Update?

 

I definitely have the flatbed job (home most nights). Still waiting to hear from them about the water hauling job (home every night).

But, the company that has the flatbed job also runs water trucks. So, possibility to move to that after I start with them. Only thing waiting on that one is for them to receive the results from the drug test, which won't be an issue unless they started testing for nicotine and caffeine. Had the physical/drug test on Friday, so I'd say in the next couple of days.

 

Do you prefer one over the other?

 

I'd much rather be home daily. Also, it's been a looooong time since I've pulled a flatbed. 90% of what they haul doesn't require tarping, so that helps. I also will have to re-learn how to back a spread axle trailer.

 

New update:

I filled out an online application with Waste Management last week. Got a call today from them to verify the information as well as a phone interview. I have the person-to-person interview next Wednesday. The position is for driving a waste water truck. The pay is good PLUS they have great benefits and room for advancement.

 

Is that position with the "Garbage" side of Waste Management or the "Chemical" side?? The guys I know down here in the GOM Chemical Waste operation, over in Louisiana make pretty decent money for this area, as far as truck drivers go. The "Garabage" side are a ways behind.

 

I'd say it's a separate division than either of those. They haul fresh water to the gas well sites and haul the waste water out for disposal. It's a non-hazmat position, but they have those available as well.

 

Went in today for my "orientation". It's a small company, local to me, maybe 20 trucks total (flatbed & mud/oil/water trucks). I start Monday running a mud truck. The job is to basically haul pumping mud to the gas well sites in the area. The truck is a 2011 KW tandem axle. I'll be training for a week with another driver. In that time, I may be driving a 2nd truck (following my trainer), depending on how much they need moved.

I'll be home every night except for on occasion when they haul to Williamsport, PA. When those happen, they pay for a motel room.

For as small of a company as this is, they've got some nice equipment. There was a brand new KW tractor in the yard (delivered today) and a 2nd one coming in on Monday. They like to keep trucks no more than 3-4 years before they replace them.

Now I just have to survive 2 more days of yard work before I go to work - LOL.

 

Good luck Mal. Remember that it is common, the vast majority of the time, for trucks going "Up the hill" to be given right of way on lease roads. Trucks "in-bound" to the lease sites are more likely to be loaded (but not always)! Starting off in a straight truck as far as learning, is a great way to get used to tanks. BUT....they are still very different from 18-wheelers in how the surge reacts.

 

Appreciate the info. For the most part, they haul the drilling mud and a type of oil (they called it base oil). I'm sure it'll take me some getting used to with the surge. They do have a couple of trailer tanks for the fluids, plus a couple of dry-bulk tanks.

Gonna be weird seeing home as much as I will be, that's for sure. I'm just hoping that it all works out and that I NEVER have to go back to living in a truck. A bad part of it that's going to be rough on me is the fact I've done nothing but sit on my ass for the past 6 years in a tractor, doing hardly more work than a drop and hook or open the trailer doors. I've been working in the yard at home to help me get used to physical labor again, so that helps. I'm sure that my first week or so will be the roughest on me, dragging hoses and all.