Another Bakken thread, Just a Newbie who needs some advice

[DirtyAstronaut]

I'm 23, was an EMT, laid off. Have no work at all. My father told me about the Bakken in ND. I thought 'yeah right too good to be true'. Did my research and sure enough he wasn't lying. My fathers pretty well off but doesn't give his money away, he offered to pay for my CDL Class A + HAZmat school, get me an old little camper truck and send me up to ND. On the notion that I pay him back for the truck and gas. I'm ready to go and ready to work.

My only worry is, I'm from Florida and I would have zero work experience in the field. If I went up there, with a class A and hazmat, would I be able to get a job driving a truck pretty easily? I've read around the forums and heard that newbie's get trained with a driver and then usually just haul fresh water. I can bear the cold and I WANT to work the hours. How much would a normal wage be for a newbie out there in the winter, assuming I'd get up there mid-February. I'm planning on getting a cheap small motorhome (when I say cheap and small, I mean 1986 Toyota Dolphin) and living out of that, is that plausible during the winter?

I'm really really excited and I honestly can't wait to go, like I said, I WANT to work my ass off. I just don't want to waste my time and money driving up there and find out I'll be making $15 an hour. If its not buku bucks, I don't want to go.

I know this topic probably has been completely run into the ground but I really appreciate ANY opinions or help.

[GMAN]

I would try to line up a job before driving that far. You may check with your local state employment office and look at their national database. It should have some of those jobs listed. I believe some have posted that you can make up to $100,000 with all the over time. Days are long and harsh in the winter in that part of the country. You will earn your money.

[Orangetxguy]

I'm 23, was an EMT, laid off. Have no work at all. My father told me about the Bakken in ND. I thought 'yeah right too good to be true'. Did my research and sure enough he wasn't lying. My fathers pretty well off but doesn't give his money away, he offered to pay for my CDL Class A + HAZmat school, get me an old little camper truck and send me up to ND. On the notion that I pay him back for the truck and gas. I'm ready to go and ready to work.

My only worry is, I'm from Florida and I would have zero work experience in the field. If I went up there, with a class A and hazmat, would I be able to get a job driving a truck pretty easily? I've read around the forums and heard that newbie's get trained with a driver and then usually just haul fresh water. I can bear the cold and I WANT to work the hours. How much would a normal wage be for a newbie out there in the winter, assuming I'd get up there mid-February. I'm planning on getting a cheap small motorhome (when I say cheap and small, I mean 1986 Toyota Dolphin) and living out of that, is that plausible during the winter?

I'm really really excited and I honestly can't wait to go, like I said, I WANT to work my ass off. I just don't want to waste my time and money driving up there and find out I'll be making $15 an hour. If its not buku bucks, I don't want to go.

I know this topic probably has been completely run into the ground but I really appreciate ANY opinions or help.

Right now, if you show up in any of the active drilling areas (of which there are many) with your CDL including the X endorsement in hand, you will have a job as fast as you can find a parking spot. Eeeeeeeer......FASTER than you can find a parking spot. There are many of the Well Services companies that will train you to drive. But having the CDL in hand puts you to work weeks ahead of those who need driver training.

You just need to consider what you are willing to do....and how hard you will be willing to work.

[Roadhog]

You just need to consider what you are willing to do....and how hard you will be willing to work.

That is what will separate the men from the boys.
Some won't know, until they are in the sheit.
I remember myself saying on occasion... grand fork me! ...but then I go ice fishing for fun.

[DirtyAstronaut]

Dang thanks guys thats EXACTLY what I needed to know. Looks like I'll be heading up in mid Feb! I was just scared they wouldn't hire me with no experience

[Windwalker]

Dang thanks guys thats EXACTLY what I needed to know. Looks like I'll be heading up in mid Feb! I was just scared they wouldn't hire me with no experience

I would strongly recommend you also do some research on the "WINTER DRIVING" threads. Being from FL would suggest that you have little to no experience driving on slick roads, even with a car. You could try driving around as if your brakes don't work... That would give you a little clue. But, you'll find that driving a truck on slick roads isn't the same as driving a car either. And, ND will put you right about the heart of it all, every winter. Snow drifts, black ice, wet ice, winds, etc.....

Oh, yeah... Let's not forget fuel gelling either, and a cold engine and an even colder cab, 40 miles from the nearest help...
Pay attention to the old timers when they talk about how to survive in the weather. Don't go thinking you know it all, because the minute you do, Ma Nature will have another surprise for you.

[DirtyAstronaut]

I would strongly recommend you also do some research on the "WINTER DRIVING" threads. Being from FL would suggest that you have little to no experience driving on slick roads, even with a car. You could try driving around as if your brakes don't work... That would give you a little clue. But, you'll find that driving a truck on slick roads isn't the same as driving a car either. And, ND will put you right about the heart of it all, every winter. Snow drifts, black ice, wet ice, winds, etc.....

Oh, yeah... Let's not forget fuel gelling either, and a cold engine and an even colder cab, 40 miles from the nearest help...
Pay attention to the old timers when they talk about how to survive in the weather. Don't go thinking you know it all, because the minute you do, Ma Nature will have another surprise for you.

Yes sir I'm very aware of that. I'm not the type of person that is cocky and thinks he knows everything. I'm scared poopless of it to be honest but I'm willing and able to learn and take it very slow. My only worry now is that the EPA may halt hydraulic fracking as soon as January 1st, 2012. Which would pretty much shut down the ENTIRE Bakken oil field. I've read that something like 99.6% of the wells out there are hydraulically fracked. I understand its an environmental concern but in this economy, if they shut that down, I will literally be devestated. I have to have my payment in for school by Dec 14th. And honestly I want to go out for a year or so (if I can handle it of course) to stack my bank account up, come back to Florida and goto pilot school, as I have no other way to pay for school, have to do it the hard way! But yeah I'm scared out of my mind that they'll shut the Bakken down. Any thoughts on that?

[Windwalker]

Yes sir I'm very aware of that. I'm not the type of person that is cocky and thinks he knows everything. I'm scared poopless of it to be honest but I'm willing and able to learn and take it very slow. My only worry now is that the EPA may halt hydraulic fracking as soon as January 1st, 2012. Which would pretty much shut down the ENTIRE Bakken oil field. I've read that something like 99.6% of the wells out there are hydraulically fracked. I understand its an environmental concern but in this economy, if they shut that down, I will literally be devestated. I have to have my payment in for school by Dec 14th. And honestly I want to go out for a year or so (if I can handle it of course) to stack my bank account up, come back to Florida and goto pilot school, as I have no other way to pay for school, have to do it the hard way! But yeah I'm scared out of my mind that they'll shut the Bakken down. Any thoughts on that?

I have not kept up with what the EPA plans on doing.

However....

My wife is also a FL native, and learned to drive a truck in WI, in the middle of winter. (she didn't feel what snow was under her feet until she was 16 years old) She's driven through some of the worst winter weather imaginable, and has an accident free record. It can be done.

[jorlee]

Do you know how much stuff costs up in the patch? How much it costs to park your camper? That spot may not even have electricity. How much it will cost to heat it when it's below zero. How big of propane tanks are you bringing? Will your vehicle you bring up here run when it gets really cold (-20+) I know dad has some that won't start when it's that cold, unless they are plugged in, and they run on gas. I'm not trying to scare you, just want you to be prepared for the worst.

[DirtyAstronaut]

Do you know how much stuff costs up in the patch? How much it costs to park your camper? That spot may not even have electricity. How much it will cost to heat it when it's below zero. How big of propane tanks are you bringing? Will your vehicle you bring up here run when it gets really cold (-20+) I know dad has some that won't start when it's that cold, unless they are plugged in, and they run on gas. I'm not trying to scare you, just want you to be prepared for the worst.

I understand your concern, I've been reading up as much as I can and trying to plan everything out. I'm planning on buying a small older Toyota camper truck, I know I'll need a good generator and a block heater, etc etc.

[Roadhog]

what is toughest on allot of guy's new to the area, is the great northern m-m-m-moose knuckle.

[Roadhog]

This was posted yesterday... Hoeven: EPA not planning to halt ‘fracking’ in ND | Great Plains Examiner

[DirtyAstronaut]

This was posted yesterday... Hoeven: EPA not planning to halt ‘fracking’ in ND | Great Plains Examiner

Oh man that is amazing. That puts my mind to ease a little bit at least. I would strap a bomb to my chest if I got my Class-A and all that and they shut it down. Yelling Allah Ackbar the whole time.

[Windwalker]

Oh man that is amazing. That puts my mind to ease a little bit at least. I would strap a bomb to my chest if I got my Class-A and all that and they shut it down. Yelling Allah Ackbar the whole time.

You might want to yell that as if your voice doesn't work... They pass that thing about anti-terrorism and they'll haul you off to Gitmo indefinitely.

[DirtyAstronaut]

You might want to yell that as if your voice doesn't work... They pass that thing about anti-terrorism and they'll haul you off to Gitmo indefinitely.

So what you're saying is I get a free vacation to an island! Only 90 miles from Key West!

[repete]

I don't know jack about N.D. or oil well drilling but I do know about campers and heaters and your in for a COLD winter! Almost all campers are built for 3 seasons, wanna guess what one they didn't plan for?
You will need to get another tank (100 lb) and have that hooked to the camper and keep an eye on the level or you'll run out.(real quick)
Your going to face cold like you've never seen before and that camper won't warm up till June!
Good luck and keep us updated on your adventure.

[BakkenBound]

I'm in CDL training right now and headed up there from Atlanta in early Feb. We should stay in touch regarding new job opps we come across once we arrive... I'm likely buying a truck w/ a friend and putting it to work hauling frac sand or gravel (or maybe water).

[Justruckin]

I'm in CDL training right now and headed up there from Atlanta in early Feb. We should stay in touch regarding new job opps we come across once we arrive... I'm likely buying a truck w/ a friend and putting it to work hauling frac sand or gravel (or maybe water).

BB,

Just having a CDL is no guarantee that someone will hire you. Most outfits up here still require at least three years experience.

But, give this outfit a call... Bakken Staffing

I have heard Bakken Staffing on a few talk shows up here and they have stated that they have found driving jobs for newbie truck drivers like yourself in the oil patch.

And I can tell you from my own experiences being up here for near a year driving, the outfits up here like to see a few years driving, especially winter driving and some off road. Not saying you will not get a job, but your choices may be a bit slim. That is why I suggest you give the above staffing agency a call.

Try to at least get into contact with a few employers up here. Craig's List is a fantastic resource. Search the entire state of ND, as that is where all of the oil field work is advertised. Look under the transportation link. Also google "The Williston Shopper", as they have a fantastic classified section that is updated weekly.

Or, if you want a guaranteed job, call these guys... Hiring positions in the oilfield including CDL-A Drivers and Diesel Mechanics / Mile High Energy Solutions

They hire for Baker Hughes, not really a driving job, but will get you housing and a paycheck while you look for that perfect driving job. They will also get you most of the required oil field tickets to get on drill sites. They will also pay for your CDL training and pay you $23 an hour to attend, along with your accommodations. Not a bad deal.

Hope this helps, and dress warm


On edit: If you do your due diligence, like calling the above staffing agency (they do not charge you, and no, I do not work for them or know anyone there). Odds are that you will get a job and free housing, or rent that is reasonable, much cheaper than renting a lot in a camp ground or RV park. And don't think you can park a camper or RV anywhere you want up here, most parks are full and not taking any new customers. And the local authorities really frown upon that here and will run you off if you hang for more than a day or two where you shouldn't. Even Wal-Mart is not very friendly in that regard like they may be in your neck of the woods. Like I said over at the "how is this company" thread, this is allot like the wild west out here. Don't think you can just march into town and everything is going to be lovey dovey up here. And I am not trying to be a d-ck, I know I probably sound like one and am trying to discourage you from coming up with your camper, I am not. Just telling you like it is, and again, if you do your due diligence you should have no problem landing a job that includes housing at no charge to you.

[Justruckin]

Do you know how much stuff costs up in the patch? How much it costs to park your camper? That spot may not even have electricity. How much it will cost to heat it when it's below zero. How big of propane tanks are you bringing? Will your vehicle you bring up here run when it gets really cold (-20+) I know dad has some that won't start when it's that cold, unless they are plugged in, and they run on gas. I'm not trying to scare you, just want you to be prepared for the worst.

I live in company housing, small two bedroom single wide trailer in Alexander ND, about 25 miles south of Williston. The trailer park we are in has full year round hookups. Lot rent is $800 a month + electricity, you supply your own propane. This is about average for the area. I have heard of prices of up to $1500 + utilities a month in Watford City and around Williston.

Just to add, more housing is coming on line daily, especially with this mild winter we are currently experiencing up here. Most of the better employers up here have some sort of free housing. I am on my third employer in a year, and have yet to have to pay for housing.

And to those who are thinking of renting a house up here, most housing anywhere near the patch is renting for roughly $4000 + or - a month + utilities. Rooms from Williston to Minot are going for anywhere from $800 to $1500 a month. It is not an inexpensive place to be. Heck, I paid $14 for an omelette just the other day. The two eggs, ham and toast special was $8.00. If you have to ask how much something is up here, you probably cannot afford it.

Oh, a good place to look for lots or housing if you are in the market is the Sidney or Glendive Montana area. Still close to the action, but prices are much more reasonable.

Mike