I need a new job!

[new hunter okotoks]

I got laid off today and it was a total surprise. 4 of us were let go due to lack of work.

I am going to try and get on as a leasehand somewhere. I have no rig experience but would like to learn.

Are there any companies that I should specifically target for emplyment and any that I should avoid? My fear,is getting on a rig where the guys are constantly hungover or coked-up/stoned. I like the idea of learning the rigs and would like to make a quick rise up the ladder as I'm 40 years old.

Thanks guys,
Aaron.

[blacktail]

If you have a class three or one license try one of the well service companies.
Most are screamin for workers and will even get you your CDL for you

[walleyes]

You know,, I was going to give you a line on some companies but this damn attitude of being hungover and coked/stoned well,, nah forget it. If thats your idea of what this business is than I have no interest in helping you out. This industry is no different than any other we have issues with substance abuse but in a lot of cases it is much worse in many other industries and jobs. The drilling industry is probably one of the most monitored and regulated industries in the country yet we still have this bone head attitude.. You know what ?? stay in the city get a job at WalMart the rigs don't need you,, you'll just get home sick and quit in a week anyways..

[Paul]

I agree with Walleyes on this. I spent a bit of time up north last year consulting because small cement jobs were taking 6 hours and they wanted to see where the problem was. The camp was a dry camp, although there is really no such thing, but the rig hands and service hands all seemed pretty together and sober. Guys drunk or stoned out there don't last long, they get a one way ticket home fairly quickly. The industry has changed a lot in the past 20 years.

[new hunter okotoks]

I have absolutely no experience and am going by what others with no experience or knowledge have told me. Obviously, I don't believe that every rig has drug abusers on it only that I have been warned. The people who have told me this, are going by what the stereotype use to be. This is why I was asking for help. As I stated "This is a fear that I have" because of what has been said to me.


Thanks for the personal attack Walleyes;that's what I needed at this point in my life;right after getting laid off 6 weeks before Christmas. I am not on here asking how I can get the most EI weeks or how to apply for Welfare. I am trying to support my family and if that means doing the work of a 20 year old,then I am prepared for that. I have 2 kids that I would like to provide a Christmas for this year and for years into the future. I am trying to better myself by finding a career that will allow me to make enough money for me to consider myself a Father and Husband.

I sure did not think that I was insulting personally but I feel that I have been kicked;while I'm down. Thanks.

[walleyes]

Well I make no apologies for standing up for an industry that has fed my family for 28 years, I make no apologies for setting records straight. I am a husband to the same wife for 24 years have 3 loving very well behaved sons.. I get sick and tired of this attitude towards the drilling industry. I have worked all ends of the oil industry I have worked the logging industry let  me tell you,, they can all be bad they can all be good. You being 40 years old should know this.. Now,, it is unfortunate being laid off this close to Christmas thats a bummer but in this province this time of year it should be very short lived.. As far as jobs,, drive up to Nisku go into the drilling companies offices you will have a job by the end of the month. They are ALL looking they ALL need hands.. This particular time of year is a bit slow we are in between our summer programs and winter programs but a lot of companies are trying to get a jump on the winter work so they will be filling positions fast.  If not the drilling end look at one of the service companies, cementers, rig movers any one of them ALL short handed.

Sorry to jump on you ,,, just be a little more selective in your choice of words..

Good luck,, if you find nothing by the end of the month drop me a PM I can see what we can do..

[wildmeat]

are you interested in pipelining??  every company i know is hurting for guys or will be here in the next week or 2... im sure youll find what your looking for... supposed to be the busiest first quarter since 2005

[new hunter okotoks]

Sorry to jump on you ,,, just be a little more selective in your choice of words..

Good luck,, if you find nothing by the end of the month drop me a PM I can see what we can do..

Thanks man, after reading my initial post,you're right. I sure didn't mean it the way came out.

I hope we're still cool and I might just send you that PM if I can't put anything together myself by the end
of November.
Aaron.

[new hunter okotoks]

are you interested in pipelining??  every company i know is hurting for guys or will be here in the next week or 2... im sure youll find what your looking for... supposed to be the busiest first quarter since 2005

I'll see what I can find out about Piplining online. I'm just in the initial stages of trying to figure out what
my best route will be.

Thanks guys,it's much appreciated.

[wildmeat]

well if your interested ill shoot you some names and numbers... just let me know

[nube]

Walleyes, I understand your frustration and I imagine you are very hard working and love your job.  To be honest though I understand where Okotoks comment comes from.  I have a few friends that are in the oilpatch on rigs and they tell me all kinds of stories of a lot of the looser types.  The 2 buddies I have are the head guys and have past up through the ranks and worked hard to get there.  They are clean cut and work hard.  They tell me all kinds of stories of drugs and drinking problems and of the types that they have to babysit and or fire at times.  I think things are way better now than they use to but the rigs do have somewhat of a reputation or did at one point at least from the stories I have heard.  Maybe it is just certain companies I don't know.  I think maybe we just hear of the bad and like any job they have them all.  Please don't take offence to anything I have said but I think a lot of people may just be uneducated about the oilpatch.  I was always told that well, if things don't work out you just go get a job in the patch.  Growing up it was just a thought that you didn't need an education to work in it and you made good money.  Kind of like being a Firefighter.  All you need basically is a grade 12 and a few courses to apply.  After talking with my buddies I have learned a bit about the patch but I am still really not knowing much about it and I wonder if that is the reason why people think the way they do about it? 

[Tuc]

Hey guys, every job out there has it's piss pots and crack heads, I can see it being a little more prominent on the camp jobs because of the isolation. I worked for the City of Calgary for 18 years and let me tell you it's scary to see the amount of substance abuse amongst the inside and outside workers. And these people are running your city! 

It is what it is, addiction is not limited to any type of job, profession or personality. Everyone out there is vunerable. You have to try and hang with the winners and stay away from the losers. I know thats hard sometimes but do your job to the best of your ability, sooner or later shit will catch up to the losers.
G'luck in your job search Okky!