Crude oil hauling in Northern Colorado.

There's something that every truck driver or student needs to understand. You're not going to get rich driving trucks. Everybody seems to think that there's some kind of magic deal out there that going to put them way above everyone else and there's not. There's always a catch to every single driving job out there. They try to sell you a package that looks shiny on the outside. But once you open the package, you see what it's really all about.

My question to you is, if this is such a great job why is this man not looking for someone with a lot of experience? Insurance companies always prefer someone with a lot of experience. With only 6 months experience he probably sees your desperation.

You're going to get into a truck that is used and you know nothing about and you're going to have to pay for the expenses while this man rakes in the real profit. Research the heck out of this deal before you jump into something that you regret. Talk to other O/O's in that field and ask lots of questions. Ask them what questions you should be asking this man.

I'll bet he's had many other drivers in that deal before you. Why are they not there anymore? I'm not trying to be negative here. I'm just trying to encourage you to be wise and move with caution. There's an old adage that states, If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

I've been out here for 39 years and I have seen a lot. I'm a car hauler who stays in hotels every night. I do three trips a week and usually make from $1,800 to $2,200 per week driving a company truck. I have great benefits and paid vacation. This is also a non-union job. I'm home on the weekends. I have no desire to own my own truck. The only way I would ever become an owner operator cuz if I can make about $200,000 a year after all my expenses.
If I can't do that, to me it's just not worth it.

Oh and one more thing. What does your credit report look like. How have you handled money matters thus far? If you want to be a successful O/O you have to be a smart businessman. Being a smart businessman means demonstrating to yourself that you are handling money matters well right now with what you've got before investing in a truck.

 

I think that's a wise idea. I would stick with this job and get yourself a couple of years experience. While you are doing this you can pay attention to the industry and see what's out there.

 

Looks like I'm the first one actually in the DJ basin to reply.

Right now rates aren't awesome. The big companies have their pipelines built and only building around those. Even the smaller companies are building their pipelines now. FMV for a driver is about 60-70k a year unfortunately.

PM me and I'll send you my number if you want to talk about the local stuff. And a strange coincidence, I was homeless when I came to Colorado to haul water. Took me about three months until I could get an apartment. People I worked with didn't know they just thought I really liked to work because I showed up early and stayed late

 

Will they take folks straight out of CDL school?

 

They did, but they are now defunct.

 

Oil field jobs should be paying $150K. Keep looking.

Also be prepared to throw chains in the mud all the time.