CSTS , H2S and first aid done ive got myself a place to live . Ive got a job in camp labouring at 28 bucks an hr 3wks on and 1week off that's if I want the job I haven't accepted it yet because I've got someone taking me out to Nisku sometime this week to throw out my Resume and cover letters to the big guns out there so I'll see how that pans out first before I do anything.

The fella taking me out is an MWD so he will most likely give me a few pointers for when I get there he said I will most probably get work on a service rig due to the time of year. But if any of you guys have advice aswell then I would very much like to hear it because you can never know too much and I want to fully maximize my chances of getting a start

Thanks

(08-06-2013 01:09 PM)BigIrish Wrote:  CSTS , H2S and first aid done ive got myself a place to live . Ive got a job in camp labouring at 28 bucks an hr 3wks on and 1week off that's if I want the job I haven't accepted it yet because I've got someone taking me out to Nisku sometime this week to throw out my Resume and cover letters to the big guns out there so I'll see how that pans out first before I do anything.

The fella taking me out is an MWD so he will most likely give me a few pointers for when I get there he said I will most probably get work on a service rig due to the time of year. But if any of you guys have advice aswell then I would very much like to hear it because you can never know too much and I want to fully maximize my chances of getting a start

Thanks

You have been there for less 2 weeks and you already got a job offer for 28 dollars per hour? Holy fuck. I need to start making my move and stop being a pussy.

Just wondering, are you driving there?

(08-06-2013 01:09 PM)BigIrish Wrote:  CSTS , H2S and first aid done ive got myself a place to live . Ive got a job in camp labouring at 28 bucks an hr 3wks on and 1week off that's if I want the job I haven't accepted it yet because I've got someone taking me out to Nisku sometime this week to throw out my Resume and cover letters to the big guns out there so I'll see how that pans out first before I do anything.

The fella taking me out is an MWD so he will most likely give me a few pointers for when I get there he said I will most probably get work on a service rig due to the time of year. But if any of you guys have advice aswell then I would very much like to hear it because you can never know too much and I want to fully maximize my chances of getting a start

Thanks

Take the job. Don't wait 'for something better' or to see 'how it pans out'. 28 bucks an hour is as good as it gets to start off. You can always look for a better job while you've secured one already.

(08-06-2013 01:09 PM)BigIrish Wrote:  CSTS , H2S and first aid done ive got myself a place to live . Ive got a job in camp labouring at 28 bucks an hr 3wks on and 1week off that's if I want the job I haven't accepted it yet because I've got someone taking me out to Nisku sometime this week to throw out my Resume and cover letters to the big guns out there so I'll see how that pans out first before I do anything.
Thanks

Dafuq! Labouring in a camp for $28 an HOUR! And you're hesitant to take the job! SERIOUSLY? Journeymen Millwrights working IN TOWN make $30-35 an hour!

No Trade certificate and they're gonna pay you this much PLUS overtime! TAKE IT! Look for something else later! Get the cash flow going while making plans for bigger things! Not like you're gonna be labouring for the rest of your life.

I am working in Calgary as a qualified electrician for only 20 bucks an hour you would be mad not to take 28;-)

What everyone else has said ^^^^

Don't get greedy off the bat. Take the job, save a bit, get the lay of the land then plan your next big move.

Damn, I was starting to believe that it was the norm to find jobs that pay 28 dollars per hour.

(08-08-2013 12:22 AM)pitt Wrote:  Damn, I was starting to believe that it was the norm to find jobs that pay 28 dollars per hour.

Pitt man get out here already. You'll kill it

Hey Scotian thanks to you and everyone else for contributing to the thread, I feel more confident than before in the possibility of making good cash in the resource industry.

I'm interested in being a haul truck driver either in BC, Fort Mcmurray or anywhere else for mining. I"m from Vancouver and I was wondering whether any company would be willing to offer me an internship or like an unpaid volunteer position to learn the skills on the job. I'm basically willing to do whatever it takes to be a dump truck driver in the mining industry. What's the best way of getting a gig?

FYI this thread could make a half decent amount of automated passive income through affiliate programs and adsense if you organized it better on a free blog platform like blogger, just not my cup of tea otherwise I would have done it by now.

(08-08-2013 12:56 PM)PALEO DUDE Wrote:  I'm interested in being a haul truck driver either in BC, Fort Mcmurray or anywhere else for mining. I"m from Vancouver and I was wondering whether any company would be willing to offer me an internship or like an unpaid volunteer position to learn the skills on the job. I'm basically willing to do whatever it takes to be a dump truck driver in the mining industry. What's the best way of getting a gig?

http://www.iheschool.com/

When it comes to heavy equipment, as long as the schools exist, companies rarely if ever let you play on their equipment without prior training. Labor at a site/company you want to get with, raise the cash, go to school, or network (be a good worker) in the company and see if they will pay for you to go to school to be a heavy equipment operator. May have to sign a year work agreement upon completion of schooling. Some companies have stipulations. They pay for your school, you work with them for a year, if you leave before that, you owe them money for the schooling.

Currently waiting to get approved to work in the trade of electrical and hopefully then I will reach the sands.just a quick question to ask does anyon of ye have past red seal questions? Or a copy of the code book 2012 they could email me ? Or even direct me as to where I could get them thanks:-)

(08-08-2013 08:58 PM)salmonfella Wrote:  Currently waiting to get approved to work in the trade of electrical and hopefully then I will reach the sands.just a quick question to ask does anyon of ye have past red seal questions? Or a copy of the code book 2012 they could email me ? Or even direct me as to where I could get them thanks:-)

Just googled "electrical code book alberta 2012"

Lots of stuff popped up. Some folks even selling it on kijiji! Hope you find em useful. I'm working with electricians right now, you're definitely better off asking someone onsite where you are if they are up to share.

(08-08-2013 06:21 PM)RossTan Wrote:  

(08-08-2013 12:56 PM)PALEO DUDE Wrote:  I'm interested in being a haul truck driver either in BC, Fort Mcmurray or anywhere else for mining. I"m from Vancouver and I was wondering whether any company would be willing to offer me an internship or like an unpaid volunteer position to learn the skills on the job. I'm basically willing to do whatever it takes to be a dump truck driver in the mining industry. What's the best way of getting a gig?

http://www.iheschool.com/

When it comes to heavy equipment, as long as the schools exist, companies rarely if ever let you play on their equipment without prior training. Labor at a site/company you want to get with, raise the cash, go to school, or network (be a good worker) in the company and see if they will pay for you to go to school to be a heavy equipment operator. May have to sign a year work agreement upon completion of schooling. Some companies have stipulations. They pay for your school, you work with them for a year, if you leave before that, you owe them money for the schooling.

Appreciate the info RossTan, I figured they wouldn't just allow someone with no previous training fuck around with the heavy equipment on the job, I'm just a little too used to the third world customs as I'm currently living in Peru at the moment. I'm gonna apply at camps to get my foot in the door than, I'l see if I can work for free as a cleaner as an incentive to appeal to employers. Anybody know which camp companies offer the best food?

Just wanted to say, I have been following this thread for a while. Big thanks to all the guys in Alberta(scotian, irishman,etc..) for providing all this boots-on-the-ground intel. I am really eager to jump on this opportunity and fly out there. Its not something I would want to do long term but I figure 2-3 years could give me a nice little cushion to pursue some modest business ideas of mine. I have to say, there is only one thing that scares me. I don't mind getting my hands dirty. I am as strong as an ox. I like the cold. And I think I could bear no female company for a few weeks. BUT 100 hour work weeks? That sounds crazy. I worked 60-70 hours as a waiter in college and that was brutal. Can some of the guys here comment on this? Is it something you just get used to? Health effects? I cant imagine its possible to live an optimal healthy lifestyle in this line of work. And long term sleep deprivation wrecks havoc on the body, plenty of studies to back that. This is my one reservation as I consider my health to be a priceless asset.

(08-09-2013 02:09 AM)RussianSoul Wrote:  BUT 100 hour work weeks? Can some of the guys here comment on this? Is it something you just get used to? Health effects? I cant imagine its possible to live an optimal healthy lifestyle in this line of work.

Lets compare two typical months -past and present:

Ill take my old Irish self first:
Each week I worked about 50 hours. I made about 500 euro.
I went surfing most evenings or did something social: 30 Hours per week.
Then the rest of the time was filled with misc tasks/sleeping.

So each month (4 weeks) I worked 200 Hours, made 2000 euro and did fun stuff for about 100-120 hours. My expenses were 1000 euro so I saved a 1000 every month.

Now take this month in the Oil Sands:

I work an average of 20 days a month on the rig each month:
I am paid by the day not by the hour and my work pace is pretty easy. Still technically its 12 hours a day so: 240 Hours a month.
Then for the other week I work construction so another 56 Hours.

My social life is down to about 30-50 hours a month but I will get to take 2 months off to go surfing in the spring (while still on basic living salary).
I make around 13,750 a month at the moment. I can save around 8-10k of that.

So its possible to save 100k every year, take 2 months off while still getting 3,000 a month and still be moderately social in the meantime.

I still eat well (probably better), exercise daily, read a lot and once I am fully trained I have a job that gives me a lot of international opinions with even greater pay. My sex life is good when I am back in town and I have made some great friends although I don't see some of them as much as I used to (I have worked pretty hard the last 3 months while drilling was slow).

If you take the year as a whole I get to make a lot more, save a lot more, travel more and still maintain a healthy social and sex life. Its just how I do things is rearranged much diferently.

The directional guy I am working with right now just took the last 6 months off (does this every year). He is driving a brand new Range Rover, has a Corvette at home and still clears a 100k a year easy. He just partied all summer long. He is 37 but looks around 25.

Now its not all easy sailing and I have burnt out once already but in general I feel very healthy and I'm in great form most days. All the RVF guys I know here are happy, making lots of money and have great social lives. In fact I am probably the most boring of the crew right now Some of the other guys are still saving quite a lot but are getting to party a lot more. I don't judge that one bit and I love catching up with them when I can to hear the stories. I partied plenty hard the last few years so I am trying something different for a while.

A lot of the guys on here who are hesitant to come out seem to picture the worst case scenario. It honesty isn't even that bad. A 100 hour week is not going to kill you and it goes by fast. A -30 snowstorm is actually kind of fun. Working with rednecks and their raised monster trucks is actually a great laugh. Girls can be found and money can be made and saved. Its a lot more exciting then working in some cubical and putting up with the PC brigade. I cant ever picture myself going back to a 9-5. I love it out here!

Holy Irishman. That 13750 is before tax though, right? Otherwise what the hell am doing in engineering!

I think everyone who is still thinking about making the move should read the recent roosh post on "Less Knowledge is More". (http://www.rooshv.com/less-knowledge-is-more). It applies perfectly to this thread.

(08-09-2013 11:10 AM)?Kick Wrote:  I think everyone who is still thinking about making the move should read the recent roosh post on "Less Knowledge is More". (http://www.rooshv.com/less-knowledge-is-more). It applies perfectly to this thread.

You can NEVER know too much or have enough information. NEVER. Paralysis of analysis occurs with procrastinators REGARDLESS of the amount of information at their disposal.

A person can read a stat "1 out of 10 businesses fail." And use that as reasoning to not pursue starting a business, "that's enough information for me! Don't try. " and another can use that as a reason to start 10 businesses 'cause at least ONE will succeed based on the stat.

Those who go into a situation with bare minimum information are bound to make mistakes, that can cost them their lives. Mitigate risk by having information at hand.

In addition the summary of the article isn't encouraging "less knowledge"
"persistence, hard work, careful observation, experimentation, time." <---All of these combined require a gathering of information. Application is the key. Knowledge is nothing. Applied knowledge is the key.

(08-09-2013 02:09 AM)RussianSoul Wrote:  Just wanted to say, I have been following this thread for a while. Big thanks to all the guys in Alberta(scotian, irishman,etc..) for providing all this boots-on-the-ground intel. I am really eager to jump on this opportunity and fly out there. Its not something I would want to do long term but I figure 2-3 years could give me a nice little cushion to pursue some modest business ideas of mine. I have to say, there is only one thing that scares me. I don't mind getting my hands dirty. I am as strong as an ox. I like the cold. And I think I could bear no female company for a few weeks. BUT 100 hour work weeks? That sounds crazy. I worked 60-70 hours as a waiter in college and that was brutal. Can some of the guys here comment on this? Is it something you just get used to? Health effects? I cant imagine its possible to live an optimal healthy lifestyle in this line of work. And long term sleep deprivation wrecks havoc on the body, plenty of studies to back that. This is my one reservation as I consider my health to be a priceless asset.

If you eat right your body actually requires less sleep. The less toxins it has to flush out the less sleep is required. Hence, eat well, when you are on the road a lot. I worked with two awesome guys while moving, and they hit the gym right after a 12 hour day. They ate healthy lunches and dinners. If I'd met them my first day, I'd still be working with the moving company today, that's how inspiring they were.

As for long term sleep deprivation, don't mistake working in the oil industry for Guantanamo Bay.

(08-09-2013 06:49 PM)RossTan Wrote:  

(08-09-2013 02:09 AM)RussianSoul Wrote:  Just wanted to say, I have been following this thread for a while. Big thanks to all the guys in Alberta(scotian, irishman,etc..) for providing all this boots-on-the-ground intel. I am really eager to jump on this opportunity and fly out there. Its not something I would want to do long term but I figure 2-3 years could give me a nice little cushion to pursue some modest business ideas of mine. I have to say, there is only one thing that scares me. I don't mind getting my hands dirty. I am as strong as an ox. I like the cold. And I think I could bear no female company for a few weeks. BUT 100 hour work weeks? That sounds crazy. I worked 60-70 hours as a waiter in college and that was brutal. Can some of the guys here comment on this? Is it something you just get used to? Health effects? I cant imagine its possible to live an optimal healthy lifestyle in this line of work. And long term sleep deprivation wrecks havoc on the body, plenty of studies to back that. This is my one reservation as I consider my health to be a priceless asset.

If you eat right your body actually requires less sleep. The less toxins it has to flush out the less sleep is required. Hence, eat well, when you are on the road a lot. I worked with two awesome guys while moving, and they hit the gym right after a 12 hour day. They ate healthy lunches and dinners. If I'd met them my first day, I'd still be working with the moving company today, that's how inspiring they were.

As for long term sleep deprivation, don't mistake working in the oil industry for Guantanamo Bay.

It can be difficult to maintain a healthy lifestyle when you're a road whore and you eat gas station breakfasts, greasy diner meals, drink a dozen beer a night, smoke a pack day and throw in the odd drug induced all nighter, but ya stay healthy boys!

Damn, Irishman, you're a good salesman and consider me sold. I really want to get out there but it looks like I have to wait till January to apply for the work holiday visa. I guess in the meantime, I'll just continue to save and do a lot of reading. The MWD line of work looks interesting...

Hey Scotian I just wanted to thank you for posting SWAP, I think that's my goal right after I graduate. Fucking beautiful thread mate

My social life is down to about 30-50 hours a month but I will get to take 2 months off to go surfing in the spring (while still on basic living salary).
I make around 13,750 a month at the moment. I can save around 8-10k of that.


13,750 a month? is that from MWDing only? because my buddy works for Halliburton as a lead hand MWD and his average is about 80-90k a year. The base salary is $2500 + bonus for everyday on the field. That's almost less than half of what you get

To those that have made the move:

How have you managed to stay away from all the cocaine, drugs, camp tramps/gold diggers, booze and wonderful vices out here in the sands? With each growing pay check I find it harder and harder not to live the rockstar life and drop a stack on a key, rent a hotel for a week on 118th and go on a bender

(08-10-2013 11:26 AM)?Kick Wrote:  To those that have made the move:

How have you managed to stay away from all the cocaine, drugs, camp tramps/gold diggers, booze and wonderful vices out here in the sands? With each growing pay check I find it harder and harder not to live the rockstar life and drop a stack on a key, rent a hotel for a week on 118th and go on a bender

Kick I'm surprised you haven't gone that route yet considering how often you frequent that shit hole tavern you love so much, the infamous Blues on Whyte, haha, wouldn't be hard to find some rocks and a crack whore to smoke with in that joint!

I've pretty much seen and lived it all when it comes to the rough stuff associated with working in the trades and in oil and gas, I've seen guys spend all their money on VLTs, hookers, blow, etc. I don't think I could ever do it though, I could never decide not to show up to work because I wanted to keep partying, especially in a town like Edmonton or Fort McMurray. I shake my head when I see all those young guys who work so hard in the patch and then piss it all away on strippers in Alberta when they could be doing what guys like me do, travelling the world and spending all of our hard earned cash on strippers in third world shit holes!