Hesitant to make the jump. Frac Sand via flatbed for AmeriField

So I've been absent for a day or so in this thread but long story short, my orientation got moved back to Monday the 7th. Now, during this entire "hiring process" I asked 2 or 3 times about the pay. I was told at least 2 different times from my "recruiter" that I'd be getting paid 25% of the sandbox load, at a rate of 110 bucks a load with 60 mile round trips being the norm. Now, after researching and watching YouTube videos, I started to REALLY ponder it all. It just didn't make sense. So I started pushing hard for the rates per load, as well as detention pay etc in writing. After some dancing around and beating around the bush, my "recruiter" finally sent this "rate" sheet late Friday afternoon, and also mentioned that Halliburton would infact be paying detention. I told him I'd look it over and get back with him.

After several calls, texts and emails, he finally responded and said I could give him a call this evening after 6pm. Now, looking at this rate sheet, it's immediately apparent that there's no way in hell I'm getting 110 bucks a load unless I'm traveling at least 100-109 miles loaded one-way. Obviously you're ONLY paid for taking the load, you're not paid for hauling empties.

When I called him on it, he said "well, yea I know I said 110, but that's the rate sheet I just received, blah blah, but man there's virtually no wait time for the sand boxes at all, and if you get say 60-70 bucks a load and run 5 a day you'll make good money." Well, from what I've seen, you absolutely CAN end up sitting for hours waiting, even with a sandbox, and on top of that, now suddenly they don't offer detention pay. If you base this whole equation off of lets say, 3 loads a day over the course of 6 days with a 60 mile round trip, I'm looking at about 900 LESS a week, than I was originally quoted.

Now maybe I'm just a moron who's clueless to the rates in the oil field, but from what I've been reading, anything less than 100 bucks a load just isn't worth it. I'm now having serious doubts about leaving my wife, and 1 year old son to live in a truck for 21 days at a time, and possibly only making about 50-70 bucks a load depending on the distance I have to travel, with zero pay no matter how long I sit, with a very REAL possibility of having days where I only get 1 or 2 loads. Now I see how they're able to go out and buy those new Kenworths.

Can anyone shed some insight on this and let me know if they're trying to bend me over, or is this typical if you have no "oil field experience" before I go tomorrow to buy the necessary #### I need, and end up in West Tx kicking myself in the ### becasue I'm running my ### off and not making the money I should be.

(I get 25% of the number under the "rate" column.)

Current rate matrix for West Texas/New Mexico carrier partners:
*Based on one-way loaded miles
Miles || Rate
0-9 $198
10-19 $209
20-29 $222
30-39 $235
40-49 $247
50-59 $258
60-69 $276
70-79 $316
80-89 $356
90-99 $396
100-109 $436
110-119 $476
120-129 $516
130-139 $556
140-149 $596
150-159 $636
160-169 $676
170-179 $716
180-189 $756
190-199 $796
>200 SPOT

Thanks for any helpful replies.

Dave

 

Yea. It's not worth it.

 

lol Thanks for the quick, and to the point reply. I look forward to the rest that will more than likely back my apprehension as well. It is unfortunate though, as I was apprehensive about leaving but looking forward to making some real money for once. That is until this new information came to light. Sad part is, the selection of remotely decent trucking jobs in my area is so sparse right now, I'm almost considering going still. Sad state of affairs.

Dave

 

Hahaha. Well, I worked in the oilfields when the boom was there. I was making over 2k gross per week every week hauling water. I also worked on a frac crew towards the end. My highest check was 3k. But when I left my wife and kids behind I knew that the money was there and it was going to be worth it in the end.

If I was in your shoes I would keep looking and find a spot where you know theirs money. I hear a lot of west Texas but you might want to check Oklahoma. I hear they are making good money there but it's on the download. Shhhh.

In the end it's very risky right now cause theirs no actual oil boom. In my opinion what's going on now is natural gas. That's why companies are needing people. Just my opinion, but don't really know the scoop.

 

We've been trying to warn you.
Your gonna make less than a OTR driver
With the same time off schedule.

Where exactly do you live.

 

Temple, Tx

 

You know, it's pretty unfortunate that last night I was pretty much convinced that the frac job I was offered was a load of bull and a waste of time, but after browsing craigslist within a 60 mile radius of my location, there just isn't a #### thing worth my time in ANY direction. It's almost making me feel forced to take this low paying job out in West Tx and it's a #### shame. When bills are still coming in, and you're the only bread winner in the house (by choice due to ridiculous day care expenses) it makes it hard to turn down a "sure thing" even if it seems sketchy, when the only other option is to hope and pray you come across a hidden gem withing your area at some point in the next week, or you'll be up #### creek financially.

Ok, I'm done ranting.
Dave

 

Is OTR an option? Magnum LTD has lots of loads going to Texas. They are very reasonable with hometime. Excellent equipment, new Petes with options, apu, fridge, large inverter factory installed. They are a reefer company, have long runs, performance based pay. They are based in Fargo ND and will fly you there for orientation. They have a very active thread on this site in the "discuss your favorite trucking company" area. Have you tried asking @Chinatown for recommendations for reputable companies that hire in your area?

 

Anything that pays decent is an option at this point. I'll definitely check Magnum out. I was also just contacted by Acme truck lines for frac sand hauling so I've got a couple things in the works as well as Maalt which I've heard mixed reviews about, but hopefully something materializes quickly. Thanks the heads up 4way I appreciate it.

Dave

 

Well a little update. I've been contacted and asked to attend orientation next week for both Maalt, and 1845. Any info on either company that's recent? I'm not finding much recent info on either and I'd prefer not to find out the hard way which company to avoid.

Dave

(Well I guess I can take 1845 off the list, after digging some more, I'm seeing absolutely nothing but negative reviews of 1845 and reading things that don't really fit my fancy.)