New CDL, New Job, Old Questions...

Hello. First post here but, I've been searching through the forums for over a week now to find a question as specific as mine. I can't so I figured I'd take a chance at asking it.

I just got my CDL last week. I paid for it on my own dime. I'm in my 50's and retired from a career with law enforcement. It pays the bills but man, I am really, really hating being retired. I've got a 11 year old kid going to school so the permanent vacation I was hoping for when I retired is still 10 or 12 years out. I drove trucks in the army and loved it except for the army part. I love to drive and enjoy most everything about the idea of being employed as a truck driver.

I live in Gillette, Wyoming and there are a ton of oilfield jobs around here. As the owner of the CDL school is an acquaintance of mine whose husband also owns a small trucking company I was offered a job with him. I don't now anything about the industry and I wanted to get the answer to a few questions I have relating to his operation.

1.) He's offering 15% of the gross load per run while I'm training. I think it's a fair amount but he says it caps out at 20% when I get seasoned after "x" number of months/years. Is this a typical pay setup?

2.) I've been "employed" by him for a week now and I haven't worked. It doesn't appear there will be any work next week either but I can't be 100% sure about that as I know things can change from day to day. He want's to train me on a side dump and says he uses load boards to find work. Is there a reason why there wouldn't be any oilfield work right now? Are we going through a "bust" period as apposed to "booming"?

3.) Would I be better off getting into a regional or OTR gig or should I just stick with this? I don't want to sound impatient however, I am really tired of just sitting around the house and playing video games/ hobby stuff.

Thanks.

 

Yeah, move on to a regional or OTR.
Do you have endorsements?

 

Yeah, I've got them all and I'm waiting on my TWIC card. I've only ever drove flatbeds and busses though.

 

This one doesn't show how much, if any, experience is required.
~
M G Oil Company
www.mgoil.com
Contact us
3250 Eglin St, Rapid City, SD 57703
Hiring Gillette, WY drivers.

 

Many companies accept military truck driving as experience. Put that driving time on your job applications. Mention it at job interviews.

 

Make a personal visit to:
Midwest Motor Express
4800 Butler Spaeth Rd
Gillette, WY 82718
~

 

Dixon Bros., Inc.
www.dixonbrosinc.com
Website
Directions
Contact us
5093 US Highway 16, Newcastle, WY 82701
~
This one sometimes shows will hire new cdl school grads. Usually "prefer" 2 yrs. experience.
I'd apply and maybe luck out. Has liquid tankers and dry bulk tankers.
~
Dixon Brothers Inc
www.dixonbrosinc.com
500 S Enterprise Ave, Gillette, WY 82716

 

AmeriGas Propane, Inc.
Gillette, WY
Google shows 3 locations in Gillette.

 

Basin Transportation
Hiring Wyoming drivers.
Basin maintains a fleet of semi trucks, roll off trailers, tankers, box vans, end dumps and more to best meet your needs

 

Kold Trans Refrigerated Transportation & Logistics Trucking Company
~
Veterans Program
At Kold Trans we are honored to recognize the many former members of the military who are part of the Kold Trans Family, both those who drive for us as company drivers, as well as those in driver-support roles across the nation, It is our privilege to hire these men and women. Veterans bring special skills to the workforce, which make them ideal candidates for positions in our company. Veterans are disciplined, goal oriented and focused problem-solvers who have an unparalleled worth ethic. We extend our personal THANK YOU to those who have served and who are now offering your skills to us in the private sector.

• Kold Trans is now offering Top-Pay and Great Benefits to our U.S. Veterans:
• U.S. Veterans will earn up to .2 CPM above your scheduled pay with an Honorable Discharge (DD214)
• Excused time off for weekend drill and annual training (no vacation time required).
• Each new veteran hire will receive a hat/shirt and a special decal for their truck that recognizes them as an “Honored Veteran”.
•