If you’re going to go talk to Graham Gulf you might as well stop at Berry Graham since they are right next to each other in Alabama. Berry has some good equipment and really good pay for their top guys.
Just taking a moment to thank those who have posted this wealth of information. I have read through the hundreds of existing threads here and learned much including "don’t ask stoopid questions in your first post!"
First post complete…
Good on ya.
Now go knock on doors and get that job!
Good luck!
Knocking on doors is not for the weak of heart as I have found out in the last few days.
[QUOTE=Bayrunner;132729]Knocking on doors is not for the weak of heart as I have found out in the last few days.[/QUOTE]
I take it the knocking wasnt has succesful has you hoped? planned on heading over next week my self with that intent.
Thanks for the heads up
[QUOTE=wiseguy65;132733]I take it the knocking wasnt has succesful has you hoped? planned on heading over next week my self with that intent.
Thanks for the heads up[/QUOTE]
Its mostly a matter of being in the right place at the right time. If you don’t get lucky at the first few companies, it can be a very degrading and frustrating process. You just have to keep grinding away and make your own luck.
Ill find out in the morning if I officially have the job or not. If you have ever had any surgeries or injuries be prepared to get run through the ringer.
Honestly after talking to a few of the guys who are there now it sounds like crew changes are an expensive clusterfuck where no regard is given to getting people off to catch flights home, so 28/14 turns into 30/12 very quickly. I dont like 2/1 as it is.
I might have to give this more thought before I accept. I know im stupid to not take the money, but I like to be home sometimes.
Well, it’s been a great week thus far, here, at “A Chateau on the Bayou B&B”
One mariner was offered a mate job at ECO.
Another was offered an engineer job at ECO.
Another mariner that was hired on as an AB with ECO is still here this week going through orientation.
Another mariner is here taking the Vessel Security Officer class at Houston Marine in Kenner.
Another mariner was hired on as a cook at ECO on Monday.
ECO has 25 new hirees in the orientation classes this week.
It’s a full house, here, and everyone has gotten offers from more than one company.
As always, I provide a discounted rate of $65/night which includes a deluxe continental breakfast consisting of bagels, toast, fresh fruit, yogurt, cereal bars, protein bars, ham and cheese muffins, grits, oatmeal, banana bread/cinnamon rolls, cereal and milk, juice, coffee, tea, bottled water, etc.
Keep in mind, that check-in is from 3:00 till 7:00 p.m. (no early or late check-ins, please)
If I can be of help to any of you in providing nice, affordable lodging while knocking on doors in Louisiana or going to school in the area, please email me at claudettelp@charter.net, PM, or call (985) 537-6773
Wishing you all the very best!!!
Claudette L. Pitre
A Chateau on the Bayou B&B
3158 Hwy 308
Raceland, LA
Website: www.achateauonthebayou.com
[QUOTE=Bayrunner;132738]Ill find out in the morning if I officially have the job or not. If you have ever had any surgeries or injuries be prepared to get run through the ringer.
Honestly after talking to a few of the guys who are there now it sounds like crew changes are an expensive clusterfuck where no regard is given to getting people off to catch flights home, so 28/14 turns into 30/12 very quickly. I dont like 2/1 as it is.
I might have to give this more thought before I accept. I know im stupid to not take the money, but I like to be home sometimes.[/QUOTE]
Don’t sweat the starting conditions. Just get started. Sure, you will miss some flights home, but not most of them. Once you have some experience in the Gulf, and all the locally required safety certificates, you will be able to move on to an even time company.
[QUOTE=Bayrunner;132738]Ill find out in the morning if I officially have the job or not. If you have ever had any surgeries or injuries be prepared to get run through the ringer.
Honestly after talking to a few of the guys who are there now it sounds like crew changes are an expensive clusterfuck where no regard is given to getting people off to catch flights home, so 28/14 turns into 30/12 very quickly. I dont like 2/1 as it is.
I might have to give this more thought before I accept. I know im stupid to not take the money, but I like to be home sometimes.[/QUOTE]
Tugsailor said it right.
You aren’t making a lifetime commitment. Get your foot in the door, get some time in your logbooks, keep your ears open, and then make any necessary course corrections.
for people flying any distance it is always 30/12, especially if your boat has a noon crew change. Living near Boston I leave the boat generally about 1245 after supplies etc, and get to the airport around 1430 or 1500 for a 1730 flight, leaving myself a little room because the slightly earlier flights generally don’t get you home any earlier. Land at Logan anywhere between 2300 and 0030. Then on the return leave the house at 8am or so, noon flight, land around dinner to give myself extra time in case of the last minute midnight crew change, and to be able to eat up and get some rest.
[QUOTE=Bayrunner;132738]Ill find out in the morning if I officially have the job or not. If you have ever had any surgeries or injuries be prepared to get run through the ringer.
Honestly after talking to a few of the guys who are there now it sounds like crew changes are an expensive clusterfuck where no regard is given to getting people off to catch flights home, so 28/14 turns into 30/12 very quickly. I dont like 2/1 as it is.
I might have to give this more thought before I accept. I know im stupid to not take the money, but I like to be home sometimes.[/QUOTE]
Let’s go over a few things for you all that aspire to work the oilpatch in the GOM.
-
Your pay is directly related to what is written on a piece of paper by the USCG. Counterpoint- They don’t care how smart you are, where you went to school, what you have done in the past, or what your dreams are. They don’t even care what you did to get said paper as long as it is legit. I have sailed with some of the dumbest people I have ever met in my life, several of them were in management positions. Several making +$200,000/yr.
-
You can make upwards of $200,000/year in 5-6 years of dedication ON YOUR PART. Counterpoint- They don’t care if you do, or don’t, stay an OS for the rest of your life, it’s all good.
-
You can live any where you desire as long as you show up for crew change. People live in Peru and work here. Counterpoint- They don’t care what it takes for you to get to crew change or how tired you are when you get there, or what your ticket cost, or what your change fees are.
-
They switch crews at regular crew change dates/times as much as possible because it is easier for them to line up the logistics/supplies etc… Counterpoint- If it is a problem for them, or more likely, a problem for the client then crew change will be changed and continue to be changed until it gets done without out regard to your situation. (Don’t set up your wedding for the Friday after a Wednesday crew change). No one will promise you a set schedule, even the regular boats have hiccups. Some are better than others. Regardless you will be told what your schedule is and when crew change is down to the date and time, (they can be late, but you can’t).
-
The number of available pieces of paper with documentation needed to crew these vessels dwindles as the rank goes up. Counterpoint- OS is a dime a dozen with thousands and thousands in the hopper ready to fill any empty spot. A/B is an OS with 6 months experience and a couple of classes. Mates are being fed in from the academies and will diminish in stature as more academies (yes, even Kings Pointers are into the brown water with their DP training vessel). With all those thirds being able to obtain a 2nd Mate/1600/3000 master ticket with just 1 year of seatime and a quiz… The 1600/3000 master is the new mate. If you hold out for a career and can achieve a 6000 ticket you will then have a small input into where and how much you want to work, not because they care about your feelings but only because the can use your experience to get the job done and the fact the experience can not be created or printed, it happens over time.
-
If you need extra time off, just ask. You might have to set up your own relief or find someone to cover, but taking some extra time off is not usually any kind of a problem as long as it is not last minute. Counterpoint- Take to much time off and you will lose any kind of permanent spot on your regular boat and you could start boat hopping.
What it all boils down to is we are paid to be away from our families and friends for a block of time. This ain’t rocket science. You can choose to use the system or be used by the system. You come down and work, you go home, it’s a mutual decision between you and the office how many times you repeat that sequence. No promises from either side required. You can take the greatest boat captain on earth; that has worked at a company for 67 years, and the day he doesn’t show up for crew change will slow the company down by the time it takes to make a phone call, maybe even as much as the hour it takes for a runner to drive down to Fourchon with the next piece of paper and his baggage in tow. This is a special life we live. For me, the greatest thing that has ever happened; for others, not so much. How does each one find out? They come down, find a job and get on a boat. I could write a thousand more words, and link every post on this website, but you are just going to have to decide for yourself. It’s just another experience, don’t knock it until you try it.
[QUOTE=Ea$y Money;132760]Let’s go over a few things for you all that aspire to work the oilpatch in the GOM.
-
Your pay is directly related to what is written on a piece of paper by the USCG. Counterpoint- They don’t care how smart you are, where you went to school, what you have done in the past, or what your dreams are. They don’t even care what you did to get said paper as long as it is legit. I have sailed with some of the dumbest people I have ever met in my life, several of them were in management positions. Several making +$200,000/yr.
-
You can make upwards of $200,000/year in 5-6 years of dedication ON YOUR PART. Counterpoint- They don’t care if you do, or don’t, stay an OS for the rest of your life, it’s all good.
-
You can live any where you desire as long as you show up for crew change. People live in Peru and work here. Counterpoint- They don’t care what it takes for you to get to crew change or how tired you are when you get there, or what your ticket cost, or what your change fees are.
-
They switch crews at regular crew change dates/times as much as possible because it is easier for them to line up the logistics/supplies etc… Counterpoint- If it is a problem for them, or more likely, a problem for the client then crew change will be changed and continue to be changed until it gets done without out regard to your situation. (Don’t set up your wedding for the Friday after a Wednesday crew change). No one will promise you a set schedule, even the regular boats have hiccups. Some are better than others. Regardless you will be told what your schedule is and when crew change is down to the date and time, (they can be late, but you can’t).
-
The number of available pieces of paper with documentation needed to crew these vessels dwindles as the rank goes up. Counterpoint- OS is a dime a dozen with thousands and thousands in the hopper ready to fill any empty spot. A/B is an OS with 6 months experience and a couple of classes. Mates are being fed in from the academies and will diminish in stature as more academies (yes, even Kings Pointers are into the brown water with their DP training vessel). With all those thirds being able to obtain a 2nd Mate/1600/3000 master ticket with just 1 year of seatime and a quiz… The 1600/3000 master is the new mate. If you hold out for a career and can achieve a 6000 ticket you will then have a small input into where and how much you want to work, not because they care about your feelings but only because the can use your experience to get the job done and the fact the experience can not be created or printed, it happens over time.
-
If you need extra time off, just ask. You might have to set up your own relief or find someone to cover, but taking some extra time off is not usually any kind of a problem as long as it is not last minute. Counterpoint- Take to much time off and you will lose any kind of permanent spot on your regular boat and you could start boat hopping.
What it all boils down to is we are paid to be away from our families and friends for a block of time. This ain’t rocket science. You can choose to use the system or be used by the system. You come down and work, you go home, it’s a mutual decision between you and the office how many times you repeat that sequence. No promises from either side required. You can take the greatest boat captain on earth; that has worked at a company for 67 years, and the day he doesn’t show up for crew change will slow the company down by the time it takes to make a phone call, maybe even as much as the hour it takes for a runner to drive down to Fourchon with the next piece of paper and his baggage in tow. This is a special life we live. For me, the greatest thing that has ever happened; for others, not so much. How does each one find out? They come down, find a job and get on a boat. I could write a thousand more words, and link every post on this website, but you are just going to have to decide for yourself. It’s just another experience, don’t knock it until you try it.[/QUOTE]
Thanks Easy Money. Well said, well said. (True) We got a job for you in the Office. (if you want to earn less & move)
If the GULF way of doing things is not for you, there are other places around the country, especially at many small companies where they will treat you like family, if you treat them like family. But the family style companies pay less than the Gulf. It’s a trade off.
Sometimes it may be worth it for you to put up with the treatment you will get in the Gulf for more money. Sometimes you may prefer to work in a more pleasant environment for less money. The choice is yours.
Of course, there are plenty of companies outside the Gulf that will not treat you a bit better than down in the bayou. For example, there is no shortage of absolute a-holes around New York.
The higher pay in the Gulf is a relatively new thing. Not long ago, a guy could earn almost twice as much outside the Gulf. My prediction is that it will come full circle again. In a few years New York, the West Coast, and Alaska will be paying much more than Gulf, as they should be.
[QUOTE=Ea$y Money;132760]Let’s go over a few things for you all that aspire to work the oilpatch in the GOM.
-
Your pay is directly related to what is written on a piece of paper by the USCG. Counterpoint- They don’t care how smart you are, where you went to school, what you have done in the past, or what your dreams are. They don’t even care what you did to get said paper as long as it is legit. I have sailed with some of the dumbest people I have ever met in my life, several of them were in management positions. Several making +$200,000/yr.
-
You can make upwards of $200,000/year in 5-6 years of dedication ON YOUR PART. Counterpoint- They don’t care if you do, or don’t, stay an OS for the rest of your life, it’s all good.
-
You can live any where you desire as long as you show up for crew change. People live in Peru and work here. Counterpoint- They don’t care what it takes for you to get to crew change or how tired you are when you get there, or what your ticket cost, or what your change fees are.
-
They switch crews at regular crew change dates/times as much as possible because it is easier for them to line up the logistics/supplies etc… Counterpoint- If it is a problem for them, or more likely, a problem for the client then crew change will be changed and continue to be changed until it gets done without out regard to your situation. (Don’t set up your wedding for the Friday after a Wednesday crew change). No one will promise you a set schedule, even the regular boats have hiccups. Some are better than others. Regardless you will be told what your schedule is and when crew change is down to the date and time, (they can be late, but you can’t).
-
The number of available pieces of paper with documentation needed to crew these vessels dwindles as the rank goes up. Counterpoint- OS is a dime a dozen with thousands and thousands in the hopper ready to fill any empty spot. A/B is an OS with 6 months experience and a couple of classes. Mates are being fed in from the academies and will diminish in stature as more academies (yes, even Kings Pointers are into the brown water with their DP training vessel). With all those thirds being able to obtain a 2nd Mate/1600/3000 master ticket with just 1 year of seatime and a quiz… The 1600/3000 master is the new mate. If you hold out for a career and can achieve a 6000 ticket you will then have a small input into where and how much you want to work, not because they care about your feelings but only because the can use your experience to get the job done and the fact the experience can not be created or printed, it happens over time.
-
If you need extra time off, just ask. You might have to set up your own relief or find someone to cover, but taking some extra time off is not usually any kind of a problem as long as it is not last minute. Counterpoint- Take to much time off and you will lose any kind of permanent spot on your regular boat and you could start boat hopping.
What it all boils down to is we are paid to be away from our families and friends for a block of time. This ain’t rocket science. You can choose to use the system or be used by the system. You come down and work, you go home, it’s a mutual decision between you and the office how many times you repeat that sequence. No promises from either side required. You can take the greatest boat captain on earth; that has worked at a company for 67 years, and the day he doesn’t show up for crew change will slow the company down by the time it takes to make a phone call, maybe even as much as the hour it takes for a runner to drive down to Fourchon with the next piece of paper and his baggage in tow. This is a special life we live. For me, the greatest thing that has ever happened; for others, not so much. How does each one find out? They come down, find a job and get on a boat. I could write a thousand more words, and link every post on this website, but you are just going to have to decide for yourself. It’s just another experience, don’t knock it until you try it.[/QUOTE]
I dont think this could have been said any better!!
If you are not willing to make sacrifices or are weak hearted and dont like to be picked on or talked down to sometimes, then the GOM is not for you. If you you meet someone that says they have never been screwed over with crew change, then they are either lying or dont work in the GOM.
Put in your time and do you due diligence and the oil patch can pay off big time for you!
As they should be? Sounds like someone has hurt feelings…
I got the downcheck from Duet, they said come back in 3-4 weeks. Ill be working then so it might be a little longer for me. If any of you tugboat guys have a few extra pounds (and most of us do) get them off!
A few tips that I can pass on:
Get your rental car from Enterprise. Golden Chevy (its on the 4-lane road) has an Enterprise office at the dealership and you can return, or extend your car there.
If you have had any surgeries or injuries make sure you go to your Dr and get any info you can from them, if not then expect to go see a “local” specialist in Houma on your dime.
For lodging there is the Chateau, of course, and several other mom and pop hotels. I stayed at the Bayou Inn one night and it was a little rough but surprisingly clean.There is a Holiday Inn express down there but they are $180 a night!
There is a Wal-Mart in Galliano that is well stocked for any last minute needs. There are also a few fast food places near it.
I passed the offices for ECO, HGI, Crosby Tugs, L&M Botruc, and several others while down there. Most had big WE ARE HIRING signs out front.
Good luck!
There’s another Holiday Inn Express a little north of there in Raceland that is a lot cheaper. It’s about 30 minutes north of Galliano and about 1/2 that price. That isn’t all that far and the price savings is steep. Of course, the Chateau has the added benefit of having some extra expertise and you may be likely to have other mariners to share job search experience with.
Bummer man! I was really hoping to hear you landed a great job.
[QUOTE=Bayrunner;132805]I got the downcheck from Duet, they said come back in 3-4 weeks. Ill be working then so it might be a little longer for me. If any of you tugboat guys have a few extra pounds (and most of us do) get them off!
Indeed a huge bummer! Keep the faith. It will work out for you. And again thanks for your insight and info!