Jobs in ND Oil Patch

Do You know that it is that bad up there?

 

Yes I have four trucks running in ND.

 

@pyrosparks911, Thanks for that info. I am just doing some reasearch so that I can avoid these exact things that you are talking about...specifically the ripoff. I would like to PM you but I can't do that as yet until I have enough post.

Anyhow, can you give me an idea as what companies to stay away from me being an owner operator? Thanks

 

I'd have to agree with pyrosparks911. Most highway truckers don't make it. Especially this time of year. And he's also right that there are plenty of companies that treat their owner ops horribly. Most reputable companies pay consistently and fairly but many companies moving to ND are not from here and have no ties to the area. They can have a ton of work today and none tomorrow. They might have a buddy that got hired as a consultant in ND and now they have an "in" to get their trucks working. I have calls from owner ops with horror stories of a promise and a handshake and it doesn't always work out. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. Some guys will come out here to work for a company as a company driver and then try to get a truck on that way. Sometimes that works, but it's still a slim chance. At least if you get out here you can decide if it's worth trying to get a truck working up here. Some make it, but a lot don't.

Everyone is trying to start a trucking business and it's not as easy as it sounds. I get calls daily from guys in the area that "want to get a truck going" with us. It's just not that easy especially if you don't have prior trucking experience. If you just want to start a trucking company with no experience no one will take you seriously up here. You need some sort of background in trucking to get work in the oilfield. If you can get on with a good company as a company driver, get benefits, and have no headaches when you are on days off by all mean go do it. Starting a trucking company requires 24/7 headaches. Trucks don't breakdown or get in accidents at 1:00 pm on a Tuesday afternoon. That stuff happens at midnight on christmas eve. Good luck. Just to warn you, Winter is here in ND. 30 mph winds and 5 more inches of snow coming tonight and tomorrow. It's not the snow or the cold it's the #### wind that gets to ya.

 

Who to stay away from....

I'd rather not post my opinions of who to stay away from in the ND/MT oilpatch on this board, but here's a few things to watch out for.

- Calling Walmart parking lot "headquarters".
- Company housing for three drivers is the sleeper of ONE truck.
- Safety guy has one arm and just got "promoted" to safety guy.
- When asked about what other oilfield they worked in they say Minnesota.
- Company tool box is full of duct tape and hammers.
- When asked about a log book they tell you that they haven't hauled trees for years
- When your truck leaves location everyone starts cheering.

I thought I had a million of em but that's all I've got for now.

 

LOL @AC22, that is hilarious. Anyhow, I already have drivers who are use to driving in Alaska and Canada so I'm not too concern with mud,snow or wind etc.

The info you provide AC22 is good. So I will ask you...how would you go about getting in with a company that is reputable and will pay me as an owner? Bear in mind that I won't be the driver. This is my major concern and I need some sort of a direction. Perhaps I will come up to ND and see how things are? what do you think AC22? Thanks.

kevin

 

They will mail you the check if you are the owner. Call me sometime and I can give you some company names and phone numbers.

828.228.7917

Matt

 

@pyrosparks911, appreciate the info Matt, I'll definitely touch base with you after the thanksgiving.

 

pyrosparks911 and AC22 I hate to bother you guys but I am in the same boat as a couple of these other guys. I am a commercial helicopter pilot that is out of work and not looking like the job prospects are real good in the near future. So I thought I would try my luck at getting in on the black gold rush going on in ND and MT. My brother in law is a tool pusher/ rig boss on a rig drilling around Dickenson, ND and he keeps telling me about how there is a big need for owner operators to haul water for the frac drilling going on there. He says they are paying big money if you own your own truck. So I was thinking about getting a truck and trailer and giving it a try.

I am a Montana native so cold weather and snow don't bother me, I've had a CDL for some time now and I have spent a fair amount of time before working on a big drilling rig in western Wyoming on a strictly night crew during the winter where we would go weeks without temps above -20.

I was hoping you guys could also steer me in the right direction as to who to talk to or contact or a place that posts jobs for this need and what kind of money I could realisticly expect to make as an owner/ operator in MT or ND. Also what kind of money would I be looking at a truck and trailer set up? Just looking for info to see if this is something worth pursueing in the future.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks guys!

 

What are the companies that are looking for trucks to lease onto? Any info would be great thanks! Mary