Member Since: August 2, 2009
Answers: 1
Last Update: August 2, 2009
Visitors: 442
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I've heard a whole bunch of stories lately of what happens to guys who go to work up in the oil rig camps in Northern Alberta Canada. One was that because it's so cold up there, that they have nothing to do but spend all their money on alcohol or drugs. They make a ton of money and spend it on drugs or alhohol because it's too cold to do anything else. I heard that some come back as addicts. I also heard some guys become addicted to porn because there are no woman up there.
This concerns me because right now a male friend of mine is working up there as a cook. I hardly ever hear from him. I know he works his ass off, and doesnt get a break for two weeks.
Has any one else heard any stories like these? (link)
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Booze was king, in the 80's, early 90's. The oilpatch ran on booze literally. From the rig hands to the camp staff - it was alcohol daze.
Not blaming anyone, not protecting anyone either, life out there is life and most times in very harsh, isolated conditions. 12 hour days in 30 below was the norm. Got to the point, some contractors preferred their staff to smoke the weed, so at least they could get up in the morning and get a days work in. Seismic hands are
famous for the weed.
Worked last winter in Fort McMurray of tars sands fame - seen an entire busload of kitchen staff when they got out of camp - race to the bar to gush booze down their faces. All camps have an official "no drinking" policy but that is "official" They were only at a pitstop and the bus driver refused to take them to Edmonton because they were LOADED.
This is not a character issue, these folks were so stressed out and overworked and pressure to protect their jobs - running their ass off in a kitchen for 12+ hours straight is huge stress, so yes, the patch has drug/booze issues.
What is getting somewhat better is the kitchen staff sleeping with the rig hands to keep their jobs. If you party with the boss, your ok and if you slept with him - you were better!
Here is the pecking order for oilpatch sex.... rig manager gets number one preference, then driller, then derrick hand, motor hand, then last the roughnecks. Not so common anymore these days, but life is life and sex is sex and it will never end. Lot of women actually like it out there cause they are so undesireable in town but when they get out in the bush - they are queens and it gets to their heads.
Bit tamer these days, as for your cook friend, lots of cooks take off the pressure with the "weed" it was so bad if you "didn't" partake - you were outcast and considered a spy or rat.
Ask him, also if he is working with female staff - strange things done, under the midnight sun and attachments/loyalties build fast out in no man's land.
Been in and out of this biz for over 20 years, I am pure full of experience. Not all get drugged or drunk but the nature of this work, isolation, hard hours, job stress, dealing with backstabbers and other job stealers. It is VERY stressful.
But if your cook buddy is smart, he will know how to save and get the hell out of that business before it sux the life out of him!
no companies, names have been mentioned in this little bit of educational tirade but all I have stated was and is true.
There are many good camps/ but the bad situations are still out there. Depends on the management.
In the end, the shorter your bud stays in this business, the better off his prospects.
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