New To Overseas Questions [Archive] - Rat Pack International, the FIRST and ONLY Overseas Workers Forum

TheJester

03-15-05, 08:24 PM

Bontom

03-17-05, 01:26 PM

Bontom, well, I don't think a workers sex really matters in finding a place for them as long as they know what the hell they are doing, it doesn't matter.
YOU are the first female TRADESPERSON on the site, welcome, you don't see to many of them out here.
Hopefully you are not like the other one I met that didn't do anything at work one day because she just got her hair done and was NOT going to put that hardhat on. :banghead

Oh, hope ya got thick skin too, we bust on each other pretty hard some times, but it is all in good fun. Don't take to much of it seriously.

The Clearance: You don't have to have the job first, but you do have to be hired and the company sending you a ton of paperwork. You can't get a clearance on your own, and being as they are around $28,000 a piece, you wouldn't want to do it yourself.

JA JONES, huh, did they say were they were sending you and when?

Thanks, The Jester
I was trying to send you a private message, but the site wouldn't let me. Anyway I have been working as a Union Electrician since 1979. I don't have nails and my hair,well it's not worth mentioning. I have worked in power houses to fancy office buildings. I'm presently working for Fluor, at a DOE sight.
JA Jones is now owned by Fluor. They advertised in a company paper for craft people. I sent my resume last August.
I know there are some places where they won't hire women. Like in Uzbetistan and maybe some of the other Eastern European countries.
JA Jones was trying to send me to Amenia, but they wanted me to leave in a week. Couldn't get it together that fast. I not sure when I might get a job. I believe my clearence is still in the works. Is there any way to find out. They did have some questions about my credit, but I don't know if tht would stop or not.
I hope people don't take me to seriously either. My kidding is sometimes not understood.
Is JA Jones a good company? Do you work for them? Does one pay for the flight to place of the job?
Bontom

HeadRat

03-18-05, 06:34 AM

If you want to PM him, you should be able to now. If you still can't let me know and we will look into the issue.

You'll have to talk to TheJester about all those questions. I wouldn't expect him on here that much till at least the weekend, he did a TON of work on the site with me to get the NIGHTMARE update/upgrade done, and we still have some other upgrades we are going to do, EEK!

As for your flight, I can answer that, NO, you do not pay for the flight. There is also the "shanghi law" you don't and CAN'T be charged for a ticket home no matter what. If you get a contract like saying something to the affect of something different, tell them you want it changed and don't sign it till it is. Otherwise you void that law.

RatBrother

03-18-05, 07:25 AM

So Sorry Timbo,
I knew that I had the story straight, just the wrong players !!!!!!! I really don't care who's dead corps it was. No one else does either !!
Bontom, yes to one of your questions, Credit Report does play a large part. For the fact, Would you be suspect to sell out Your country to pay off your Debts.
It does take awhile to get all that paper work into the system, and from my experience , there is virtually no way for you to check on the status of your clearance. So are you a Fluor Nuke hand ??? Be patient.

RatBrother

The Wild Rover

03-19-05, 07:32 AM

TheJester

03-19-05, 07:40 AM

I have some good news and some bad news.
One, and I know this will only get me grief from The Wild Rover, but I'm a little skeptical of Union Electricians any more. From what I have seen, there seem to be more worthless bastards and bastardets in the union, than not.

I DO believe they still give the best training and people should go through it when entering a craft, but I can't say, You're Union, you're in.

One other thing, Jones/Fluor has made a deal with a Union in Texas to get Carpenters because the well is so dry. Have your union brothers and sisters up here on the site and I might be able to hook you up.

HeadRat

03-19-05, 08:00 AM

BONTOM, Please, PLEASE, dear GOD, PLEASE, I've filled out the requests, but PLEASE add me to your email list. Every time someone replies to your posts, an email telling you they did is sent to you from the server, this intern sends me your request email.

You're filling up my email server. :LolLolLol

Bontom

03-19-05, 10:54 AM

Thanks guys for all your help. I still don't have a job but am looking forward to one. I love outside the USA.
The Wild Rover and I would both say there are some good union electricians. Its like any thing else, but remember we are all workers trying to make some money. Head Rat you are now in my INBOX. I hope that will help your mail box. :LolLolLol
Are most people who want to work, working right now. I heard JA Jones was getting some good jobs. But I was told they have their regulars to fill a lot the positions. Well heres hoping. Take care everyone.
Bontom

HeadRat

03-19-05, 02:46 PM

Thanks Bontom.

Justus

03-19-05, 04:43 PM

Hi Bontom. I've been with Jones a while now and am currently in Uzbekistan. As far as I know, there are no restrictions for hiring male or female on any job we have right now. The only place I would think a company would not want women is in Middle East, especially someplace like Saudi. Hell, you sure wouldn't want to go there anyway. But for here, there has NEVER been a discussion concerning sex of CLUS. In fact, we had a woman finisher lined up at one point but she changed her mind.

Hope this helps.

Bontom

03-19-05, 04:56 PM

A women did come and interview me about my credit and asked if there was anyone who might try to black mail me. I found that amusing. Also if I had a job over seas I'd be able to pay off my bills with money to spare.
To answer your question, yes I work at Fluor Fernald, part of the DOE complex. It's a clean up site rightnow. It's almost over (yeah)! So yes I'll be patient. I hope I get to meet you guy on one of these jobs.
Bontom

Bontom

03-19-05, 05:02 PM

Hi Justus, A carpenter I know who is working there told me his boss won't hire women. So I don't know. Maybe that was just for carpenters.
How much longer do you have there?
Bontom

Justus

03-19-05, 06:42 PM

OK, I just talked to the PM and he says he NEVER said he wouldn't hire women. He will hire anyone qualified, male or female. Maybe your friend misunderstood something and if so, ask him to please come see me and I will get it straightened out.

How long will I be here? Till the end I guess. Contract completion is January but we will finish before then.

One other comment about this type of work. I saw someone mention it under another heading but I thought it was excellent. I've worked on union jobs in the States before, with the whole union attitude of "my work, your work, don't touch my conduit, I don't do copper, etc. One of the things I really like on these jobs is the willingness of all (ok, MOST) CLUS to do or try (and TheJester don't jump on my with that "willing to learn" stuff, I'm talking different situation in this case) anything asked of them. If mechanical is short handed and have to finish an area and electrical can share a few people to help get it done, it happens. Yes, when you go overseas you will be an electrician, but don't be surprised if supervision asks you to do another phase of work. Maybe some others would like to comment on this also. Come on guys--do you like the cooperation you get from most other workers (notice I said workers, not supervision, LOL)?

The Wild Rover

03-19-05, 08:11 PM

Hey Bontom,
I think you have me confused with that biased asshole Jester. I have never said anything pro or con about Union or non-union. I know everyone has to eat. I would never judge a person that has tried to better his life, or judge a type of labor force based on a limited amount of time in the trade... like never having worked on a Union job in the States...so unlike some people, I let my work talk for me, not my big mouth and foolish attitude.
Thanks,
The Wild Rover

TheJester

03-19-05, 08:26 PM

Hi Justus, A carpenter I know who is working there told me his boss won't hire women. So I don't know. Maybe that was just for carpenters.
How much longer do you have there?
Bontom

If the carpenter was talking about his boss, he wasn't talking about the PM, he was talking about the Site Super, and he is a total DICK. 8 people have refused to come to the site because of working with him previously. I personally, will not work with him again, IETHER, and I'm not the only one.

...confused with that biased asshole Jester...
Biased?

The Wild Rover

03-19-05, 08:54 PM

Yes Jester,
Biased opinions...you said..
"but I'm a little skeptical of Union Electricians any more. From what I have seen, there seem to be more worthless bastards and bastardets in the union, than not." How much Union experience do you have...Ever work a scale job, there is good and bad, and Yes, that is a biased opinion. I would think You of all people would be of a different opinion, considering that some of the people that taught you actually went through an IBEW apprenticeship, and never taught you that Unions were the BEST, or that non-unions were BAD!!! There are bad apples, and good apples in all walks of life, learning to deal with them in a professional manner, instead of judging a type of labor force based on your limited experience, will get you a lot farther in this life. I know you TheJester, and I know WHO taught you, and you were never taught that way by Me, Foggy, Cuffy,Scott,Dick,Ben,Bruce, or a handful of TOP HANDS that have experience, knowledge, and patience enough to take the time to teach younger guys that have NO knowledge about the trades what it takes...I know NONE of them EVER said they were better, or IN, So please don't bite the hand that fed you.
The Wild Rover

TheJester

03-20-05, 12:20 AM

No, no, no, no, you read that wrong Rover.
What I'm saying is that, yes, Union people get the best and CORRECT training, IN MY OPINION (coming from the experience I got of it). Hell, just like you said, I was trained by a Union hand, even though, I, myself, are not Union. I feel like I was taught BY the best to BE the best, in that, I was taught to do just exactly what is expected from me, Professional and Workman like manner. To be sent to a job and need absolutely NO ONE to show me how or what to do. Get in, get the job done, done right, and get the fuck out.
And just to clear the air, I would MUCH rather work with a Union hand than a NON-Union hand, but at the same time, you and I BOTH know for a FACT that we have seen a bunch of "so called union" hands out here, and they don't know all that much or live off the principal "ya can't see it from MY house" or "it's just pipe and wire, as long is it gets from point A to point B, I don't give a shit".
The LATTER TWO are what I DO NOT want to work with. Ease up on me, dude, we are Bros, why ya always haten on me?
So in the end, what I'm saying is Union hands are trained better than non-union, but I want to work with people that are still willing to apply that training and not the ones that want the easy way out.
And Man, Woman, color, union, non-union, I don't give a crap, as long as we can work together and I don't have to come in and REWORK stuff someone did. IEGHT?
PM Me if you have some sort of issue with me. I don't have any with you, I thought we were bros till the end, dude? Ease up on me "poopsy".

TheJester

03-20-05, 12:22 AM

Oh, and by the way:
HOLY SHIT, TWO, count them, TWO posts from Justus in the SAME DAY. Shocker to get even ONE every now and then, but TWO, WHOA!!!
JustUs, you know who I'm talking about, I wouldn't put it past that asshole to say something stupid like that.

Bontom

03-20-05, 05:54 AM

I'm not going to get in the middle of union v. non union, but I know it was the unions that enalble me to become a tradesperson. There is a long history of why unions exist and started. We all are reeping the benefits of union shops. They brought the 8 hour day and vacations. They got the kids out of the work force. They got us better working conditions (safety) and more money. Those are some of the benefits to a union shop. When one steps out of that atmosphere, we should all be open to every fellow working person. I like this work, but I do it for the money. These are my experiences. I have not worked non union, but I have been on jobs with non union and we all tried to get along. Work is a place we go to get money, and hopely have a little fun doing it. There are good and bad trades people everywhere.
Just my two cents.
:cheers
Bontom
You might be right about the one boss not hiring women or being an asshole. Don't know. It's good to find out about these people before you go on a job. Thanks
B

TheJester

03-20-05, 06:01 AM

You might be right about the one boss not hiring women or being an asshole. Don't know. It's good to find out about these people before you go on a job. Thanks
B

I'm pretty sure I know who it was and it was him, he is an asshole, and anyone that would not hire solely based on sex is not even worth talking more about.
Finding stuff out about jobs is more than just what they pay, and that one of the reasons this site is here, spread the word.

Bontom

03-20-05, 06:10 AM

Bontom,
Glad to see a sister Wireman/lady from Ohio on the site. I'm out of the I.B.E.W. also. I hope Fluor is treating you right. Jones will get your clearance, but they will send you out as "interim secret", and that's ok, just to get your feet wet...it also depends on the job. Let us know, and we'll find out who is on the job, and they can make sure everything is ok for you. Take the first step, I know it's a big one, and hard, especially when you make scale back home, but the tax free status and worldly experience is worth it. I'd take it, what can you loose except a spot on "book 2". Just freeze your health and welfare and keep your dues current, and it might be the beginning of something great.
The Wild Rover
Sorry for the confusion. these post kind of get mixed up. I just learning the system.
Fluor is Fluor and if I work for Jones my retirement will continue on. Working on a government job is a lot different then working (ANY WHERE) else. Very long lunch hours :LolLolLol
I keep up my ticket but work for the union on site. I guess I'm already a traveler. You know, travel trash. TEHE :cool:

HeadRat

03-20-05, 06:26 AM

you're sure building your post count. :cheers

Bontom

04-02-05, 05:30 PM

You still out there? What is the latest?

Hi Jester, I'm still here. How are you? Been reading the post about the per diem. I asked the prez. here at Fluor Fernald about the taxing of the per diem and he said they (Fluor/J.A. Jones) has been taxing for the last couple years. He just came back from a Nuke clean up job in England. I also asked him how long it takes to get a clearance. He said it could take up to a year. I think it depends on how fast the company pushes for it. Know anything about that?
I'm just about ready to get out of here. (Nuke Site) This place is about 3/4 of the way torn down. I think Dick Smith is waiting for me to be closer to being laid off.
Can I apply at any other company? Or would I have go through the investigation again for my clearance?
I just paid for the first two months, so you'll see me around.
Well you take care, and everyone else out there.
Bontom

TheJester

04-02-05, 08:22 PM

I know you want to get out there and be a part of it all, but there is one SNAG with applying at another company.

You can ONLY HAVE ONE clearance investigation going at once. If JA is doing one, and you apply at another company that is going to do one, for some reason they cancel each other out.

You CAN go ahead and apply at another company, your best shot as a Newbie would be Zachry, but MAKE SURE, if you apply at another company, you tell the NEW company you are applying for that JA has started the paperwork. Otherwise, you could get your paperwork voided and halted, never even knowing it all the while.

Good to hear you will be around. You are one of the most talkative "newbie" on here.

HeadRat

04-03-05, 04:25 AM

What he said.

Bontom, you did the right and wrong thing with the subscriptions. :LolLolLol

You signed up for two monthly subscriptions that would have charged you twice for each month you were subscribed. So you didn't get double billed each month, I canceled them.

You still get the two months billed, but when the two months is up, if you want to stay subscribed you will have to subscribe again. No biggy, just wanted you to know I was on top of it. :action2 All in all, you get billed for the two months you wanted, but will have to remember to subscribe (JUST ONCE :kib: ) when you do it again.

Good to hear you will be around. You are one of the most talkative "newbie" on here.And like he said, it is good to see you'll be around. I almost forgot how cool it is to "train" a newby on the ins and outs of overseas work.

Bontom

04-03-05, 06:49 AM

Thanks guys,
When I meet you on a job, just let me know if I talk to much :LolLolLol. I think as far as getting with a new contractor, I will stay put with JA. I don't want to burn any bridges before I even get out there.
As far as my screw up with Paypal, they asked for my pass word twice in which case it went back to the pay screen and I punch in pay again. You will be seeing more money from me in June. Thanks for taking care of me. You guys are great. I know, I know, you hear that all the time.
Bontom

TheJester

04-03-05, 10:17 AM

ACTUALLY, NO, I don't hear it all that much. HeadRat probably does because he is the "head" Rat. I just do all the grunt work and get accused of being him.
I'm going to start using that at clubs, maybe I can pick up chicks "...hey, I'm the HEADrat, baby..." No, wait, I'm married. DAMN IT.
Alright, that's all I got.
Wait, I'll try, I'm on the Rat Pack Council on my wife and see if I get laid.

Bontom

04-03-05, 01:04 PM

Hey do people take their spouses with them? How about their kids? It sound like your wife needs to keep an eye on you :lol:
Just kidding.

Bontom

04-03-05, 01:08 PM

I need to proof read these posts before submitting them.

TheJester

04-03-05, 10:22 PM

Yes, some times your spouses can go with you, but for the most part it is on your dime. If you are in management, most (I think) companies will grant you family status and pick up the tickets for you.

Personally, I have a deal with my wife, I can't go anywhere she can't go and that is a pretty good rule. Because if it is a place she can't go, most likely it isn't a place I WANT to go.

No, my wife has got a pretty good grip on me as it is. I couldn't risk screwing up a relationship with someone that has enough patients to put up with my retarded :action2

Bontom

04-04-05, 05:30 PM

Jester, you know I was only kidding about your wife keeping an eye on you. I think it's great you can travel together.
I thought I might like to take my daughter just to get her away from her creepy boyfriend. :banghead
B.

HeadRat

04-05-05, 03:23 PM

Well, either way, even if she can't be with you there the whole time, you can always fly her over for vacations or even just have her meet you somewhere when you go on vacation to explore, say, Paris together.

Bontom

04-05-05, 03:54 PM

Yes, we both love Paris. I took her their for her 16th birthday. She'll go on vacation but won't stay for long.
I guess they frown on someone taking a vacation before the six month?
Do people hang out with each other from the job? Most of the guys here have wives that won't let them hang with the women on the job. Scary to think I'd have to eat dinner alone every night.
Bontom

TheJester

04-05-05, 04:14 PM

Don't worry, you'll be able to date. :)

Yeah, some of us are pretty tight and hang out quite a bit. Hell, a couple weeks ago we had a delayed Super Bowl party because we finally got the video of it.

Hell, ask anyone that was in Brazil about our Sunday Pool Parties.

Bontom

04-06-05, 07:18 AM

Jester, at this time you needn't worry about what's going on with me. Please take of yourself and your wife. That is the most important thing right now.
B

mexfishguide

07-13-05, 12:32 PM

Interesting????

I see a comment concerning Brazil, I guess you worked with the Ververka Bros? John the carpender? & Dusty the electrician? Also Steve Jones the safety man?

I had John & Steve in kazakhstan, I hired Dusty, but he was not there yet when I left.

Female overseas workers? We had several in kazakhstan & Angola, I see no problem with it as long as a person conducts themselves in a professional manner on the job, and can carry their own weight and will do so. After hours normally we have a pretty good time as a group both male & female, if you wish more then a casual / friendly relationship that is very possible as well.
However a lot of locations, I suggest females do not go out by themselves
and absolutely not after dark. When I was in Africa a few years ago I recieved e-mails from several female electricians wanting to come over and work, I had no problem with that.

Union / non-union, I served an union wireman apprenticeship. Very proud of the training I recieved. But never would I cuss anyone on an overseas project
because they were union are not!!! Overseas workers have a kind of brotherhood of their own When you are in a location, that every one you meet on the street hates you, thats no place for union arguments.

I would have no problem with you on one of my projects as long as you done your job!!!!

Hang in there, I think JAJI can get you an interm clearance as fast as anyone
it is a slow process, credit or lack of it, is a major part of your clearance, have you checked with the credit agencys to see what kind of a report they send out on you? Dick Smith has been around awhile at Jones so he is up to what it takes.

Take Care - Check your contract BEFORE you sign it. :blahslap

Mexfishguide --- :cheers :banghead