Alberta oilfield driving jobs

It's interesting to read so many different perspectives. Again, being in Ontario, all you hear is how easy it is to get a job that pays great, out west. It seems that the reality is, that it may be there but its not as easy or simple as showing up and expecting it to be handed to you.

 

The myth has been finally been uncovered.

 

And, things have changed dramatically even for ops. You used to clear hauling Super B's about 2k after fuel from Connacher to Valleyview. Now, it's like 1400 on a rounder including fsc.
Times are changing.

 

What do you attribute that to?

 

Shrug... Lots of companies popping up all the time?
more people moving here?
bottom feeding companies low bids?

 

........ the race to the bottom ....... just like the rest of the industry ............ ?

 

Good post, I hate to be the "Debbie Downer" (SNL) so I don't always post what I'm thinking.

I used to train a lot of guys so I know not everyone can do oil field work. I'm on my days off starting tomorrow, I may elaborate then.

 

Pinner I think you should post your feelings more! Sure it may not paint the patch as a field of roses but people need to know not everyone can do it. As a rookie I read a lot of your posts and I still value your opinion since your way ahead of me in experience.

 

Hi all - Mike here so early in the morning as usual. My last job had me waking up at 2:30 most mornings, and sometimes I can't shake it. Beside that, I have the "Detection & Control of Flammable Substances" today and my car is in the shop so I'm bussing it to Nisku!! It's gonna be a long day.

Anyway I think that I would be a good fit for a Vac Truck Operator job. It takes some physical work, but I've always been strong and hard working. I've also lost a lot of weight, and am continuing a diet to lose more, so I know I can contribute to a company's bottom line once I learn how to do it... but there's the rub.

I have no Vac Truck Operator experience. I refuse to lie about it, and try and pull off some "fake it till you make it" scheme. But I also want to give my best to hit the ground running with a good company making lots of OT, and with a nice rotation schedule (like 20 & 10). Lakeland College is offering a 3-day "Vacuum Truck Operator" course at the end of November. It goes through a lot of theory & then a few hours with a driver I think. It costs over $1600, but well worth it if I could use it to get into the perfect job scenario I mentioned.

Question is, would it get me that job? I would appreciate hearing from nitrogen, & others with experience in the field. Thanks.

Edit: The Lakeland course is 24 hours in class, and 60 hours in the field with an experienced driver. Of course it doesn't count for experience, but would a company appreciate having this kind of head-start training a green-hand?

 

Personally I've done vac truck and don't want to ever go back. That said when I did it we'd never heard of swampers and working alone rules either
You could save the 1600 and hire on as a swamper unless this winter is a bust due to oil prices I'd expect to be promoted in 60-90 days.
swamping gives you a huge opportunity to learn far more details and tricks to the job from someone who already has the experience. Major opportunity to be mentored