I want a Slope job again (Palmer, Chickaloon: home, rent, income)

[4theluvofgold]

I've worked the slope before. It was my favorite job. I then got my hand smashed up by Chickaloon by a big rock and wasn't able to go back up to work there till my Physical Therapy was completed. That took 9 months to get the Ok to go back to work full time. I got a desk job, typical 5 days 8 hours and only 2 days off in a row.

I got help for going to school for welding but it was in Oregon. So I went thinking I could get a job up there if I was certified and was knowledgeable. I went to Oregon to do the school, and lived here the short time during it. Now I'm just doing a job, (Not even welding cause the welding jobs are less money unless their union, and those are booked up till next year)

I'm still an Alaskan resident, I've never changed my license. I'm here for school and that was it.

So getting enough money up to make the move is difficult at the Oregon wages I'm making for my family of 3 (they also have income tax which makes the wages even less take home then Alaska!)

If anybody knows of a way to get up on the slope, I've done the web sites, asrc, veco (now ch2mhill), alexsys and some staffing sources. I use to stop in town and see, but given that would be a flight from Oregon not a small drive from Palmer where I'm really from makes it difficult now.

I liked the 2 x 2 and 3 x 3 but just to get back up my family is willing to do the 6 x 1 rotation. Its that bad. I gotta get a place to rent before we can get up there, and paying rent in Oregon makes it difficult to get there. We are doing nothing here just saving money. I've had ramen for at least 2 meals of the day trying to save.

The most shocking thing to me is this, the Power bill. Here it has been really really mild. People see me in a T-shirt and shorts going out (its a balmy 40 degrees) they think I'm crazy. Back home its about 20 for the high and the power bill is MORE then back home. Not for any good reason, there's less daylight in Palmer so longer needs of lights, its colder and these are all the energy star stuff. Silly really.

But you get my point. Some people didn't like the Jail, I loved it, so I'm trying to get back to it. I want the chunks of time off. I like getting work done and having more time for family. Being home in the evening is nothing when you're tired and don't feel like doing much. But 2 - 3 weeks off is great when you catch up your rest 1 day and have the rest to go do things with.

[Rance]

Alaska Job Center Network

Sounds like you've contacted the proper companies. I don't do any hiring and really have no stroke, so I can't really help you out. You might try the drilling companies like Nabors, Doyon, or Nordic Calista. What about your previous employer?

[4theluvofgold]

They said they've hired everybody they needed. I still keep calling them. Conam Construction. I've checked Nabors, Doyon, not Nordic Calista though.

I almost got a security gig with Doyon.

I know its who you know that gets you up there unless you're native or have the exact skill needed. I got up there before because no natives applied and I was first in line afterwards, kind of a lucky break. But welders were always tight and in need so I figured that would be best. But it doesn't seem like it now.

Even a decent in town shop job would be nice. I just want the wages with the trade. Oregon is around 15.00 an hour, I'm making 17.00 with a job I hardly tried for.