Post: #26

(06-29-2012 11:44 AM)ATTA Wrote:  

(06-29-2012 11:33 AM)Fisto Wrote:  ATTA - yesterday I asked around about hiring in the winter and it's hard to tell what the actual number is but it sounds like A LOT of guys quit during the coldest part of the year and then come back. Apparently that is a good time to get hired.

Fisto, thanks.

I really appreciate it. Seriously considering go up there.

No problem. I was curious myself. But keep in mind, it'll be subzero weather sometime. I don't want to put up with that shit myself.

Post: #27

So is the 9k after about a months work? Is that what you would clear or before taxes? I feel like I may get laid off soon so i am just trying to get an idea of what I would make if I need to head up. I am currently clearing about 9k a month, just with much less work than I would do up there.

Post: #28

I have no interest in working on a North Dakota oil rig, but this thread is super interesting. Good job, Fisto.

Hell, maybe there is an opportunity for you to open a small MMA gym up there with so many guys around. Could charge a premium for classes since pay is high and you could rent out space from some Karate studio or some shit for pretty cheap I bet. 30 students at $200 a month would get you a nice payday with minimal work. Assuming there are enough guys who have free time to train. Go to the local bar and beat the shit out of the biggest, baddest guy there. Then on your way out leave a stack of business cards lol.

That, or if many of the higher up guys have their wives living in town to, you could do MMA fitness classes. A good looking guy with game who is also a MMA fighter? Lonely wives with their husbands money would be lining up for your classes just to feel good about themselves.

There is a guy here in Bangkok who does kettlebell training and goes to peoples homes to train them. Could charge a high price for that service.

Post: #29

(06-30-2012 01:54 AM)RioNomad Wrote:  I have no interest in working on a North Dakota oil rig, but this thread is super interesting. Good job, Fisto.

Hell, maybe there is an opportunity for you to open a small MMA gym up there with so many guys around. Could charge a premium for classes since pay is high and you could rent out space from some Karate studio or some shit for pretty cheap I bet. 30 students at $200 a month would get you a nice payday with minimal work. Assuming there are enough guys who have free time to train. Go to the local bar and beat the shit out of the biggest, baddest guy there. Then on your way out leave a stack of business cards lol.

That, or if many of the higher up guys have their wives living in town to, you could do MMA fitness classes. A good looking guy with game who is also a MMA fighter? Lonely wives with their husbands money would be lining up for your classes just to feel good about themselves.

There is a guy here in Bangkok who does kettlebell training and goes to peoples homes to train them. Could charge a high price for that service.

It's really funny you say that. I was in this coffee shop yesterday online and I overhear two guys chatting. One muscular guy with his hat on backwards an a fat guy with a polo. I overhear the word "takedown". I say "excuse me are you talking about wrestling takedowns?" Both look annoyed and turn:

Fat Guy: Yes, but this man here is a professional MMA fighter.

MMA guy: *nods*

Me: Oh I've trained a little.

Fat Guy: Glances over at his buddy and smirks, they go back to talking. I put my headphones on and go back to typing.

Afterwhile the mma guy gets up, and walks over.

MMA guy: So you used to train? I've got a gym here in town. I'll give you a free tryout. You should come by sometime.

Guys, this time last summer I was being paid by Rampage Jackson 600 bucks a week, plus lodging in Denver for his fight against Jon Jones and I was winning more rounds than I lost. You have to understand how this sounds to me.

Me: Ok man. That'd be great. I'll come by tonight.

He tells me the time and leaves.

I had shoulder surgery about 8 months ago right after the Rampage camp. Today is the first day I have woken up and not felt this underlying...SADNESS.

I showed up and we went straight to it. We're both 205ers and so there could be no "well he was bigger" blah blah stuff. I tapped this guy out 4 times within a few minutes. We stop rolling and I get the whole "I've been training 6 hours a day and I'm just burned out" That was fine with me, I was tired. I've been doing crossfit, but there's no substitute for that fighter conditioning.

Anyway, turns out he's not such a bad guy, probably just used to all these morons around here saying they're trained fighters etc.

He's giving me a place to live, told me he can get me a job by far at the highest paying place I've heard of yet, and more importantly, I actually feel happy.

I was sad because I wasn't going to battle everyday. Goddamn, I'm so happy I did that.

Post: #30

Sounds like it worked out for you bro.

I love the "I'm a cage fighter" conversations. Even better are the "My boyfriend's a cage fighting champion" conversations.

So are you gonna be able to get some decent training at the gym there? Is that guy the head instructor?

Post: #31

(07-03-2012 04:03 AM)RioNomad Wrote:  Sounds like it worked out for you bro.

I love the "I'm a cage fighter" conversations. Even better are the "My boyfriend's a cage fighting champion" conversations.

So are you gonna be able to get some decent training at the gym there? Is that guy the head instructor?

After 7-8 months of being out, it's perfect for me. The guy is pretty fit and not bad on his feet.

Post: #32

Ok revision of my initial plan. Right now everyone that works in various offices with the companies that I have applied to are on vacation for about a week so I have not started a job yet. I do feel confident that I have 2 places on lockdown.

Here is what I'm thinking; Williston ND is a fucking shithole. There are few women here and an unbelievable amount of guys/girl ratio. It is going to get very very cold here in the winter. I don't know about other guys but for me, I can't function in it. Everyone I've met that has worked through the winter has had frostbite more than once.

What I have realized, in theory anyway, is that if I'm going to be in a shithole, I'd rather be in one where I am being paid the most. My plan is to work the next 3 or 4 months, learn my job and everything I can as well as possible, and then try and get a job in the middle east where I'll make all sorts of extra money a al hazard pay, Per Diem, etc. To me there's really no difference and the heat is preferable to freezing. Plus, I'm betting there is actually more women. On top of all that, there is the tax incentive to work overseas. Scotian et al, thoughts?

Post: #33

Well, the rigs here pay about 45-50k a year and you work on and off for 2 or 3 weeks. That's not including overtime. This position is a "roustabout" which is like a rig hand. Sweeping, painting, etc.

I went to one company today and the guy told me they'll be hiring lots of people in November. I got about 10 more company names in town and am going to try and hit them all up tomorrow. I know someone has to be hiring for that position. From what I've heard, people drop like flies because they just want quick money and don't want to stay in the industry. North Dakota is my last option. I'd rather be on a rig and be able to come back to civilization every few weeks.

Just throwing it out there Fisto. Maybe you can ask some people up there about Gulf Coast oil jobs and get their opinion?

Post: #34

Houston are you in North Dakota now? If they are ''only'' paying 45-50k per year why dont you move to Canada instead where you will get double of that money? Just my two cents

Post: #35

Pitt - no, i'm still in my city. I'm lucky and have these oil rigs in my backyard. Canada doesn't seem that easy for Americans. I don't think we can just go over there and get a job right away. You have to meet a bunch of requirements to even be eligible for a work visa. I would rather get my foot in the door in the states before I start branching off.

This looks bad ass. Those bad boys are way out there in the Gulf.

Post: #36

Housten, I'm open to it. But since I'm here now I'll just follow this thing through for the time being. Maybe I can cruise down there in November or so....

Post: #37

(07-05-2012 03:36 PM)Fisto Wrote:  Ok revision of my initial plan. Right now everyone that works in various offices with the companies that I have applied to are on vacation for about a week so I have not started a job yet. I do feel confident that I have 2 places on lockdown.

Here is what I'm thinking; Williston ND is a fucking shithole. There are few women here and an unbelievable amount of guys/girl ratio. It is going to get very very cold here in the winter. I don't know about other guys but for me, I can't function in it. Everyone I've met that has worked through the winter has had frostbite more than once.

What I have realized, in theory anyway, is that if I'm going to be in a shithole, I'd rather be in one where I am being paid the most. My plan is to work the next 3 or 4 months, learn my job and everything I can as well as possible, and then try and get a job in the middle east where I'll make all sorts of extra money a al hazard pay, Per Diem, etc. To me there's really no difference and the heat is preferable to freezing. Plus, I'm betting there is actually more women. On top of all that, there is the tax incentive to work overseas. Scotian et al, thoughts?

That plan seems a bit too ambitious, to be honest. If you start in August, you should have about 4 solid months to work before it starts to get really cold (it will probably start getting cold by early November). In that 4 months you should be able to get enough experience that, if you do quit, you can get hired back on in the spring when the cold is gone. Most oil companies are flexible with guys coming and going and doing the seasonal thing, as long as you don't bail on them without giving enough notice and burning a bridge.

Most of those nice overseas expat jobs are going to require a lot more than 4 months experience, more like 4 years. You could try to get a job offshore in the Gulf during the winter, but I've heard it isn't so busy there, certainly less busy than ND is right now.

Check out the drilling jobs in the career section of http://www.rigzone.com, you'll see what I mean.

Yes the cold sucks, really bad and I don't work during the winter any more (its even colder where I am, its over 800 miles NE of Williston) but I'm in that position now because I worked the previous five winters and trust me it was brutal, but I managed to get enough skills and certs along the way, as well as save up enough money to be in the position I am now.

So, get on a rig ASAP, keep your nose to the grind and try to work as long as you can, who knows, next winter may not be so bad!

Post: #38

hey Fisto

Hows the demand for CDL drivers up there these days? I'm working on getting mine right now and about to finish up. I want to head up that way when I'm done. Thanks.

Post: #39

Hey Fisto,
I've been following your thread here and I wish you all the best man. I'm also going this route but in AB in september. Keep us posted how it goes.

Post: #40

My two cents.
At least you have apple bees. In Elk city (shitty), there is really nothing over here. Not even a coffee shop. The bars over here feels like churches. I don't even plan going out anymore. The good thing is that I will be here for a few more months.
The good thing about the oilfield is that there are lots of segments and services to it. The Exxons of the world need the oil service companies of the world like Schlumberger ( and there is a bunch of them) and environmental companies like Evergreenoil. Schlumberger will need contract drivers, diesel companies to fuel their equipment. Companies that can provide them with sand for fracturing, water providers for fracturing, mud providers for drilling... You get my idea
Also just don't target working on the rigs. There is a lot of segments that goes into drilling and producing a well. Completions, cementing, wireline, fracturing, flowback, intervention, coil tubing ( but the folks that drills the well make the most and have the best rotation). Since you are already there I suggest picking up the local newspaper or just walking door to door. Some might tell you to still apply on the internet, some might be too small to have that resources.
I think it is best to forget about going international within 4 months. Unless you have a lot of experience no National oil company will hire you.
My biggest advice to you right now is to go to amazon.com and buy one of those non-technical guides to the oil industry. This way when you apply for jobs or go for interviews, you can speak the jambo mambo and you have a leg ahead those who just behave like zombies. Also you can know what segment best interest you. If you don't like being on call, wireline is not for you or cementing. Remember you there is no requirement to start, just a will to learn and a will to handle the crazy lifestyle.
Lastly the oil industry is filled with boom and burst. Save your money. Also remember if you want to make this a career, there are a few places you can live that have oil.

Best of luck and if you need anything PM me

Post: #41

Thanks Leonidas, I'll be in touch. Looking on Amazon right now.

Raliv, yeah, the first thing everyone asks me is if I have my CDL. You'll be ahead if you have that.

Post: #42

(07-06-2012 09:17 PM)Vacancier Permanent Wrote:  Hey Fisto,
I've been following your thread here and I wish you all the best man. I'm also going this route but in AB in september. Keep us posted how it goes.

I will amigo. I think what I'll probably do is travel during the winter months since I'll need a lot more experience to go and work overseas like Scotian said. Good luck to you as well.

Post: #43

(07-07-2012 02:53 PM)Fisto Wrote:  Thanks Leonidas, I'll be in touch. Looking on Amazon right now.

Raliv, yeah, the first thing everyone asks me is if I have my CDL. You'll be ahead if you have that.

I won't worry too much about the CDL my friend. It helps a lot if you are applying to the smaller service companies. The bigger companies will give you all the training you can ever have. Having the right attitude and able to demonstrate that doing the job application/interview is the most important.

Post: #44

Update- I fucking hate this place.

I talk to several rig operators who say they can get me a job for sure. I go by the office and get turned away by the women working. EVERY. FUCKING. TIME.

These guys tell their bosses I'm coming and it's "He's not here right now" once I arrive.

I don't know what to do.

I'm going to give this place another week and I may be heading back to Vegas or Socal. My buddy is a manager in training at Spearmint Rhino and says he can get me a job. That'll be a lot more fun if I have to work.

The MMA guy wants to open a crossfit gym here, which I'm sure would do well, I just don't want to be stuck here full time....

Post: #45

(07-09-2012 04:45 PM)Fisto Wrote:  Update- I fucking hate this place.

I talk to several rig operators who say they can get me a job for sure. I go by the office and get turned away by the women working. EVERY. FUCKING. TIME.

These guys tell their bosses I'm coming and it's "He's not here right now" once I arrive.

So, do you think the guys are blowing smoke up your ass or are you somehow putting off the women?

Do you know of anyone else who has come to look for a job and has found one and is now actually working?

Post: #46

Fisto, go back to Vegas. You would kill it there.

Post: #47

(07-09-2012 05:33 PM)Menace Wrote:  

(07-09-2012 04:45 PM)Fisto Wrote:  Update- I fucking hate this place.

I talk to several rig operators who say they can get me a job for sure. I go by the office and get turned away by the women working. EVERY. FUCKING. TIME.

These guys tell their bosses I'm coming and it's "He's not here right now" once I arrive.

So, do you think the guys are blowing smoke up your ass or are you somehow putting off the women?

Do you know of anyone else who has come to look for a job and has found one and is now actually working?

I don't think the contacts I made are blowing smoke, I know they have gotten guys jobs. One guy I became friends with just got a job through the Rig Operator I mentioned. He just left today to start training. I might be wrong but I think I literally just missed the boat...and these guys are just unaware of the changes.

As far as the women, no. I'm polite and that's all. They won't even look up from their desks while telling you to come back another time, or to apply online and "we'll be in touch if we're interested".

It's basically what happens when you give a small person a little power. At least they aren't cops...

Post: #48

(07-09-2012 05:36 PM)at350zguyy Wrote:  Fisto, go back to Vegas. You would kill it there.

I'm going to give it another week and then I think I'm out. I'm missing the prime time of the summer being stuck up here. At least I'll have that back home.

Post: #49

Damn Fisto. Would you not recommend any of us head up there?

Post: #50

(07-09-2012 08:37 PM)houston Wrote:  Damn Fisto. Would you not recommend any of us head up there?

I don't know man...right now I'm pretty discouraged. I keep hearing how someone can get me a job and then it's "come back again later".

There are a lot of jobs that I won't do available. Construction, working in a shop for 15 bucks an hour, stuff like that.

I'm going to stick it out a little while longer, but I'm not working like a dog for 15 bucks per hour. Some guys here say "yeah but you work like 90 hours per week!" and they're pumped to bring in 4 grand a month.

I can make that back in Vegas, work a 3rd of the time and a 10th as hard.