Oil Fields vs. OTR for a new driver

**JimsK** · 08.17.2012

G'day folks! So, I'm soon to get my CDL, and I live in Austin - only because my kids are here. I've been researching life in the oil fields, specifically in the Eagle Ford, and life doing OTR. I'd really like to get feedback to help me make the best choice for myself and my kids. From what I've read, the oil fields may pay better, I may be home more often to see the kids, but the hours can be extreme, and the work can be more dangerous and monotonous. As for OTR, that has more basic appeal to me because I WANT to be out over the road. I've always loved it. But, I'll see my kids less overall, and the pay may be lower. So these are the general contours of what I've read on these boards. I hope some people can chime in and give me more detail - for instance, what types of freight might pay equal to or better than the oil fields, what types might get me back home more often, what types can give me a better platform to eventually become an o/o (which is my ultimate goal, under my own authority), etc, etc.

Thanks!

**STexan** · 08.17.2012

Sounds like you have a pretty good handle on the basics of what to expect. There is no "typical answer that applies to most". Living in austin, you'll get --by-- the house often with most van carriers who hire new drivers. However getting BY the house and getting TO the house are 2 different things. From an OTR/regional standpoint, you'll probably need to consider a carrier with Houston terminals and leave your personal vehicle their, and drive home for time off. Although some carriers might allow you to perhaps drop in San Antonio and bounce to Austin for a "few" days off. But what a recruiter tells you can happen and what really comes to fruition might be two different things. So assume the worst case scenario for "quality" hometime with OTR/regional, and in the oilflield, that's a different matter altogether and I suspect you're aware how that may work.

**Okieron** · 08.17.2012

Oilfield is terrible for home time ! I came home Xmas morning and left Xmas night. I made decent money, but really that much more compared to OTR. the other issue is most oilfields won't take a newbie. Most want a year some 6 months . Just my 2 pennies

**ShootThis** · 08.17.2012

Okieron is correct in my opinion also.Have worked oilfields for the last year and a half.You work 12 to 14 hours a day,usually have a daily commute of up to an hour each way.So most of your at home nights are spent sleeping.You will be at them same leases almost daily,becomes boring quickly.The way I see it is if OTR is what you would prefer to do you will not be happy doing anything else.

**JimsK** · 08.18.2012

Thanks guys, I appreciate the feedback!

**nicholas_jordan** · 08.18.2012

Originally Posted by JimsK

..... live in Austin -

I found Key responsive in Giddings Texas, they actually answered the phone this morning ~ for OTR you can look at Schneider & FFE but if you want to be at home with the kids neither OTR nor EFS will be a cup of T for you,....to target O/O I ->STRONGLY<- suggest FFE, Schneider and some others ~ for what it is worth there are three towns in EFS North Half that have listings worth digging = Victoria, SA & Giddings ~ the patch can be danger but probably not a lot of monotonous

Originally Posted by JimsK

From what I've read, the oil fields may pay better, I may be home more often to see the kids, but the hours can be extreme, and the work can be more dangerous and monotonous. As for OTR, that has more basic appeal to me because I WANT to be out over the road. I've always loved it. But, I'll see my kids less overall, and the pay may be lower. So these are the general contours of what I've read on these boards. I hope some people can chime in and give me more detail - for instance, what types of freight might pay equal to or better than the oil fields, what types might get me back home more often, what types can give me a better platform to eventually become an o/o (which is my ultimate goal, under my own authority), etc, etc.

maybe you should try owning the trucks & hiring drivers