oilfield rookie wannabe!

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by vegaspainter, Dec 11, 2011.

  1. ohmercy61

    ohmercy61 Light Load Member

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    Dec 16, 2011
    morehead city nc
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    Hey solarbronco who does he work for and how did hey get job there?
     
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  3. Intrepidman

    Intrepidman Bobtail Member

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    Dec 21, 2011
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    Hey guys,

    Been watching this and paul's thread... anyway, I passed my driving test and am headed to the DMV to pick up my license... I'll soon be joining ya'll.

    After talking with whoever I could in ND, I choose to get my class A the quickest/cheapest way possible. So after a bit of self study and 1 day in a little POS automatic truck I have my class A/combo/dbl triple/air brake/tanker/hazmat license for just over a grand including DMV fees. The driving test was an eye opener, I defiantly need more training but I got the piece of paper I needed to let someone pay me to be trained further (I hope).

    Have a 19' travel trailer about ready to head out. Have been planning on ND all along, but been thinking with the cost of living in ND and the fact that TX has no state income tax and the fact that I'm greener than green and the weather Jan 1 in ND... that starting in TX may not be a bad idea.

    From what I can figure, a guy starting out and willing to work hard can make 1500-2k/week in tx and about 500/week more in ND. The lower pay in tx being offset by the lack of state income tax, less earnings in higher federal income tax brackets, the lower cost of living, better weather (in the winter anyway) and maybe less chaotic lifestyle may be worth it.

    I am debt and dependent free and my life style is one that would prefer a month to 6 weeks off once or twice a year to travel. This is largely what has driven me to take up driving(I have zero interest in LH/OTR) as I've spent 18 years chained to one company and wanted a career that is portable enough to not be "owned" by the company.

    Not quite sure why I'm posting this, just nice to put these thoughts down in writing and maybe someone could benefit from them. Any input on the Nd vs Tx decision would be appreciated.

    Intrepidman
     
    bigdipper Thanks this.
  4. clone884

    clone884 Bobtail Member

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    Jun 13, 2010
    Iowa
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    **disclaimer** all I have is my CDL, I haven't started knocking on doors or done much research beyond this and another website.

    I went to Texas because of the milder winters, more companies hiring newbies, and more housing.

    However in the spring after I get some experience I kind of want to head to north dakota. Mostly because of the geographical location. I don't mind the winters, but I can't head up there now with no place to stay. Also in ND you dont necessarily need to work in the oil industry to a lot of money, since everyone is looking for employees.
     
  5. Patt52

    Patt52 Light Load Member

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    Aug 18, 2011
    N. Texas
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    vegaspainter, if I understand this, you will be driving a bobtail to refuel the frac equipment? Refueling from the 10,000 gal. tank yourself? First mention I have seen of helpers for the drivers. Congrats on the job, that didn't take long.
     
  6. vegaspainter

    vegaspainter Light Load Member

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    Nov 4, 2011
    las vegas,nv
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    i know seems weird right? The frac crew is a 4 man team apparently 2 class a drivers and 2 non driving helpers. At least thats how i understood it. The lady from hr said they were doing my background today so im hoping to get the call tomorrow for drug testing. I spent all day looking at apartments and ive got 2 of them in mind if everything goes as planned.If i dont get a call early tomorrow ill call goldspur and see if im still scheduled to test drive for crude driver. i dont believe anyone until i sign on the dotted line you know?
     
  7. vegaspainter

    vegaspainter Light Load Member

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    Nov 4, 2011
    las vegas,nv
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    ".and i guarentee just about most companies out there is going to have a hidden curve ball thrown at you that might not sit well with you."
    Ive been noticing the general attitude of your posts has changed from i love this job to theres some #### about working for nabors i dont like.am i completely misinterpreting this or is something bothering you about it? Maybe everyone at your work knows about your posts and you cant say anything?
     
  8. bkinvegas

    bkinvegas Bobtail Member

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    Dec 20, 2011
    Las Vegas ,NV
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    Hey Vegaspainter, whats up! I got my cdl the same time you did. I just got hired by Schneider and will be going to their 2 week class on Jan. 18. My financial situation does not allow me to follow in your or Pauls footsteps.:biggrin_2553: Maybe next year. Continued good luck to you in your search!!!
     
    vegaspainter Thanks this.
  9. Intrepidman

    Intrepidman Bobtail Member

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    Dec 21, 2011
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    HI again,

    Received a PM asking about my "class" but I don't have enough posts to reply via PM so here it is...

    I studied for and passed my written tests to receive my permit. I found an automatic truck to take the test in after contacting 3rd party testers listed on the DMV site(based on a recommendation from a friend of a friend working in ND). They set me up for a 8 hour class that included the test issued by a 3rd party. They were a little disorganized(3 different trucks, 1 class B, used on pretrip practice as other students were sharing and quite a bit of time wasted), got a slow start(about 45 minutes late), spent some(too much?) time on pretrip, did less than an hour of driving practice including the drive to the test site. Got a little over an hour of backing practice time in prior to my test. The backing practice was not going well for me at all (I can back non 5th wheel trailers like nobody's business, but the little previous 5th wheel experience I'd had wasn't very promising) and I was VERY flustered and things were going from bad to worse when my test began. I had not yet managed a 90deg alley dock.

    Anyway, managed to "ace" the pretrip even know that I was pretty much a wreck going over my backing issues in my mind during the pretrip test. Then on to the backing... straight back was no problem, the offset right was the best I'd managed yet, slid right in. The 90deg was not pretty, I used 1 look and 4 pullups (2 free here) but made it on to the driving test. The truck I had was pretty tired and not running all too well, but got me thru the test(barely made it back to the shop after the test). I was fighting myself on not palming the wheel, my braking was pretty rough (I think part of that was the truck) and I don't think I did too great on my mirror checks during turns. Was told after that I squeaked by on the backing and driving but made it. No further details were given.

    Was asked to describe what's necessary when going down a 6% grade. I only got 3 of 5; test brakes, downshift to same gear to pull hill or 1 gear lower, use brakes to slow from desired speed to 5mph under... the 2 I missed were; watch wheels/tires for smoke indicating over heating and more frequent mirror checks as you're traveling slower than traffic. Just offering this up as it might help someone in the future.

    I was pretty insistent on spending time on the pretrip prior to the test as that had me more worried than the driving portions. That was a mistake on my part as the pretrip was much easier than the driving/backing. Not sure why, but I was quite confident that the driving was going to be the easy part... not the case for me at all. The air brakes were much more difficult to deal with than I anticipated(once again, I think the trucks brakes were far from ideal based on what others have told me) and I found myself turning excessively wide in most cases. I think the automatic actually made the backing more difficult as speed of the truck required quite a bit of braking to keep the speed manageable.

    If you're planning on a similar route I've chosen, I'd recommend you get some 5th wheel backing practice in prior if possible. I'm 48, have plenty of accident free miles under my belt and I'm pretty sharp and this was much more challenging that I anticipated.

    Sorry to post this here, not trying to hijack this thread, but this is the only place I felt confident it would reach the person asking...

    Intrepidman
     
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  10. Scott101

    Scott101 Medium Load Member

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    Nov 30, 2008
    NorCal
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    Is there a restriction on your license because of the automatic?
     
  11. ArmyGuy

    ArmyGuy Heavy Load Member

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    Jun 21, 2011
    Hudson, Florida
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    I myself plan on looking for work in the oil fields sometimes with in the next year hopefully sooner because im money motivated. I recently got my cdl and got a job with a carrier that hires newbies(JBS). I now have about 3 months experience and only half of that being on my own.

    Just wanted to mention that in my opinion nothing in those driving schools will prepare you for this job(i went to roadmaster). Some people say try to learn something new everyday, well ive been learning 20 new things a day alot from mistakes. Three months and to be honest im still not to comfortable especially backing into truckstops and what not. Not to mention all the weather conditions and mountains. I use to think oh how hard can driving a truck be and now i know and i havent even scratched the surface of this industry.

    My point is be safe and watch and learn from those experienced drivers.

    I definately am interested in the oilfield and im sure some of you will be getting a pm from me soon. Congrats on the job vegas i hope you update us often and merry christmas to all.
     
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