Seeking Jobs. Is the 'boom' in Williston, N.D. legit?

[jkm1864]

Best thing about the oil field is not many people working in it feel entitled to other peoples money. I believe out of 15 years working offshore I have only met two democrats and one of those democrats will never vote democrat again.

 

[Mogambo Guru]

Chevy Silverado. 2002. 5.7 V-8. 4 wheel. LT. Any and all advise is greatly appreciated.

Edit: LOL. It has heated seats. I use it to punk my friends in the south during summer.

Make sure you;

use fully synthetic motor oil, I prefer 5w-30 in the winter, and 10w-30 in the summer
get a block heater
Get your coolant checked for the proper rating
a decent set of tires
and a good batter

SL89 pretty much covered everything, good advise... I mainly just wanted to add you should use synthetic oil... There is a major difference with this starting in the cold... It will also help your battery turn the motor over on the really cold nights.

and your vehicle will be fine.

and hey, good luck! I hear of people from our town that have gone out there and made a lot of money!!

 

[phill4paul]

In other words, gonna want the biggest and baddest battery your truck can handle.

Will do. Thanks again for all the advise!

I mainly just wanted to add you should use synthetic oil... There is a major difference with this starting in the cold... It will also help your battery turn the motor over on the really cold nights.

I've been debating going to a synthetic. The truck has 120k on it and I have heard that sometimes it is best not to switch to a synthetic after so many miles. The advise given was go ahead and try it. If it smokes change back to regular. So I'll give it a shot all things considered. Thanks.

 

[tod evans]

Don't leave the south without the propper clothing!
Here's a start;



Boots

Long-johns

Outerwear

 

[Mogambo Guru]

^You shouldnt have a problem switching to fully synthetic.. I think the main reason was for older vehicles, the seals werent designed for synthetic and it could leak a little... but your truck it should be no issue at all.

I have an old 1993 chevy 1/2ton that i bought with around 120k, it had always used the regular mineral oil but when i bought it i switched to fully synthetic and have had no problems... In fact i think my truck loves it, especially in the winter.

The synthetic oil doesnt get as hard in the cold, so when you start it in the morning the oil can get to the components of the engine faster... With the conventional mineral oil, you motor actually runs for a few seconds before that oil can to all the parts because it is so hard.

 

[angelatc]

I've heard amazing things about the boom. Anyone from N.D. that can verify the claims of 2% unemployment. Entry level jobs at $60k?

My husband asked his headhunter about it. The guy said he's never seen anything like it - housing shortages, child care shortages, it's practically a miracle.... according to him .the unemployment rate is actually below zero if you factor out people who just really don't want to work.

IIRC, North Dakota's finances are in fine shape, because they don't include any federal money in their budgeting process.

 

[angelatc]

I've been debating going to a synthetic. The truck has 120k on it and I have heard that sometimes it is best not to switch to a synthetic after so many miles. The advise given was go ahead and try it. If it smokes change back to regular. So I'll give it a shot all things considered. Thanks.

I just read the other day that was true in the early days of synthetic oil, but the new versions don't affect the seals in the same way the older formulas did.

 

[angelatc]

at least 642,000, the amount of people who live there already. why do you ask idiotic questions?

Because he's an idiot. Duh.

 

[helmuth_hubener]

Yes, the boom is real. Yes, the rent is high. Yes, this would be a cold and difficult time to move up there and get situated. But I think it would be a good idea anyway. You'll find work.

 

[phill4paul]

Don't leave the south without the propper clothing!

Thanks for the good advise. I am already looking at a military surplus ECWS layering system.

^You shouldnt have a problem switching to fully synthetic.. I think the main reason was for older vehicles, the seals werent designed for synthetic and it could leak a little... but your truck it should be no issue at all.

I just read the other day that was true in the early days of synthetic oil, but the new versions don't affect the seals in the same way the older formulas did.

Thanks! I see no reason not to try the switch and I'm due.

 

[Mogambo Guru]

Phill4paul, I am not sure where you are traveling from... but if you do end up going through with this, I would be willing to put you up for a night or two on your travels, if its on your way... I am just over an hour south east of Fargo, ND. Its always fun to meet a fellow RP supporter! Just somethin to think about.

 

[Len Larson]

Yes it's true. I live in north central ND. I have heard from fellow business owners that employees have walked away from $50K jobs. Pretty much anybody with a good attitude can find work doing whatever they want. Not just oil work either: waiting tables, pounding nails, driving truck, answering the phone or even selling cars. If you're an entrepreneur, there are literally thousands of little opportunities like: Delivering lunches, mobile fueling service, delivery service for elderly, basically anybody who doesn't want to fight the massive traffic jams.

Construction is a good area right now, especially with rebuilding Minot after the flood last summer.

This is not a good season to be moving to ND, but sounds like you have things under control.

Housing is definitely a problem. I would bring a winterized camper trailer even if it only ended up being used for storage space. You can always sell it later.

I would take some reasonable security precautions and also stay away from the nightlife. There has been an explosion of stabbings and shootings, almost always alcohol related.

Don't let fear and uncertainty stop you from doing this. Most people here are good and will treat you right.

Here's a resource for you: North Dakota Job Seekers

 

[Anti Federalist]

I've been debating going to a synthetic. The truck has 120k on it and I have heard that sometimes it is best not to switch to a synthetic after so many miles. The advise given was go ahead and try it. If it smokes change back to regular. So I'll give it a shot all things considered. Thanks.

I'll be the voice of doubt here.

Don't do it.

I smoked a high mileage 360 block years ago, and, while I can't prove it 100%, based on what I saw when I tore that motor apart, I'm convinced the synthetic had something to do with it.

Stick with what works, stay with standard, virgin, oil.

 

[Danke]

Stick with what works, stay with standard, virgin, oil.

And a quart of Lucas Oil.

 

[Zippyjuan]

From what I hear housing is a major problem. Many people living in their own trucks/ campers/ whatever because there are no more beds available.

 

[helmuth_hubener]

Well there are no price controls, so beds are available, but for a nice price.

 

[Zippyjuan]

Well there are no price controls, so beds are available, but for a nice price.

There are physically more people than beds so yes, the prices have been soaring but still not enough to go around.
They are trying to build temporary camps to house everybody.
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/26/us/north-dakota-oil-boom-creates-camps-of-men.html?pagewanted=all

Confronted with the unusual problem of too many unfilled jobs and not enough empty beds to accommodate the new arrivals, North Dakota embraced the camps — typically made of low-slung, modular dormitory-style buildings — as the imperfect solution to keeping workers rested and oil flowing.

But now, even as the housing shortage worsens, towns like this one are denying new applications for the camps. In many places they have come to embody the danger of growing too big too fast, cluttering formerly idyllic vistas, straining utilities, overburdening emergency services and aggravating relatively novel problems like traffic jams, long lines and higher crime.

The grumbling has escalated despite the huge influx of wealth from the boom, largely because it has become clear that growth is overwhelming capacity. Indeed, local leaders note incredulously that a conference on regional infrastructure took place in Colorado last month because the region lacked the facilities to host its own event.

Those newcomers include Ryan Nordstrom, who rolled into town not long ago with a dozen empty cans of energy drink in his passenger seat and $11 in his pocket, the meager remainder of the fuel money his sister had given him when he left Michigan. He had no trouble finding work — one of his first jobs was building camps — but housing was elusive.

He had enough cash to dump all his clothes and buy a brand new wardrobe, but Mr. Nordstrom was forced to live in vagabond style, often sleeping in the back of his car. This month he landed a new job working on an oil rig that included free housing at a camp. He walked into his tiny room in a trailer for the first time with an air of celebration, saying he never imagined how hard it would be to find a place to sleep.

That concern, that people are still arriving despite the housing shortage, is shared by some local leaders, including law enforcement officials who warn that people could die if they try to live in vehicles or other makeshift facilities through the North Dakota winter. But the large paychecks, often totaling more than $100,000 a year, mean that some undoubtedly will take the risk.

Motel rooms in Williston are booked solid, sometimes for years. Rents have quadrupled, and building permits have increased sixfold. Many people are so pressed for a place to stay that they commute two or more hours each day. The lucky ones will get spots at the camps.

 

[Dustancostine]

Thanks for the good advise. I am already looking at a military surplus ECWS layering system.


Thanks! I see no reason not to try the switch and I'm due.

I would suggest a wool Great Coat that goes down to the feet, it gets so cold you don't want to have any area uncovered by your coat.

Also I would suggest wearing boots instead of tennis shoes or any other type of shoes as you want to keep the snow and cold out of your feet. And if you do have boots being from the south make sure they have plenty of tread on the bottom or you will slip and fall. In Texas, our Cowboy boots are smooth on the bottom, don't wear these as you will fall.

 

[Dustancostine]

Interested in two things you have written here. I'm struggling over which is more important. I'll take the the fact that you have 4 businesses first in that I'd hitch hike for a job even if it meant leaving the horse behind. I'll P.M. you regarding employment.

On the other end what fluids do recommend? What kind of vehicle? I'm not familiar w/ extreme cold weather and the affects on vehicles. I am always willing to learn. And generally a quick study.

Phil, I have Cell Phone Accessory stores in Malls, probably not the work you are looking for, 100% retail.

 

[Seraphim]

The same is happening in Alberta and Saskatchewan. The latter is really starting to pick up. The shorfall in labour is now quite apparent.

Migrate there if you are willing to work hard for a bit. If you are legit, you can make 100K a year for 5, 10 years, no problem. MUCH more if you have particular skills.