Alberta oilfield driving jobs

To my knowledge Trican does not haul water. Could be sand or nitrogen, possibly transport sand hogs or nitrogen queens? I don't think you do any driving for at least 6 months until you put in time and are evaluated. And the iron and hammering is only 10-20% of the time if that. Mind you I'm quite often napping in my truck while they rig in until they need my picker for standing iron lol!

 

If you're in fsj drop in to STEP and have a chat. Jason or marvin. Even if trican hesitates there is absolutely No excuse for leaving town without a job.

 

I just got a call from step friday afternoon actually, I missed it though.
Have to call back monday am.

I also have not seen Trican hauling water, pretty sure they contract that out.
Even the sand most of it is contracted out.

I been hauling sand for a few months now in AB, really easy job, money is great.
I also am looking for something different hopefully paid flights, little to no breakup and room to advance, maybe frac operator, coil tubing or something not really sure what all the different options are in the patch.
Maybe finish my HET apprenticeship, driving is just relaxing though lol.

 

Gerald - Strictly driving jobs (transport/logistics) are generally reserved for those who: 1. already have considerable truck driving experience both on-road and off-road, or, 2. those who have proven their driving abilities on the well servicing end of things (with an emphasis on swinging a hammer and running equipment rather than driving) As a novice class 1 driver, you're far better off to seek employment as a well servicing operator. After six months or so of proving your abilities, you can try transferring into transport/logistics. On the well servicing end of things, you're usually driving in a convoy, where more senior employees can keep a close eye of you, hence, for these types of positions, companies are much more willing to take on a novice driver. On the transport/logistics side of things, you're generally working alone and/or hauling an over-dimensional and/or liquid load, so companies are not so willing to take on a novice driver. On the well servicing end of things, your chance of finding employment are virtually 100%. On the transport side of things, your chance of finding employment as a complete newbie is almost 0%.

 

Surely the 104-hour driving course counts for something? I'm going to be disappointed if I spend all this time and money on training, only to end up working with some other greenhand who's only got a Class 5...

The other option I considered after obtaining my Class 1 is going straight into Long Haul with an OTR company (as dual US/CA citizen, cross-border transports probably interested to hire me?) But thats not a very efficient way to earn back my tuition loan, $.30-.45 a mile not great money.

EDIT 25 years old.

when you say body work you mean labor, not doing vehicle collision repair, correct?

 

If you want to drive, try and get some type of body job work first and then move up with your experience.

If you want oilpatch wages and lots of overtime and learn the ins & out of the patch I would recommend a fuel truck job or if you want camp try hauling water.

New drivers in the patch shouldn't be pulling trailers unless maybe in Alberta and the roads are good...

Remember what is about to happen to our roads very soon. I'm a long time oilfield veteran and I'm not looking forward to the next couple months of wet snow on warm roads.

Something so simple as missing a gear and spinning out entering a road in bad weather could get yourself and whoever hits you killed.

You didn't say how old you are, that makes a difference.

 

edit, see original post above

 

In the long run the jobs that teach you a skill will pay better and offer MUCH MORE room for advancement. Wirelining is all body jobs,cementing is an excellent place to start. a fair amount of driving and a huge amount of downhole knowledge that applies to every other technical division

 

Gerald -

Getting your class 1 with a 105 hour course, at your own expense, does count for something, but maybe not as much as you might think. It will help you get your foot in the door, but that’s about it. Well servicing companies are much more willing to hire a novice driver because the nature of the work is such that you can be closely supervised. It also doesn’t hurt that the larger well service companies have deep pockets and can insure themselves.

If you really want to drive, working as an operator at a well servicing company is a great way to get a start and gain some experience. Put 105 hours into perspective. In the oil patch, you’ll very likely put in more time than that during your first two week hitch in the field. You might even lose interest in a straight up driving job after working in well services.

User <nitrogen> makes a very valid and important point “In the long run the jobs that teach you a skill will pay better and offer MUCH MORE room for advancement.”

IMHO, long-haul OTR drivers are working way too hard for peanuts. Especially in the US. Drive a heavy truck all day, every day for $22/hour? No thank you. Better to be at a well site, making real money, even if that means swinging a hammer, getting boots muddy, or lifting something heavy. The responsibility, risk, and stress of driving is less than 20% of a well servicing job.

 

I would say 5-10% unless you are hauling bulk (N2, sand). Especially on multi well pad jobs. Driving is infrequent. I operate a picker more often than I drive truck.

But that is not always a good thing. Jump in a random truck, pre-trip it thoroughly, hit hit the road day/night, mid shift, in any weather. Not always a recipe for success if you drive infrequently and don't have the discipline or thoroughness that experience gives you.