Why are HAZMAT Crude Haulers working for the same pay (or less) as Water Haulers

My bro worked for them a few years back (before Pilot bought them). But crude hauling out here is pretty standard across companies and most pay the same once you figure it all up - here is my experience from the most recent crude company I've dealt with. You are running a load of crude from the oilfields out here to the city, pay for most companies is $250-$280 a load depending on what you pull and how far you have to go to load. So $250 sounds fair to start. Most companies will pay you a flat hourly rate ($18 seems to be the norm) if you have to wait longer than whatever their cutoff is but for minor delays they want you to just eat that time as it is considered part of the job. If you have to wait at the refinery behind other trucks or you break down and have to wait on a mechanic or get pulled into the shops that type of thing is when the hourly pay kicks in. Having a truck with a slower pump, having to throw chains, having to drive 5mph, that type of stuff usually isn't paid anything but Pilot could have their own policy. Pilot might have some easy wells that you might be able to make in 11 hours but in the winter I think you better plan on 12-14 hour days being the average. Most crude haulers will have to chain driving in and out of the location as well as the occasional chaining over Daniels and Parleys and with crude you are expected to chain and go unless the roads are closed (again, I'm sure Pilot has their own policies).

 

Wow $250 for a load of crude which takes 11 hours so basically you are going to get 1 load per day. Why is the rate so low? Only way I see that paying $80K/year is if you work 6 on 1 off for the entire year.

 

I was surprised to hear people were making $300 plus per day on crude. I think the high out here was around that a load and it dropped a couple years ago and didn't come back up. A 5 and 2 crude hauler out here seems to make around $70k a year but I'll double-check. I don't see how $250 a load could add up to $80k.

 

With the better companies here in the Eagle Ford you can expect an average of $350 a day. With the bottom feeders paying $250ish.

Sorry to those who have PMed me I can't respond until I have 6 posts. Seems a little ridiculous.

 

wherebout is Eagle Ford?

 

South Texas

 

I know drivers working for Schneider in S TX tanking condensate were making $220-$240/day flat rate so that is definitely the low end. I know drivers out of Sayer, OK are making $240-$270 per load flat rate for 11 hours of work. Then I know a lot of drivers in TX Panhandle and Western OK who are making $280-$340 per load with a load taking 11 hours. I have heard of one company where the drivers can make over $400 for 12 hours if they work the night shift. Like all business, you just have to consider what you are willing to work for and be ready to leave for greener pastures if you are not being paid fairly.

 

$220 per day ??????? 5-6 days per week ??????? where do i sign up? am averaging 1,110 per week, no set days off, on call 24/7..... but thats one week maybe 500, the next week 1610, the next 2000, the next 220......then 3000, then 500.......then 500 again...... wtf? and how did i end up on this thread...i'm a sand hauler...... Anyone know of a good haz company out of Denver?

 

No shortage of people out here willing to haul crude for what's being offered so I guess it must be fair, or there are other perks to it beyond the pay that I don't realize.

 

I say you get what you pay for. If a company wants to pay low wages expect drivers to come in and out like a revolving door or not be worth a ####. Saw that at the last place I worked. People were always wrecking or spilling or goofing off on the job. The places paying in the high $300 range have drivers beating down the door to work for them and that company can afford to be more selective in who they hire. I know up here in OK I have heard of one company who pays their crude haulers $20/hr getting run off multiple accounts. Will drivers still apply there? Yes they will because they need to get a foot in the door and the experience.