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1
Posted on 7/8/14 at 2:23 pm to Tiger Ryno
I doubt he was.
I am not the one posting complete hyperbole like you.
I am not the one posting complete hyperbole like you.
Posted on 7/8/14 at 2:25 pm to WG_Dawg
Chemical Plant or Oil Refinery Operators. They are the guys who run the day to day operation of the process equipment and do the physical non-maintenance work (running the control boards, turning valves, unloading/loading trucks, railcars, and ships, catch samples etc.
Most that criticize them are jealous of the amount of money they make by working basically half a year without OT. Depending on how modern the plant is, the job can be pretty boring but during upsets or turnarounds it can be hectic and stressful. Today, without a PTech degree, it's tough to get hired.
I have a business degree but in the 80's went to work at a plant as an operator (instant pay hike, better benefits, lots of time off). I did that job for about 13 years before taking a straight day job at the site.
Now that my kids are out of school, I'm considering going back into operations again. I can make more than in my current role (one that pays 6 figures) work less time and not be tied to the job 24/7. operators work their 12 hour shift then get relief; Exempts are never fully off duty.
Most that criticize them are jealous of the amount of money they make by working basically half a year without OT. Depending on how modern the plant is, the job can be pretty boring but during upsets or turnarounds it can be hectic and stressful. Today, without a PTech degree, it's tough to get hired.
I have a business degree but in the 80's went to work at a plant as an operator (instant pay hike, better benefits, lots of time off). I did that job for about 13 years before taking a straight day job at the site.
Now that my kids are out of school, I'm considering going back into operations again. I can make more than in my current role (one that pays 6 figures) work less time and not be tied to the job 24/7. operators work their 12 hour shift then get relief; Exempts are never fully off duty.
Posted on 7/8/14 at 2:25 pm to WG_Dawg
I design and implement the automation/control systems for plants, platforms, etc. ...so my job entails quite a bit of interface with operators.
In short, it is their job to maintain and "operate" the equipment their position is based around. In the case of a production platform, they ensure the hydrocarbons keep flowing. They don't really make any decisions with regards to well optimization (that's the production engineer's job), but they carry out the manual labor to make things happen.
In the 70's and 80's, their job was probably fairly important as modern control systems were not prevalent. Nowadays, they are glorified baby sitters. The entire process is automated and all they need to do is be on hand incase something breaks. They change filters and perform maintenance (and sometimes not even that, based on what I've seen!).
They do make good money, especially offshore, but they work shitty schedules and essentially dead end jobs to do so. A small minority of them are intelligent, educated, and well mannered people. They generally rise up to become plant/platform managers and beyond (actually good jobs). Most of them are brash, stupid, ignorant white trash. They blow their money on stupid shite, normally in a "group think" mentality....if one guy on the platform gets a yeti, they're all getting one.
They don't like engineers, and we don't like them.
In short, it is their job to maintain and "operate" the equipment their position is based around. In the case of a production platform, they ensure the hydrocarbons keep flowing. They don't really make any decisions with regards to well optimization (that's the production engineer's job), but they carry out the manual labor to make things happen.
In the 70's and 80's, their job was probably fairly important as modern control systems were not prevalent. Nowadays, they are glorified baby sitters. The entire process is automated and all they need to do is be on hand incase something breaks. They change filters and perform maintenance (and sometimes not even that, based on what I've seen!).
They do make good money, especially offshore, but they work shitty schedules and essentially dead end jobs to do so. A small minority of them are intelligent, educated, and well mannered people. They generally rise up to become plant/platform managers and beyond (actually good jobs). Most of them are brash, stupid, ignorant white trash. They blow their money on stupid shite, normally in a "group think" mentality....if one guy on the platform gets a yeti, they're all getting one.
They don't like engineers, and we don't like them.
Posted on 7/8/14 at 2:25 pm to stout
quote:
Farm?
Farm related
quote:
They pay me way too much for that
Posted on 7/8/14 at 2:25 pm to Tiger Ryno
In the grand scheme of things, Christmas, birthdays, or any other holiday for that matter is just another day. If you make the best of the days you do have off, it all comes out in the wash.
Yeah, I've missed a few things because of shift work but I've also been able to do things I wouldn't be able to do working M-F 9-5.
Yeah, I've missed a few things because of shift work but I've also been able to do things I wouldn't be able to do working M-F 9-5.
Posted on 7/8/14 at 2:26 pm to Tiger Ryno
quote:
I'm not envious of anyone who can't spend Christmas or a birthday with their kid.
yep, that's tough, at the beginning of my career, I missed a lot of things, but fortunately, for years I've been able to cherry pick what I want to do, and when I want to do it, but there are a lot of guys where I work that don't, and never will, sometimes you defer gratification and make temporary sacrifices, or you either accept or reject the job
Posted on 7/8/14 at 2:27 pm to 777Tiger
I understand you have to make tradeoffs in life and everyone has to decide what's right for them and their family
Posted on 7/8/14 at 2:27 pm to LSUTygerFan
quote:
did anyone actually answer your questions?
I left for a while and am just catching up, but yes there were very helpful posts.
Obviously lots of bullshite, but several people actually answered each of the original questions I had.
Posted on 7/8/14 at 2:28 pm to yellowfin
are you back CPAing again ?
Posted on 7/8/14 at 2:29 pm to boddagetta
quote:
Yeah, I've missed a few things because of shift work but I've also been able to do things I wouldn't be able to do working M-F 9-5.
Yeah, it's not for everyone but it works for a lot of people. It's weird that any thread involving operators brings out such strong opinions. It has to work in your life, within your marriage/family. Personally, I couldn't do it but I know a lot of good guys that do it and are still good family men. You might miss the birthday but when you're off 1 week a month during your kids' summers and can do whatever you want with them, it more than balances.
Posted on 7/8/14 at 2:30 pm to Tiger Ryno
nah, I'd never go back to public accounting
Posted on 7/8/14 at 2:30 pm to yellowfin
quote:
They pay me way too much for that
Understandable
I had a good offer for a job a while back out of the blue and it would have been a lot less stressful for me but I just can't see myself ever going to work for someone. I haven't done that since I was in college 14 years ago and I would probably be bullet to the brain miserable.
Posted on 7/8/14 at 2:30 pm to 777Tiger
quote:
yep, that's tough, at the beginning of my career, I missed a lot of things, but fortunately, for years I've been able to cherry pick what I want to do, and when I want to do it, but there are a lot of guys where I work that don't, and never will, sometimes you defer gratification and make temporary sacrifices, or you either accept or reject the job
That's a lot of commas.
Posted on 7/8/14 at 2:33 pm to stout
plus other business is seasonal so it's tough to justify taking off 6 months a years
Posted on 7/8/14 at 2:35 pm to yellowfin
quote:
to justify taking off 6 months a years
Just think of the hunting and fishing though
Posted on 7/8/14 at 2:37 pm to CQQ
quote:
That's a lot of commas.
I, just replaced, my comma key, gotta check it out
Posted on 7/8/14 at 2:37 pm to stout
I did it for a couple years....it sounds great til you realize everyone you want to hunt and fish with is working
Posted on 7/8/14 at 2:39 pm to CQQ
It's no 9-5, but they are always home for dinner on the day shift.
Yes, every other weekend but they will still get their "weekend", it just will be on Wednesday/Thursday. Lots of operators use this time to hunt, fish, etc when most are at work.
Right now mr drinks is outside mowing the lawn with the grill going. He will work wed/thurs and then be off fri sat sun.
Perfectly doable IMHO.
And bc of his paychecks I work part time (or don't have to work) so the kids are with me and we never have to pay daycare.
Yes, every other weekend but they will still get their "weekend", it just will be on Wednesday/Thursday. Lots of operators use this time to hunt, fish, etc when most are at work.
Right now mr drinks is outside mowing the lawn with the grill going. He will work wed/thurs and then be off fri sat sun.
Perfectly doable IMHO.
And bc of his paychecks I work part time (or don't have to work) so the kids are with me and we never have to pay daycare.
This post was edited on 7/8/14 at 2:41 pm
Posted on 7/8/14 at 2:40 pm to yellowfin
Yea that's how it was when I sold real estate and would try to find a golf buddy for a mid-day round on a Tuesday.
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