re: Any of y'all work in the offshore oil field? I've never been and need some advice.

It’s a tough decision. 14/14 is the way to go though if you choose to work offshore. Living close to the heliport will keep you from losing time for travel. It’s not for everyone and it takes a committed, independent woman you can trust to make it work. I don’t have kids so I can’t tell you what to do there, but my dad worked offshore a bit and my wife’s dad worked offshore when we were kids.

I made the decision because it allows me to do a job I enjoy, live where I want to live, and have off time to myself to spend with family without having to worry about work or be called away. I know plenty of people that have done it their entire career and raise families that wouldn’t have it any other way. I also know plenty of people that have been through divorces. It sucks to leave, but it’s true quality time when you are home.

Some people have no choice but to work a rotational schedule. You sound like you have options, which is great. You also sound like you live within your means. I would say that it’s worth a shot, if your wife is on board. No job is permanent, but it might be the best decision of your life. Be smart and save your money though.

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I'm literally earning $70k in my current job in a chem plant right now as a maintenance tech. What plant? And do you work for the plant or are you a contractor? Most places around here pay at least $40/hr which would put you over 80k/yr as a base salary. With OT I'm usually past that mark by July at the latest.

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Hell I make 6 figures salary and bonus combines, fully paid health insurance, company truck I can use for personal use, 401k matched up to 3% just to manage a 900 acre catfish farm. I figured pay at a plant would be better than 70k

Hell my mechanic contractor on the farm charges 115 an hour to fix trucks and tractors when they break down

Definitely happy for you having a great job. Unfortunately I dont know of many 900 acre catfish farms hiring managers, nor do I know anyone running a catfish farm to be hired as their manager.

I’ve done 7/7 14/14 28/28 with 2 boys 2-4, of you do it only do 14/14. Wife works full time. Yes you miss 50% of what happens at home but are home to the other 50%. I like to be able to pick them up from school every day, take them places during the summer, go fishing/hunting and when you are off 100% of your time can be for them. When you are working 5 days a week you might come home to put them to bed and leave before they wake up. Then you only have weekends to enjoy it. I get all of my projects done during school and get to be like kid with them until mom comes home.

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So my off time would most definitely be spent fishing, saltwater fishing in particular. It's my passion. If I took the job I would be flying out of Houma LA, so if I moved to the south Houma area I could be be in the marsh fishing 10-30 mins from home everyday. I own a 24ft bay boat and only get to take it out once every month or two because getting to saltwater from the baton rouge area is a too expensive to do on a weekly basis. If I lived down the street from the marina I would be on the water every day nearly. Shifts are 12hr minimum. Also my wife works and isnt a codependent pesron.

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So your child doesn’t have very much mom and dad time. Who watches the child when you two are away?

Take it, take it, take it. You will be better off in the long run. Yes, you will be gone which will put your wife to handle a lot while you are gone. However, when you are home you are home with no worries. You can take your kids during the day to do what ever. I used to keep mine home from preschool or get them early to hang out and do thing together. I never took being with them or my wife for granted while I was in the oil field. You will only be working 6 months a year and the time you get with the wife and kids will be more meaningful.

Everyone I know prefers 14/14. I never got to do anything other than 7/7. To me the biggest thing is the people you work with. If you get a long with everyone the time goes by fairly easily. If you all don't get along it can seem like a prison. I have experienced both.

How long have you been at LAO?

I did offshore and overseas work for over 15 years and loved it. Been looking for the right job to get back in just because I love the time off. For the people saying you'll miss your kids growing up, that isn't necessarily true.

Let me ask you, working on land now, how many times do you bring your kid to school, practice, lunch dates, etc? I would bet that answer is none. Working on land, you get home at what, 6pm? They go to bed at 9ish? That's 3 hours x's 5 days...15 hours. 24hrs Saturday, 24 hours Sunday. That's 63hrs a week. 252hrs a month.

With none of this:

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bring your kid to school, practice, lunch dates, etc?

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On a 14/14 schedule you'd get two solid weeks with them. Call it 12 days to take out your travel to and from the heliport...and that's being generous because if you live close to the heliport like you're planning, you'd be home before noon. That's 288hrs spent with them AND you'd be able to do this:

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bring your kid to school, practice, lunch dates, etc?

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It's definitely not for everyone. As mentioned above, you have to have a strong wife. I do. She has to have a good support staff around her (her Mom and MIL) who can help with the little things. But it's a great living and if you're good at your job, work safe and get along with folks, you stand a good chance of getting hired by the client.

I'd jump on it.

eta: 14/14 is the way to go IMO.