Halliburton has offered me a job... ...BUT it's over in Iraq. :eek2: Their transport division, KBR, has the contract to run supply convoys to the troops and they're in need of truck drivers. The pay is outstanding (about twice what I make now) AND it would be virtually tax-free. :Brow: Comments and/or opinions? o No:
Welp There is an increase in pay cause there is an increase risk of dying. Are you willing to accept that risk and how well would your family take your decision to accept that risk? I do not think you are going to see anything there but a guerilla war for a long, long time. Blowing up trucks seems to be in vogue as a soft target. There are as many Iraquis who do not want us there as want us there--perhaps more.
How old are you? Do you have family? Married? Kids? If you are young and single I say GO. Unless there is no guarantee your trucks will stay safe. I'm assuming the rebels there will be targeting all rebuilding vehicles for shooting practice?
Robert, Is this the same company as Haliburton Oilfield Services? I used to work for them in the Middle-East and on oilrigs in Europe, they really look after their people. If you like the idea of earning some money in another part of the world, I say go for it. What's a year anyway?
Wasn't Haliburton just recently accused of significantly overchargine the US government for transporting oil in Iraq? It is also Dick Cheney's former company.
If I were single... I'd go Although, I would ask a couple of Questions... 1: Will they allow (better yet.. Furnish) a sidearm, or rifle (full auto), or both? 2: Could they Sneak me past customs on my way back:TU: :TU: ... I'd go with a years worth of clothes and come back with only my shirt and pants and a couple of very "Heavy" duffel bags:Brow: :Brow: (I can only imagine what those Iraqui Ak's are going for over there:eek2: ) Hey... Its worth a shot
Yes, it's the same Haliburton that has most all of those govt. contracts. This one is a 10 year "open-ended" contract to run the supply-chain. No, we will not get to carry firearms. The convoys do have military escorts. We would be staying on the military bases. Food, clothing, shelter, etc. will be provided for us. I'm single without kids. They have 1000 drivers over there now. They have only had 2 drivers killed so far. That's pretty good odds. :blast:
what are your chances of getting shot in a drive-by in riverside?, a car wreck? nailed by an irrate christmas shopper? imho go for it!:TU: by the way, in your last will and testiment, the wild cat or the chevelle can be left to Rob Tabish, missoula, montana. my number is in the book:laugh:
Yeah they could be. :moonu: I'm still doing some research and wont make any decision untill after the holidays. :TU: Who want's to babysit my 'cat for me if I decide to go? o No:
My boss's son just returned from Iraq. First, he said at least 70% of the people are VERY happy the Americans are there. Don't belive that the media isn't biased in their reporting. Second, he worked in supply and said they got shot at alot on the road. Third, the so-called roadside bombs are actually buried under pavement they soften up by soaking with diesel fuel. They tie the bomb to the ringer on a cell-phone. they dial the phone and ...boom. Fourth, I wouldn't go anywhere they won't let me have a weapon if it's likely I could be shot at. Fifth, It would be one Hell of an adventure, and it'd be nice to hear from one of "us" on how things are really going over there. Last, I wonder why they don't hire an Iraqi to drive truck. If they have guys that can smuggle oil across the desert , then hauling in an escorted convoy should be no problem. o No:
Not to sound like a broken record, but in order to conduct warfare the men and women need supplies, or the Iraqi people need supplies in order to stabilize the country. The faster Iraq can stand on their own to feet the sooner the boys come home. Truly a great chance to give something back plus put some buick cash in your pocket. The job is not without risks to ones health, but you could get hit by the old bus crossing the street tomorrow. I think that there is something like 6000+US civilians working in Iraq right now. The biggest thing I would self reflect is the wife. The hardest part of spending that kind of time away from home is the stress it puts on a marrige. The divorce rate in my unit is somewhere around 60%, most of it comes from deployment after deployment for months at a time. Just some food for thought.
I've done the overseas oilfield services thing. Being single & having the time available, go for it. It's a huge advantage that you won't understand until you come back. I know I've never regretted it.
Sounds like Road Warrior to me.... Lets see. It is after a war. Petrol is limited and expensive. The oil needs to go from point A to point B through the desert. There is danger in the desert because some bad guys want to shoot at you and stop you. You, the handsome, courageous driver, are given a tractor trailer rig to move precious cargo. Sounds like a movie I have seen....:3gears: o No: Yep, I have definetly seen that movie. OH NO, here come the bad guys:
Brian; That's hilarious! :laugh: :laugh: Actually I don't plan on hauling fuel. Adam; Was he a soldier or a govt. contractor? From what I've been told, we won't be allowed to travel off the military bases unless we're driving within a soldier escorted convoy. They also won't be letting us drive at night, it will be strictly during daylight hours. I also forgot to mention that the two drivers that got killed had wandered away from the rest of the convoy. ou:
Robert - That can't be much worse odds, than local deliveries in LA!!!:Brow: :grin: Interesting opportunity....tough decision though.
Personally, I would stay as far away from that Co. as i could. Something smells worse than a seeping ceptic tank surrounding it
Robert, he was military, and showed up there before the war was "over." He left about the 1st of Nov. Talked about seeing tracers at night coming through the humvee they drove and spooky stuff like that. I think he said it had 46 bullet holes in it. It's probably getting better every day there. It would be one hell of a life experience. Maybe one that will change you profoundly. My experience in Chile has, though I can't exactly say how. Only I recognize how materialistic and spoiled we Americans are as a whole. It helps a person see more of what's important in life maybe.
Well, My family doesn't seem to have a problem with it. My brothers seem to think that it might be fun. uzzled: One even told me, "This sounds kinda like "Air-America" for truckers." ou:
I just talked to my Boss's son, and he said, "I wouldn't do it." His MOS is something..transport & supply or something like that. He told me that there's still a lot of shooting going on especially at "soft targets" like a convoy in the middle of nowhere. The escort would consist of a humvee w/ .50 cal at each end of the convoy. He also mentioned at the end of the conversation that there were 175 contractors in Iraq, and they are now down to 35.
