Arky's Sunoco adventure begins in the west TX oilfields!

Arky I know you have a few years of experience but I can tell you from changing jobs 4 times in the last 17 years that no matter who you go to work for, the first rig you get will be what is left over after everybody with seniority took what they want. Stick it out for awhile eventually you will get better equipment. Also, off road work will tear up equipment fast.

If you keep your junky rig clean and well maintained somebody will notice and that goes a long way toward getting a new rig.

 

Wow that sucks and I hate to hear that. I've only seen a few of the Sunoco trucks, they looked like nice Peterbilts.

Definitely understand the junk dilemma. When I started working for SNI they had us running in every turd retired from running over the road. They were mostly sleepers which stunk like ### and sweat. They had parts missing from various areas of the truck and the headlights were so dim at night you had to check twice to see if they were on! If you got something which had less than 1 million miles you thought you hit the jackpot!! I can report they were good about servicing their trucks and if you put it out of commission they didn't force you to drive it and they would always have the mechanic look it over.

Fortunately we have some pimp rides where I work now. My truck (18 speed Pete) had 4K miles when I got it 11 months ago and even though I was offered a little more money to leave for another company, I just love this truck. We have 10 new Macks ordered too. It's a good thing because I have to drive 2500-3000 miles per week so it's my office and I spend too much time in it to deal with junk.

 

Headlights...what are those??? LOL...I looked forward to moonlit nights so I could see the road. Always carried plastic ties of varying lengths to keep bumpers and other parts strapped to the truck. Saving grace with running some of that well used equipment was that it was mostly hard surface roads.

Not a lot of fun driving something that has parts falling off going down the road but the way some of those guys drive it is understandable why some is in the shape it is. Having run off road hauling water and seeing trucks from other companies doing the same, it is not uncommon to drive beat up trucks. I was fortunate that regular mechanical maintenance and needed repairs were a priority.

Arky, it's probably not a lot of consolation but Sunoco is just one yard with some beat up equipment.

 

We are a small trucking company with all the requirements to haul crude oil with our own athority, all of our drivers have plenty of expirience haulling crude,we are currently in s.tx.Looking for a good company to truck crude oil.We gladly appreciate any ideals or advice. robcamp69@yahoo.com

 

So, arky, hows the pay? Also, have you heard of occidental petroleum?

 

Little bit of info; with recent pay raise making 1500 a week, more if you want it just let dispatch know you want another load. Some trucks wear you out but they are runnin in the oilfields, and you drive a "spare" when yours goes in for pm, don't like it but you get over it. Physical wise my wife seems to be handling it pretty well, she's driving also. Don't get me wrong you can get hurt if you don't have good body mechanics but this is a great starting point for anyone wanting to get into crude hauling. We've both been with Sunoco for year and a half, pla on staying as long as we can. All these oil companies have one thing in common, get the oil. Sunoco has at least 1500 leases down here so they won't run out of work.

 

The only question i have is do they hire rookies right out of class? I get done with training sometime in Oct and trying to line something up. Also if they do hire brand new drivers when should i apply? i.e. should i apply after graduation or a few weeks before?

Thanks Vic

 

My wife was fresh out of school, first truckin job

 

Is that $1500/week take home, or gross?