Alberta oilfield driving jobs

Because I have always been interested in driving and like driving, and because my company has fell on hard times in Ontario, I have considered trucking. I only have a G license now and am considering schooling but I am not sure if I am better off doing DZ or AZ before I come west, I seem to recall you saying that it might be better if you are new to just come out and get trained out there.

Also, you mentioned your scenario and how you started,- were you already an experienced AZ driver before you went to Alberta...did that make a big difference in the starting wage the first four months or more. How does that compare to brand new drivers?

I would like to come out there the right way and maybe bring my family out if I stay longer than a year.

I was hoping to get a driving job, anything that pays good...I have sat behind the wheel of G class vehicles for many extended periods of nonstop driving - I know a truck requires more of you, I just take it that the road does not bore or tire me. One caveat - I have been an office worker for a long time, so hard physical labour for hours on end might be outside of my capability for the first six months – while I might not be able to slug heavy weight, some friends don't understand how i can continue to work so many hours...and I find it easy to get focused and keep working.

I was also hoping to fly back and see my family, hoping to maybe buy a winterized trailer and park on site..of course as everyone you are hoping to maximize your wage, but as a newbie starting out, i understand i wont command top dollar - i just want to earn good money to justify being away from kids the first year.

I am also open to many things in terms of schedule, while i like a regular schedule, i haven't had one in years anyway being in business. I hear of different periods of on and off, like 15 6 etc..i would even be willing to do a few months straight if that is allowed and then take a month off during the slow periods or whatever work for the employer but still gives me opportunity to see family (eg work extra weeks during busy times and go home for 3 or four weeks during spring slowdown? Or maybe December if that is a slower period (I have read march to October is the busy season)

Any input is helpful as you have done it.

 

has it changed much in the last year - how would a newbie fair out - I am considering taking my AZ training etc if it is not better to do out there (I am in ontario)

 

I would say that activities in certain areas of the oilpatch are down significantly from last year. It seems to be slower since the spring breakup this year. My guess is based on how easy it is for me to get hotel rooms in Alberta, gossip and how busy I am.

As a newbie I would stay in Ontario and get a few years of experience. As far as I can tell there is no desperate shortage of experienced drivers in Alberta. There is a shortage of drivers willing to work for some of the terrible outfits that pay badly and treat drivers like dirt. You will also be competing against the increased number of foreign drivers entering Alberta (the quota of temporary foreign workers has been increased). Those drivers have some experience and employers can pay them less, treat them like slaves, run them illegally and rip them off on their paychecks. Some of the sleazier trucking companies have been forcing out domestic drivers so they can hire the tempting foreign slaves.

 

Lots of jobs here in Drayton Valley,(be ready for lots of mud) mostly fluid haul,some winch truck, and companies willing to hire green guys. Also lots of vac jobs if your so inclined, pm for more info. I am green with my Class 1, (class 3 for years), but i was able to get multiple offers.

 

Thanks for the invite to PM. I will. Some of it i asked here in case you dont mind sharing answers for others if you know them, or anyone else has input...

I only have a g class, but throwing down serious coin for the AZ license - i have to know two things:
1) there is work out there that pays well
2) someone with a no criminal record, no drugs or alchohol, a G license currently that has no infractions on it, who is willing to drive hard and have a flexible schedule can get hired just starting out so i can pay my course off and not starve my family..

I am an office worker now, so while i don't care about mud or not, fluid, winch doesn't matter unless it requires slugging 50 pounds plus a lot every day...it will take me a few months to get back in shape...but i am determined when i set my mind to it - there is no quit.

-so aside from above - what has your experience been

-do you think it would have been different you stated with a class 5 license instead of a class 3?

-what are they offering new guys with no experience?

-are their jobs that I could bring a trailer and park it at the yard to sleep in?

-are there any jobs left that will help with flights home to see family? I know as a newbie i dont want to be too demanding : but i am trying to look at this with a long term view and want to keep my family

 

You're probably not going to cut it on a winch tractor. Slugging chains through the mud and being able to toss them over a load sound like too much for you. Some days you have 50lbs + of mud on your boots alone.

As for jobs with guys with no experience, you start out as a swamper on a bed truck or picker. Both require lifting and climbing and trudging through the mud. I guess you could go to a service company like Sanjel, schlumberger trican etc, but you're still stuck hauling iron and swinging hammers.


I know of no company that will allow you to sleep in your trailer in the yard. There are lots of cheap campgrounds all over.


If you end up working in the oilsands, you will be provided with flights home unless you relocate to Alberta.

 

thanks theYoungBuck

chains in mud got it...Sounds like rough work...i would have to work up to it...and honestly it would do me good...I need to build up....gain weight get excercise -
-chaining up tires i could probably survive,, don't know how heavy chains are for securing loads, i would have to adapt


50lbs of mud on my boots alone - i actually probably need that kinda excercise one day - but again build up to it...i am a tall guy, after a few years of that and eating i might be a monster...

-can you eat during the day or is driving, loading etc got you too busy or dirty to eat a sandwich here and there...if not guess its protein shakes.




Anyway:

when you say stuck hauling iron and swinging hammers - can you describe that
Sanjeel seems like a good company from what i have read and heard so i wouldn't mind that

as well what is it like being a swamper out there on a bed truck or picker.....

and any estimate on what a guy can make doing those jobs

what about the water and vac trucks etc - do you estimate that as heavy a job


For the first year to 2, i plan to leave family in ontario - if i am still there after 1.5 years I would make arrangements to move family out depending on how we are handling time apart.

 

Water and vac trucks are much less physically demanding than the other jobs you discussed. If doing short hauls you may need to chain up numerous times a day, other than that you are dragging hoses which can get heavy at times with mud and oil. Depending where you work and what type of contracts they have fluid haul can be quite easy physically, but requires you to pay attention to prevent spills or possible injury.

 

If your not sure if you physically can do the work you probably can't.

Swampers are the run around odd job fellas on these trucks. They hook things up line things up and carry stuff around. If you want to get your feet wet there are always swamper jobs out there. Pay varies widely by experience and how capable/quick you learn. If your working out and doing well expect to be paid well enough that one of the other outfits can't hire you away for themselves.

 

can soneone tell me how canyon technicals salaries and bonuses stack up? pm is fine too thanks