Work question

[racrguy]

Anyone have a job they absolutely dread going to, but it pays too well to just up and quit?

Would you find a job making half, or less, than what you're making now if you're still able to cover your bills and have a little left over?

As some of you know, right now I'm working on an oil rig with a 7 on 7 off rotation schedule, plus I have to be there for rig moves, off days be damned. The problem with this is the lifestyle while on tower. I'm a prisoner for 7 days. Whenever it comes time to head to the rig the only thing entering my mind is "don't do it, it's not worth it." I don't have a family of my own, and all of my bills including phone/iPad are in the neighborhood of $700/month. I could take a 40hr $10 job and still more than make ends meet. For comparison, I've made right at 20k since June 12.

Ideally, I'd like to be able to go home every night and spend time with my friends, or just by myself. I've been thinking really hard on trying to get on as a hand at a local farm, or get into the queso business if all else fails.

Advice?

[Unicorn Jeff]

How old are you again?

[lonestarstang00]

Man im in your place now, I had to move to San Antonio and found a good paying job (pays more then my old job in Dallas). And dream about my old job everyday. To me if you could make ends meet on the lower paying job then its worth it. I work for a bank (will remain name less) & promised my self I would never work for another bank. I dream about my old job all the time & if I had the opportunity I would pick it up asap!

[racrguy]

I'll be 30 in December.

Edit: I forgot to add, a holiday falls while you're on tower? Tough shit. I believe I'll be off thanksgiving, but I'm working on Christmas.

[talisman]

As you get older, time off becomes much more important than money. However, if you can bank now and save a big down payment for a house or something of that nature, I'd stick with it for a bit. Make it worth the time you are sacrificing and have something to show for it.

[BradM]

Sean and I are about to start making Lorno's in my van. You want in?

[sosoe]

As you get older, time off becomes much more important than money. However, if you can bank now and save a big down payment for a house or something of that nature, I'd stick with it for a bit. Make it worth the time you are sacrificing and have something to show for it.

This...

[FreightTrain]

Time to grow up.

[347Mike]

I've never worked on a rig but 7 days off doesn't sound to bad. I mean most people who work 8-5 have an hour or so commute so when it boils down to actual "free time" they only have Friday and Saturday night. I would think you get more "time off" getting a full 7 days off.

[LANTIRN]

I have been in a similar situation.

Several years ago after I was discharged from the Air Force I got a job working as a contractor/advisor in Saudi for their Air Force. Pay was awesome; over $60k a year, tax free, paid for housing; really all I had to do was pay for my food. And I was single, too. I paid off every debt I had in just a few months which included a truck and a bike, but I FUCKING hated that job. The Saudis were intolerable to work for, and every day for a year it was fucking horrible. All I wanted to do was come back to the compound, drink some illegal booze, and bash my head into the wall due to the stupidity of it all. I got married and left Saudi after my year contract was up, but had originally planned on staying 2 or 3 years; I would have been able to pay cash for a house if I had stayed. Things have worked out very well for the wife and I, but not a week goes by that I don't kick myself for not putting up for at least one more year for the cash. I have a wife and kid now and I just couldn't take that kind of job now and be away from my son.

My advice? Stick it out for 2 years and put away as much money as humanly possible. Things worked out for us but damn they would be even nicer if I had the patience to put up with the headaches for just 12 more months.

I was only 25 when I was in Saudi, just for age reference if it helps.

[Broncojohnny]

It depends on what your actual skills are. If all you have is a high school diploma then you better cling to that job.

[Musbrad2]

I know the feeling, I'm 29, have a wife, son, and another on the way and I'm land surveying for oil and gas 200 miles from home this week, 500 miles away last week. Money isn't everything and if you can live comfortable and be home every night do it, staying in hotels or on location for days at a time will make life miserable, I've been at it 2 years away from home now and it doesn't get any better.

Every time I head back for another hitch I think damn I wish I could afford to quit and find a job locally, unfortunately, surveying locally is damn near non existent with good insurance benefits etc. I'm sure people will tell you make money while you can, but there's something to be said for laying in your own bed every night. Good luck to you, hope you find a field that makes you happy and keeps you close to home.

[racrguy]

I've never worked on a rig but 7 days off doesn't sound to bad. I mean most people who work 8-5 have an hour or so commute so when it boils down to actual "free time" they only have Friday and Saturday night. I would think you get more "time off" getting a full 7 days off.

Including the 6 hour drive each way, it's the same time off as working a 50 hour a week job, I work between 90-110 hours when I'm on tower.

[FreightTrain]

Everyone wants to make the big bucks but no one wants to put up with the bullshit. It's a personal choice you have to make. I'm a whore when it comes to money so I put up with alot of bullshit.

[BradM]

Everyone wants to make the big bucks but no one wants to put up with the bullshit. It's a personal choice you have to make. I'm a whore when it comes to money so I put up with alot of bullshit.

I made good choices so I get to dish the shit and make the money. chooo poooo!!!