The Perth Thread

[Teriyakicat]

They wouldn't have to weave if slowpoke flogs didn't camp in the right lane.

You're obviously not that familiar with speeding aggressive drivers.

A little from Column A, a little from Column B.

Nobody needs to weave. Overtaking someone camped in either lane at 20-30 under the speed 'limit' (and remember it's a 'limit', not a 'challenge') when there's a dream run in front of that slow car is one thing- but overtaking them, then weaving in and out of other people going at about the speed limit is an entirely different kettle of fish.

I quite enjoy meeting up again with these people at the next set of traffic lights, after they've whizzed past me at 20 over the limit and I'm sitting maybe 3-4 over. I give them my secret wink and a huge grin and think, "See you at the next lights, baby!"

 

[Teriyakicat]

You need to get yourself a FIFO job.

Free full on fry ups every morning and all it costs you is your sanity.

and your waistline

 

[Borry]

Yeah I could easily see myself needing to rely on exercise in the hot sun to try and sweat off the kilos from all that food.

 

[Scotland]

Last site I spent any time at had cereals, toast, fresh fruit, poached eggs etc. available at breakfast time. Didn't some the pot-bellied workers from loading up their plates with bacon, sausages and fried eggs.

 

[Teriyakicat]

Last site I spent any time at had cereals, toast, fresh fruit, poached eggs etc. available at breakfast time. Didn't some the pot-bellied workers from loading up their plates with bacon, sausages and fried eggs.

I put about 4kg on over 3 years on site- ate a cooked breakfast every day, rode my push bike home for lunch most days, then had another hot meal at tea-time- plus dessert(s)!



Would've put on heaps more weight but for the fact I played sport every weekend and worked all day.

Then I went out bush and skipped all the meals at the mess. All we took with us every day was cereal, bread, salad meats etc. and we were back too late in the evening for our late meal
I lost those 4 kgs easily!

 

[Scotland]

4kg in 3 years is nothing. I reckon most people going to site for the first time put in 4kg in 3 weeks.

 

[Teriyakicat]

4kg in 3 years is nothing. I reckon most people going to site for the first time put in 4kg in 3 weeks.

If I hadn't been running around so much, it would've been 40, I'm sure. I had quite the little pot belly happening.

 

[PunyHumans!!!]

Yeah I put the weight on when doing FIFO...even though been a drillers offsider was pretty physical work. Got worse when I started working the levers....there was a free gym but the allure of lazing about and feasting on the food on offer was too much

 

[Teriyakicat]

Yeah I put the weight on when doing FIFO...even though been a drillers offsider was pretty physical work. Got worse when I started working the levers....there was a free gym but the allure of lazing about and feasting on the food on offer was too much

and going into the wet mess on site is always a bad move ....

 

[Freofalcon]

I've been FIFO on and off for the last eight years and it's so easy to get sucked into the gluttonous lifestyle. Everything is on tap and laid out in a bain-marie and all you have to do is shovel it into your gob.

After getting sick and tired of waking up with hangovers and passing out due to food comas, I had to reassess my habits when on site. I now have a light breakfast and save the fry up for Sunday mornings. My crib consists of fruit salad and tuna salad or chicken salad. Two mids after work quenches my thirst and I play tennis every second night to keep active.

It's too long a days work up there to wake up feeling like shit.

 

[Hellgood]

I've been FIFO on and off for the last eight years and it's so easy to get sucked into the gluttonous lifestyle. Everything is on tap and laid out in a bain-marie and all you have to do is shovel it into your gob.

After getting sick and tired of waking up with hangovers and passing out due to food comas, I had to reassess my habits when on site. I now have a light breakfast and save the fry up for Sunday mornings. My crib consists of fruit salad and tuna salad or chicken salad. Two mids after work quenches my thirst and I play tennis every second night to keep active.

It's too long a days work up there to wake up feeling like shit.

I got some vac work up on site last year in PH and enjoyed the experience. It's bloody strange at first, but I found the lifestyle really interesting. Copped a bit of stick on the first couple of days for having nfi when it comes to the mess and crib collection customs (probably doesn't help I look about sixteen), but was lucky to work with a great crew so was able to socialise with them instead of falling into the trap of sleeping as soon as you get back to your room at 5. Can imagine how miserable and depressing it could be if you didn't have a good bunch around you. Was pretty lucky though in that the camp was brand new, food was quality and that it was actually situated in a town where you could get out and see things (those familiar with South Hedland may beg to differ) - people assured me that being on a remote minesite with no such opportunities can be thoroughly depressing.

 

[The_Reaper]

How much does beer cost up north?

 

[Scotland]

How much does beer cost up north?

Are you talking town or site?

Biiiiig difference.

 

[Freofalcon]

I got some vac work up on site last year in PH and enjoyed the experience. It's bloody strange at first, but I found the lifestyle really interesting. Copped a bit of stick on the first couple of days for having nfi when it comes to the mess and crib collection customs (probably doesn't help I look about sixteen), but was lucky to work with a great crew so was able to socialise with them instead of falling into the trap of sleeping as soon as you get back to your room at 5. Can imagine how miserable and depressing it could be if you didn't have a good bunch around you. Was pretty lucky though in that the camp was brand new, food was quality and that it was actually situated in a town where you could get out and see things (those familiar with South Hedland may beg to differ) - people assured me that being on a remote minesite with no such opportunities can be thoroughly depressing.

It is a lifestyle and It can be easy to slip into a shitty routine.

It is what it is and only you can make it tolerable for yourself. There are things to do if you want and if you don't feel too tired after every shift. Like I said, I play tennis, darts, indoor cricket ( outdoor nets ) etc. We had a quiz night the other night and it was a good night out.

 

[Freofalcon]

How much does beer cost up north?

Up at Roy Hill it's mids only.

$3 a beer, $5 pre mix.

 

[Freofalcon]

I got some vac work up on site last year in PH and enjoyed the experience. It's bloody strange at first, but I found the lifestyle really interesting. Copped a bit of stick on the first couple of days for having nfi when it comes to the mess and crib collection customs (probably doesn't help I look about sixteen), but was lucky to work with a great crew so was able to socialise with them instead of falling into the trap of sleeping as soon as you get back to your room at 5. Can imagine how miserable and depressing it could be if you didn't have a good bunch around you. Was pretty lucky though in that the camp was brand new, food was quality and that it was actually situated in a town where you could get out and see things (those familiar with South Hedland may beg to differ) - people assured me that being on a remote minesite with no such opportunities can be thoroughly depressing.

Were you at Mooka ?

 

[Scotland]

There's a big difference between residential and FIFO also.

Plenty of people live in Port Hedland, Newman, Karratha etc. and work 8 hours a day, Monday to Friday. It's a 'normal' lifestyle, just transplanted away from the city.

FIFO workers on 8/6 or 2/1, 3/1, 4/1, 6/2 etc. work 12 hour shifts (days and/or nights depending on the roster and role) and work dominates the time spent on site. The trade-off for that (other than cashhhh) is that the time spent at home has no work whatsoever. It's a different lifestyle which some love and some hate.

 

[Freofalcon]

There's a big difference between residential and FIFO also.

Plenty of people live in Port Hedland, Newman, Karratha etc. and work 8 hours a day, Monday to Friday. It's a 'normal' lifestyle, just transplanted away from the city.

FIFO workers on 8/6 or 2/1, 3/1, 4/1, 6/2 etc. work 12 hour shifts (days and/or nights depending on the roster and role) and work dominates the time spent on site. The trade-off for that (other than cashhhh) is that the time spent at home has no work whatsoever. It's a different lifestyle which some love and some hate.

It can be tough on families.

You go missing for a couple of weeks and your wife can get shitty cause you're not at home, or you are at home for a week and your wife gets shitty cause you're always underfoot.

 

[Scotland]

Absolutely. Some people can adjust and some can't, but even if you can it takes a lot of getting used to.

I think it's a shame that so few residential opportunities exist relative to FIFO nowadays. Living in a small town can be a great experience for a young family. Young kids know no different if they're playing in the Pilbara or suburbia, but they know when their Dad isn't around for weeks at a time.

It's a great option for young people with no commitments, though.

 

[Freofalcon]

Absolutely. Some people can adjust and some can't, but even if you can it takes a lot of getting used to.

I think it's a shame that so few residential opportunities exist relative to FIFO nowadays. Living in a small town can be a great experience for a young family. Young kids know no different if they're playing in the Pilbara or suburbia, but they know when their Dad isn't around for weeks at a time.

It's a great option for young people with no commitments, though.

My sisters husband was FIFO for about five years, six on and one off, until he was promoted to a managerial role based in Newman. Now my sister and her kids moved up there and are now quite settled.

I think my poor brother in law suffered the biggest culture shock of them all. If you knew my sister, you'd know what I mean.

 

[gaskin]

I know myself I could never do it buy my cousin is up there on the mines in his last year (I think) of a diesel mechanic apprenticeship doing 2/1 and he loves it. I had another cousin do 6/2 and he loved that as well.

 

[Scotland]

People doing 8/6 or 2/1 at new, modern sites in WA that squeal like stuck pigs need to give 8/2 out of West Africa a try.

 

[Hellgood]

Were you at Mooka ?

Referring to the camp? Think it was called Gateway.

 

[HBF]

I quite like the short ferry trip across the Swan River.

And the best Souvlaki's when you get to South Perth.

 

[Freofalcon]

People doing 8/6 or 2/1 at new, modern sites in WA that squeal like stuck pigs need to give 8/2 out of West Africa a try.

No thanks. I've heard some scary stories.