Alberta oilfield driving jobs

Thanks Northbound,
Im heading to the Jobfair thats being hosted in GP in October, I really dont care who I work for, just been tired of the self employment thing. Lots of years driving experience so it wont take long!! And if I have to move i have no issues doing that. Just visit home on days off.

Darin

 

The wages are less than living in the town, when fly in/out program is offered.
Whats the preferred location? Red Deer GP or Dawson?
And Im not here to step on any ones feet just going by what has been told to me,I realize all the forum member's are the specialists and would one love to see any of you on a job site.

Darin

 

James Im in the same situation as you so its nice to hear how it works! Why not Calfrac? And hows the drive from Sylvan.

 

Freedom, I just wanted to try driving truck instead of coil tubing and actually didn't like driving and living in a truck, showering in gas stations...it paid great! Fluid hauling making 10k/month but just wasn't for me so I took the job I have now and 15 months later love it and after learning crane I found I love running crane so may eventually follow that route, just tough to give up what I am making now in a sweet job to make less for long term... Decisions! The drive from sylvan is fine, 7 1/2 hours but the winters can suck when the highway shuts down for avalanche and accidents, barely had that though, good tires and a solid truck can make the drive easy.

 

Harsh words about the rotation jobs, sort of. All the main players offer a rotation package, but a green hand isn't likely to bag a rotation position. Green hands offer zero value to the employer until about 6-12 months in, and that is the exception mostly. By that time a high percentage have already quit, broken something expensive, hurt themselves or others, and may show little chance of succeeding in their job. The attrition rate is high, as is the drain in training people who quit or fail, and this is why so many people in the patch are cynical and tired of all the wannabes.

Rotation has to be earned; a class 1 with experience and competent reliable operator with ability and reliable performance. Not a daydreamer/wannabe. Same people can more or less walk into any operator job right now as all named companies listed a gazillions times previously are hiring, and mostly hurting for talented decent reliable people who can walk in and actually do the job. No, it does not make much sense to the casual reader of this forum seeking the Alberta highways paved with gold, but that is the oil patch. Many things are 2+2=5. Yes, a few people will have lucked out getting a rotation job with paid travel and accommodation, but they are few and far between and the recruiter will have seen something special in their application, or just timing was down to perfection.

Also, be wary and check all available facts. Do you want a rotation job where you earn $70k, or a non rotation job that pays $100k but you pay your own costs? Numbers crunch differently and the distant job seeker is not always informed of the reality of this.

New people/wannabes - you HAVE to prove yourself and you generally have to be in Alberta to seal a deal.

Every Johnny Hayseed in New Brunswick and Gupta Ranjeep Singh in Ontario thinks the demand is so high here you will get flown in/out and treated like royalty by Alberta companies. Reality is different. Expense of rotation package has to be earned. Your resume and shiny new class 1 with zero off road and winter driving experience does not mean much at this stage of your fledgling career. It is tough, you will need one or all of; luck, a break, some hard work, and perseverance.

Do not pass go, do not expect anyone to read your resume or to care a toss about your application, do not expect to be flown in/out, do not expect camp, and ten G's a month clear in your first month. Any of those are very well earned bonuses and are the exception to the rule.

 

Northbound, well said. I do believe your true in what was said, and can understand there would be a very high turnover in employees. I'm sure you've seen both sides of the coin. Its forum members like yourself that add experience and valuable information on this site, and for that I thank you.
I do hope that with all the valuable information I will learn from this site I will find employment and hopefully run into some of you in the field.

Darin

 

James if I may ask what company are you working for? And what size of crane do you operate? And have you heard of Charger?

 

Purged were you successful in finding employment? If so where?

 

Eires how was your interview?

 

I work for Canadian Wellhead Isolation, I am BC Cranesafe certified for 22 metric tonne stiff boom. And charger?? Dodge car? Lol