Alberta oilfield driving jobs

Question for the experienced guys.....as a green driver with class 1, is it a good idea to get some experience say with a water/vac truck/operator, get some winter driving experience under the belt, work a full winter season and lot hours and get a good reputation from an employer up there, prove you're safe and reliable? Then move on to tractor trailer work ?

Or should I be setting my sights higher than that to start with and aim to get in on bigger units?

 

their called swampers in the patch, u get the jump seat

 

You mean it's better to start off by getting a job as a swamper than getting some class3 driving work and driving experience?

 

i believe u said u have 1 yr on class1, so likely only job u'll get in the patch is as a swamper. if you like long hrs and working outdoors and can do the job, you'll embarass these higway trolls with the taxes you'll pay.
there's a few scumbags that might hire u with 1 yr but I won't stear u in their direction. swamponmchumphry

 

I can speak with first hand knowledge that Plains pays on a 60day hold time, all the work thats done in October, your paid November 25th, same as Gibsons, they withold your last 5K when you quit to settle any tire purchases your might have done.

However, they will not give any advances for any repairs, cash needed etc, if it us to you to sort out any truck issues etc. Where as alot of other outfits will give POs for truck repairs, cash shortfalls or what not, however they charge a hefty interest on it, you would probably be better off to put anything on your Visa, so unless your financially set, run new equipment with warranty or have a rich uncle to borrow off of, I would start off with any other outfits rather than Plains or Gibsons. If your set up, and your equipment is in good condition and you think you can weather a 20K motor job without any help from your company, then go with them.

As for the rates, I have seen drivers paychecks, and most are paid on percentage, working 20 days a month, grossing 8-9K steady, so if they are making that, one must assume the owner/ops are doing well themselves. Most work they do pays 100$+, they had a rate review last spring and rates that were crappy were increased, but with any big company, someones gotta pay for the office tower in downtown Calgary, so keep that in mind, no company out here is in the business to make you rich, they will give you enough to live on, a bit extra, but you won't be making the 3-400/hr with your truck using their trailers.
With the trucking companies mostly at 100% capacity for the past year, and lack of owner ops available, the market has tightened up, new guys getting into it can't afford it, with new trucks rigged up costing around the 175-190k, finance companies going 48months, plates/insurance/wages etc coming off the top, its a tough racket to get into now. Some finance companies will go 60months, but from personal expirence, the trucks end up breaking you after 36 months, let alone 60, usually the warranties run out, the mere 120$/hr labour at a shop, the 2 days of sitting before even getting in the door, and 2 days waiting for parts, it doesn't take long to lose 3-5K a month with just downtime and repairs... basically your truck payment.

 

No, will be a new driver with class 1 - no experience.

That's why I'm asking. I know guys that got class 3 work - vac, water, hydrovac - straight off the bat and worked all winter long, got trained, even got a pay raise after a month, loads of hours, no hassles.

So I'm asking...should I go that route, or class 1 as a swamper or whatever? Keep hearing different things about whatever companies will hire green class 1 drivers, some will hire greens and put them through training with a driver mentor, some won't touch them.

 

I am only 9 hrs away from Red Deer and I was able to drive up there and find out myself how bad the hiring is. I approached a company called Alberta Gateway and they promised guaranteed job offer, if you are ready to pay up 2800$(covers tickets and interviews) and 6500, if you wanna go the Class 1 route. I had my doubts because if the jobs are available and you are right on their doors, you would at least get an interview, if these guys are guaranteeing job offers and I literally went to all the companies they mentioned. All you get is a promise that the reception will hand over the resume to the appropriate person.

My friend told me that it is as bad as it gets. It seems like it is close to as bad as in 2008. Remember the recession! So, my brothers if you are planning to come to Red Deer from the EAST, plan on spending money and be ready to find out that it is hard to get jobs if you are not experienced. I am mostly talking here about the green guys. So my advice, just wait for it to turn back up again.

 

Saw an ad in the Red deer advocate today.

Canyon is looking for drivers. That's about the only well service company ad I've seen in a month or so.
I figure most company's have hired enough guys over the summer, and will probably look at hiring again in December/January when the guys that can't cut it get weeded out.

 

Some Companies are still hiring. Got 2 offers in Red Deer, 1 in Fox Creek. Also got a chance at driving a 797 rock truck in Ft. Mac if I want it!! Got 17 yrs hwy exp. No oilfield, just a good interview and excellent ppl skills.

Just keep plugging away and someone will give you a break.

 

You should jump at that 797 haul truck job, normally they want you to take a $6500 4 week course that usually has a very long waiting list. Then you join the union and wait for work. It's a very good paying camp job.