Another oil field hopeful...

Motels in Odessa are hard to come by. Try the Motel 6 in Odessa. The rooms are tiny, but they're clean. Current rate is around $85/ night. They do give a small discount for the week. I suggest making reservations in advance if possible. If all else fails, Lubbock is 2 hours north. They have plenty of vacancies and the rates are lower. The drive to Odessa/Midland is a pain, but it's doable. I did for a week and a half until I got a job.

 

I don't know of any companies hiring on the spot, but I do know Key Energy and Nabors both hire newbies in West TX. I think Basic Energy might also. I submitted an application in person with Key Energy and they called me 2 weeks later. I interviewed with a yard manager 1 week later and started paid orientation the following Monday. I received my first pay check 3 weeks later.

 

Go to Andrews just north of Midland. Take the loop around town and pull in and fill out an app at every company you see with trucks. You will have a job by the end of the day. Most companies can run you mvr in a day or two and have a piss test done in two days. The last two jobs I've got I was hired on the spot. I went in the office to fill out an app. The managers were there and interviewed me right then. At the end of the interview they both said if you'll go take a piss test right now your hired. One waited for it to come back to start training me and the other told me to go to the clinic and pee and come back and ride with a trainer. Most will start training you before they get any kind of backround back. There's an add on oddessa craigslist asking for a water hauler and the add says if you can't start by Friday then don't bother.

 

Thanks. Great info. I sent you a PM.

 

Thirsty,

Don't let anyone knock you down and say you will not find work. My wife and I left North Carolina with no promise of a job, arrived in San Antonio on Sunday, hit the streets on Monday and got a prehire on Wed. We just found out today we cleared the background and drug tests and will start our training on Friday. We are getting relocation money, money to help pay us back for our school tuition, and we get to haul crude oil right out of a certified CDL school.

We took care of business though. Got our tanker, hazmat, and TWIC card on our own while some at the school told us to wait and let the employer pick up the tab. Now we are set to pull down a combined 5 figures a month. We may not be the highest paid tankers out there but this situation is exactly what we were looking for.

So stay positive and if you run into 5 companies who want a driver with experience and turn you away just know there is a company out there ready to give you a shot! Stay focused and positive and it will happen for you !! Good luck.

 

Good luck, and have a safe trip.

 

GL Ma man; I take it your crossing the mountain view route... I went I 5 too 40 myself. Though I didn't leave till I got an offer letter in hand. GL Though There's a few of us from Washington State down this way lol.... 2 guys were in my Trng Class...