Jobs in ND Oil Patch

Hello there,
I have been hauling Liquid Asphault (Hot Oil) for 11 years here in the Seattle/Tacoma area, and was hoping to land a job their in ND; hauling crude oil. I am promised to my current employer here till the rainy season hits, and the bottem falls out around November. Then come November i was really wanting to be one of those 10% percenters that can come in and hack a ND. Winter!! I am originally from SD.
So if you all don't mind, i had a few questions. Should i try to land a job over the phone, or just come out in person and find an employer? I do have a moterhome, should i plan on useing it, or try to get company housing. Can i negotiate more wages if i bring my own moterhome, and not use their housing? Is there more oppertunities for driving employment there in the Winter, because alot of guys go away to advoid the cold ND Winter? What type of cold weather clothing should i begin buying now to prepair properly? Is there alot of good looking babes flocking around there?? Ha ha, strike the last question!! I am half German, would i fit in with the locals!!
I very much appreciate this forum, and yes i will be going back to research all the threads. Any guidance and direction will be greatly appreciated. Thanks, AL

 

I just got back from hauling pipe up to Williston and thought I would chime in:

Shipit, your farm background will serve you well. I noticed that the guys from farms and the former military guys tend to work out pretty well. I think its because they all are used to the "hurry up and wait" attitude that prevails around the oil wells.

If you think there is a driver shortage, you should witness the mechanic shortage. I think with your farm background you could walk into a job helping out around the shop and once you prove you can show up on time, most companies will help you get your CDL. Good luck!

Alanbown, you should DEFINITELY come down in person. Check it out and talk to the folks already working as to the good and bad. As far as the babes, well we all wear FRC coveralls and hard hats, so a hot babe could bump into you and you would never even know it!!

 

Thank you Lastkidpicked for the advise on showing up in person, talking with the folks in the area, and personaly submitting my app. I think there is something to be said for showing up in person, orange vest on, work boots on, with gloves ready to go to work. With me still not being sure about company housing, i am inclined to want to come out in my moterhome, towing my jeep behind. So in this matter, failure is not an option, Lol!! My only concern is that there is openings in an RV park near to my prospective employment, or perhaps my new employer might be so kind to let me park and plug in on company property.
I am wondering if there is any desent money to be made as a mechanic in ND?? I am not a full blown mechanic, but i can do brakes and adjustments, clutch adjustments, oil changes, greasing, tire changes, etc. Maybe that in combo with all my class A driving experiance could get me in the door somewhere.
So much mystery!! Ha ha, including the coverall covered up babes that may at anytime be amoung us!! So at some point we all just have to go for broke, and see what happens. Always happy to hear any suggestions though, and glad to see that my friends here have a good sense of humor.
AL

 

ALANBOWN The jobs are there, all you have to do is show up and most likely you will get hired by the end of the first day. I cannot stress enough to have housing lined up. If your debating on bringing your camper, just bring it. You will need to do some insulating of your camper as it gets cold, make sure your water lines and stuff are all taken care of or else they will freeze, check your duct work and whatever you can think of. If your from South Dakota originally then you have an idea of the weather conditions. And yes, there is decent money to be made as a mechanic. RV parking might be a bit tricky but maybe you can work a deal out with your employer to park it on their site for awhile.

 

Thank you SHIP IT, for the words of encouragment. I think i would like to apply at Tesoro first. Are they out of Mandan? I thought i seen a help wanted add from Tesoro, but it sounded like the job was in Dickenson?
Also thinking of applying at Powers Fuel. I would love a job close to either Bismark, or Dickenson, but i may have to get up there on Hwy 2, i'm thinking.
I am definately going to take your advice SHIP IT, and get my Moterhome specially winterized, insulated, with skirting to keep the air from getting underneath. I was wondering if i should run straight anti freeze in it, and my jeep too??? Got a block heater on the Jeep.
Let's haul oil!!!

 

Anti Freeze should be 50 / 50 mix. Otherwise it will thicken with the cold and not flow properly.

 

Missouri Basin Well Service is out of Belfield (20 miles or so from Dickinson) Also supply housing. Power Fuels is based out of Watford but they have shops other places as well. Tesoro has trucks that haul crude in Williston and Dickinson but the refinery is in Mandan. No connection. Good luck. It's 87 degrees here today! No snow flyin yet!!

 

Just got back from williston nd took a load of caustic up there. Pretty insane amount of truck traffic up there and hwy 85 is pretty tore up with construction. Found out fast if you dont have a setup place to park it is hell to find a place. Was a fun trip very eye opening.

 

I was wondering about the mechanic shortage in ND. Do you need to be ASE Certified before the companies there will hire or will they accept military experience as a heavy wheel mechanic?

 

You do not need to be ASE certified at most companies. www.jobsnd.com www.theshopperinc.net. I know Cal Frac has an ad for mechanics in the shopper. Good luck.