less driving and more hometime. Tankers are where it's at in this industry.
     
    Dna Mach, SoTxTrucker and 91B20H8 Thank this.
  7. Jay Terrell

    Jay Terrell Bobtail Member

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    Thanks guy I really appreciate all the advice yall have given. I don't mind paying my dues. #### in life ain't given to ya free so I'll do what I have to do to get where I need to be. And I'll definitely check out those companies. If yall have anymore advice please send it my way. Thanks again.
     
  8. Dna Mach

    Dna Mach Road Train Member

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    I started with Schneider and even trained with guys starting out with tankers. OH how dumb I was! Took me 10 years to realize what Ethos just said right there.
     
    ethos Thanks this.
  9. cmbks21

    cmbks21 Medium Load Member

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    I doubt you could get an oil haulin job with no driving experience., you could come out here and haul water for 3-6 months , then start applying for oil.
     
  10. Chinatown

    Chinatown Road Train Member

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    Here's some more that hire new CDL graduates:

    Schneider Bulk
    Tidewater Transit
    Groendyke Transport
    CTL Transportation
    SVTN
    Coastal Transport

    Probably all of these companies hire in Texas. Houston or about anywhere in Southeast Texas is tanker heaven.
     
  11. Jay Terrell

    Jay Terrell Bobtail Member

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    Ckbms21 are you in the the oil fields now? If so where?
     
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