I'm a stone cold rookie, gonna work the texas oil fields

Man, had my worst day yesterday, got really tired towards the end of the day, taking turns a little too fast with a full load because of missing down shifts into the low gears that are ideal for taking corners, sometimes not even knowing which gear i was in etc. etc......the particular trainer i had wore me out too, cant say he was the best trainer for me, think he was a stickler for too many things and did alot of things differently when it came to paper work and driving, he's only got 3 months experience and i think he's taking the job TOO serious, not wanting to stop at the store for some drinks and snacks because of a load to haul.......i think that sort of rushing on these long hour jobs is stupid. Its a long day and you got to stay as fresh as possible. As soon as he said "no", i just left it at that because i dont ##### and complain, but i'm not going to let that happen again. None of the other guys who been doing it for years operate like that, they are smooth paiced all day and if you want to stop for anything, they stop no problems or questions asked.

Anyway, will reply more in the next day or too and i also have more thoughts and questions for you about this dakota thing.

Ok guys, runnin a bit late, got to go to work! stay safe everyone!

 

ever chew on the same piece of gum for 15 hours straight? i did yesterday, let me tell ya, its an overrated experience

 

yes, i always do but this particular morning, i didnt have my gum and stopping at a store in the morning was never an issue with ANY of the other guys i been out with. Most of the time, i never even go to the store when they do.....so its not like i'm some chronic store stopper, but like i said, its a long hour type job and those little store stops here and there doesnt waste time in the scheme of things and keeps up your spirits......or sometimes you just flat out have to take a dump and if theres one thing about these well sites and stuff, THERE SURE ISNT ALOT OF BATHROOMS OUT THERE LOL.

I dont know exactly what you do but we have a strict 15 hour rule here. If your 15 hours is up, you stop the truck and someone comes and picks you up. Our job here is mostly driving and we rarely if ever get caught up at a site with much to do other than load or unload.

Do you do some sort of frac related work? Maybe a kill truck?

 

hmmm, i cant say what i make per hour because i signed some paper work stating i was never to discuss my hourly rate with co-workers and since this is a public forum, i'm not sure if it would be kosher for me to say.

however, i can say that for 2 weeks work with alot of 15 hour days and some 13-14 hour days, i can expect to take home about 2500 bucks. I havent got my first full paycheck yet but i will next friday, so i'll be more than happy to say how much i made then.

I'm quite sure a rookie can chase more money but i'm sure it has its drawbacks as well. A company like nabors keeps you working even in the slow times because they are so big and those smaller companies who might pay more are more apt to lay you off in the slow times.

But then again, the history of the oil fields is more boom than bust, so i'm sure a guy who is flexible and willing to jump around and chase the bigger money can do so.

I hear its fairly common for guys to drive n. dakota in the spring and summer and then go south and drive in the winters. The options in the oil field are plentiful.

 

Could you elaborate more please, your post is confusing.

You say to work for a small company for the big bucks but then you say to get out of a truck as soon as possible to get security and respect.

I dont care about respect and these jobs dont seem to be going away as far as i can see, so i dont get what you mean about security.

Dont see how i'm gonna make it to the bigger bucks unless i "drive".

Ok i get it, kick in the front door of a small company and tell the boss that i'm the new boss and he does the driving......got it.

 

What have you seen in hauling water for you to say that? Is it the bidding among companies?

I know why some people wouldn't care for living in west Texas LOL I like the solitude myself.[/QUOTE]

Yeah me too, i just love the fact that i could easily get lost out here and never see a soul. I drive to odessa sometimes and its dusty and the wind is blowing and its really sparse......like alot of areas ive seen in texas, its like the wild west.

Not for everyone i guess but i think its great.