Life in North Dakota "Man Camps"?

Discussion in 'Oilfield Trucking Forum' started by sexystuff911, Sep 8, 2013.

  1. mpd240

    mpd240 Road Train Member

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    I was in New Town ND on Monday night. Seeing all the commotion makes me wish I was 20 again with all the opportunities to work. The deer are a little harder to get. Just go out and drive around at night. If you miss them just swerve at em a little bit.
     
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  3. sexystuff911

    sexystuff911 Light Load Member

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    The place where i'm staying isn't technically a "man camp". They call it "workforce housing" and it's really nice! Really expensive, but really nice! I have a single room that's equipped with a bed, ceiling fan, desk, closet, and closet with shelves and hangers. Oh, and a large flat-screen TV with cable!

    I have a private bathroom that's equipped with a bathtub, too! I love bubble baths! There are four rooms per building. Double-lock entry. We share a kitchen and dining room which is fully equipped with granite counters,, stove, oven, microwave, coffee maker and two refrigerators. Everything here is spotless clean There's also a washer and dryer that's located inside the building and small, but free. The buildings are segregated by sex. Girls in the girl trailers, and boys in the boy trailers. I believe they allow married couples to share a room, but I'm not sure?

    The housing is located 35 miles from Williston, and about 10 miles from Watford City. I prefer to shop in Watford City as it is more convienent and the prices are more reasonable. The convenience store across from me has great (but very expensive) food! It's not a diner, but more like a fast, but homemade food. I caught a cold when I arrived, and the cook made me homemade chicken soup and brought it the next day.

    Housing is plentiful, but I warn others that it is very expensive. I'm paying $45.00 a day. As you know, I didn't take my prehire offer. I almost had another job that I would have loved, but the owner (small company) was concerned about liability over recent surgeries on my arm. I'm pretty bummed about it as I would have loved working there.

    I have talked to several companies, and now that the one job fell through, I'm going to be pursuing the other companies. I've decided to focus on hauling crude oil or working in oil field services. I was going to jump in a bottom-dump just to stretch my money, but I decided that would be a bad idea. A few more days looking for a good job won't kill me!

    I was terrified the first time I hit the brakes on my car and slid into the intersection sideways! Wow! Large following distances are key, out here!!! Later that day, I found an iced-over lease (?) road and went nuts spinning and sliding around! I'm surprised nobody came out and shot me for acting a fool! However, I feel like I can control the car on the ice now! The Blizzart snow tires are awesome!!! Thank you so much, Hammer 166! You saved my life with the advise to buy Blizzarts!!!

    Here's some pictures of the housing. The computer and printer are mine, and not part of the package. I'm not saying the name of the housing because I don't know if I'm allowed... If anybody is interested, message me.
    View attachment 56884 View attachment 56885 View attachment 56886 View attachment 56887 View attachment 56888
     
    Last edited: Oct 30, 2013
    MJ1657, Big Duker and Hammer166 Thank this.
  4. snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    when i rolled up there 2 weeks ago. there was a cop about 5 miles inside the state. then ui noticed the car had utah plates. my home state.

    looked at the driver. SHE looked kinda young to be looking for a job in the dakotas. specially with winter just about here.

    did see quite a few lady truckers out there though.

    i get the feeling most will live in the truck instead of renting a roof. showeres were constantly busy with the locals.

    everytime i go up there. i feel outta place. long haul trucks are outnumbered 50 to 1 seems like.
     
  5. QualityMike

    QualityMike Light Load Member

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    Sounds very exiting. I got here in March 2012 from the West Coast. Enjoy the adventure. Keep us posted.
     
  6. MJ1657

    MJ1657 Road Train Member

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    Everyone tries to make that area out to be this wasteland with reckless bandits running wild everywhere. Yes there are some cowboys and the weather can get tough but its really not that bad.

    The amenities have improved greatly in the last couple years.
     
  7. sexystuff911

    sexystuff911 Light Load Member

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    I'm at a cross-road, here. I don't know what to do? As I already said, I decided not to go with the company that gave me the prehire. And, a company I did like a lot was wary of the recent surgery on my arm and withdrew their offer (They were a small, new company and worried about liability should I re-injure myself). I was seriously bummed about them, as I really liked the company and everybody who worked there.... :+(

    I moved on, and now I have two very different offers. One is hauling frac sand (21% of ticketed load) for a global company that specializes in exploration, drilling, and well maintenance. They have an extensive safety training program, and I will be eligible for benefits after 30 days. They have a very good reputation in the oil industry, and drivers speak well of them.

    The other offer is hauling crude oil for an independant owner/operator who is leased onto a mid-sized oil supply company. I'm assuming he will be training me, and that I won't be eligible for the parent company's benefits program. I'll be an independent contractor. However, he is promising about $3,000 a week in gross wages.

    What should I do??? The $3,000 a week almost sounds too good to be true? I sure could use that kind of money right now! On that same note, I also can't financially afford to work a few weeks for someone, and then not get paid. I hear there's a lot of this in the oil fields. Should I take the chance, or stick with the lower paying, but tried and true company? I'm leaning towards the tried and true because the other sounds too good to be true. What do you think???
     
  8. d o g

    d o g Trucker Forum STAFF Staff Member

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    The larger company will likely give you more opportunities when the Bakken play slows down. And before people jump in and talk about it flowing forever because they read it online or saw it in the paper, keep in mind that there is always a bust to go with every boom in the oilfield. Always has been, always will be.

    Go with your gut and opt for the stability and future instead of the dollar signs now.
     
  9. Hammer166

    Hammer166 Crusty Information Officer

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    Read this: http://www.thetruckersreport.com/tr...78-hauled-8-loads-for-free-2.html#post3623354

    [​IMG] Originally Posted by newbie driver [​IMG]
    I actually had a similar experience a few years back. I hauled for about 3 weeks for free. I went to work for an o/o as an independent driver. That turned out to be a big mistake. when you are an independent driver you do not have the same rights as a regular employee. In the eyes of the law them not paying me was a contract dispute, not unpaid wages. I talked to an attorney and they told me that they could persue it, but they needed a retainer. They also told me that there was so many people in line ahead of me with judgement that it would take a long time to collect, if they where ever able to. So I pretty much let this one go. Not that I wanted to, but financially I couldn't afford to go after it. Oh, and all of my evidence was with them, so I had nothing to prove that I had even done the work that I was claiming.




    You will be an employee, they just don't want to call you that for the reasons listed. It was very common in the past, and while the IRS has cracked down, lots of smaller fleets still pay on 1099. Maybe ask for some documentation of possible earnings? The response might speak volumes about your employer. I've worked 1099 in the past, and made good money doing so, but you are the one now liable for quarterly tax reports and the extra 7.65% that an employer normally pays. If this is an O/O with a decent sized fleet, it may be worth the risk; but if it's just a couple trucks I'd be very leery, myself.

    Note the part about Workman's Comp, too. That's the biggest reason most 1099 outfits go the route, to avoid paying the comp insurance.

    You've got a good head, trust your instincts. Don't let the dollar signs overrule your judgement. It may be a gravy train, but make sure!

    Good luck, and be careful out there!
     
  10. speedby

    speedby Bobtail Member

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    Id go with frac company , benies , they seem to be more stable , there in the oilfield business , you can always do other things within the company . More money isn't always better . good luck , .
     
  11. Scott101

    Scott101 Medium Load Member

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    If you are looking for a career in the oilfield, go with the big name.

    If you are looking to maximize income to catch up, or get ahead; and then go home... Roll the dice and go for the big bucks.
     
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