Getting started on the basin as a recent CDL grad with limited funds

If I can't go about things the way I hoped I would be able to, I'll figure it out. I could go down there and try to find a job without my CDL which is something I didn't know was an option. I could get my CDL and take out a small bank loan or something to have to funds to go down there and start knocking on doors if I have to. I could get my CDL and drive OTR for a brief period of time to build up some bankroll and behind the wheel experience. I'll do whatever I need to do, I'm just trying to formulate a plan and figure out the most efficient path.

 

I'll throw my 2 pennies in for what it's worth. I went to ND last Dec. with a fresh CDL, and only had driven a Semi in my CDL school. I had a job lined out before I even went to school. I started with a really great smaller company hauling crude oil. I can tell you from experience that it takes a while before the good money starts rolling in. I struggled much more financially than I could have imagined, and so did my family. The thing is, I am making some pretty good money now, after 7 months, but I am planning on going back home to Illinois and going OTR. Why....??? Because the good money I make is not so good when you take away the expenses of living in a boom area, IE: housing, food, fuel, and just the basic needs that you have to survive. A great portion is eaten away in taxes because of my higher income as well. Then, I have to travel back and forth to be with my family. So every 4-6 weeks I have to purchase an airline ticket at about 600 bucks. It's the same in all the boom areas....you will get gouged on everything you purchase. Great money can be made, but it comes at a great expense as well. It's just not worth it to me. Just wanted to share my personal experience from the Bakken, because for me, the bad outweighs the good. I wish you the best of luck with your choice, and be safe.

 

Well long story short, there just isn't enough of a differential between my net income and my expenditures to be able to save as much money as you might think I would be able to. Rent is expensive here. I pay 750 a month to be near my terminal and that doesn't include utilities. I work for a contractor who doesn't provide insurance so I pay for my own insurance. It's just not as good as a situation as someone would think it would be when I say "I'm a Fedex driver".

Because I work for a contractor, I'm not technically a Fedex employee, so I don't think they would be wanting to help me get my CDL. They'd be interested in keeping me driving the route for their contractor because my driver score is very high.

The main reason I'm looking to take my career to the next level is so I CAN be able to efficiently save money.

 

Thank you for the kind words.

So you got your job without any formal experience and you had a job lined up before you arrived in ND. Do you think you would have been able to do that down south or is that only a realistic plan in the Bakken?

 

I made a third of that the past few years and saved. 750 a month rent is not that high... its 25% of your gross which is good. Get a roommate.

drop expensive ATT mobile and get prepaid. drop cable. eat out less.

if you are healthy individual insurance should be $100 a month or less. increase your deductible

there is just no way you don't have some kind of superfluous spending if you are single and living paycheck to paycheck w that income.

keep in mind you might absolutely HATE the oilfield. then what?

I would seriously suggest building up a reserve fund before doing this.

 

I actually took a trip to ND before I went to CDL school and met with the company owners. I did have a distant relative who knew them, so I had a heads up they were looking for drivers. They took a chance hiring me as a new driver because of a stable work history, no criminal background, and had never in my life had a moving violation or accident. ( I'm 50 years old). New drivers getting on hauling hazmat is rare, even in the Bakken. Most new or newer drivers start out hauling water and move to crude oil later on. From what I hear, it's pretty much the same in any of the boom areas. I had considered going to Texas this winter to haul crude, because the ND winters really do suck, but from what I've been told the situation is the same; make a bunch but spend a bunch doing it. I have spoken to a few drivers from other companies that plan on leaving for the same reason. By the same token, some companies cover alot of the expenses and put you up in a man camp. Not sure if it's the same down South though. Whatever choice you make, do alot of research on whatever company you may go to work for. Make sure they provide good training, and stress safety first. Check on company provided housing, uniforms, and things of that nature. If you have to buy your own FR clothing and supplies, that will get into your pocket very quickly. Let me know if you have any other questions and I will try to answer them as quickly and honestly as I can.

 

McCauley, just sent you a pm

 

I'm from Dearborn Heights. Came out to ND in July 2012. Already had a cdl for 11 years but probably had less than 20,000 miles in a semi. (Hauled a lowboy every once in a while for my construction company) my first 12 months hauling water I made a hair under 100k. Ill make quite a bit more this year. Winter is no joke up here but if you are a hard worker and pay attention and learn from mistakes, its really not that difficult of a job. Just switched to nuverra two weeks ago and 3 or 4 guys in my orientation had little to no experience.

 

Thanks for the information, I appreciate it. Being from Dearborn Heights, you are basically my next door neighbor.

I've been spending most of my day reading every post I can in this section, which includes a lot of yours, and I'm feeling like the best situation for a person who is looking to do what I am looking to do is to look to the Bakken, assuming you have the fortitude to go work there.

I think I am a hard worker, and I think I have that fortitude and I think I have the humility required to eagerly learn everything I possibly can.

I'm going to continue with my plan of getting my CDL here locally, continue doing my research and networking on this website, and I have faith that thing will fall into place.

 

Fed ex rou te driver in odessa make $55k