Im new and don't know what to doooooo-JD

Construction is a good back up.

Around here construction is in full tilt. Companies can't find enough people to work. My brother runs his own crews and is killing it. He has a huge back log of work, companies begging him to bring on more crews so they can do more work, but he can't find the guys.

 

Just saw this thread. Seems to me that an obvious choice would be to check into what your buddy is doing. He's bringing in as much as most otr owner ops and he is home. Those older trucks aren't so bad when you are close to home where you can have a local mechanic do the repairs...or better yet.. learn to do the minor stuff yourself.

I understand where you're coming from with your oilfield job. Personally, I would heed the advice of staying put until they lay you off. More money in the bank and unemployment (can you draw unemployment if your job is in Mexico? ...... worth checking into). Another thing to keep in mind... whatever your position is on the rig, you are gaining experience in that role. If/when prices come back, there will be people looking for that experience and you might have an oportunity to go right back in. Never, ever think that you will make that kind of cash driving a truck. You might make it by owning your own company, but there are literally thousands of people who thought the same thing. They're out there driving their single truck because they found out its not that simple. Don't count on the trucking industry to replace 130k..EVER.....60k sure, that is possible with some time.

Now...with all that said. If you're going to do this, be sensible about and plan it out instead of just jumping in head first. Walk before you run. My advice... stay on that rig until they throw you off of it. Then, come home and sign up for unemployment...if you can get it. Here is why: If you can get the unemployment, it is very likely they will pay for your schooling AND you'll be drawing a check as well. Be smart about it. Consider your options, leave nothing on the table.

 

With an older truck, the investment won't be so much. You could park it whenever you want and go back to the rigs if the opportunity arises. With a new truck, you would have a huge payment to make until you could sell it...and its hard for an individual to sell a late model truck. You have to find somebody who can secure financing and that's tough (the dealerships have finance programs readily available).

I wouldn't discourage you from driving someone else's truck for 6 months to a year. It would get you some good experience and you'll have time to make a plan. As a new driver, these guys are actually being gentle on you. I wouldn't expect to make much over 30-40k. I doubt you have chance in Hades of doing 50k first year. So, just be prepared that you'll not likely see the 65k that I've seen mentioned on this thead...maybe half of that even.

I am in sort of the same boat as you although I don't make the money you do, I do pretty well as a driver in the oil field. We are waiting for the ax here as well. And yes, Schneider's choice program looks good on the surface and some guys probably are doing really well. But don't translate that into easy money. Its not, I asure you. Something that happens on internet forums and in trucking in general is that very few people ever talk about negatives. Sometimes its because of referral bonuses, but most often it seems to just be drivers being drivers and whatever job they're doing is the best #### job on earth. Sounds good to the outsider but seldom works out to be so great. Been there, done that...sold the tshirt for food money. So be careful...and a bit skeptical.... when doing your research.

Btw, 2003 and older trucks are non emission/non egr. Believe me...that is something you need to know. Cat engines do have emissions after that but they did dual turbos instead of egr. Some claim that the dual turbos are less problematic...some don't. Plenty of info on here about all of this.

Good luck!