Jobs in ND Oil Patch

Hopefully some others will ask specific questions about the nature of the work. I'm happy just lurking, it's the information that I'm after. Doesn't anyone else want to know about the different kinds of trucking work up there?

I read somewhere there is a lot of good work in LTL in places like Bismarck, as an alternative. Somebody has to get the food out to Williston and these other areas.

 

Well the reason I took the labor job was due to my lack of driving xp, I had driven class B trucks for 5+ years (stake trucks, and boom trucks) but had 0 semi xp and most people dont even want to talk to you without it. I found this job and they were willing to give me a chance.... which by the way, I have had no issues with driving a semi. Its about the same feel as a stake truck, you just swing a little wider. I have even hauled some doubles and a b-train now with no issues, but some people can drive and some cant lol. I saw a accident just north of Alexandria the other day, a VW beatle t-boned a crude hauler, how you cant see a 15' high 58' long metal object is beyond me, but like I said.... some people cant drive.

 

There are tons of jobs out here, both on and off the road... I know a guy working in a check cashing place, he makes $15/h and works 60+ hours a week. I have even heard some of the Mcdonalds will give you a signing bonus just to try and get some good help, all the good workers (with a few exceptions) go and work in the patch but yes there are tons of non-oil trucking jobs out here and they have to pay you good just to keep you from going into the patch for work. So there are always options, and if LTL is something you would like then it will probably be an even easier job to find, due to the fact the most people just head right into the patch looking for work rather then searching for a more normal type of driving position.

 

Very good question. Anybody have any information about owner operators with dry vans for delivering supplies, equipment, etc.

 

I saw an ad in the paper the other day for a driving job that wasn't in the patch (dont ask me what, dont remember) but it said right in the ad "pays better the the oil field" so there are non-oil jobs for drivers out here for sure. Like MP3>CB said someone has to bring the food... and the mail, cloths, toys, cars, campers, trailers, building supplies, etc I could name things all night lmao.

 

But isnt housing the main issue? I would love to go up there for work but there isn't anywhere to live.

 

That depends on where you located, in Williston and Minot yes its a huge issue but if you can get into some of the areas that are still booming but far enough away from the main source of all of it you can find places. Dickenson isnt to bad its a college town so it was already setup for alot of traffic like this. Killdeer is bad in the town itself, but if you dont mind the drive you can head east about 50 miles and there are towns like Beulah, and Hazen where you can live for a more normal price and most places in killdeer will provide transportation. Its best to just do the research and have a place lined up before you come out here.

If you have a camper that is a good way to go as well. Iam paying $300/m in Beulah, nd for full hook ups, a very nice and clean shower house that has a full kitchen and a TV room, and they even provide wifi. So there are options but if you just drive into town and think your gonna find something your going to have all the issues people talk about. You just need to have something planed out before you even get here.

The other options are to call around for jobs and make sure they have something for you to stay in, a lot of companies buy trailers and things like that for workers to stay in. There will be more then 1 person in them and wont be the best, but it works. If you planing on bringing your family out with you, then you need to go back a few pages and read my post: [h=2]North Dakota Oil Jobs - Tips[/h]
hope this helps some,
PureEvil

 

• Hello truckers! I’m a bit of an outsider to your industry and am looking for some honest advice. Recently, a truck driver friend of mine proposed an investment idea: Buy a tanker and truck (either water or crude) and drive across my home state of Montana to ND and try to lease it out. I am fortunate enough to have a little money to invest and I’m looking for a change of direction anyway, and this really sounds intriguing to me. I’m a realistic person and don’t expect to get rich quick, but from what little investigating I’ve done it seems promising. If a single truck works out, I have the potential to add 2 or 3 more and become a driver myself or just manage the trucks. I’ve been in the construction industry my whole life and I’m used to working very hard in miserable conditions, and I believe I’m decent in business. My questions to anyone generous enough to lend their professional opinion: Does this seem practical and possible for someone with no driving experience? Who would I lease the trucks to?... a trucking company that already has contracts with the oil field producers?, or would I be able to get these contracts directly? I suppose if the ladder was possible, I would be considered sort of a “mom and pop” trucking operation, which appears to be something that other posters on this site are weary of….why is that? What other issues should I be concerned with? I have the highest regard for truckers and the trucking industry and don't wish to appear pressumptious about walking right in like its easy, but if this is a plausible opportunity I am willing to work as hard as needed. Thanks for any comments!

 

Well I dont think you would want a water or crude truck, there seem to be more water trucks just parked in lots then anything else (this is from my own observation) and I would think that most the oil companies would be really weary about letting a newly formed company haul around oil. I would also do some more research on it first, I have a feeling your really under estimating the cost of this operation. Your going to need a pretty high end rig to handle the roads out here, you will need a in house diesel mechanic at around $35/h+ as stuff is going to break on your truck and trailer non stop just to name some things that will happen almost for sure:
lights will go out, flat tires, hoses will bounce off the truck, drivers will lose the fittings, springs, shocks, air leaks, hit a deer, I could do this all night lol

your probably going to have to get some type of osha training together to cover all the rules on the sites: FRC, H2s plus provide the equipment and clothing. Plus the companies wont pay you for your services for most likely 90 days so you will need to cover payroll for 3 months. Annual inspections on the truck and trailer, Tero if your going to be going on or threw the Res, and lets not forget the big ones, insurance.. liability, collision, theft, workmens comp.


All of these reasons are why we tell people to be weary of mom and pop operations, they open up and dont plan for all the unexpected things that will happen.

as far as leasing out a truck, it seems like it would be a lot of paperwork for 1 truck, I have a feeling they wouldnt even talk to you unless you could offer them several (but I do not know that for sure).

The oil fields are not like a normal operation, roads are rough, things break, and a ton of morons.



Here is my suggestion if you want to open a trucking company and make some good money:
Buy a refer (refrigeration rig and trailer sense your new to this) higher a team of drivers, have them goto the gulf of mexico and get a load of shrimp. Driver the shrimp to Maine and sell it, while there pick up a load of lobster and drive it to the gulf of mexico and sell it. Then repeat, people in Maine want shrimp with there dinner, people on the gulf want lobster. Its guaranteed money all day long.


Hope this helps,
PureEvil

 

Just thought I would throw up some more photos, hope you guys dont mind:


This is in East Montana:




Me doing a hard nights work unloading 2 trucks into a belgrade at our shop in Beulah, ND:




Hope you like them,
PureEvil