[04/17/2012's Post] Very tired today. Went to bed at 02:34 after finishing some stuff at the library and completing applications in the Walmart parking lot. Little did I know I was in for an unexpected surprise. First I thought I had time to wake up a little later than usual (9-10am)... not!
I set the snooze on my cell phone for 5 minutes so it was almost continuous. I ended up hitting that little button a few times. But what got me up and running was the call from Fedex. After our conversation it seemed more remote that I'd be driving for them. The manager indicated I was to apply anyway. But first I needed to goto MSU and printout another set of copies of my 2010 and 2011 schedule Cs for Pumpco's app. (At some point I'll start reading these after I download them to avoid these extra miles.) Off I went. I figure I'd check what time my interview in Williston was too while I check my email.... 1pm LOL. Okay, so much for applying anywhere.
But I still thought I might be able to squeak out Fedex. So I went down there. It was on the way anyway. TomTom says I'd get to Williston at 13:08. Ha! It was ~11:00 in Minot at Fedex. Well just so happens the building door was locked by a keypad. I didn't even bother looking for a bell. I just hopped in my car and thought, "Must get to Williston to interview." So I drove... safely... and saw minutes slowly being shaved off the TomTom arrival time. (My mom reads this... I don't need her worrying. No need to worry mom. Just think... Safe!)
I got the arrival time to 12:49.
It's not me, I swear. It's the TomTom. (~130 miles with a 70mph speed limit... 111 minutes. See! TomTom is smoking something.
) The first well site I saw was ~40 miles west of Minot on Route 2. Some were so close they were literally across the street and w/i a quarter mile on the same side. Since I had so much spare time I finally decided to snap a pic. Something I use to do a lot of. Once upon a time I had a really crappy memory and thought I better start doing a photo journal so I can remember my life. Well I kept the habit after my memory improved. No idea how/why it got better, just grateful. But I only have 3 pictures from ND
(grain elevator in Harvey, the collage and a rest stop west of Fargo).
I need more.
I watched the video in the trucking jobs thread on this forum. I was waiting for the "mountainous terrian."
There were some mild undulations on the way but I only counted three hills on the road. I might be a little biased coming from Alaska and Massachusetts.
So I went to my interview. I actually ended up sitting for almost an hour waiting. Perhaps it was destiny... I saw a flyer: CDL Job Fair!!! Hiring on the spot. Experienced water haulers preferred but all Class A welcome. OKAY!!
No work Friday, LOL, job fair.
Job Services was pretty busy. People of all ages, colors, shapes and sizes were there. They had a pretty nifty poster, two in fact, of: 1. a rig with all the various parts labeled and 2. a map of ND with well sites. There sure are A LOT. Not too many by the major roads it seems. Again referencing the video from the jobs thread, he (effectively) said he saw them dotted across the land as he looked about. The only reference I had was the drive in and it certainly didn't feel that way, but I can definitely see that after looking at this map.
The interview with UPS went okay. Nothing too special. I told him how I wanted to apply to the Minot position too. He said he'd be there tomorrow. I started to laugh. He wondered why. (I could've: worked, saved a bunch of time, saved gas money, etc.) I don't think he wants me for a delivery driver. I doubt I meet the appearance standards having a beard, although it is somewhat neat and short. Instead he mentioned how Minot has more opportunities than Williston. (It also turns out the pay is the same between towns.) So he has either a preloading position or dispatch supervisor in mind and wants to talk to me tomorrow.
As for the interview... perhaps I should be less specific in the "Reason you Left" section. I don't put down: quit, terminated, laid off, etc. It's more like:
- Finding a CDL position.
- Pursue opportunities in ND.
- Bill are consistent. Pay is not.
- Unresolvable differences with coworker of 15 years.
So I had to spend some time explaining the last two, which worked out anyway.
Sometime on the way into Williston CCC called me. Yes!!! I finally have the potential to drive a tractor trailer. So after the UPS interview I was going to head to Applebee's. (So much for scimping on money.
I actually intended on asking if I could work there but it didn't happen.) Apparently I had pocket dialed my brother and he returned my call. We ended up in an indepth conversation, so much so, I almost sat on a cute girl's purse. The battering ram had opened the door of opportunity there. (She had a boyfriend but likes her "independence."
My mouth may not work but my ears do.
) Can't think of a better situational icebreaker. Of course being me, it was a brief moment of levity between the two of us and I promptly returned to my phone conversation. Then we were both tinkering with our phones which eventually brought me to calling back CCC. So after about 10 minutes with the preliminary interview HR is sending my resume to the terminal in Minot.
The phone interview had some questions commonly encountered at in-person ones I've been to years ago for corporate stuff. As usual, completely unprepared to answer them although they all received positive responses...
- What do you look for in a job?
Hmmm. That's a really good question.
Well. The jobs I've had are physical and generally long hours. I like that... I like a sense of adventure... I don't see that hauling freight (chuckles), but I do get do my own thing [while driving]. And I like to drive. I'd rather drive cross-country than fly. People think I'm crazy.
- What are the major qualities you posses that set you apart from other candidates?
Phew! Another good question...
I'm a hard worker and loyal. You don't have to worry about me jumping ship. I put the blinders on and am focused on you...
That's all I got.
- Is there any type of person you don't get along with?
I pretty much get along with anyone. I'm typically quiet. The lewd/crude guys are fine, just laugh at their jokes. Only ones that erk me a little are the super-alphas but I doubt you could tell if you saw me.
- Salary expectation?
Seeing that this is a new career and I have little experience... whatever your starting rate is will more than likely work for me. I'm in a bind now and have taken only rinky-dink jobs to get by for some time.
Sitting in the comfy Applebee's stool, I then quickly went through the packet from Job Serv... oops forgot my pen in the car. Hmm, let me ask the...
bartender 
for a pen.
(Door almost completely shuts to that opportunity. In the end nothing happened.) Okay so then quickly I went through the packet and circled jobs I was interested in. Then... (people reading this, don't do what I do) sit and write a journal entry while people sitting next to you are discussing drilling and wells, rotations,
hiring (I blame the really cute girl, one of the two people. Okay bad excuse. One day I'll grow a spine around women.)
Service at the bar was... IMHO being a former bartender... lacking. I tip according to service. I don't gripe about paying 15% because I'll pay 10%. (Ack.. she just pulled a ... what?!? doesn't know the difference between whiskeys... brainfart [hers]. V.O.?!? Sorry this is real-time.) I'll pay less than 10%... I'll pay it off the meal not meal+tax like most people do. Call me a three letter word. It's okay. I'll smile and take it as a compliment.
Anywho I've been waiting ~15 minutes for my check with everything empty and my card sitting in front of me. Do I think I'm special? Of course! And every seat at the bar is just as special as me. (She got 14% of the food/drink.)
Since things were looking good with potential employers and I really had no clue about anything in Williston I headed back to Minot. I had thought of spending the $3 for the community center shower but honestly... I don't think I had $3 in change. On the way back I thought someone had mentioned to check out the Epping dam. So I did. It was only a 10-mile detour. It was... a little smaller than I expected LOL. (Took a pic. Will post later when I figure out the 'Albums' section.) Saw a few more wells on the way in/out.
That was pretty much it. After I got back I was pretty tired. I ended up just staring at the computer screen at the library for some time and retyped my post a few times so I wasn't too much of a jerk. I felt a tad insulted from scorpio's post, if you couldn't tell
... as I've done the 100+ hours/week with ~3hrs sleep/night (over the compressors/engine) for ~month on the Bering Sea, other less intense fishing jobs, and 80-100+ hrs/week with a day off here and there over 3 months at the cannery flinging 50lb blocks of frozen fish around. I already hit submit, but after reading it again it didn't seem so bad... except the 'shenanigans' part.
Oh well. Sorry I got snappy. Easy to misinterpret tone w/o body language.
Before I got to sleep I had to put on my spare tire again. The front passenger went flat and I had to reorganize my trunk/back seat so I had room for the old one.
Wowser, that certainly is a bummer. Can't wait to figure my CC %'age now. Probably will be over 99%.
Am I obsessed with my CCs? Yup.
If they'd only knew how close I cut things for 10+ years they'd freak.
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"Way to gooooooo!!!" 
So-and-so, what's your best deal on a 175/70 R14?
You guys have a good price for tires. $24 to patch? Woah! 
Thanks. I'll pick it up. (You're too expensive.)
Email Fedex. Thanks but sorry I found someone else.
