Discussion
Dean-k68wf said:
Haha,
You've just shot yourself in the foot there and proved my point.
NOT ONCE have I said you lot have it better than us. I said 2/3 is FAIR as its same working hours as a 37.5 hour week. I said we spend 2x as long at work than you and miss alot in life but the trade off is good salaries and long stints off work also.
When I said this YOU LOT were the ones that said 'stop moaning and DEAL WITH IT'....and you think offshore workers have the bad mentalities and feel themselves are the victims. WELL judging from this comment is certainly sounds the other way round to me! I've notic
My argument all along has been that 3/3 isnt a fair rotation, expecting people to spend more than half of their working lives living on an oil rig and execting their families to go alone for long stints at a time.
What are you on about? First you're complaining it's the same hours, and then you're saying it's 2x as log and missing a lot in life? How does that make sense? You are also complaining about missing a lot in life (which is completely fair) but you also see more some of the times due to the long time you get free together (potentially first steps, rather than being in the office while they happen etc).You've just shot yourself in the foot there and proved my point.
NOT ONCE have I said you lot have it better than us. I said 2/3 is FAIR as its same working hours as a 37.5 hour week. I said we spend 2x as long at work than you and miss alot in life but the trade off is good salaries and long stints off work also.
When I said this YOU LOT were the ones that said 'stop moaning and DEAL WITH IT'....and you think offshore workers have the bad mentalities and feel themselves are the victims. WELL judging from this comment is certainly sounds the other way round to me! I've notic
My argument all along has been that 3/3 isnt a fair rotation, expecting people to spend more than half of their working lives living on an oil rig and execting their families to go alone for long stints at a time.
You're talking about fair, but can you honestly tell me that you would pay a lot more for a job to get done at your house to make sure the person got a lot of time at home/ got a good salary? Or would you go with the cheaper (who still does a good job) option? People seem to think the companies own them fair, when in their own lifes they deal with things in "what is best for me" economics. Why is a company different? It affects us all in the oil industry now as I said - not just workers with worse shifts but also onshore guys with new pension schemes, no bonuses, below inflation salaries etc. It's not "fair", but since there is so many people trying for each job economics dictates a company does not have to pay so much, and thus they won't. Like you in your personal buying decisions.
Dean-k68wf said:
jock mcsporran said:
I've never worked the North Sea but I have spent the last 17 years on rotation overseas where we tend to do 5/5 although I did do 8/4 and 6/3 when I was a trainee.
Most of the guys I work with are just grateful they still have a job just now. I get CV's in my email almost daily. A 2/3 schedule for any of them would be a pipe dream but it's generally the price we accept to pay for working overseas and making a reasonable wedge.
I hate to say it but I think a lot of the guys in the North Sea just have to accept there's going to be change or get out and move on. I doubt $100+ oil is coming back any time soon.
Yeh but abroad is different....are you still talking about working on an oil rig? If so then fair do's. But from what I understand your talking about working onshore where you have MUCH better living standards and plenty more freedom, not to mention the £100k+ per year salaries. Thats your trade off.Most of the guys I work with are just grateful they still have a job just now. I get CV's in my email almost daily. A 2/3 schedule for any of them would be a pipe dream but it's generally the price we accept to pay for working overseas and making a reasonable wedge.
I hate to say it but I think a lot of the guys in the North Sea just have to accept there's going to be change or get out and move on. I doubt $100+ oil is coming back any time soon.
Our trade off was a reasonable amount of time off because we have zero freedom for 2weeks at a time....soon to be 3weeks at a time...and will end up having zero freedom more than half of our working lives...? I cannot understand why people think this is reasonable lol
its a different scenario altogether really...I can't imagine people doing 4/4 or 5/5 abroad ONSHORE would jump at the chance to do 2/3 on a rig and take probably a 40% paycut :/ ....if its tax free abroad its actually more like a 55 or 60% pay-cut to work offshore in the UK.
Like i say money isnt everything which is why I havent tried to find a job out there. I'd much rather have the time at home :/
You to me sound like one of these people whom has fallen into the offshore game fairly recently. You have been attracted by the "easy" money option with the time off. However you have now found out that you actually have to work for your money in the respect that you have to do a bit of time offshore.
So now you feel that actually spending a bit of time away from home is not quite as easy as you thought. Family / friend commitments have to be missed / put on hold. The unequal time scenario you mention was in my mind a luxury in the UK sector. When times are good you reap rewards, when things slow down you bite the bullet and be grateful you have a job.
If you despise it so much , chuck it in. Get another job. Simple.
I've been in offshore game for 25 years. I've worked 2/2, 3/3. 2/3, 2/4, 5/5 and now 4/4. I've worked all over Asia since 2002. As far a field as Australia where it took me a day and a half full travelling to get to work. Why ? Because I needed the job. Complain ? No. It's life. You get on with it.
Of course everyone is entitled to their opinion , however you just have the typical North Sea mentality , where you think you are so hard done by and have no idea what you have to put up with overseas at times compared to the easy life in the North Sea. However at the end of the day, I'd put up with all the hardships overseas in a heart beat compared to listening to the North Sea whining.
Se7enheaven said:
Dean-k68wf said:
jock mcsporran said:
I've never worked the North Sea but I have spent the last 17 years on rotation overseas where we tend to do 5/5 although I did do 8/4 and 6/3 when I was a trainee.
Most of the guys I work with are just grateful they still have a job just now. I get CV's in my email almost daily. A 2/3 schedule for any of them would be a pipe dream but it's generally the price we accept to pay for working overseas and making a reasonable wedge.
I hate to say it but I think a lot of the guys in the North Sea just have to accept there's going to be change or get out and move on. I doubt $100+ oil is coming back any time soon.
Yeh but abroad is different....are you still talking about working on an oil rig? If so then fair do's. But from what I understand your talking about working onshore where you have MUCH better living standards and plenty more freedom, not to mention the £100k+ per year salaries. Thats your trade off.Most of the guys I work with are just grateful they still have a job just now. I get CV's in my email almost daily. A 2/3 schedule for any of them would be a pipe dream but it's generally the price we accept to pay for working overseas and making a reasonable wedge.
I hate to say it but I think a lot of the guys in the North Sea just have to accept there's going to be change or get out and move on. I doubt $100+ oil is coming back any time soon.
Our trade off was a reasonable amount of time off because we have zero freedom for 2weeks at a time....soon to be 3weeks at a time...and will end up having zero freedom more than half of our working lives...? I cannot understand why people think this is reasonable lol
its a different scenario altogether really...I can't imagine people doing 4/4 or 5/5 abroad ONSHORE would jump at the chance to do 2/3 on a rig and take probably a 40% paycut :/ ....if its tax free abroad its actually more like a 55 or 60% pay-cut to work offshore in the UK.
Like i say money isnt everything which is why I havent tried to find a job out there. I'd much rather have the time at home :/
You to me sound like one of these people whom has fallen into the offshore game fairly recently. You have been attracted by the "easy" money option with the time off. However you have now found out that you actually have to work for your money in the respect that you have to do a bit of time offshore.
So now you feel that actually spending a bit of time away from home is not quite as easy as you thought. Family / friend commitments have to be missed / put on hold. The unequal time scenario you mention was in my mind a luxury in the UK sector. When times are good you reap rewards, when things slow down you bite the bullet and be grateful you have a job.
If you despise it so much , chuck it in. Get another job. Simple.
I've been in offshore game for 25 years. I've worked 2/2, 3/3. 2/3, 2/4, 5/5 and now 4/4. I've worked all over Asia since 2002. As far a field as Australia where it took me a day and a half full travelling to get to work. Why ? Because I needed the job. Complain ? No. It's life. You get on with it.
Of course everyone is entitled to their opinion , however you just have the typical North Sea mentality , where you think you are so hard done by and have no idea what you have to put up with overseas at times compared to the easy life in the North Sea. However at the end of the day, I'd put up with all the hardships overseas in a heart beat compared to listening to the North Sea whining.
I think the big thing is - no one is forcing anyone to do their job. I have guys come out working for me moaning - I just remind them that I can organise them to go home on the next available chopper. Stop moaning, deal with it or do something about it. Really is that easy.
Se7enheaven said:
Dean-k68wf said:
jock mcsporran said:
I've never worked the North Sea but I have spent the last 17 years on rotation overseas where we tend to do 5/5 although I did do 8/4 and 6/3 when I was a trainee.
Most of the guys I work with are just grateful they still have a job just now. I get CV's in my email almost daily. A 2/3 schedule for any of them would be a pipe dream but it's generally the price we accept to pay for working overseas and making a reasonable wedge.
I hate to say it but I think a lot of the guys in the North Sea just have to accept there's going to be change or get out and move on. I doubt $100+ oil is coming back any time soon.
Yeh but abroad is different....are you still talking about working on an oil rig? If so then fair do's. But from what I understand your talking about working onshore where you have MUCH better living standards and plenty more freedom, not to mention the £100k+ per year salaries. Thats your trade off.Most of the guys I work with are just grateful they still have a job just now. I get CV's in my email almost daily. A 2/3 schedule for any of them would be a pipe dream but it's generally the price we accept to pay for working overseas and making a reasonable wedge.
I hate to say it but I think a lot of the guys in the North Sea just have to accept there's going to be change or get out and move on. I doubt $100+ oil is coming back any time soon.
Our trade off was a reasonable amount of time off because we have zero freedom for 2weeks at a time....soon to be 3weeks at a time...and will end up having zero freedom more than half of our working lives...? I cannot understand why people think this is reasonable lol
its a different scenario altogether really...I can't imagine people doing 4/4 or 5/5 abroad ONSHORE would jump at the chance to do 2/3 on a rig and take probably a 40% paycut :/ ....if its tax free abroad its actually more like a 55 or 60% pay-cut to work offshore in the UK.
Like i say money isnt everything which is why I havent tried to find a job out there. I'd much rather have the time at home :/
You to me sound like one of these people whom has fallen into the offshore game fairly recently. You have been attracted by the "easy" money option with the time off. However you have now found out that you actually have to work for your money in the respect that you have to do a bit of time offshore.
So now you feel that actually spending a bit of time away from home is not quite as easy as you thought. Family / friend commitments have to be missed / put on hold. The unequal time scenario you mention was in my mind a luxury in the UK sector. When times are good you reap rewards, when things slow down you bite the bullet and be grateful you have a job.
If you despise it so much , chuck it in. Get another job. Simple.
I've been in offshore game for 25 years. I've worked 2/2, 3/3. 2/3, 2/4, 5/5 and now 4/4. I've worked all over Asia since 2002. As far a field as Australia where it took me a day and a half full travelling to get to work. Why ? Because I needed the job. Complain ? No. It's life. You get on with it.
Of course everyone is entitled to their opinion , however you just have the typical North Sea mentality , where you think you are so hard done by and have no idea what you have to put up with overseas at times compared to the easy life in the North Sea. However at the end of the day, I'd put up with all the hardships overseas in a heart beat compared to listening to the North Sea whining.
Onshore and offshore. 12 years were on rigs, the last 5 years in the office. I think you are misunderstanding the 'freedom' you get on rotation abroad. The guys on the rigs tend to do a minimum of 4/4. We had one guy who just completed 17 weeks on hitch because his passport got lost in the government offices when he put it in to get his work visa. Many places are living in compounds when you are onshore. When I was in Algeria I had to take a 12 man security detail with me every time I went to a rig, and they stayed with me till I was done. If you think that's considered freedom then you're kidding yourself.
I also stay on UK payroll as I still live in the UK, therefore I pay my taxes just like you. Some might say that's foolish but I see it as a small price to pay to live where I'm happy and enjoy the freedom and services of the UK with my family when I'm off hitch.
Granted, the live-in positions generally have a bit more freedom, especially if you are in some of the locations in Asia-Pac or Europe but don't think it's all roses.
ETA: Should probably comment on the 'much' better living standards you appear to think we have overseas on rotation. Basically a glorified portacabin in many cases. If you're lucky, in places like Saudi, we would share an apartment or house with 3 or 4 other guys although there's not much in the way of alcohol and you have the Saudi driving to contend with, not to mention the high 40's summer temperatures.
Edited by jock mcsporran on Saturday 4th July 12:16
jock mcsporran said:
Dean. To clarify and correct a few misconceptions.
Onshore and offshore. 12 years were on rigs, the last 5 years in the office. I think you are misunderstanding the 'freedom' you get on rotation abroad. The guys on the rigs tend to do a minimum of 4/4. We had one guy who just completed 17 weeks on hitch because his passport got lost in the government offices when he put it in to get his work visa. Many places are living in compounds when you are onshore. When I was in Algeria I had to take a 12 man security detail with me every time I went to a rig, and they stayed with me till I was done. If you think that's considered freedom then you're kidding yourself.
I also stay on UK payroll as I still live in the UK, therefore I pay my taxes just like you. Some might say that's foolish but I see it as a small price to pay to live where I'm happy and enjoy the freedom and services of the UK with my family when I'm off hitch.
Granted, the live-in positions generally have a bit more freedom, especially if you are in some of the locations in Asia-Pac or Europe but don't think it's all roses.
ETA: Should probably comment on the 'much' better living standards you appear to think we have overseas on rotation. Basically a glorified portacabin in many cases. If you're lucky, in places like Saudi, we would share an apartment or house with 3 or 4 other guys although there's not much in the way of alcohol and you have the Saudi driving to contend with, not to mention the high 40's summer temperatures.
I said, if your abroad offshore doing equal time then fair enough comment.Onshore and offshore. 12 years were on rigs, the last 5 years in the office. I think you are misunderstanding the 'freedom' you get on rotation abroad. The guys on the rigs tend to do a minimum of 4/4. We had one guy who just completed 17 weeks on hitch because his passport got lost in the government offices when he put it in to get his work visa. Many places are living in compounds when you are onshore. When I was in Algeria I had to take a 12 man security detail with me every time I went to a rig, and they stayed with me till I was done. If you think that's considered freedom then you're kidding yourself.
I also stay on UK payroll as I still live in the UK, therefore I pay my taxes just like you. Some might say that's foolish but I see it as a small price to pay to live where I'm happy and enjoy the freedom and services of the UK with my family when I'm off hitch.
Granted, the live-in positions generally have a bit more freedom, especially if you are in some of the locations in Asia-Pac or Europe but don't think it's all roses.
ETA: Should probably comment on the 'much' better living standards you appear to think we have overseas on rotation. Basically a glorified portacabin in many cases. If you're lucky, in places like Saudi, we would share an apartment or house with 3 or 4 other guys although there's not much in the way of alcohol and you have the Saudi driving to contend with, not to mention the high 40's summer temperatures.
Edited by jock mcsporran on Saturday 4th July 12:16
But my opinion still stands for onshore abroad. I am guessing that your wages were about 50% higher than mine though AT LEAST doing the same amount of time at work (if we went equal time). There is even more risk associated withthose jobs compared to UK offhsore, hence the salaries. I still think they have a lot more freedom...and better living standards...
My cabin offshore is as good as a glorified porta cabin. The beds and pillows etc... are probably as good as a prisons, food is mediocre at best, regularly cant get a hot shower, no internet for the first 3 years I worked here, only on works computers, but now we've had wifi for the last year but restricted to the lounge areas not in your room, and even then that is restricted and no streaming or downloading is allowed so no skyping. As for alcohol, ha! Driving anywhere, nope! Absolutely no freedom to leave the rig whatsoever....no shopping (excet online) no days out. Just half a sky package and my laptop to entertain me on my time off on the rig. A gym I suppose and a half ruined Pool table - both of which I dont enjoy lol - all of the above i'm sure is available on an onshore job abroad?
Ya know I have worked with people that have worked abroad, I'm not naive, I've heard the stories and they definitely grant alot more freedom than you make out. A mate of mine was having the time of his life abroad getting blitzed every weekend and doing things he shouldn't really be doing haha but he enjoyed it... You can't say the same for offshore stuck on a rig, no one can, lol
My other point was about people choosing to do equal time rota's is they chose the trade - off for more money. People that chose 2/3 do it for the time off not the money, i'd rather have a paycut, but 3/3 is being forced apon us and it will actually work out that we're getting paid less per hour worked, Jobs are also getting cut just like onshore.
The thing that pisses me off the most is that none of the onshore jobs are getting told they have to now work a minimum 48hour week? And if they did there would be outrage and the same folk telling me to 'deal with it' would be complaining just like I am now! It's exactly the same principal.
Dean-k68wf said:
I said, if your abroad offshore doing equal time then fair enough comment.
But my opinion still stands for onshore abroad. I am guessing that your wages were about 50% higher than mine though AT LEAST doing the same amount of time at work (if we went equal time). There is even more risk associated withthose jobs compared to UK offhsore, hence the salaries. I still think they have a lot more freedom...and better living standards...
My cabin offshore is as good as a glorified porta cabin. The beds and pillows etc... are probably as good as a prisons, food is mediocre at best, regularly cant get a hot shower, no internet for the first 3 years I worked here, only on works computers, but now we've had wifi for the last year but restricted to the lounge areas not in your room, and even then that is restricted and no streaming or downloading is allowed so no skyping. As for alcohol, ha! Driving anywhere, nope! Absolutely no freedom to leave the rig whatsoever....no shopping (excet online) no days out. Just half a sky package and my laptop to entertain me on my time off on the rig. A gym I suppose and a half ruined Pool table - both of which I dont enjoy lol - all of the above i'm sure is available on an onshore job abroad?
Ya know I have worked with people that have worked abroad, I'm not naive, I've heard the stories and they definitely grant alot more freedom than you make out. A mate of mine was having the time of his life abroad getting blitzed every weekend and doing things he shouldn't really be doing haha but he enjoyed it... You can't say the same for offshore stuck on a rig, no one can, lol
My other point was about people choosing to do equal time rota's is they chose the trade - off for more money. People that chose 2/3 do it for the time off not the money, i'd rather have a paycut, but 3/3 is being forced apon us and it will actually work out that we're getting paid less per hour worked, Jobs are also getting cut just like onshore.
The thing that pisses me off the most is that none of the onshore jobs are getting told they have to now work a minimum 48hour week? And if they did there would be outrage and the same folk telling me to 'deal with it' would be complaining just like I am now! It's exactly the same principal.
First you were moaning about not having the time home with your family, now you are moaning about not getting down to the pub when offshore and the conditions you have to put up with. But my opinion still stands for onshore abroad. I am guessing that your wages were about 50% higher than mine though AT LEAST doing the same amount of time at work (if we went equal time). There is even more risk associated withthose jobs compared to UK offhsore, hence the salaries. I still think they have a lot more freedom...and better living standards...
My cabin offshore is as good as a glorified porta cabin. The beds and pillows etc... are probably as good as a prisons, food is mediocre at best, regularly cant get a hot shower, no internet for the first 3 years I worked here, only on works computers, but now we've had wifi for the last year but restricted to the lounge areas not in your room, and even then that is restricted and no streaming or downloading is allowed so no skyping. As for alcohol, ha! Driving anywhere, nope! Absolutely no freedom to leave the rig whatsoever....no shopping (excet online) no days out. Just half a sky package and my laptop to entertain me on my time off on the rig. A gym I suppose and a half ruined Pool table - both of which I dont enjoy lol - all of the above i'm sure is available on an onshore job abroad?
Ya know I have worked with people that have worked abroad, I'm not naive, I've heard the stories and they definitely grant alot more freedom than you make out. A mate of mine was having the time of his life abroad getting blitzed every weekend and doing things he shouldn't really be doing haha but he enjoyed it... You can't say the same for offshore stuck on a rig, no one can, lol
My other point was about people choosing to do equal time rota's is they chose the trade - off for more money. People that chose 2/3 do it for the time off not the money, i'd rather have a paycut, but 3/3 is being forced apon us and it will actually work out that we're getting paid less per hour worked, Jobs are also getting cut just like onshore.
The thing that pisses me off the most is that none of the onshore jobs are getting told they have to now work a minimum 48hour week? And if they did there would be outrage and the same folk telling me to 'deal with it' would be complaining just like I am now! It's exactly the same principal.
I take it these are the same conditions you work in on a 2/3 and if on a 3/3, your argument is flawed.
You sound as though you have some major issues with offshore life in general, can't be good for your well being.
Sounds like a career change is required sooner than later.
You certainly make me smile, by the way have you informed your company or are you one of those that let your steam off in the t shack and internet forums.
Se7enheaven said:
Dean , you are are obviously a very disgruntled person , and by the sounds of it pretty inexperienced in things offshore.
You to me sound like one of these people whom has fallen into the offshore game fairly recently. You have been attracted by the "easy" money option with the time off. However you have now found out that you actually have to work for your money in the respect that you have to do a bit of time offshore.
So now you feel that actually spending a bit of time away from home is not quite as easy as you thought. Family / friend commitments have to be missed / put on hold. The unequal time scenario you mention was in my mind a luxury in the UK sector. When times are good you reap rewards, when things slow down you bite the bullet and be grateful you have a job.
If you despise it so much , chuck it in. Get another job. Simple.
I've been in offshore game for 25 years. I've worked 2/2, 3/3. 2/3, 2/4, 5/5 and now 4/4. I've worked all over Asia since 2002. As far a field as Australia where it took me a day and a half full travelling to get to work. Why ? Because I needed the job. Complain ? No. It's life. You get on with it.
Of course everyone is entitled to their opinion , however you just have the typical North Sea mentality , where you think you are so hard done by and have no idea what you have to put up with overseas at times compared to the easy life in the North Sea. However at the end of the day, I'd put up with all the hardships overseas in a heart beat compared to listening to the North Sea whining.
Just caught up with this thread since my contribution some weeks ago...particularly like this response though, especially the last statement!You to me sound like one of these people whom has fallen into the offshore game fairly recently. You have been attracted by the "easy" money option with the time off. However you have now found out that you actually have to work for your money in the respect that you have to do a bit of time offshore.
So now you feel that actually spending a bit of time away from home is not quite as easy as you thought. Family / friend commitments have to be missed / put on hold. The unequal time scenario you mention was in my mind a luxury in the UK sector. When times are good you reap rewards, when things slow down you bite the bullet and be grateful you have a job.
If you despise it so much , chuck it in. Get another job. Simple.
I've been in offshore game for 25 years. I've worked 2/2, 3/3. 2/3, 2/4, 5/5 and now 4/4. I've worked all over Asia since 2002. As far a field as Australia where it took me a day and a half full travelling to get to work. Why ? Because I needed the job. Complain ? No. It's life. You get on with it.
Of course everyone is entitled to their opinion , however you just have the typical North Sea mentality , where you think you are so hard done by and have no idea what you have to put up with overseas at times compared to the easy life in the North Sea. However at the end of the day, I'd put up with all the hardships overseas in a heart beat compared to listening to the North Sea whining.
tighnamara said:
First you were moaning about not having the time home with your family, now you are moaning about not getting down to the pub when offshore and the conditions you have to put up with.
I take it these are the same conditions you work in on a 2/3 and if on a 3/3, your argument is flawed.
You sound as though you have some major issues with offshore life in general, can't be good for your well being.
Sounds like a career change is required sooner than later.
You certainly make me smile, by the way have you informed your company or are you one of those that let your steam off in the t shack and internet forums.
hmph....why do people always twist things round??I take it these are the same conditions you work in on a 2/3 and if on a 3/3, your argument is flawed.
You sound as though you have some major issues with offshore life in general, can't be good for your well being.
Sounds like a career change is required sooner than later.
You certainly make me smile, by the way have you informed your company or are you one of those that let your steam off in the t shack and internet forums.
I'm getting sick of explaining myself.
I've already said about 5x.... I think 2/3 rota is fair. What makes it worth it is the time off... plz read my posts before slaggin me off. I'm actually fairly content with offshore lifestyle just now....there are times I hate it and times I dont but you deal with it because it's fair compromise, i dont believe that 3/3 is...
I'm not complaining about not being able to go to the pub....I'm trying to explain that an offshore Job has less freedom than an onshore job abroad 4/4, which are also equal time, hence why 3/3 is much harsher on a platform!!!
Now can u take the time to understand my post before jumping to conclusions or stop twisting em round and trying to make me sound like an arse....surely u must have better things to do?
and FYI....I only went offshore in the first place because I got made redundant in my onshore job and was out of work for 10 months as work had dried up locally. I've also just faced redundancy in my current job but I was one of the lucky ones and kept my job....BUT if 3/3 comes in I will be right in the firing line again and, i would say, next in line to lose my job just in time for the arrival of my first new born...so actually to be honest I think I have justification to be grumpy lol!!!
NRS said:
"Why do YOU deserve MORE money than the onshore person for the same amount of time worked?"
Sorry must have missed this before, but I'd like to answer it. There's loads of reasons offshore workers get paid more (and rightly so!):1. We spend double the amount of time at our workplace than someone onshore doing the same job 24hrs per day vs 12hours per day for approx. 147 days a year. The whole time I'm here I have responsibilities, even when i'm on my time off ie. Fire team if there's an emergency. This also means i'm exposed to the risks for 2x as long as a person doing the same job onshore. You could argue this warrants the double pay already tbh (its actually more like about 75% extra)
2. There are extra risks associated offshore: Helicopter flights, 84hrs a week working hours = more stress and fatigue = more likely to make a mistake (even worse on 3/3 btw), the fact that there isn't a hospital or a medical team with facilities nearby should the worst happen (strokes/heart attack etc...), less chance of escape if theres a catastophe etc...
3. Missing loads of social occasions ie. weddings etc...
4. Mediocre living standards offshore...beds are dreadful which also adds to the tiredness and adds to the risk due to poor sleep. Onshore jobs you get to go to home and live exactly how you want.
5. Your family being without you for weeks at a time and you being without them.
6. The chance of being offshore when something dreadful happens at home. My dad works offshore and was offshore when his mother died....it took him 2 days to get home and couldn't be around in her final moments ....this is something that will happen a lot especially when 3/3 as you have a about 52% chance of not being there. Also heard stories of people missing the birth of their children due to bad weather.
7. Generally a lot lees people want to do this job compared to a job onshore.
8. Very little freedom for 2 or 3 weeks at a time.
Thats why there is a pay increase vs onshore... And now your saying we should be happy that now we have spend 2.5x longer at work than someone onshore and be happy that we'll be working for less money per hour than we are now....I'm sorry but I don't understand how you come to that conclusion.
2/3 rota is fair....the extra pay has it's trade offs already.
Just want to re-iterate, before someone jumps down my neck, I'm not complaining about the above...I have made the choice to accept these as a compromise for better pay and long stints off work, which I believe is fair. I don't believe forcing us to work more hours and for longer periods at a time is fair condsiering the above. I suppose if there was a significant wage rise you could maybe argue that it is fair and those that chose to have that trade off then thats upto them. But as it stands I will be forced to work more time for less money per hour.
Mike22233 said:
eck c said:
That's the thing they can't walk, most of the NS platform mongs couldn't get a job sweeping the streets if they jacked offshore.
Exactly - and living up to their wage (big mortgage, cars, bikes) so stuck in the position with little choice. Hence the anger. Thankfully my mortgage is finished after 30+ years offshore, have a decent car but nothing in the gas guzzling 4x4 stakes, have never lived outwith my means and the missus and I will be carried oot o' this hoose in a box as we won't be moving anywhere with our lovely views over the Moray Firth.
One of the main reasons I decided to jack apart from the 3:3 rotation was the fact that the workforce don't seem to have an ounce of fight in them, they should remember that it was the sacrifices of the workforce in 1990 that got them to the wage brackets and T&C's that they enjoy now.
Finally the motto that I have stuck with all my working life and still today is " YOU WORK TO LIVE, not LIVE TO WORK".
TheGovanLieMachine said:
What stereotypical replies, I'm sure several of the NS guys would like you to tell them that face to face instead of hiding behind a computer.As for big mortgage,cars,bikes,etc, you're probably right with a good few folk but wrong to tar everyone the same.
Case in point.TheGovanLieMachine said:
What stereotypical replies, I'm sure several of the NS guys would like you to tell them that face to face instead of hiding behind a computer.As for big mortgage,cars,bikes,etc, you're probably right with a good few folk but wrong to tar everyone the same.
Thankfully my mortgage is finished after 30+ years offshore, have a decent car but nothing in the gas guzzling 4x4 stakes, have never lived outwith my means and the missus and I will be carried oot o' this hoose in a box as we won't be moving anywhere with our lovely views over the Moray Firth.
One of the main reasons I decided to jack apart from the 3:3 rotation was the fact that the workforce don't seem to have an ounce of fight in them, they should remember that it was the sacrifices of the workforce in 1990 that got them to the wage brackets and T&C's that they enjoy now.
Finally the motto that I have stuck with all my working life and still today is " YOU WORK TO LIVE, not LIVE TO WORK".
Exactly the point I have been trying to get accross...they think that we should have to spend more than half our working lives living on an oil rig to justify our time off... I just don't get that mentalitiy at all...it's not a typical 'victim mentality' at all...it's reason and logic to think that this is unacceptable. Treating us like 2nd class citizens and expect us to give up our rights to reasonable time off...I personally think you should be ashamed of yourselves for expecting that from anyone! Just becuase we get all our time off in one go doesn't mean a lot really....offshore workers still get less time off than typical onshore workers already and now you expect us to give up even more! Thankfully my mortgage is finished after 30+ years offshore, have a decent car but nothing in the gas guzzling 4x4 stakes, have never lived outwith my means and the missus and I will be carried oot o' this hoose in a box as we won't be moving anywhere with our lovely views over the Moray Firth.
One of the main reasons I decided to jack apart from the 3:3 rotation was the fact that the workforce don't seem to have an ounce of fight in them, they should remember that it was the sacrifices of the workforce in 1990 that got them to the wage brackets and T&C's that they enjoy now.
Finally the motto that I have stuck with all my working life and still today is " YOU WORK TO LIVE, not LIVE TO WORK".
Dean-k68wf said:
eck c said:
That's the thing they can't walk, most of the NS platform mongs couldn't get a job sweeping the streets if they jacked offshore.
Oh look, another a
hole who thinks so highly of himself...You must be a self made multi millionaire are you? 
Welcome to the layer cake son
It's still up 15 days or 180hrs on a 2:3 contract of 146 days for no extra pay.
It's a 3:3 shift with 21 days holiday in essence (7 short of the mandatory 28 days) but yes is better than some.
There will be a requirement once per year to do a 28 day trip to make up the 7 day shortfall in the contract so will be a 4:4 or 4:5 rotation once every year. 3:4/3:5 = 154 days then plus 7.
Guess it saves the company going to 3:3 and everyone pissing about with leave requests, it's now more manageable with ongoing shifts.
It's a 3:3 shift with 21 days holiday in essence (7 short of the mandatory 28 days) but yes is better than some.
There will be a requirement once per year to do a 28 day trip to make up the 7 day shortfall in the contract so will be a 4:4 or 4:5 rotation once every year. 3:4/3:5 = 154 days then plus 7.
Guess it saves the company going to 3:3 and everyone pissing about with leave requests, it's now more manageable with ongoing shifts.
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