I'm a stone cold rookie, gonna work the texas oil fields

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by paulcouto, Sep 7, 2011.

  1. paulcouto

    paulcouto Medium Load Member

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    Hello, classic story here I guess? Done a ton of research......AFTER lol...spending 4k for a trucking school. OTR didnt sound like it was for me, but I discovered the oil gig and I'm gonna jump head first, keep my mouth shut and be the best employee I can be.

    I was "this close" to going for north dakota, and in my heart of hearts, I still feel a calling to what sounds like a wild frontier of sorts. I'm gonna keep this post short, so I decided on texas for numberous reasons that I think are prudent.

    Ok, so I have a interview with "Nabors" on the 10th and I feel like I got the job. I am a stone cold rookie but I used to haul asphault 15 years ago in a bobtail, I have good mechanical engineering experience, I used to shovel asphault till the sun came down, trucks and wells and any other sort of mechanically associated stuff doesnt intimidate me at all. I feel its just a matter of learning, doing what I'm told, move on and do the job. I reckon I'll start out with water hauling? Sounds good to me. Whatever, I'll just do what the company wants. I just want to drive.

    Lol, well I said I wanted to keep this post short but the funniest thing happened just now. I'm in california and so is my trucking school. They just called me and gave me a number to call for a guy who needs an OTR guy "yesterday". I called him up and he offered me a job that would be local after 30 days and they pay a flat rate of 900.00 gross a week for anywhere from 10-12 hours a day of covering a grid that has to be a couple hundred miles easy. I thought about it and that didnt sound good to me at all. I can only imagine what "10-12" hours a day can be which I know is going to be more than that with all the variables out there.....and for 900 gross??? Then he said that would be about 780.00 clear a week? In california??? Lol, felt like he was bs'ing me because i know taxes is gonna be more than that. I declined the job. Nabors will pay me 15.50 to start, I know they are a big company with good potential and I'm more interested in the oil related work, even though I know its not a cake walk job. I know I'll be earning every dime, but at least I'll be making a dime instead of a nickel.

    Anybody feel like I made a mistake?

    Ok, so anyone with some pre-advice or suggestions or information about nabors or the type of work I'll be doing before I go to Texas? I'm pretty excited about it and I'm looking forward to the challenge. Thanks.
     
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  3. NewNashGuy

    NewNashGuy Road Train Member

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    You can do whatever you feel is best. I know my weakness is not hard work but having a boss in my face all day long messing with me is the worst part of any regular job. I remember one job I had a reputation for being the best for over two years. One day I only had one hour sleep before returning to work and I was dead tired. I told the boss this so he would know that I couldn't be as efficient as I normally am and he didn't care.

    He even followed me around all day and gave me a mean look and told me to hurry up. Even though on days when I have a good night sleep I am the best employee and working way harder than everyone else, the one day out of two years I am tired he is on me like he wants to fire me. #### like that is extremely stupid and as long as a boss isn't on my back every second of the day I am happy. I know in trucking someone will give me a hard time but at least they will not be in my face for over nine hours per day. So if that doesn't bother you then go for it.
     
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  4. rookietrucker

    rookietrucker Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    Just so you know upfront, working 10-12hrs a day in the oilfield is not uncommon, you may even work 16hr days. I think you made a good decision about the CA job and taking Nabors offer. They are not a bad company from what I've heard. Congrats and good luck with the new job.
     
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  5. paulcouto

    paulcouto Medium Load Member

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    Oh yes sir, I want those long hours. I just felt at least I get paid for those hours vs. a job that is gonna pay much less with a flat rate that I know is gonna equate to long hours as well.....those were my thoughts.

    Believe me though, as a rookie, it took a lot of faith and guts to pass up an oppurtunity, that at the very least, I could have used as a stepping stone.

    I got a lot of faith with the nabor job, if I dont get the job, then I'll knock on doors till somebody hires me. Lol, this is a one way ticket in my mind.....coming back to cali is not an option.
     
  6. dirtsquirter

    dirtsquirter Bobtail Member

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    You are the only one who knows what's the best for you - If you feel your decision is the best one, then Go for it!!! I for one feel just like you, I can't wait to start working as hard as my body will allow, and then some! I guess it's inbred, as I always liked to play as hard as I work. For me, going up to N Dakota and working every waking minute for a few years is akin to climbing on my 2 stroke and riding as hard and fast as I can all day, until everything aches and I feel I can't go on anymore, but in the oilfields, after doing that, you get a check at the end of the week. Bonus plan! I would love to know how you make out there - good luck!
     
  7. paulcouto

    paulcouto Medium Load Member

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    sure, i'll keep an update on my experience.
     
  8. Dryver

    Dryver Road Train Member

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    There is good money to be had in the N.Dakota oil fields but December thru March the weather is a mother.
     
  9. KajunTankerYanker

    KajunTankerYanker Light Load Member

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    Theres only 1 rule in the oil patch,"You can wait on the rig,But the rig can-not wait on you"
     
    Sand Trooper Thanks this.
  10. paulcouto

    paulcouto Medium Load Member

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    oh, you mean the "we're never in a hurry" montra they taught me in cdl school is bs? lol
     
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  11. slodsm

    slodsm Light Load Member

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    15.50 and hour in the oilfield either moving rigs or actually working on a rig will make you a LOT more than 900 a week and the cost of living is a lot lower here. You made a good choice. Just get ready for manual labor (sounds like you're used to it). Swinging a 36" pipe wrench all day will build some serious forearms. I've been doing it for 3 years now, money is great, trucks range from crap to new (Nabors has good equipment, I've been around their crews a lot) and once you get some experience, you can drop down to a smaller company and make even more money if you remain versatile. I do everything from hauling equipment and salt water to pushing crews and doing well completions. The more you know, the more valuable you are to them.

    What area are you hiring into?
     
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