Post: #4276

(04-30-2016 02:35 PM)scotian Wrote:  Are you on maintenance or working on the expansion at CNRL?

Hoping its maintenance. Not 100% sure but i think it is. The call was posted as hydrogen 45. Anyone up at CNRL?

Post: #4277

Anyone get on at that fort hills/suncor job? Curious to hear how that's going.

Post: #4278

I first found RVF through two angles, one was via the awoop the world blog and the other one was when I searched info on jobs in the oil sands during the boom in late 2013 and found this thread. I have read all pages and it has some epic stories with incredible intel on variouse blue-collar trades and the industry in general. Back then I was in a bad position in life where things hadnt worked out for me the way I wanted. For long time I had been trying to figure out what jobs would offer a good deal in the sence of "work-hard-play-hard", mostly here at home (possibly in Norway) until I stumbled on a story about a guy who had been unemployed for years, then said. 'fuck it!' and went to Canada and immidiatly got a job as a roughneck on a rig. Later on, reading this thread got me more hyped up and I thought about getting some scaffolding experience before applying for a WHVisa. That job seemed challenging and cool. I had worked before as a laborer so the physical aspect didnt bother me, and I have always liked the outdoors and colder climate, -52c semmed like a cool challange. But there was something in the back of my head that said maybe this wasnt a good idea. Then the hyped dived down and many of the members here that had made the move started to talk about reality, about being isolated, constantly surrounded by weidos, lack of sleep and hard to adjust once they got back to civilisation.

I think it was the user Alberton who said that anyone who has other options should use that instead of going to the oilfields, and that no one really wanted to be there (something like that, sorry if I might have misqouted). It made me think twice, and at the end I chickened out. I stayed for some more time in my job in the public sector, stashed some more cash and went out on a second long trip in my life. When I came back I decided to give university a try. Now when the oil prices is going down I still wonder if it would have been a good experience and where i would be in life now. Scotian and Atlantic seems to have made the best out of it. Anyway, this thread is still lit.

Post: #4279

(05-02-2016 10:11 AM)IDrinkYourMilkShake Wrote:  I first found RVF through two angles, one was via the awoop the world blog and the other one was when I searched info on jobs in the oil sands during the boom in late 2013 and found this thread. I have read all pages and it has some epic stories with incredible intel on variouse blue-collar trades and the industry in general. Back then I was in a bad position in life where things hadnt worked out for me the way I wanted. For long time I had been trying to figure out what jobs would offer a good deal in the sence of "work-hard-play-hard", mostly here at home (possibly in Norway) until I stumbled on a story about a guy who had been unemployed for years, then said. 'fuck it!' and went to Canada and immidiatly got a job as a roughneck on a rig. Later on, reading this thread got me more hyped up and I thought about getting some scaffolding experience before applying for a WHVisa. That job seemed challenging and cool. I had worked before as a laborer so the physical aspect didnt bother me, and I have always liked the outdoors and colder climate, -52c semmed like a cool challange. But there was something in the back of my head that said maybe this wasnt a good idea. Then the hyped dived down and many of the members here that had made the move started to talk about reality, about being isolated, constantly surrounded by weidos, lack of sleep and hard to adjust once they got back to civilisation.

I think it was the user Alberton who said that anyone who has other options should use that instead of going to the oilfields, and that no one really wanted to be there (something like that, sorry if I might have misqouted). It made me think twice, and at the end I chickened out. I stayed for some more time in my job in the public sector, stashed some more cash and went out on a second long trip in my life. When I came back I decided to give university a try. Now when the oil prices is going down I still wonder if it would have been a good experience and where i would be in life now. Scotian and Atlantic seems to have made the best out of it. Anyway, this thread is still lit.

I think a good number of us were too pussy to make a move, I don't think any of the guys that went there regretted doing it, Atlantic was a big inspiration to all of us.

I am currently learning a trade here in the UK and working in a construction site while is cold, I respect all these guys doing trades and working while is freezing, it takes balls for you to do this.

There are still jobs in Canada, not as much as before but the jobs are still out there. If I were you, I would learn a trade before making the move. I am still planning to go there.

Post: #4280

As I always said since the beginning of this thread is to get into a skilled trade that isn't limited to oil. Although I'm currently working at an oil refinery, I also worked at a pulp mill and a "clean energy" project this year and none of those jobs were in Alberta. If you have a skilled trade and are willing to travel then you'll find work. I'm considering going to Ontario later this summer and looking for work in the nuclear power plants, last year I spent six months working in a ship yard. I don't know a single unemployed skilled tradesmen but there's a ton of out of work rig pigs, frackers, etc. The latter are the guys who the Toronto media focus on with their sob stories. I'm busy as hell right now but it will be slow outside of shutdowns, which is a reality that I've been preparing for when I learned some harsh lessons about working in a cyclical industry went the market shit the bed back in 2008.

Post: #4281

(05-02-2016 01:26 PM)scotian Wrote:  As I always said since the beginning of this thread is to get into a skilled trade that isn't limited to oil. Although I'm currently working at an oil refinery, I also worked at a pulp mill and a "clean energy" project this year and none of those jobs were in Alberta. If you have a skilled trade and are willing to travel then you'll find work. I'm considering going to Ontario later this summer and looking for work in the nuclear power plants, last year I spent six months working in a ship yard. I don't know a single unemployed skilled tradesmen but there's a ton of out of work rig pigs, frackers, etc. The latter are the guys who the Toronto media focus on with their sob stories. I'm busy as hell right now but it will be slow outside of shutdowns, which is a reality that I've been preparing for when I learned some harsh lessons about working in a cyclical industry went the market shit the bed back in 2008.

If I am not getting too personal, are you still doing roughly the same numbers (money wise) like you were doing few years ago?

Post: #4282

(05-02-2016 10:11 AM)IDrinkYourMilkShake Wrote:  Now when the oil prices is going down I still wonder if it would have been a good experience and where i would be in life now. Scotian and Atlantic seems to have made the best out of it. Anyway, this thread is still lit.

It was 100% the best thing I've ever done. Although I didn't make big money I have about enough saved up to get me through uni for 3 years which I'll do to bridge the time till oil is back up and then see what I want to do.

Post: #4283

At the rate I'm cashing up now with these shutdowns I should make my six figures in six months like I usually do. My union rate is set so it just depends on how much work I do, really the only difference now is that a guy can't be too picky but if you're qualifed and not an idiot, you'll find work, although you may have to travel to get like I'm doing now.

Post: #4284

Ya there's still tons of work if you have the experience/tickets. This will end up being my best year so far despite the crash because I've go more experience than I did 3 years ago

Post: #4285

theking,

Pardon the n00b question, but what are "tickets"?

Post: #4286

(05-02-2016 08:47 PM)John Michael Kane Wrote:  theking,

Pardon the n00b question, but what are "tickets"?

Certifications like a trade or safety courses etc

Post: #4287

CRAZY SHIT GOING ON IN THE MAC NOW GUYS, IF YOU'RE THERE STAY SAFE BOYS!!!!

Post: #4288

I can't imbed video on my phone but the city is on fire and all residents had to evacuate: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Sqj2bm1VwF0

Post: #4289

(05-02-2016 02:13 PM)Tresdus Wrote:  

(05-02-2016 10:11 AM)IDrinkYourMilkShake Wrote:  Now when the oil prices is going down I still wonder if it would have been a good experience and where i would be in life now. Scotian and Atlantic seems to have made the best out of it. Anyway, this thread is still lit.

It was 100% the best thing I've ever done. Although I didn't make big money I have about enough saved up to get me through uni for 3 years which I'll do to bridge the time till oil is back up and then see what I want to do.

Same here. Best thing I did, both financially and otherwise. Although I threw in the towel 7 months ago, and will likely never go back, it was the single best thing I did since high school. I don't even care about the financial aspects of it. Right now I'm back in university. Last semester I finished with a 3.8 GPA and it's 100% because of Alberta. Before dropping out and moving to Alberta for work, I could barely pull off a 2.5 GPA. I didn't get smarter, but my work ethic and the way I look at things changed. Before Alberta I was on academic probation, now I'm even thinking about law school (a bunch of universities only look at the last 60 credits).

The point is, if you're reading this thread and thinking the oil patch might be for you, don't get discouraged by all the guys that quit (including me). Even though I quit, I have zero regrets about spending ~3 years of my life in Edmonton and Fort Mac.

btw, financially it's great as well. Just invest your money, either in real estate or stocks. Don't buy new cars/trucks. Get into a trade instead of the rigs.

(05-03-2016 08:24 PM)scotian Wrote:  CRAZY SHIT GOING ON IN THE MAC NOW GUYS, IF YOU'RE THERE STAY SAFE BOYS!!!!

I just read that the whole city has got the marching orders!?! WTF! I've been following the news all week, but didn't think it was this bad.

Quote:Fort McMurray’s more than 80,000 residents have been ordered to flee the oilsands city after a massive wildfire, fuelled by soaring temperatures and tinder-dry forest, broached the city limits.

All of Fort McMurray ordered to flee wildfire in the largest fire evacuation in Alberta's history

http://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-ne...ures-climb

Post: #4290

CNRL is fine as of 4:30am this morning. Its very sad what's happening but so far no fatalities. This could create a stimulus of jobs in the upcoming year or two to help us get through this recession. Looks like the guys at the ATCO plants will be working a ton of OT the next few months to get temporary housing up here so we can rebuild this place. Suncor and Syncrude have been evacuated but still have operations personel on site. The media is saying the flames are not close to the plants so far. We should have the blaze better under control today. I will post an update later to let you guys know whats going on.

Post: #4291

(05-04-2016 05:42 AM)musashi Wrote:  CNRL is fine as of 4:30am this morning. Its very sad what's happening but so far no fatalities. This could create a stimulus of jobs in the upcoming year or two to help us get through this recession. Looks like the guys at the ATCO plants will be working a ton of OT the next few months to get temporary housing up here so we can rebuild this place. Suncor and Syncrude have been evacuated but still have operations personel on site. The media is saying the flames are not close to the plants so far. We should have the blaze better under control today. I will post an update later to let you guys know whats going on.

Thanks for letting us know, everyone I know has fucked off south, mostly to Edmonton. I have a buddy who went back to his work camp where he has a permanent room, he may not have a house to go back too, its a really sad situation. I haven't heard of any fatalities fortunately but parts of the city are totally destroyed.

Post: #4292

Just saw US ABC evening news report 90,000 people evacuating Ft. Mac and more than 1,600 homes burned to the foundations total losses and more to follow... what the heck happened? Got to assume Canada has the same forest fire fighting crews and air drop tech that California and the US Forest Service have - is this due to lack of periodic natural burns building up huge amounts of brush and dead trees fuel?

Who would be responsible for containing these fires near camps and residential/commercial centers like Ft. Mac?

Post: #4293

Yesterday they said the military would get to town in two days. What the fuck is wrong with our government, we actually have a base at Cold Lake and one outside of Edmonton and it will take them two days to get here. Fuck you Justin Trudeau and Rachel Notley!!!
They're still not able to fight much of the fire due to the thick smoke, but should be able tomorrow they're saying. Fingers crossed!

Post: #4294

Fuck I hope all of you guys out there are safe. What do you guys think this means for the future of jobs up in Alberta? Less people willing to come out there? Less businesses willing to do work out there?

Post: #4295

Stay safe boys. Hope everyone got outta there. Seems Junior has shit the bed on this one.

Post: #4296

(05-04-2016 07:25 PM)musashi Wrote:  Yesterday they said the military would get to town in two days. What the fuck is wrong with our government, we actually have a base at Cold Lake and one outside of Edmonton and it will take them two days to get here. Fuck you Justin Trudeau and Rachel Notley!!!
They're still not able to fight much of the fire due to the thick smoke, but should be able tomorrow they're saying. Fingers crossed!

Dude, don't start that American style conservative/liberal political bs.

There are already 4 CH-146 Griffon search and rescue choppers on the ground (brought over from Cold Lake and Edmonton). Two more choppers are on standby in Edmonton. There's a C-130 Hercules from CFB Trenton, with more planes on standby, including a C-17 Globemaster heavy-lift transport. There are also a small number of military personnel, with many more on their way.

Quote:So far, the “asks” from Alberta have been for three types of help, Eyre said: assisting city and provincial authorities in evacuating people in distress; evacuating people in isolated areas; and helping to transport local firefighters and equipment. Eyre said there had not yet been a request to transport firefighters from other provinces to help fight the flames consuming the oilsands city, but the military would do so if asked.

In a disaster like this one, the role of the military is to help in ways no one else can, he said. “What we are looking at providing are unique capabilities that the province does not have,” Eyre said. “We are the force of last resort, and as such, we come in when other civilian resources are exhausted.”

Post: #4297

Free speech, that is how I feel, Im up here right now, the governments response has been subpar sorry not sorry.

Post: #4298

Hmmm.....

Post: #4299

I can't say much about the goverment's response but I can tell you that private businesses in the Edmonton area are really going out of their way to help. I'm at the West Edmonton Mall now with my evacuee friend and he got good discounts at a few stores and despite the recent drama with Earl's restaurants (the stopped using Alberta beef), him and another evacuee friend of hours from our home town are eating there for free. My friend has some pretty crazy stories about the past couple of days, I'll make a post in the Fort McMurray fire thread in the EE section tomorrow.

Post: #4300

(05-04-2016 08:42 PM)Cortés Wrote:  Fuck I hope all of you guys out there are safe. What do you guys think this means for the future of jobs up in Alberta? Less people willing to come out there? Less businesses willing to do work out there?

Normally for the average city getting hit with a major fire (see Oakland, CA in 1991), you get a construction boom and a spike in employment and the local economy.

This time though at Fort Mac the real estate market has been on a huge downturn due to the collapse of oil prices. Still, given the sheer size of the destruction, there will be a need for rebuilding, especially with provincial and federal aid kicking in. So there will be a lot of construction jobs there in the near future.