almost every FIFO worker I've met is living in a miserable limbo

I've learnt not to draw their attention to it

but I've often wondered if they'd be happier earning less money but having a friendlier even time roster

Fly in fly out.
It took me a while.

thats me in a nut shell. the kids are young and pushing the wifes buttons ( hell of a lot harder that i bloody would hahaha) money dosent = happy family all the time i guess

I am with the Doc.

Windsports people surely would rather have 2 days a week avail to sail/kite etc, rather than have to wait amonth to have 7 days off and it may not blow that whole time?
Likewise for surfers with swell and no wind....

I find it hard enough having 10 on and 4 off now and then. I'd rather have less days off more regularly so as to have more chance of recreation.

That is before we consider kids not seeing dad and wife being left alone etc
(latter is a good thing sometimes lol)
Plus mining is pretty fickle, te arse could fall out of it overnight and a whole bunch of young blokes on $150K with $600K mortages and 2 flash cars and $20K home cinema blah blah will suddenly be looking for work.

If you do FIFO, do it flat out for 3 yrs save every penny and then work back at home again.

My bro did FIFO 4weeks on and 1off. What a $hit life. He threw it in last week. He did it long enough to get enough hours and enough tickets to pick and choose back in the real world.

Slightly off topic - just back from a weekend at Mt Arapiles rock climbing, heaps camping there that either don't work, or only work enough to pay for food, clothes and basic climbing year... They all seem very happy with very little.

Noticed a quote on the back of a dunny door - "work less - buy less", makes sense.

Did it for 2 years, the work was actually fun, Had it been at home, I wouldnt have quit. Hated being away from home and missing the goings on, thats why I quit.


i know people who had their relationships destroyed by it. I also know families who are getting by with the situation (mum at home with the kids, dad up north) just.....

I dont think its a good thing for families, or people in serious relationships for that matter.

You only get one lifetime, don't waste it doing something youre not happy doing if you can help it.

^^^ Thanks for the update on the score...was wondering what the score was with your young bloke's team mate (my boy) missing his first game.

I guess the consolation, rather than cop a flogging, I got to watch my 9yo complete his first real climb - a 13m vertical inside a narrow crevasse! I know a kid that will go nuts up there when we get a chance to organise the trip.

See you in a week?

Yeh scotty , home next Tuesday , I believe 40th birthday drinks on the weekend?

The further south of the monthly rotation -fifty percent home, fifty percent gone- and 9and21 is bad,
the quality and success of home life also heads south.

Have been on a 4 and 1 for 6 months , yeh , the money is great and has all gone into finishing our new house .Fkd my knee 6 weeks ago and had an arthroscopy (no fun there), so I guess I'll just have to absorb the cash from home for now.!! Made me realise how important home life is,the only two good things about the job are the money, and the guys I worked with, met some really good people out there whom all ring regularly to see how I am getting on.
when my leg is good again , the only reason to go back will be to quit, am looking forward to that !!
Nothing is worth giving up family life .
Have since had a fanastic job offer here in town, just can't wait to get better , quit and start the new challenge

More photos in this one:

www.deseret.com/2013/4/11/20518052/massive-landslide-stops-production-at-bingham-canyon-mine

evlPanda said...
Fill in the details connect the dots as you see fit.

Last time I tried connecting those dots I ended up with a lot of memory loss.

39 now. First worked away as a 16 year old crayfishing in Geraldton, Abrolhos,Kalbarri
Did that for seven years. Got some Marine tickets.
Left for a gig on a rig as a painter. 12 years later and I have been a Captain for 5 years. Salary 250 K plus. Houses 3 ,Holidays many.I get flown all over the world for training courses. Some of these are only 3 /5 days. I travel with my wife. Do the course and delay my return flight for a fortnight and explore the country I am in. Cheap holiday.

I buy what I want when I want.Nothing crazy but if I want it I get it.

I really like being offshore. Not so much the rigs but I love being on the ocean. I love the problem solving, the mateship, the laughs.
Happily married (12 years). I don't know if that would be the case if i was "underfoot" all the time.Every time I go home its exciting for us both.

I could NOT work ashore. Never have, hopefully never will. I love getting home and knowing that that's it for a month.I kited 21 days in a row in January!! Go to work for a rest!
Of course it does'nt suit everyone and I have seen plenty of people freak out at the realization of where they are, how hot it is, and how long they have to go.

For the ones that can stand the heat it can work pretty good!!

When i were lad t'was 6 & 1 for trades and 4 & 1 for professionals.

Had to send one lad back after 12 weeks, just to remember what "life" was about. Just for a weekend mind you!

No internet. Ring the wife once a week after lining up for a couple of hours. The line would cut out after a couple of minutes

Entertainment was one video recorder, (and a Video shop a couple of hours away). On Saturdays, you could look forward to a few fights in the SMQ's.

Oh, pay was not much either.

We had it good.