Just returned from my Bakken "recon" trip

Congratulations

 

MTNClimber,

Hey Thanks buddy for your reply. I must have missed it. I am still in Afghanistan, but weather and roads seem to be about the same in ND as they are here.

I am originally from Michigan and my wife and children are in the Philippines. The good thing is that they are very hardy and flexible in terms of where to live. The most important thing is that we will be together as a family. I anticipate bringing them to Michigan with me at the end of this year, I will transition, get my CDL and then scout out some jobs in spring of 2015.

I have so many OSHA and Hazmat safety training certificates it's not funny. They stress safety here. PPE and training. I am in Aviation support, but am looking forward to getting into oilfield trucking.

I am making nearly 6 figures, made with OT and Haz duty pay. Netting 6K, so I am used to the fat paychecks. Hoping to get ahead and double down on my savings through living a thrifty lifestyle and avoiding the rat race. Hoping to eventually retire early and enjoy the fruit of my earnings for years to come.

Keep in touch and keep posting about your progress!

 

Air force making six figures. Sheesh. I knew I shoulda done it

 

Haha, no. I actually have been a Contractor supporting the Air Force since 2005, Been overseas contracting since 2009. Besides living/working in Kuwait, this has been the most lucrative and only because it pays haz pay and OT. Base hourly pay is only $15.50/hr but i submit 164 total hours per week. It all adds up to around $87K gross if I worked 12 months per year, but if you factor in i get 30 paid days plus 15 days leave without pay per contract year, I make less because the vacation is only 40 hours per week and LWOP is none.
Mind you my last contract location was Kuwait 65K gross per year and before that I was in Diego Garcia for 2 years, 45K gross per year, BUT being on a tropical island working only 5 days per week, drinking all the beer I could, scuba/snorkel and having HOT babe filipina girlfriends more than made up for the lack of pay on the island.
This base here in Afghanistan is closing. We will be the LAST base. 28 Feb 2015 our last day, THUS I am looking at oilfield trucking! I am addicted to fat paychecks and , huge savings account statements. I dont want to work in an office , I like the adventure and hands on work.

Oh by the way, I put in 6 long years as an Aircraft Crew chief/Mechanic on the Boeing C-17. I figure all the months of 12 hours shifts and low rank pay scale, I made a little more than minimum wage......so I think I paid my dues!

 

So Oildriver, DO you hire rookies and train them? Im looking to work as hard as I have too... I don't need entertainment or time off. Working hard and as long as y'all will allow is all I need. So, what do I need to do? I am starting driving school Monday, trying to figure out if once I get my CDL should I stay with company or head to oil fields. Any info will be greatly appreciated!!

 

hey smakman do all the companies around there pay straight pay it seems like the good pay would come with a ton of overtime. My guess would be that more openings come along when it gets cold.

 

Enjoy reading your posts Smakman,and everybody elses posts too.
Smakman,you may have mentioned it,and I may have missed it,
but where you staying at,and do the road conditions beat you to death?
How many miles do you run?
Thanks,just poking my toe in the water,and thinking about getting
into the field,if I can find a good fit.

 

Thanks for the updates and information. It's nice to hear from someone out there. Sounds like they're keeping you busy...