(02-20-2014 03:02 AM)donnie514 Wrote:  

(02-19-2014 05:30 PM)TravellingSoldier Wrote:  

(02-17-2014 11:11 PM)Atlantic Wrote:  Hey is anyone up here using online dating - POF, tinder, okcupid etc.

How are your results, which is working the best?

Tomorrow I'm supposed to go Salsa dancing with a Chilean HB 8.5+

Not many Chilean's in Edmonton so I gotta ask, is that chick named Valentina?!??

Nah but her sister is!!

Got hired on with Trinidad as well! As a lease hand... Pretty much told me the same stuff as laurifer. Piss test on tuesday

(02-20-2014 04:47 PM)rdvirus Wrote:  Got hired on with Trinidad as well! As a lease hand... Pretty much told me the same stuff as laurifer. Piss test on tuesday

Congrats man! Maybe I'll see you Tuesday. Either way it should be interesting comparing our experiences with the same company.

Also, Precision Drilling called my house today but I missed it. Think its even worth calling them back? I can't imagine they'll give me a deal any better than what I'm already going to get at Trinidad.

It was pretty funny today at my current job. I tell some people I got on with Trinidad, and before I know it everyone is scheduling days off and registering for H2S this weekend.

Why didn't you take the piss test the same day you had been interviewed? Have they told you what rig you're getting on? I mean, taking physicals and drug test isn't really getting a job, even though it's very close to clinching the deal.

Sup everyone and to scotian and everyone who has provided solid info I genuinely thank you all . I wish I had seen this thread a lot sooner.

Well everyone I am looking to make the move from Jamaica in about a year tops after I save some cash. I read this thread and irishman's as well and I am looking at welding , mwd ,plc programming and or getting on with a service rig (last option).

Welding is an option that I am looking at too but the health risks are there but it is most likely the only other trade I would consider.

So far I have gathered that to get into the mwd side of things one of the best things to do is have a technical qulaification and currently I am doing a 2 yr city and guilds- mechanical engineering tech course that ends this year.

I am willing to go to nait for an additional two yrs to study pet eng or electronics eng at NAIT and use the study visa as a way of getting my foot in canada because they have a good relationship with jamaica for those looking to study and work however I am going to look at applying for a work permit with my current qualification.

What i would like to ask is how does the PLC programming go in terms of work , salary and breaking out?

I ask because I havnet seen much info about it.

and for mwd and career advancement which NAIT course would do good in the long run?

Bottom line line is I am looking to work for about 5 -10 yrs then getting the fuck out of there and pursue some investment ideas back in my country and I am preparing for the life over there and not making any srs future financial planning like this amount by this or that amount by this etc.... When I get some work ill take it from there

(02-19-2014 08:24 PM)Laurifer Wrote:  Hi guys,

Today after going to several drilling companies in Nisku, I walked into Trinidad Drilling and was hired on the spot. I take a piss test on Tuesday and I probably start my hell week initiation soon after that. Wish I hadn't wasted my time at the other places had I known Trinidad would take me right away.

I was wondering what essential items do you veteran drilling workers bring with you?

Also, what PPE will the company be providing for me and what do I need to provide on my own?

I'll probably find out Tuesday but it would be nice to know in advance.

Also, thanks to Scotian and everyone else. Wouldn't have found the motivation to do it without the wealth of information from this thread!

Alright man I got a chance to write a proper reply.

First congrats. Trinidad is a good company to work for as far as drilling goes.

It is pretty close to break up though so you might only get a few weeks of work before things quieten down. Depends on the project though. Try get as much drilling floor experience as possible to line you up for summer - making connections etc.

As for gear I am pretty sure they will provide most of your work gear. If you have the cash buy extra gloves and goggles. Gloves go missing fast and its nice to have a spare pair if you get some wet.

I would buy some extra thermals (although it will start to warm up soon) and socks. Tiger store does some okay stuff for really cheap. Also most Marks Warehouse stores have bad security around the changing room area if you want to go for the high end Helly Hansen thermals (not endorsing stealing just saying haha).

Other little handy bits:

Good pjs and slippers for camp/hotel
Toiletry bad with all the essentials
Earplugs and eye cover thing for sleeping
Spare phone charger
Extra comfy pillow - some camps have crap pillows

Handy tips:

Stash extra food and treats from camp in your work bag. Handy for a boost of energy between meal times.

Pack spare socks, gloves and thermals for every shift - you never know when you might get wet or things get colder

Get as much breakfast as possible. I used to wake up early so I could eat twice. Food = energy = less stress.

Just stay warm and stay well feed.

That's it man - best of luck!

(02-19-2014 08:39 PM)alphaspiraton Wrote:  Also - did you find employment as a leasehand? I thought the oil drilling was closing down in March/April?

Do you know how many hours you will be working? Thanks!

Guys quit all the time or move up so places are always becoming available.

12hrs a day by two weeks. First week will be nights, second week will be days (usually) then a week off. Rinse and repeat.

(02-20-2014 03:38 PM)TravellingSoldier Wrote:  

(02-20-2014 03:02 AM)donnie514 Wrote:  

(02-19-2014 05:30 PM)TravellingSoldier Wrote:  

(02-17-2014 11:11 PM)Atlantic Wrote:  Hey is anyone up here using online dating - POF, tinder, okcupid etc.

How are your results, which is working the best?

Tomorrow I'm supposed to go Salsa dancing with a Chilean HB 8.5+

Not many Chilean's in Edmonton so I gotta ask, is that chick named Valentina?!??

Nah but her sister is!!

Are ye guys hitting up sisters?

Nice to see the RVF crew getting around!

(02-21-2014 05:17 AM)Atlantic Wrote:  

(02-20-2014 03:38 PM)TravellingSoldier Wrote:  

(02-20-2014 03:02 AM)donnie514 Wrote:  

(02-19-2014 05:30 PM)TravellingSoldier Wrote:  

(02-17-2014 11:11 PM)Atlantic Wrote:  Hey is anyone up here using online dating - POF, tinder, okcupid etc.

How are your results, which is working the best?

Tomorrow I'm supposed to go Salsa dancing with a Chilean HB 8.5+

Not many Chilean's in Edmonton so I gotta ask, is that chick named Valentina?!??

Nah but her sister is!!

Are ye guys hitting up sisters?

Nice to see the RVF crew getting around!

Edmonton has to have some of the biggest sluts ever. Went out with a couple of girls yesterday that are 18 and have had 40+ guys.

(02-21-2014 05:13 AM)Atlantic Wrote:  

(02-19-2014 08:24 PM)Laurifer Wrote:  Hi guys,

Today after going to several drilling companies in Nisku, I walked into Trinidad Drilling and was hired on the spot. I take a piss test on Tuesday and I probably start my hell week initiation soon after that. Wish I hadn't wasted my time at the other places had I known Trinidad would take me right away.

I was wondering what essential items do you veteran drilling workers bring with you?

Also, what PPE will the company be providing for me and what do I need to provide on my own?

I'll probably find out Tuesday but it would be nice to know in advance.

Also, thanks to Scotian and everyone else. Wouldn't have found the motivation to do it without the wealth of information from this thread!

Alright man I got a chance to write a proper reply.

First congrats. Trinidad is a good company to work for as far as drilling goes.

It is pretty close to break up though so you might only get a few weeks of work before things quieten down. Depends on the project though. Try get as much drilling floor experience as possible to line you up for summer - making connections etc.

As for gear I am pretty sure they will provide most of your work gear. If you have the cash buy extra gloves and goggles. Gloves go missing fast and its nice to have a spare pair if you get some wet.

I would buy some extra thermals (although it will start to warm up soon) and socks. Tiger store does some okay stuff for really cheap. Also most Marks Warehouse stores have bad security around the changing room area if you want to go for the high end Helly Hansen thermals (not endorsing stealing just saying haha).

Other little handy bits:

Good pjs and slippers for camp/hotel
Toiletry bad with all the essentials
Earplugs and eye cover thing for sleeping
Spare phone charger
Extra comfy pillow - some camps have crap pillows

Handy tips:

Stash extra food and treats from camp in your work bag. Handy for a boost of energy between meal times.

Pack spare socks, gloves and thermals for every shift - you never know when you might get wet or things get colder

Get as much breakfast as possible. I used to wake up early so I could eat twice. Food = energy = less stress.

Just stay warm and stay well feed.

That's it man - best of luck!

Thanks buddy! Gonna make a list out of this and get to shopping tomorrow.

(02-21-2014 11:12 AM)Tresdus Wrote:  Edmonton has to have some of the biggest sluts ever. Went out with a couple of girls yesterday that are 18 and have had 40+ guys.

(02-21-2014 05:17 AM)Atlantic Wrote:  

(02-20-2014 03:38 PM)TravellingSoldier Wrote:  

(02-20-2014 03:02 AM)donnie514 Wrote:  

(02-19-2014 05:30 PM)TravellingSoldier Wrote:  

(02-17-2014 11:11 PM)Atlantic Wrote:  Hey is anyone up here using online dating - POF, tinder, okcupid etc.

How are your results, which is working the best?

Tomorrow I'm supposed to go Salsa dancing with a Chilean HB 8.5+

Not many Chilean's in Edmonton so I gotta ask, is that chick named Valentina?!??

Nah but her sister is!!

Are ye guys hitting up sisters?

Nice to see the RVF crew getting around!

Haha nah man I was just fucking around

Is anyone here welding?

Scotian what's your take - health risks versus money

^ I know their is a separate welding thread but I am asking about Alberta in particular.

I think if you have to ask yourself if the money makes up for the detrimental health effects the trade will have on you, that should be your answer. Pros and cons avec everything man but there is no amount of money I would stake on the possibility of losing eyesight/damaging your body permanently. You've gotta have your priorities in order.

I might give it a go for a bit this spring when I get back from New Orleans.

I will still be on salary from MWDing so can always switch back.

If the health risks aren't that bad then I might make the switch.

It's pretty late for me but Ill post some info soon on the reasons behind this.

Hopefully someone can drop some solid welding info. I'm just reading random Google hits for now.

Guys I was wondering....to all those people who're working in the oil sands....what are the disaster recovery/business continuity frameworks in place at these firms?

Hey Atlantic, we can definitely discuss welding if you're looking to make the jump.

When I first came to Alberta I was with a welding company for an extended period of time, I won't drop a welding datasheet here but I'll give you my thoughts on it.

(02-22-2014 11:17 AM)DjembaDjemba Wrote:  Hey Atlantic, we can definitely discuss welding if you're looking to make the jump.

When I first came to Alberta I was with a welding company for an extended period of time, I won't drop a welding datasheet here but I'll give you my thoughts on it.

Drop the data sheet man!

(02-22-2014 11:17 AM)DjembaDjemba Wrote:  Hey Atlantic, we can definitely discuss welding if you're looking to make the jump.

When I first came to Alberta I was with a welding company for an extended period of time, I won't drop a welding datasheet here but I'll give you my thoughts on it.

http://www.rooshvforum.com/thread-32790.html

Good link, Alberta Welder's mini datasheet was excellent.

I might add, if you want to make big bucks and learn to weld good, do it in the field, and avoid fab shops.

Fab shops = comfortable, warm, everything within arms reach, regular hours.

Field = cold as fuck, hot as fuck, snow, ice, mud, water, loud noise, injury hazards, lots of moving machinery, welding in fucked up positions, good money. Also in the field you may have all your welding tickets, but you're still labouring. Sometimes you can't have your helper buffing or grinding for you because the risk of him fucking up might be too great. Nothing worse than a pipeline cutout due to inclusions, slag or porosity because of shitty pre-cleaning.

i was speaking with a Jman electrician and the major benefits of having a duel electrical /welding ticket. Crazy convenient in the field.

once I get my ticket, i might explore this.

as an aside, last year a pipe on my exhaust cracked and I searched for a welder to quickly fix. couldn't find one. i ended up paying almost $500 fixing. it. if I knew go to weld, excluding equipment costs etc, it would have cost me maybe 50$

Welding in Alberta will be extremely busy over the next few years. Many pipeline projects are in the works, especially in BC. The demand is going to skyrockets for these guys. I don't think it would be wild for the hourly rate for welders to double in the next five years. Supply and demand......boy you got to love her.

(02-22-2014 06:49 AM)Atlantic Wrote:  I might give it a go for a bit this spring when I get back from New Orleans.

I will still be on salary from MWDing so can always switch back.

If the health risks aren't that bad then I might make the switch.

It's pretty late for me but Ill post some info soon on the reasons behind this.

Hopefully someone can drop some solid welding info. I'm just reading random Google hits for now.

I am interested in hearing your reason for making the switch since mwding is what i am going after it might help me adjust my plan since welding is another interest of mine.

(02-22-2014 07:04 PM)killongy Wrote:  I am interested in hearing your reason for making the switch since mwding is what i am going after it might help me adjust my plan since welding is another interest of mine.

First off MWDing is a great job. I haven't misrepresented it. If you want great cash off the bat its one of the best gigs possible. In fact its known as the comfiest gig in the patch.
At the moment I am making close to $600 a day for very little work. Which is one of the reason I want to switch.
The reasons I list are MY reasons for wanting to switch. Anyone working towards or already an MWD should make up their own mind as to what they seek in a job and what their long term plan is.



In no particular order:

I don't have a natural aptitude for the rigs.

I can force it and try my best but my mind is not naturally drawn towards drilling. I tend to zone out, not pay attention and sometimes just don't care when I have a chance to be learning something new.

I have been able to pick up a lot of information and do my job satisfactory but working a job I do not enjoy is starting to wear me down. What I have been enjoying is the easy cash and lots of downtime. After a while though money doesn't fill the void.

My mind doesn't want to learn drilling and is telling me to switch to something it is drawn towards.

This post over at danger and play about Arnold Schwarzenegger really hit home:

Quote:When I was ten years old I got this thing that I wanted to be the best in something, so I started swimming. I won championships, but I felt I couldn’t be the best. I tried skiing, but there I felt I didn’t have potential. I played soccer, but I didn’t like that to well because there I didn’t get the credit alone if I did something special. I just avoided team sports from then on. Then I started lifting through the other sports and I enjoyed it the most. I won the Austrian championship in 1964 but found out I was too tall. So I quit that and went into body building. Two years later I found out that that’s it-that’s what I can be the best in.

Maybe welding will be more satisfying, maybe not. But I know its not drilling. SO I need to start looking for a switch.


I am my own man and I like being in charge of my own business

When in University I was in a leadership role in most of the clubs and societies I joined. When I worked during the summers I was in charge of the sea sports centre I worked at. When I worked in the café last summer I quickly become the general manager.

I work and feel a lot better when I have a direct say in how I do things. I like having ownership over my work and calling the shots. Being an MWD does not give me this satisfaction.

To use welding as a comparison I would much rather have to work my ass off outside in the freezing cold but claim ownership over my work and be in charge of my own hours.
I want a job where I make my own standard and produce my own results independent of other people. Its just the way I am wired.



I want a transferable, practical and expandable skill

MWDing is very easy and is basically babysitting a computer system. Although it can lead on to directional drilling it is, in of itself, kind of a useless skill. Once you know what you are doing (about 2 years in) it never changes. Their is no mastery and no real job satisfaction.

I would rather work with my hands and learn a skill. I come from an artistic family so I need to work with something I can feel, design and create.

I also like areas where you can expand once you have mastery. Again using welding - once you know what you are doing you could hire on some guys, buy some trucks, start your own shop and create your own little empire. I would enjoy the challenge of watching the fruits of my labour grow into something. A kind of legacy as such. This is not possible within MWDing.


I want freedom

The freedom to accept or reject work. The freedom to work as hard or as easy as I want. The freedom to expand or downsize. The freedom to travel and use my skills elsewhere.

Although these examples exist in varying amounts in the drilling sector they are not at the level that I would prefer.

I would like to have a skill that I am free to use anywhere and free to evolve. In welding I would be free to change fields: underwater welding, skyscrapers, my own projects (house construction etc.), cars etc.


I can't go 'all in'

Again from Mikes post at dangerandplay:

Quote:4. Go all in.
“

The difference between those who adapted and those who didn’t, Gorton said, was a willingness to totally commit….If you want to turn a vision into reality, you have to give 100% and never stop believing in your dream.

So you’ve quit everything that you sucked at to find your true life purpose? Now go all in. Don’t be a beta boy living aimlessly and without purpose and direction. (The saddest secret is that many of us are doing just that.)

Commit yourself fully to your cause, raise your standards, and do whatever it takes to succeed.

I was guilty of not following this rule. Victor reached out to me to say:
“

You need to be a man. Either go all in with your blog and make it work, or shut the thing down. You’re embarrassing yourself and being a hypocrite by having a half-ass blog. Fix your design, make these tweaks, and start writing again or else go home to mommy for milk and cookies.

Well, that’s not quite what he said, but if he had said that, he would have been right.

Either do something or don’t do something. Be committed and go all in or stay home watching TV and playing on the Internet like a little boy.

There is a lot more that I would like to say but I don't have the writing skills to express it fully. Its a core gut feeling that I am in the wrong area.

From what I have seen I think welding will be the best switch for me right now. It is a big pay decrease but it isn't about the money for me anymore (although down the road welding does pay a lot).

I have kind of come to except that even though I have a degree and could easily get a desk job I would much rather work with my hands and body. I want to experience life firsthand and not behind some computer looking out a window.



It won't be easy to leave behind something that I worked so hard for but I guess that's life. Knowing when to quit and start again.

I hope my post doesn't discourage those who have worked hard towards being an MWD. I have been quite prolific on this thread about all the great perks of the job. They are still valid. This is unique to me and for those who are working towards or already on the rigs you will have to weigh up your own values and goals.