whats involved in hauling crude oil??

Never hauled crude in South Texas but out here in West Texas it is significantly different?? We have some tank batteries like what you described where you hook up and start a LACT unit and get loaded but most of the leases I go to are 100+ miles and the last 10 miles are down a busted up caliche road. These wells have 2 production tanks that we have to thief, sample, gauge and shakeout prior to loading. It is difficult to see at night because all you have is a light on your hard hat. The conditions are harsh but the work is relatively easy. Most days are 11-13 hrs long. Longest wait times are usually at the pipeline waiting to unload. Anywhere from 20 mins to over an hour. Everyday is a battle but I enjoy it!

 

can you say the usual amount of money you make in a shift? is crude work steady or slack weeks at times? and did your current company train you for crude.... thanks for putting out the information.

 

I make $275 a shift. I get 6 shifts a week. It is possible to work 7 but I just don't feel like working that much LoL! The work is steady and will continue to be for some time to come because even if they stop drilling today, there are 1,000's of wells that will continue to produce. My current company trained me on crude and if they pull the plug out here I will simply move to another crude hauling company. I know we are on the bottom of the pay scale here anyways. The larger more established companies like Occidental, Blue Knight and Plains Marketing all operate better equipment and their drivers make $300-$350+ daily. I have friends that haul jet fuel and make comparable money but they live in a sleeper truck. I think this is the best job for someone with a CDL. I will never go back to OTR work...EVER

 

Are there any crude haulers that will hire and train an inexperienced driver?

 

Most will tell you no..... but i have found a few that if you are coachable witha stable history that said they would. The same with fuel haulers. I think alot depends on your background.

 

i have a few more questions for you if you don't mind.. what is LACT unit? what is total amount of load time? unload time? i am curious about these pipeline injection point....how does that work? thanks again for taking the time.

 

LACT stands for Lease Automatic Custody Transfer (LACT) unit. Basically at the terminal you pull up to the unit, hook up, key some information into a keypad, then the oil is dispensed into your tank. The load and unloading time varies from place to place but around 25 min to 40 min for the oil to load or unload.

 

Let's set the record straight-

I spoke to someone tonight and they will hire you at Schneider right out of CDL school to tank some crude if you have a clean background and you MUST have your hazmat and tanker when you apply. It sounds like they really want you to have your TWIC too.

So people, if you are serious about hauling some crude get your HAZMAT, TANKER, and TWIC done while you are in school. That way you can come right out of the gate and apply.

You will get reimbursed for CDL school and if you keep your receipts you can get the money back for your expenses like TWIC.

Also heard that Schneider has over 70 trucks and 130 drivers in Victoria and they are adding more. This account began with 2 trucks and 4 drivers about a year ago so anyone who states Schneider isn't going to make it in the oil patch or that they are losing money doesn't know what they are talking about. I talk to the drivers and the haters pull a load out of their butt.

Also heard some individuals state that Schneider doesn't pay very well and they are trying to lower driver wages. Well, tonight I found out that everyone's bonus for hauling crude oil increased by 100%!

So people you can listen to the haters who think a CDL student isn't qualified to drive a load of chickens down the road and that you will go broke unless you tank for a "mom and pop" or you can do your own thing and get paid.

Over and OUT!

 

Can you tell me which company you are leased through and what the requirements are? I heard that this is a very profitable business to haul for.

Thank you

Lisa

 

This is the truth! Gold Spur Trucking has to have the highest turnover rate of any company I've ever heard of! I worked for them in Texas and they are absolutely horrible! They treat their drivers like crap. Don't give a #### if half of their trucks don't have AC...even if it's 100+ degrees in South Texas. They promise you things and never follow up on them. Such as raises, better equipment, better mechanics, more hours, etc. The pay sounds good but they constantly cut your hours because they have to fill the trucks with all the new hires to replace all the drivers they know they're going to lose or fire. I could go on and on. Just do yourselves a favor and DO NOT work for Gold Spur...unless you enjoy being treated like crap and being lied to!