Knocking on Doors in Louisiana

Maritime Employment
241

It’s a full house at “A Chateau on the Bayou B&B” this week.
One couple spends 3 nights, here, for their 5 year anniversary.
On Sunday, 4 mariners checked in for the week.

Mariner #1 works for ECO and is taking medical care provider at L E Fletcher (LAMPI), this week, and Advanced Fire fighting at ECO training center, next week.
He is actually a mariner that came down here in search of work, last year, in March.
He began his career as a cook with ECO and has stayed with me everytime he takes classes.
He did all of this in 1 year and will soon be testing for his 1600 ton mates license.

Mariner #2 (AB Unlimited with RFPNW) got a job at ECO today.
He is hung up with the physical at this time; high blood pressure and past knee surgery documentation.
Had to see an orthropedic surgeon, today, and a family dr. for his blood pressure tomorrow.

This is just a reminder to bring any documentation of past surgeries as to expedite this process and save time.
Otherwise, you will be asked to have it faxed from your past surgeon.
Another reminder is to bring your Social security card.

Mariner #2 (1600 ton masters) went to HOS, Otto Candies, and Gulfmark today and was told that they are not hiring until May.
He will head in another direction tomorrow.

Mariner #3 (AB Unlimited with RFPNW) went out to smaller companies down the bayou, today, but will continue his journey tomorrow.

Will keep you posted, as usual.
As always, best wishes to all of you

Claudette L. Pitre
A Chateau on the Bayou Bed & Breakfast
3158 Hwy 308
Raceland, LA
(985)537-6773
Website: http://www.achateauonthebayou.com
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...21896531157165

242

[QUOTE=A Chateau on the Bayou;103090]It’s a full house at “A Chateau on the Bayou B&B” this week.
One couple spends 3 nights, here, for their 5 year anniversary.
On Sunday, 4 mariners checked in for the week.

Mariner #1 works for ECO and is taking medical care provider at L E Fletcher (LAMPI), this week, and Advanced Fire fighting at ECO training center, next week.
He is actually a mariner that came down here in search of work, last year, in March.
He began his career as a cook with ECO and has stayed with me everytime he takes classes.
He did all of this in 1 year and will soon be testing for his 1600 ton mates license.

Mariner #2 (AB Unlimited with RFPNW) got a job at ECO today.
He is hung up with the physical at this time; high blood pressure and past knee surgery documentation.
Had to see an orthropedic surgeon, today, and a family dr. for his blood pressure tomorrow.

This is just a reminder to bring any documentation of past surgeries as to expedite this process and save time.
Otherwise, you will be asked to have it faxed from your past surgeon.
Another reminder is to bring your Social security card.

Mariner #2 (1600 ton masters) went to HOS, Otto Candies, and Gulfmark today and was told that they are not hiring until May.
He will head in another direction tomorrow.

Mariner #3 (AB Unlimited with RFPNW) went out to smaller companies down the bayou, today, but will continue his journey tomorrow.

Will keep you posted, as usual.
As always, best wishes to all of you

Claudette L. Pitre
A Chateau on the Bayou Bed & Breakfast
3158 Hwy 308
Raceland, LA
(985)537-6773
Website: http://www.achateauonthebayou.com
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...21896531157165[/QUOTE]

Mariner #2 (AB Unlimited with RFPNW) completed the physical process with ECO, today.
Since ECO training center is closed next week on Friday, for Good Friday, this mariner will begin orientation and classes the following first week of April.
Was cleared for his high blood pressure by a local cardiologist and his past knee surgery by a local orthropedic surgeon.
Went through agility testing at Physiofit, yesterday, and all of his paperwork was cleared by Dr. Duet today.
This is a good example of how the hiring process can take a few days to complete.

Mariner #3 (1600 ton masters) took a training mate position with Harvey Gulf, today.
He begins his physical, etc. today and starts orientation on Monday.

Also, remember to bring your high school diploma!!!

All happy mariners, again, at “A Chateau on the Bayou B&B”

Best wishes to all of you.

Claudette L. Pitre
A Chateau on the Bayou Bed & Breakfast
3158 Hwy 308
Raceland, LA
(985)537-6773
Website: http://www.achateauonthebayou.com
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...21896531157165

243

Do mariners really want that much personal info posted in a public forum? Even without names, it’s not all that hard to figure out who’s who. Just askin’ …

244

[QUOTE=txh2oman;103355]Do mariners really want that much personal info posted in a public forum? Even without names, it’s not all that hard to figure out who’s who. Just askin’ …[/QUOTE]

Many mariners ask me all the time, "How many days does it take to get a job?"
These details were posted to give others a better understanding of how long the hiring process can take, certainly not to jeopardize anyone’s position.

245

I don’t see where any personal information has been posted…

246

Your name is your name Ryan…

247

That’s why I don’t stay there. If I wanted to see my life in print I’d right a book. I guess it’s just an excuse to get free advertisement

248

[QUOTE=skycowboy;103446]That’s why I don’t stay there. If I wanted to see my life in print I’d right a book. I guess it’s just an excuse to get free advertisement[/QUOTE]

If the people staying there are there because they feel Claudette’s info is/has been helpful and do not mind her disclosures then that’s their business. BUT I’d have two other concerns regarding the privavcy of that information. First does she give 100% disclosure after interviewing you about your day of door knocking that she plans to post the info on the internet AND does she ask for the mariners consent? I’ve never stayed there so I can’t answer that, so on that point I’ll give her the benefit of the doubt. Secondly, would a converstation I have with some of the other guests about my door knocking end up on the internet. Again I don’t know for sure but on that one if I was forced to make a bet I’d say she’ll post it. You could say “well if you want your stuff to be private you shouldn’t have been discussing it with someone at the coffee table.” Well there is a big difference between sharing some info and comparing notes with a fellow mariner and having the job offer you just got printed on the internet before the inks dry on the contract. So…if you’re stayin there and you are concerned with privacy you’d have to have a C.I.A. thing goin on and keep your mouth shut about everything related to your door knocking.

Who wants that? Not me thats why I personally wouldn’t stay there BUT wait there are other reasons… I once called Claudette to ask a few questions about staying at her place. Well that call was a bummer, talk about a high pressure sales job, woo-whee. When I was candid with her and said I will just stay in my hotel because it was close enough to the school that I could come back to my room at lunch and I wanted a private bathroom, she was so high pressure trying to overcome my objections it was fairly obnoxious, no it was obnoxious.

Since she first started un-apolegetically slamming us with advertising imbedded in all of her posts I was pissed off. Anybody thats ever visited forums or Facebook knows you just don’t do it. The people are there for commercial free information sharing and while it is completely understandable that the web-site will have ad’s on it (there not runnin the site for free) this type of blatant “free” advertising embedded in the posts should not be on any forum. I benefit from the info she puts out and admit to reading the thread and some people might say just don’t read the thread. To that I say if you know something wrong is going on and that someone is acting in-appropriately isn’t it reasonable that it might bug you whether or not you actually see it going on? I get the trade off, “well she provides a benefit so lets look the other way” which is whats been going on. If she was paying for an ad and within the ad posted this info IMO that would be fine or if she continued to give us the info (with 100% permission) but never again mention her site or have multiple hyperlinks on her posts that would work as well. I’d even be okay to receive a private message solicitation (which even that is wrong) if it was once. There are several others on this forum that earn a living from mariners such as license consultants. The difference is they are so discret in promoting their business.

And lastly, yes this post does end…In several years on this site I’ve only posted minimally (although I read gCaptain fairly often) and doubt I ever would have posted this if it wasn’t for a mariner I met the other day. Man if you mentioned Claudette’s place to him he would go through the overhead. He said his room was smaller than his master closet at home and with no windows. He had to share a head with two other rooms. He paid for a 5 day reservation but when he got hired by a company he wanted to check out early but she refused to refund the remainder of his money. She doesn’t wake up early enough to fix breakfast so while he was trying to figure out how the coffee pot worked something went wrong. She wanted to (and might have) charge him $250 for a new coffee machine. You have to listen to her interrogate the mariners as they return from the door knocking and apparently there are lists posted everywhere that say “don’t touch this”, “don’t touch that” or “don’t walk over there.”

I realize she’ll have her fans (I’m sure I’ll be hearing from them…) and I have nothing against Claudette on a personal basis, she’s just trying to earn a living. These comments are purely about how she runs her business on this forum, that’s as far as it goes. Just tone it down a few levels Claudette. And start paying for some ads on gCaptain then when you post with [U]just your name[/U] everybody will know you own a B&B. :mad:

249

[QUOTE=skycowboy;103446]That’s why I don’t stay there. If I wanted to see my life in print I’d right a book. I guess it’s just an excuse to get free advertisement[/QUOTE]

I amazes me when people think they know what’s going on at my B&B and have never stayed here.
This mariner I had stay at my B&B this past week, actually wanted me to post more info than I did to give you a better understanding.
He wanted me to let you know that he was a perfectly fit young man and had to go through all of this process to complete his physical.
He actually did not even have high blood pressure as once thought.
And yes, I did ask what he wanted me to post.
I would never post anything someone did not want me to acknowledge.
This mariner is returning next week to stay at my B&B, again, for orientation, so I think he is a happy camper.
To each it’s own.
You can please some people some of the time.
Others can never be pleased.
Wishing all of you the best.

Claudette L. Pitre
A Chateau on the Bayou B&B
3158 Hwy 308
Raceland, LA
(985)537-6773
Website: http://www.achateauonthebayou.com
Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?...21896531157165

250

[QUOTE=“Navy SWO;103455”]

And lastly, yes this post does end…In several years on this site I’ve only posted minimally (although I read gCaptain fairly often) and doubt I ever would have posted this if it wasn’t for a mariner I met the other day. Man if you mentioned Claudette’s place to him he would go through the overhead. He said his room was smaller than his master closet at home and with no windows. He had to share a head with two other rooms. He paid for a 5 day reservation but when he got hired by a company he wanted to check out early but she refused to refund the remainder of his money. She doesn’t wake up early enough to fix breakfast so while he was trying to figure out how the coffee pot worked something went wrong. She wanted to (and might have) charge him $250 for a new coffee machine. You have to listen to her interrogate the mariners as they return from the door knocking and apparently there are lists posted everywhere that say “don’t touch this”, “don’t touch that” or "don’t walk over there [/QUOTE]

So, I’m not that mariner but that was my experience almost exactly. I especially regretted not being able to have a conversation with another mariner without constant interjections and questions.

I’ve stayed in B&Bs all over the country, and my experience in Raceland was unique.

I’m sure the info Ms. Pitre aggregates from her guests is genuinely helpful to some, and of course the rate is attractive. Just not for me. And I think I’ll just leave it at that.

251

Haha, funny that I’m hearing this now. Headed down there last week & before that I message two friends who were there saying that I’d be looking into this B&B. Immediately one texted back & one called back saying do not stay there unless you want to be bothered/confronted with about where to go & what you should’ve done right when you walk in the door…among other things.

If one advertises a service/price for a room, just provide the service & if a mariner had a good attitude & seems to want more info, then possibly give it, simple. Friend said that he had specific companies he was going to, & didn’t care to look at the others as he had a job already & can afford to be somewhat picky.

Ended up staying right near companies that I checked out & met up with other mariners in local watering holes who provided a WEALTH of knowledge!

Question is…can your princess assess handle a motel with ‘character’ ;). I know I slept fine.

252

I’m not going to take a side in this debate, but for the folks who have never stayed in a Bed and Breakfast before, they are generally a former private home and will not necessarily have a personal bathroom. The first one I stayed in was in Bergen, Norway and I’ve stayed in one or two others. Having been in the Navy I wasn’t all that put off by sharing a bathroom with others, but if you need privacy and extra “reading time” on the porcelain throne then choose a hotel.

I use Tripadvisor to help me choose properties. If you do, be sure to leave a review afterwards to help others.

Also, maybe we can have a sticky thread with restaurant/hotel recommendations for the port areas? I traveled a lot on this shore job that I’m getting ready to leave and I can tell you plenty about a few areas I frequent, like Charleston or Baltimore.

What say you, John?

253

To keep it light

254

[QUOTE=“rshrew;103505”]To keep it light

http://youtu.be/rOokQkznINA[/QUOTE]

That’s pretty good. Fun show to watch.

255

LOL. Pretty funny.

256

[QUOTE=rshrew;103505]To keep it light

http://youtu.be/rOokQkznINA[/QUOTE]

hah hah hah worth watching for sure, funny.

257

The posts are always the same…including the hyperlinks :-). All advice that could possibly be gained has been posted long ago.

258

[QUOTE=“A Chateau on the Bayou;103460”]
You can please some people some of the time.
Others can never be pleased.
Wishing all of you the best.[/QUOTE]

I must not be the “other” she is referring to. Because as I lay in my modern hotel room in my super comfortable bed, private bathroom, cable TV, coffee maker and friendly not nosey front desk personnel I am very “pleased”.

259

Anyone planning on “door knocking” might want to plan their trip around Apri 15th-19th. Nicky Collins from ECO is gonna be at Maine Maritime during those dates.

260

Hi Claudette
Thanks for your hospitality last week and your advice on my job hunt. Don’t let some of the negative comments on here get you down. It was the info that you posted on line, week after week that gave me the encouragement to come to Louisiana and actually get a job.