I'm a stone cold rookie, gonna work the texas oil fields

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by paulcouto, Sep 7, 2011.

  1. Patt52

    Patt52 Light Load Member

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    Aug 18, 2011
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    i love it hear in sonora and i love my job, its quiet here, the majority of people here work the fields and theres no ####### traffic here. I go to san angelo sometimes for necesities and i can only take an hour or two of that town, too many people, cars, people in a hurry etc.


    Paul, you have a similar outlook to mine.:biggrin_2559: I like that area and I have roamed some of the ranches out there and traveled through numerous times, although it has been a while. Some people do call it desolate.

    When I get situated and ready to go, some of the places you have mentioned will be on my short list.

    Some good info you have been sharing about the work and job possibilities.
     
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  3. Gisquid

    Gisquid Light Load Member

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    Paulcouto, its been several steady weeks for you now...So what is the pay like for you now? How many hours are you getting in on avg, and how much time off??
     
  4. paulcouto

    paulcouto Medium Load Member

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    i got one 2 week check so far for 170 hours, i got a little less hours for this next check coming up. I'll pm you and let you know how much i made.
     
  5. sundog

    sundog Bobtail Member

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    Oct 16, 2011
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    not to be nosey and in your business, but i was wondering the same thing. i am looking at schools now and looking at coming out later this year. thanks for any info.
     
  6. BassAddict

    BassAddict Bobtail Member

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    Oct 19, 2011
    Minnesota
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    I read all 14 pages.. Good job paulcouto on your determination and hard work that landed you a great job!

    Keep the good attitude :biggrin_25519:
     
  7. paulcouto

    paulcouto Medium Load Member

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    actually, my first 2 weeks i worked 184 hours, i just went over my log book. My next 2 weeks, which i'll get paid for this coming friday, will be for 145 hours. I didnt get as many hours because of some speacial training classes and most importantly, i had a total of 3 days off as opposed to my first 2 weeks when i only had 2 days off. Its what is called your "short check". Its because of how your hours fall vs. your schedule.

    We work 4 days on and 1 day off untill that day off lands on a saturday and then you will have the weekend off. So once a month, you will basically have a weekend off. For instance, i have the day off today, tomorrow will be tuesday and my 4rth work day will be friday, so i will have this weekend off.

    .....of course i will try to work saturday if i can:)

    I will also be getting certified shortly which means i can drive on my own. This also means i will be working nights and making 1.50 more per hour. Driving at night is very challenging because you simply cant see as much in the dark. The key here is to be very patient and dont stress out. You will get lost, directions dont match up etc. etc......but dont stress out because it will wear you out. Ive had a few days of being stressed out by a trainer and it seriously effects you at the end of the day. Its not a hard job but its a long hour job, so dont stress and stay as fresh as possible. Here at nabors, nobody is rushing you or getting stressed out when it comes to dispatching or the supervisors. It doesnt mean its the perfect place to work, there is no perfect place, but as far as the stress level and stuff, the supers here are really cool.

    Lol, this also means that sometimes you wait a few hours waiting to get sent out with a driver:)....whatever, i still get paid and they dont bust your butt about kickin back and waiting. Its not like they are gonna tell you to grab a broom and "make work"......although i'll do that because i'm bored and want to stay busy.

    I remember gettin ansy because i didnt get sent out and i was kickin back for a while, i asked one of my supervisors if he wanted me to clean the parkinglot and he said "nope"......LOL!

    Like i said, its kickback, no need to stress out.
     
  8. gravelhauler

    gravelhauler Medium Load Member

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    Oct 20, 2011
    Lake Charles, La
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    Well man I've read this whole thread and I think you have changed my mind. I'm supposed to be headin to Gainseville Texas for orientation with LoneStar but I'm thinkin I may head to Odessa/Midland and start knockin on doors. I was down by Laredo haulin cuttings off of drilling rigs from June till the 7th of this month. My supervisor and me fell out over him trying to run me for 50 and 60 hrs nonstop. I was falling asleep at the wheel and weaving all over the road. What got me was he was following me and seen this but still got on my case when I told I was stopping to get some rest. I made some killer money. $45,000 frm June to October but i was putting in 140 to 150 hrs a week. Got 14 yrs experience and my X endorsment. Just dont have any experience on a vaccum bottle.
     
  9. paulcouto

    paulcouto Medium Load Member

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    oh and one more thing, if any of you follow through and work a driving job in the oil field, you will be required to get steel toed boots. Dont worry about getting the most comfortable ones because you will be driving most of the time. Dont get cute and buy some that look like work boots but arent steel toed because they are lighter and more comfortable.....YOU WILL USE YOUR BOOTS and those steel toes will come into use. Dont get any tennis style low cut steel toed shoes or whatever either.....GET STEEL TOED BOOTS. I dont know how to explian it but your boots get torn up out here and you will need to kick things from time to time.

    I helped transfer frac tanks the other day and when you run that thick cable through the bottom frame of the tanks, i got to tell ya that cable isnt like rope, you got to kick it sometimes to get it through the hole to get enough slack to pull your hook to the eye hole. Hard to explain but if you do it, you'll see what i'm talking about and you'll be thankful you got some sturdy boots.
     
  10. paulcouto

    paulcouto Medium Load Member

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    Go check out "plains" or "pecos oil gathering", they both work a 5/2-5/3 schedule with great benefits and pay. They both pay by the load and an hourly if you arent getting your loads in for whatever reason (break downs or waiting at a station etc.) and they also haul crude so your hazmat will come into use.

    I know these are good companies and theres probably more out there and plenty of not so good ones and terrible ones too. good luck.
     
    gravelhauler Thanks this.
  11. gravelhauler

    gravelhauler Medium Load Member

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    Oct 20, 2011
    Lake Charles, La
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    What I'd recommend for the oilfield.[​IMG]
     
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