Life in North Dakota "Man Camps"?

This is a big SHOUT OUT to the Independent Owner operators who are leased on with companies! THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!! You saved my life today! A HUGE Hooray to these guys for caring more about the company drivers that the actual company does!!!

I signed on with a lower paying, but reputable company because they offered in-depth training. I'm new to the oil fields and I dont want to get hurt, or hurt anyone. I don't want an accident. I'm not shy about sharing about skills I need to work on because I want to do things right and make sure everybody goes home safe!

Apparently, my company doesn't feel the same way? I guess they think training is a game? Or, maybe it's funny to leave the driver you are responsible to show the ropes in the dust, leaving her to find a load site with no address, no instructions, no directions... And, not tell her the CB channels to use to communicate to the scale house or the process to get loaded... and try to send them to a frac site 60 miles away with no road numbers, directions, signs or even a town name. It's even funnier because her peoplenet computer doesn't work, so she has no dispatch information! Funnier still because her fuel key doesn't workk either, so she's low on fuel and the gauge doesn't work. Even the windshield washer fluid is empty, but who needs to see where they are going with 80,000 plus load, lost on a backroad and not knowing how soon they are going to run out of fuel!

Inadequate traing is what gets people hurt and killed out here! I want to go home safe, and I know you do too. But, I can't learn if others won't teach me. Don't blame it on the rookie. Blame it on the trainer who can't be bothered to do the job they were assigned. The guy whose idiocy puts everybody on the job site at risk...

THANK GOD for the independent owner operator today! Thank you so much... you know who you are! I know you didn't have to take time away from your day to help me, but my gratitude is overwhelming! You saved my life, and possibly others! Next time you load at our sand plant, ask for Ashley. I left a present with her to give you. A token of my extreme appreciation for your kindness, care, and concern! Thank you, again! You rock! I'll never forget your helping me today!

 

Thanks Adam121!
About the windshield washer fluid... why couldn't anybody just tell me? I asked where do I get windshield washer fluid about 15 times? "Ask the shop" was the only answer I got... to literally everything I asked about... but it was Saturday and I guess the shop was closed? I wandered around the yard for an hour banging on doors and couldn't find a living human being to speak to besides dispatch, and they keep saying they don't know, ask the shop?

I haven't decided what I'm going to do, yet. I guess I'm still busy thanking god nobody got hurt. I'm still a bit distraught, and very disappointed in the company. I held them in very high regard and certainly thought they were above the (expletive deleted) games my trainer was pulling. I thought I had chosen a company where I would be proud to work. Instead, my trainer took things to a level far beyond unprofessional... I don't know if I should cut and run (while I still can... all limbs attached) or give it another shot? Maybe the company will make the decision for me and fire me (they have no cause, but still)? IDK? I'm going to sleep on it before I do anything too drastic.

 

P.S. I don't want to call out the guy who was supposed to be training me. P.M. me and we can talk. I do want to add that Steve, the supervisor (employed by the company) on the fracing site, was very sweet and helpful. Very professional, too. I owe both the owner operator and Steve a great wave of thanks for their assistance and understanding of the situation!

 

I went back to work today. The truck broke down. I'm certainly going through a rough time getting started with this company! However, the breakdown wasn't all bad for me. I got to meet the guys in the shop and get aquainted with their procedures. Casey, the shop manager, is a very nice guy and took time to go over several aspects of the truck with me. He told me when and where to find hiim if I needed more help. And, Tom, the guy who was going to train me until the truck broke down, was a very kind soul. I'm feeling better about things, now! I'm actually looking forward to work tomorrow!! Yeah!