Arky's Sunoco adventure begins in the west TX oilfields!

Arky does Sunoco hire owner operators?

 

No....check out QC they sub for Sunoco and others in Midland and they hire OO's

 

I have a friend who got offered $25/hr to haul water out in Midland. I think that is a lot for Texas, and he was jumping for joy that he can live down where the Mexican restaurants actually taste close to authentic. Quite a change from North Dakota restaurants.

 

You mean Velveeta on an enchilada ISN'T authentic?

 

Don't knock that velveeta.

 

Cyborg, are you with Sunoco? I've got to get my ducks in order and am going to apply. Just wanted to find out what you think of them.

I'm close enough to Sunoco at Marcus Hook Pa that if they bite on my application I want to see if they will let me do the physical and other tests there then report for training at my duty station.

I'm looking to get some time in and then relocate.

 

Yes, I think it's generally a good company. There are certain locations that are run better than others though. In some areas they are disorganized and do things because that's what they always do and not because they make sense.

Good luck getting on with them...it's a very lengthy process, again depending on the area it could be weeks to months. If you're fresh nout of CDL school make sure you ask a LOT of questions about whether or not you have to go through the whole CDS BS.

CDS is a staffing agency out of OK that some areas use to pay you through for the first 8-10 weeks...@ $14/hr straight time and they charge YOU for everything...drug test, MVR and whatever else they can. They aren't too concerned about getting your paychecks to you either. AVOID them at all possible costs if you can! If you DO have to go through them ask the person at Sunoco how long before you get a SUNOCO paycheck. They use semantics tricks to make you think it'll be much sooner than it is. They will tell you that training is only 4-6 weeks, which misleads you into thinking you'll start getting real paychecks after that, but the reality is you must add another 2-3 weeks onto that to become a Sunoco employee and four weeks after that to get your first real paycheck. Sunoco does give you a two week advance after two weeks with them because the pay is four weeks behind.

To illustrate this, I started on November 4th, To this date I have received $2300 from CDS and a week ago I got the two week advance from Sunoco. I have another week to go before I get my first real paycheck! So, if you're counting...that's 11 weeks until the first real paycheck! 11 weeks to survive on $3,300 isn't much in Midland...especially when your rent itself is over $1,000/mo.

So try to get a real timeline so you can make choices based on the reality rather than what they lead you to believe it is. Had I known the real timeline I would have slept in my car and joined a gym this whole time instead of getting an apartment...at least my other bills would be getting paid!

 

Thanks Cyborg. I've been driving for 20yrs, OTR/LTL/van/flat/reefer 2+mil mi, so maybe I can get out the CDS pooh. It sounds like they're using the staffing company as a way to filter through the drivers that can't hack it and not have to pay for all the testing if a driver doesn't stay.

The plan is to go down with a camper and get some time in before getting a place.

 

Youre definitely not going to have to do the CDS. For you, youll probably be in training for two weeks, get a check for your orientation aka your advance right after you complete orientation, get your check for training after your third week of work, and youll be set after that. Theyre a great company and worth the wait, just dont quit your day job til you have a datefor orientation after having already done your mvr, drug testing, physical, etc.

Now my question for everyone else is, how long after you gave the compay a copy of your lease did it take you to get your relocation bonus? I heard three weeks. Anyone else have a similar experience?

 

Truea! Gaving experience lets you skip CDS.
As for the relocation bonus...you will need to show your lease agreement. i turned mine in on 12/17/13 and haven't seen it yet...