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csziggy

(34,133 posts)
10. I've known two people who worked similar jobs
Mon Jul 7, 2014, 01:51 AM
Jul 2014

One, long ago when I was in college. A co-worker (we both worked part time student jobs at the university library for very little money) was offered a job identical to what you are talking about in Alaska when the oil fields there were being opened in the 1970s. I ran into him a couple of years later. He'd done the job for 12-18 months and had enough money in the bank to finish his BS and his Masters without working any part time job. But he'd been offered a graduate student teaching position and expected to finish his Masters and have enough money still to put a large down payment on a house.

Another friend took a unskilled job on an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico. Same deal - 2-3 weeks on, two weeks off He was stupid with his money and spent a lot of it partying during his weeks off. Then he got caught smuggling drugs into the country - I think there was some deal with them being brought onto the rigs then carried into the country on the helicopters flying the men back and forth. Any money he'd put aside was spent on lawyers but it didn't keep him out of prison. Not the fault of the job - the guy was an idiot.

Both men told me that the work is very hard - and they were young at the time they took them, though maybe not all that fit before they went. It was a challenge for the young men to put aside money - their co-workers tended to party full time on their off weeks and it was hard to say no to them.

I suspect you would be more like the first guy and end up with a nice nest egg. I'd check on the living expenses during your down time and be very conscientious about setting aside as much as possible.

Whatever you decide, good luck!

Should I join the Dark Empire? [View all] nilesobek Jul 2014 OP
Yes. bravenak Jul 2014 #1
Does it require a pilot's license? NYC_SKP Jul 2014 #2
No Harmony Blue Jul 2014 #3
Physically I'm able to handle high workloads. nilesobek Jul 2014 #4
You literally only have to sit... User_Friendly Jul 2014 #8
More than likely it will be like riding in a car after the first couple times. Threedifferentones Jul 2014 #20
Flying is the least of the problems you should be concerned about Harmony Blue Jul 2014 #30
Yes. stage left Jul 2014 #5
This ^ laundry_queen Jul 2014 #7
112 hour weeks, for 3 weeks ? nvm I see you already addressed this nt steve2470 Jul 2014 #6
If you can handle it physically, go for it. I would rather you get the job than some bagger. catbyte Jul 2014 #9
I've known two people who worked similar jobs csziggy Jul 2014 #10
Yes SamKnause Jul 2014 #11
This ^^^ Warpy Jul 2014 #12
Pretty much. Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #14
Are you talking about ethically, b/c it's an oil company? Warren DeMontague Jul 2014 #13
Yes, definitely ethics. I will feel that I can be bought nilesobek Jul 2014 #31
yes BainsBane Jul 2014 #15
Make hay while the sun shines Bosonic Jul 2014 #16
take the job from the oil company, continue to support good causes JI7 Jul 2014 #17
Yes newfie11 Jul 2014 #18
Yes hack89 Jul 2014 #19
Take a candle. KentuckyWoman Jul 2014 #21
Take it. Alaska is beautiful and you might find an even better job there. n/t FSogol Jul 2014 #22
If you use petroleum prodcucts your ethical horse has left the barn. aikoaiko Jul 2014 #23
the ethical horse never leaves the barn Bucky Jul 2014 #25
The work sched & fee scale tell me this is a stressful crappy job. Ride it for as long as you can. Bucky Jul 2014 #24
saving is key cerveza_gratis Jul 2014 #26
Yeah a pretty long grind but I'm not getting any younger. nilesobek Jul 2014 #28
I heard guys were blowing their paychecks on booze and hookers nilesobek Jul 2014 #29
I would go if it's a legitimate job. It might open new opportunities for you. Anyway, RKP5637 Jul 2014 #27
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