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nzwasp
09-13-2016, 10:13 PM
Is camp life as great as this video depicts:


https://youtu.be/qM_m-Hf8AiY

I found out that I have to go to camp for the next six weeks starting this weekend. I get to come back (i think) on weekends. Never ever worked north of edmonton before so it will be all new to me.

redblack
09-13-2016, 10:34 PM
I've stayed in various camps for about 6 years, try to get LOA if you can...

HiTempguy1
09-13-2016, 10:37 PM
Camp life quality is almost strictly based on how new the camp is. What site?

Be prepared for mediocre, rich/fatty food. And awful hvac. Some camps are definitely better than others. God help you if you are at Chelsea or Calmut at CNRL lol.

nzwasp
09-13-2016, 11:08 PM
Fort hills. The one in the video

AndyL
09-13-2016, 11:50 PM
Fort hills is awesome ;)

Camps range - from shithole to the Hilton. Mostly its what you choose to make of them, want it to be a prison - that's what it is...

Except kearlcatraz - fuck that place ;) lol (joke sorta)

l/l/rX
09-14-2016, 02:03 AM
Originally posted by nzwasp
Fort hills. The one in the video

Fort Hills is the creme de la creme of camps because it's a permanent camp, you should feel lucky you're going there. You'll be fine. There are WAY shittier types of camps out there that I've personally stayed in. And yes like AndyL said, everything is compared to the Hilton, although I'd compare Fort Hills as the W of camps.

nzwasp
09-14-2016, 06:18 AM
Would kearlcatraz be run by imperial because I might end up there in a couple of years?

nzwasp
09-14-2016, 06:49 AM
Originally posted by redblack
I've stayed in various camps for about 6 years, try to get LOA if you can...

I'm not sure what that is although as a employee of a vendor I don't think we get any extra compensation or overtime for being up there. So it's more going to be for the experience than a lucrative adventure for me.

ExtraSlow
09-14-2016, 07:11 AM
Camps are what you make of them. You need to be mentally strong to keep busy and not to harm your health while up there. The big camps at least have some healthy food options on the menu. Some of the smaller camps are serving fried food every meal.

if there are any correspondence courses you wanted to take, camp life is the time to do it.

AndyL
09-14-2016, 09:05 AM
Originally posted by nzwasp
Would kearlcatraz be run by imperial because I might end up there in a couple of years?

Kearl is an imperial oil project.

Wapasu isn't terrible - but the people there and the management is fucking terrible. I could do years at for hills without bitching, I've never managed to go more than a week at wapasu without nearly ending up in a mental health facility...

redblack
09-14-2016, 09:23 AM
Don't forget to fap every night to sleep

nzwasp
09-14-2016, 09:27 AM
Originally posted by redblack
Don't forget to fap every night to sleep

I would think porn would be blocked at site...

lasimmon
09-14-2016, 09:27 AM
Work. Eat. Workout. Sleep.

That's what I did in camp and the work week would fly by. Plus you get in shape.

nickyh
09-14-2016, 09:30 AM
when my husband was up at camp he would use ear plugs at night to sleep, some guys would stay up until the wee hours playing cards or whatever.
Shared washroom, so he took sandals to shower in so he wouldn't have to touch the over used shower floors.

he was at a CNRL camp, I can't remember which one, but he thought the food was pretty good.

the best part he liked was flying up on the charter planes, full breakfast or dinner on the way there / back. not the pretzel crap you get on air canada or westjet.

nzwasp
09-14-2016, 09:38 AM
Originally posted by nickyh
when my husband was up at camp he would use ear plugs at night to sleep, some guys would stay up until the wee hours playing cards or whatever.
Shared washroom, so he took sandals to shower in so he wouldn't have to touch the over used shower floors.

he was at a CNRL camp, I can't remember which one, but he thought the food was pretty good.

the best part he liked was flying up on the charter planes, full breakfast or dinner on the way there / back. not the pretzel crap you get on air canada or westjet.

Does your husband still go to camps on occasion, my wife and i are trying to figure out the best solution for managing how to pickup our kids etc. Currently we do a drop off/pick up daycare situation since she has to work 8.5 hours of course wont have that luxury anymore - i think i read somewhere you have kids. She was thinking of working less hours which is brutal since I wont be compensated extra - luckily this is reasonably short term arrangement.

I wear ear plugs to sleep on a regular basis so that part wont be a change.

infected
09-14-2016, 09:59 AM
There's more than one camp in and around Fort Hills. Do you know which one you'll be staying at?

bjstare
09-14-2016, 10:14 AM
Camp life isn't bad. Having said that, I've always been in pretty good camps and have had uplift that ranged from pretty good to double my salary good. You can make it through 6 weeks up there no problem, the time will fly by. I wouldn't want to go longer than that without negotiating uplift.

I've stayed at a few, and I thought Wapasu was a shit hole (didn't actually have to stay there, only had training there), Beaver Creek exec lodge next door wasn't much better. Best experience I had was at Blacksand executive lodge. When I was there they had a red seal chef, such good food. My room had two queen beds, so I used one to sit in while I was snacking and watching TV (so I could make a mess) and the other for sleeping :bigpimp:

quick_scar
09-14-2016, 10:18 AM
Originally posted by nzwasp


I would think porn would be blocked at site...

We don't block it in our field. Guys/girls are spending weeks at a time out there, away from their families and friends, conveniences of home, etc... Why take away more then you absolutely have to? Don't know about other companies or camps though.

nzwasp
09-14-2016, 10:32 AM
Originally posted by infected
There's more than one camp in and around Fort Hills. Do you know which one you'll be staying at?

Not sure yet. Im hoping the new one. My coworker said it was pretty good. I am still waiting on more details all I know is they want me up there for this sunday but I have no other details to go on.


Originally posted by cjblair
Camp life isn't bad. Having said that, I've always been in pretty good camps and have had uplift that ranged from pretty good to double my salary good. You can make it through 6 weeks up there no problem, the time will fly by. I wouldn't want to go longer than that without negotiating uplift.

I've stayed at a few, and I thought Wapasu was a shit hole (didn't actually have to stay there, only had training there), Beaver Creek exec lodge next door wasn't much better. Best experience I had was at Blacksand executive lodge. When I was there they had a red seal chef, such good food. My room had two queen beds, so I used one to sit in while I was snacking and watching TV (so I could make a mess) and the other for sleeping :bigpimp:

My coworker told me that some companies have cancelled uplift due to the economy. My onsite coworker said you only get it if you have been there a month or more.

nzwasp
09-14-2016, 10:42 AM
Originally posted by quick_scar


We don't block it in our field. Guys/girls are spending weeks at a time out there, away from their families and friends, conveniences of home, etc... Why take away more then you absolutely have to? Don't know about other companies or camps though.

I guess there will be policies around that sort of thing. I think when I worked for Nexen we didnt block it for long lake however that was 9 years ago.

HiTempguy1
09-14-2016, 11:00 AM
Originally posted by nickyh

he was at a CNRL camp, I can't remember which one, but he thought the food was pretty good.

the best part he liked was flying up on the charter planes, full breakfast or dinner on the way there / back. not the pretzel crap you get on air canada or westjet.

All CNRL camps besides the new Richardson one are garbage. Richardson is A+.

The breakfast/dinners are pretty mediocre. I guess it depends on the scale you use. I use the "how does it compare to what I make at home" scale. Some people compare to restaurants for scale. Other people use the "if its edible its 10/10 scale".

Also, OP, video didn't work for me :dunno:

Yea, camp for 5 days a week and back on weekends isn't bad. Camp for 4 weeks straight on 14-16 hour days? I was literally ready to kill people. :guns:

nzwasp
09-14-2016, 11:04 AM
Originally posted by HiTempguy1


All CNRL camps besides the new Richardson one are garbage. Richardson is A+.

The breakfast/dinners are pretty mediocre. I guess it depends on the scale you use. I use the "how does it compare to what I make at home" scale. Some people compare to restaurants for scale. Other people use the "if its edible its 10/10 scale".

Also, OP, video didn't work for me :dunno:

Yea, camp for 5 days a week and back on weekends isn't bad. Camp for 4 weeks straight on 14-16 hour days? I was literally ready to kill people. :guns:

video on this page
http://forthills.suncor.com/en/staying_here.aspx

Lustypad
09-14-2016, 11:15 AM
I like the camp life, been doing it 7/7 for 2 years now. You'll survive 6 weeks no problem. My camp has shaw internet that is unrestricted for your use, I brought my own router and plugged it in in the room for more privacy and having a wired connection on multiple things. Obviously the work computers are on a separate network routed through the head office network.

As mentioned, bring gym clothes it is a good thing to spend an hour in the gym after the day of work.

I don't get to go for lunch, have to pack a bagged lunch. The breakfast is all the regular stuff, omlettes/pancakes/eggs/sausage/bacon. Supper ranges from steak night to chinese and indian food. None of the supper food would be the best food ever but there's always something worth eating generally, we also have a fast food lane with your regular fries/burgers/chicken nuggets type things as well. Packed lunches involve yesterdays foods in packaged containers, sandwiches, cookies/baked goods, and fruits/vegetables.

Sounds like you'll know people that are already up there, that'll at least help keep the evenings busy. Are you working 8 or 12 hour days, 8 hour days up there would lead to some boring evenings I think.

nzwasp
09-14-2016, 12:50 PM
Im unsure what my hours would be up there. If there's no OT specced in our project we could be just doing 8 hours a day but im hoping there is because I do get pretty bored at night although I will probably try and spend some time at the gym. And im hoping there is because I'd like to get paid a bit more for being there.

AndyL
09-14-2016, 02:14 PM
Pretty sure the standard is 10s there...

I know us trying to squeeze in 12s caused issues (mostly with safety / permits and early for breakfast late for dinner) - wasn't possible if you didn't have company truck for transport.

It wasn't hard to kill off the evening, between lounge theatre, a few groups / clubs, the gym (even if you don't participate - you want to watch the yoga class ;) ) pretty sure I saw ESL and GED offered as courses.

Darkane
09-14-2016, 06:31 PM
Camp is not bad at all.

7/7 shift is gravy.

Great food (healthy options)
Private gym
Lounge area with satellite
Pool, ping pong, other amenities.
Cable in the rooms, queens beds, gyprock walls much quieter.

Number one advice, workout with a goal in mind. Try to get stronger and not just go through the motions.

zaider
09-14-2016, 06:44 PM
Camp's pretty good, but it obviously depends on which camp. Ive been up at Albian (Shell) for a few years and I love it. Much better than office work and 7/7 shift is amazing. Days go by quick and we've got a bar... so thats always nice.

I get pretty tired working 4:45am-6:30pm but having a week off more than makes up for it. Having a cross-shift is amazing.. leave work and dont have to worry about it anymore.

Bring up your own router (I use this one: https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B007PTCFFW/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

Bring gym clothes (although I use them less than Id thought i would... never want to go after the long/early days).

I have a locker up there, so I leave my own pillow (theirs sucks), toiletries, etc up there.

Beware of using the laundry. People have had their clothes wrecked.

Beware of how easy it is to eat unhealthy.

revelations
09-14-2016, 08:23 PM
I've always done best in camps from a personal stand-point. I was much more focused on and off the job as there was little in the way of distractions and tons of personal growth opportunity after hours. Gym, reading, outdoors, online courses, etc.

Some camps felt like space stations (sterile, aluminum everywhere) but others were like an oasis in the middle of mud and bugs.

If you're self-initiating, you'll do well. Those who need to be told what to do, seem to just plop on a lazy boy and watch TV all evening.

Darkane
09-14-2016, 08:48 PM
Originally posted by revelations
I've always done best in camps from a personal stand-point. I was much more focused on and off the job as there was little in the way of distractions and tons of personal growth opportunity after hours. Gym, reading, outdoors, online courses, etc.

Some camps felt like space stations (sterile, aluminum everywhere) but others were like an oasis in the middle of mud and bugs.

If you're self-initiating, you'll do well. Those who need to be told what to do, seem to just plop on a lazy boy and watch TV all evening.

Spot on.

Make some goals, attack them with gumption. Profit.

nzwasp
09-14-2016, 10:28 PM
Thanks for the advice

03ozwhip
09-15-2016, 02:56 AM
you're lucky you're going up there. I've been to quite a few camps and am still at a camp mentioned in the thread, I'll just say that it is how you make it, no matter how bad or good it is up there.

on my plane, you just get snacks and drinks and that's probably all you will get too, they've cut down on all of that and no option to buy anything either.

if you have any questions, you can PM me.

nickyh
09-15-2016, 06:36 AM
Thankfully he was short lived at camp before we had the little one, so the whole pick up / drop off issue didn't come into play.

chathamf
09-15-2016, 08:16 AM
Originally posted by nzwasp


video on this page
http://forthills.suncor.com/en/staying_here.aspx

I'm currently working at Fort Hills but staying off site at Beaver River Lodge. The two camps on the Fort Hills site are top notch. It's not even camp life really. Amazing food, amazing gyms, ball parks, golf simulators, etc. Just going up for the work week will be a joke no worries there. I haven't stayed at the ones on site yet, but everyone raves about them. Even Beaver River is pretty decent. Hotel sized rooms, private bathrooms, order your food on an ipad and pick it up when it's ready. All depends what camps you've been at before. If you are starting at these ones you will be spoiled and think any camp after this is garbage. I've stayed at shitty camps years ago, back to a really good camp, back to a shitty one and now here. So I can appreciate a good one when I get it, but can handle the shitty ones when they pop up.

I just work eat and sleep and the time goes by pretty fast. Sucks being away from the family, but you keep so busy that all of a sudden and it's flyday.

nzwasp
09-15-2016, 12:54 PM
I found out my schedule its 7 days on 7 days off. I guess how my company works it is you dont get OT but you do get the following week off work... I guess I will have to find something to do - much rather just have the extra income.

chathamf
09-15-2016, 01:39 PM
Originally posted by nzwasp
I found out my schedule its 7 days on 7 days off. I guess how my company works it is you dont get OT but you do get the following week off work... I guess I will have to find something to do - much rather just have the extra income.

Must be something crooked they are doing to deny you of any overtime. Hardly worth going up without making those OT bucks.

nzwasp
09-15-2016, 02:24 PM
I think my boss is playing it safe because he doesn't really know too much yet.

bjstare
09-15-2016, 02:46 PM
Originally posted by chathamf


Must be something crooked they are doing to deny you of any overtime. Hardly worth going up without making those OT bucks.

Well that's one way of looking at it. Honestly though, for a 6 week commitment, I wouldn't hassle over it.

And the other way of looking at it, is we aren't exactly in the economic climate of 2011.. or 12, or 13, or even 14. Things suck now, and there's probably someone out there willing to go up for less money than you are :dunno:

pheoxs
09-15-2016, 03:01 PM
One week on / On week off is a wonderful schedule. I wouldn't complain at all about that.

brucebanner
09-15-2016, 03:52 PM
Originally posted by nzwasp
I found out my schedule its 7 days on 7 days off. I guess how my company works it is you dont get OT but you do get the following week off work... I guess I will have to find something to do - much rather just have the extra income.

Been doing camp life and working 7/7 schedule for years. We work a minimum of 80 hours during a work week. It's a "compressed" work week, that's the loophole for not paying out OT after 40 hours. Anything over our scheduled work day/week is OT. I'm guessing your company contract will

I've only heard great things about fort hills, you'll be fine.

Darkane
09-15-2016, 06:23 PM
Originally posted by nzwasp
I found out my schedule its 7 days on 7 days off. I guess how my company works it is you dont get OT but you do get the following week off work... I guess I will have to find something to do - much rather just have the extra income.

There is no traditional overtime with this schedule. You should receive 4 hours additional per set worked (7x12=84).

Enjoy your week off and use it to get shit done.

zaider
09-15-2016, 08:52 PM
Yeah - we get a bump (4.7%) in salary when we move to 7/7... because you work 84 hours every two weeks instead of the normal 80.

nzwasp
09-16-2016, 02:28 PM
What do you guys wear under your PPE? I have to get some special HRC2 fire rated stuff and they are telling me only cotton or natural fibers - I dont think I have any clothes that are not a cotton/polyester blend. Also even though I fit a Large normally and I bought XL it still seems like wearing jeans or thick pants under them would be fairly bulky. No idea what to do when it starts getting cold and needing to have a snow jacket or whatever.

JfuckinC
09-16-2016, 02:41 PM
Originally posted by nzwasp
What do you guys wear under your PPE? I have to get some special HRC2 fire rated stuff and they are telling me only cotton or natural fibers - I dont think I have any clothes that are not a cotton/polyester blend. Also even though I fit a Large normally and I bought XL it still seems like wearing jeans or thick pants under them would be fairly bulky. No idea what to do when it starts getting cold and needing to have a snow jacket or whatever.

Get an FR Parka?

I can fit mad clothes under my coveralls and I'm a big dude. I rarely use my parka, just stack layers underneath my Coveralls. Even at -30 i'm ok, other than my fucking hands and feet lol :dunno:

What kind of PPE do you have to wear? Long Johns are obviously required in the winter if you're outside haha..

HiTempguy1
09-16-2016, 02:48 PM
Originally posted by nzwasp
What do you guys wear under your PPE? I have to get some special HRC2 fire rated stuff and they are telling me only cotton or natural fibers - I dont think I have any clothes that are not a cotton/polyester blend. Also even though I fit a Large normally and I bought XL it still seems like wearing jeans or thick pants under them would be fairly bulky. No idea what to do when it starts getting cold and needing to have a snow jacket or whatever.

Hmm, I don't know about the "only cotton or natural fibres" deal for under-wear. I mean, it certainly is SUGGESTED, but I have no idea how they could even police that.

I wear jeans under my coveralls, but it really depends on what I am doing. Are you going to be out in the field much? While I don't care about my appearance much when in camp, its hard to roll into a meeting in sweatpants or pajama pants and feel like you can be taken seriously :rofl:

Layers are your friend, it gets colder faster, and stays colder longer up north. Right now in the mornings, it is about 2*c to 4*c everytime I've been up there in the past 3 weeks. With a long sleeve shirt, coveralls, and a FR hoodie, that should keep you plenty warm. I usually do t-shirt, long sleeve shirt, coveralls, FR hoodie in the winter and are good to go.

For hands, there are some amazing deerskin insulated gloves out there. A+. And any insulated boot will do. I don't like wool, so instead I've had great luck with dual-layer socks (a thin one for wicking next to your skin, a thick one overtop for insulation).

Parkas blow. They are super bulky and I find they don't work well. Maybe when you get up to the $800+ ones, but my $400 one blows. Only time it is absolutely necessary is when it gets down to -40*C or when it is -30*C with tons of wind.

nzwasp
09-16-2016, 03:16 PM
I have to wear FR coveralls, helmet, eye protection with the foam, gloves, and steel toes and I'm an industrial IT guy - our crew is there to install and test the control system. Apparently our control room trailer is exempt from the gloves, eye protection, and helmet.

I will occasionally need to be in the electrical room which is why I need the HRC2 rated coveralls.

I imagine our trailer will be heated / air conned - if not computers would probably freeze too. Can't see myself being outside unless theres activities im not aware of such as installing / testing PLC's at well pads.

jwslam
09-16-2016, 06:03 PM
Originally posted by HiTempguy1
I wear jeans under my coveralls, but it really depends on what I am doing. Are you going to be out in the field much? While I don't care about my appearance much when in camp, its hard to roll into a meeting in sweatpants or pajama pants and feel like you can be taken seriously :rofl:
I'm an office boy who generally wears jeans + polo shirt. Sometimes I put on the blues to go to meetings just to be taken seriously by the operators.

AndyL
09-16-2016, 06:19 PM
It matters and the CSO's at fort hills do check. (They were checking us that we weren't commando under FR coveralls in the summer)

Reasoning polyester melts - FR is for the flash - whatever's under is likely to burn too. Will anything burn at fort hills anytime soon ... Probably not. But they're working to instill the mindset for operational. You'll see some pictures in orientation from an oilsands fire, polyester melted to someone... It ain't pretty.

The work store (work world?) down beside hilti 42xblackfoot was pretty damn good at finding me stuff to wear - and we're familiar with the individual sites intricacies on PPE.

Carhartt duck pants and a cotton tee / hoodie was my goto. No they never checked my underroos for polyester - if fire got that far - you were up schitts Creek anyway...

nzwasp
09-27-2016, 05:18 AM
Well flying out this morning and it was pretty touch and go there since the airport security guy thought I was carrying illegal drugs with me onto the plane.

I have to self inject testosterone every 2 weeks and so I brought my medicine and needles etc. Obviously it all looks bad plus the guy had never heard of medical testosterone before.

One minute he was telling me that I can't get on the flight and that I would need a doctors note and then the next he was taking photos of my id badges and license and meds and needles.

After a call to his boss I was allowed on with a warning to get as much info as possible before I fly up.

pfis300
12-03-2016, 05:03 PM
Originally posted by nzwasp
Well flying out this morning and it was pretty touch and go there since the airport security guy thought I was carrying illegal drugs with me onto the plane.

I have to self inject testosterone every 2 weeks and so I brought my medicine and needles etc. Obviously it all looks bad plus the guy had never heard of medical testosterone before.

One minute he was telling me that I can't get on the flight and that I would need a doctors note and then the next he was taking photos of my id badges and license and meds and needles.

After a call to his boss I was allowed on with a warning to get as much info as possible before I fly up.

Typical, all needs to be labeled, how did you end up enjoying it up here?

nzwasp
12-03-2016, 08:35 PM
It's pretty good I ended up being extended until next September. And we are getting uplift now too with back pay so that makes it more worth it. The group of guys I work with are pretty good. Going to lots of workout classes and also bought a laptop to play games on. The lodge rooms are pretty good and dedicated 25meg internet each too.

pfis300
12-04-2016, 09:34 AM
Originally posted by nzwasp
It's pretty good I ended up being extended until next September. And we are getting uplift now too with back pay so that makes it more worth it. The group of guys I work with are pretty good. Going to lots of workout classes and also bought a laptop to play games on. The lodge rooms are pretty good and dedicated 25meg internet each too.

Which company are you with? Which area are you in? I'm in OPP and E&T

nzwasp
12-04-2016, 04:38 PM
Honeywell. We are currently doing opp, and e&t and I also work often in the control centre you?

pfis300
12-04-2016, 05:01 PM
I am frequently in the control center, I'm a back-up Control Room Specialist for OPP and E&T - been working with Kalvin, Raj and Michael a lot. Just left there 20 minutes ago, was doing some loops on OPP Wet

speedog
12-04-2016, 05:04 PM
Missed connection?

nzwasp
12-04-2016, 05:25 PM
Lol nope I'm on 8 and 6 and I'm off shift at the moment. I go back on Tuesday. And i don't know any of those guys. There are two Honeywell groups the hvac guys and the control system experion guys. I'm in the latter group.

pfis300
12-04-2016, 06:05 PM
Originally posted by nzwasp
Lol nope I'm on 8 and 6 and I'm off shift at the moment. I go back on Tuesday. And i don't know any of those guys. There are two Honeywell groups the hvac guys and the control system experion guys. I'm in the latter group.

Ah gotcha, I've been working with the DCS guys.

nzwasp
12-04-2016, 06:33 PM
Yeah I'm part of the dcs guys. I think raj is a Honeywell guy testing loops with some contractors at the moment. They sit in the control centre where as I sit in the Engineering room. However I'm a network / systems guy so not associated or doing loop checking at all. I do however support the loop checkers with their USB transfers in and out if the control system. You probably don't have to wear coveralls whereas I always have to wear them even in the control center.

My last shift of the year is coming up this week but then from January I'm up there until august at the earliest

pfis300
12-04-2016, 06:38 PM
Originally posted by nzwasp
Yeah I'm part of the dcs guys. I think raj is a Honeywell guy testing loops with some contractors at the moment. They sit in the control centre where as I sit in the Engineering room. However I'm a network / systems guy so not associated or doing loop checking at all. I do however support the loop checkers with their USB transfers in and out if the control system. You probably don't have to wear coveralls whereas I always have to wear them even in the control center.

My last shift of the year is coming up this week but then from January I'm up there until august at the earliest

All of them are with Honeywell (at least from our view contractually) - but yeah I believe most of the loop & function check guys are 3rd party contractors to Honeywell. I am not required to wear coveralls no, as I don't go into active electrical work areas often.

I do spend time in the engineering room if we have deficiencies to review with graphics or any incorrect logic, but I'm usually at the panels

What's your name? I introduced myself to most of the group in that room on a few occasions