Alberta oilfield driving jobs

Sorry - Forgot to answer this last week - MIGHT be going up that far before Xmas to drive around a crew (headed by a buddy) in a Tucker 1600 Sno-Cat. Might be before New Years, might be after. Survey crew for new winter roads inland from the Beaufort. Still awaiting final OK from Nunavut DOE.

 

That would be a cool job.

 

In that part of the world it's a VERY COOL job. lol

 

As a driver in the tucker he "should" be toasty. As long as they keep the doors shut

 

A bit of a long post, but I have been working hard the last few months and feel I should contribute a bit to the forum. Hopefully this helps a few newcomers to the patch.

Had to laugh at that myself as I just booked a Mexican Holiday with the kids, but living on Vancouver Island it is almost as bad when returning to work up north again. Plus 7 and lots of rain today, this week has been great but I see there is a major storm warning for when I touch down in GP again tomorrow am, sigh.......

Just passed the 6 month mark for myself as well, having made the move to Oil Patch instead of trying to just barely make ends meet working here on the island. 6 months in, second employer WAY BETTER than first one who said "they will never pay overtime", cannot believe the money I am making on the overtime alone with the new employer, small company who's owner still drives the trucks and KNOWS WHAT REALLY GOES ON out there.

The federal labour board was quite interested in how the former employer thought they did not have to pay overtime for 280 plus hours in a two week period. Looks like my Mexican Holiday will be paid for by my former employer.......lol. Another co worker is the one who pushed me to pursue this, as he also worked there and went through the same thing, they managed to get the extra $50k he was owed in OT, my claim is about half that but still worth getting them involved.

Driving Tanker, hauling crude, Condi and produced water. You tend to go to the same places again and again, and once you know the routine, and take time to get to know the people at Tervita and Newalta, (well side people are just as good!)you find out it is a REALLY enjoyable job, that pays incredibly well. Not going to get into specifics, but if I keep busy at least 9 to 10 months of the year I am well into the 6 figure range, not bad I think.

Yeah the weather before I left was a bit sketchy, and it looks like it will be when I get back. But weather is weather and you just work with it or park for the worst of the storm. This crap has been in the ground for millions of years, so it REALLY does not ABSOLUTELY need to be there overnight if you may get killed or kill someone while doing it. Clean up is really expensive if you mess up, so I find it better to take your time and get it done right and safely.

Thankfully my boss thinks the same way. Be safe out there.

And if you are THINKING of doing it, and find a good offer to start out with, I recommend to go ahead and do it. BUT only if you are able to financially. What I mean is make sure you are able to have your own transportation so you are not stuck or held hostage by your employer. Make sure you have your computer or tablet so you can update your resume on the fly, and have enough set aside for time in a hotel or rent a room to explore other options once you are up there.

I had brought my own truck up, so I was not dependent on the employer to get me to the airport for flying home on my days off, others were TOTALLY DEPENDENT and got screwed on missing flights. Missed it? Too bad, buy another ticket (not cheap). They would also "forget" that you had days off booked, but with my own transportation I would just remind him I emailed, texted and wrote the dates on his board, then get in my truck and drive to the airport. Also, it makes it easier to leave your employer to go work for someone else if things go south. Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to paint my former employer as a complete ###, a lot of the problems are just as much as fault to the driver. Some people would arrive expecting to be completely catered to.

And being as I have been based out of CNRL projects in the Fort Mac Area for a few rotations, I can see how that happens. I have never been treated so well, meals catered including lunches, clean rooms, entertainment, a sports lounge, I mean really really treated well. But not everyplace is like that so don't expect it, it is not like you are ENTITLED TO IT, like many many young people these days seem to think they are.

By the way, I have found that many employers prefer people who live out of town. The reason seems to be that when people from elsewhere come there to work, they work, and work and work, until they go home. Where as local drivers often (not always ok) want to work their 8 to 10, then go home to family (understandable) or not work weekends or holidays (also understandable). I really enjoy my 20/10 shift as I work my ### off when I am there, then get at least 10 days off in a row to do whatever the hell I want, at home or in Mexico or whatever.

Good luck out there.

OP

 

What company are you currently working for Oldpete?

 

I won't post up the name of the company as it is a small family business, (under 12 people) and I feel it would be an unfair plug. It is not one of the major players, and I really like that. As a small company they pay very fair wages, treat us well, and are interested in making sure everyone is happy and profitable. If we are going to look for more drivers in the future I will be sure to post up a link to the ad.

We do contract work for CNRL as well as major companies doing frack work in Northern Alberta.

I found them on Kijiji Grande Prairie, seems to be a great place to look for work.

OP

 

We're you logging 20 hours a day? Or running under oil feild exemption

 

Running under a GODI, but when you are sleeping in your bunk, or reading, or watching movies, how the heck is that working? Equipment needs to be on site, they can come wake you up to work. So logged as sleeper because that is where I was, not like I was working or anything.

But you get paid for it as you are onsite and ready if they need you. So long as the truck is billing, the driver is getting paid. How the heck do you argue that logic as a driver?

So yes, there is often times that we bill out at 36 hours in a shift, and yes the employer pays overtime, these guys are very fair. I hope you find one that is as well.

OP

 

Is it easy for someone from the states to work up there? I have a year of tractor trailer exp, what type of drving jobs would I qualify for? Thx