Alaskan's

[1smoknC]

I currently live in VA and am 19 years old, not married, etc. I want to move to Alaska in the worst way, but 95% of people say im stupid, crazy, etc. Just kinda wanted a second opinion from someone that actually lives there. I want to move in about a year or so (that way i will have 2 years pipefitting experience). I know its not diesel related, but I dont know how to find anyone that lives out there. By the way, im a huge hunter and love the cold weather; my ideal summer is like 70's and maybe 80's... not this 105* 98% humidity garbage. :-laf



thanks

blake

 

[WDaniels]

I would strongly suggest you have something else to do other than pipefitter. The need for them (pipefitters) is coming but it will be most likely be more than 2 years down the road. So in the mean time, you need to do something else to make a living to keep you going. There isn't anything wrong with moving to Alaska. But if you think that the hunting is great and you can find wild game to shoot on the street corner, or a quick jaunt into the woods, think again. Right now with the world situation and oil and everything, it is expensive. Darned expensive. Diesel fuel is still 5. 10 in the big cites, if you can call Fairbanks a big city. About the only thing to heat your house with is oil and heating oil is still over 4. 30 a gallon depending which delivery service you get it from. There are more people leaving because they cannot afford food, transportation and housing than most realize. Depending where you live, cold weather isn't much of a big deal. But if you want to live in the interior, it can be a big, big deal. 50 and 60 below zero is nothing to sneeze at. Neither is 40 for that matter. This summer was the absolute worst I've seen since I've lived in here. It was cold way into June and then we have had not only the coldest summer on record but also the wettest. And if is not like that, it is dry with forest fires so bad that you cannot see 50 yards because the smoke is so dense. 2 years ago the fires around Fairbanks burnt an area larger than the size of the state of Rhode Island. Last Thursday when I came to work it was 38 degrees at 6 in the morning by the sign at the gate and only made it to 56 for the day. So much for global warming! Also, if you think that by coming up to Alaska to get all that free money the state gives away makes it worth it. Have your head examined. Yes the state does have a fund that pays its citizens a percentage of the interest on the oil but its not enough to get excited about and will not support you for long.

I know I've painted a bleak picture but I don't want you thinking that its like moving to Seattle or Portland and such. There is NO industry in Alaska, NONE, NADA, ZIP, ZERO, other than the oil and someone has to die before you most likely will get a job with them. Most of the jobs here in Fairbanks are in the chain stores and the eateries like Wall Mart, Fred Meyers, McD's, Burger king, Pizza hut ect. They are around 8 to 12 bucks an hour. Can't hardly even starve on that wage. You need a career. Now, if you like wide open spaces, having a house where those (people) in the lower 48 would consider a camping spot, outdoor activities (spelled "Money needed!) mediocre hunting and great fishing. Come on up. Just be prepared for somewhat of a culture shock. WELCOME to Alaska!

WD

 

[Crash&Burn]

50 to 60 below... ...

I remember that... ... Fort Greely 1968 & 1969

 

[1smoknC]

haha yea thats what im looking for (except the job situation). my dad lives in an area where you can open the bedroom window and shoot his 30-378 out the window all day long. Im a country boy, hell with the city. I love the mountains and definitely am no road hunter. I know its steep mountains that you barely walk up (if at all). I want to live in peace, live in the most beautiful part of the country, and live a simple life. I love being in peace, so no neighbors for a couple miles wouldnt bother me. Maybe I need to switch to being a welder? Is there more of that needed up there?

 

[KevinSmith]

Check into the mining industry! There are jobs in ore mills and some other mining related construction. Teck Cominco has the Pogo Mine and Hecla has the Greenscreek Mine to name a couple. Good luck, but after being there I think your nuts.

 

[WDaniels]

1smoknC,

What you describe is basicly living off of the grid. If you want to live like you describe, you will work your tail off for it and there are a multitude of risks involved. But if thats what you want. Come on up.

WD

 

[Crazy Horse]

Just kinda wanted a second opinion from someone that actually lives there.

Go for it! If you don't now you never will. And if you don't you will always regret it.



Me, I never want to be on my dying bed thinking: I wish I would have done that when I was young and able enough.



I got married in 82, left the wedding reception with everything we owned in a 73 Dodge with over 100,000 miles on it headed for Alaska. The honeymoon was the trip up there. We didn't have jobs lined up either. My bride and I were going to live there for a couple of years and move to Montana. Well two years turned into 23 years. Once you get a taste of the back country up there you fall in love with it. No regrets here. Good Luck.

 

[1smoknC]

Thats awesome. Everyone that supports me says that if I dont go when I'm young then I probably wont ever get out there.

 

[articdodge]

I agree with crazy horse, go as soon as you can pack up and get, you will never regret it. my brother lives there I have spent most of my vacations all over Alaska but you might want to trade in your dodge on a plane. good luck. it's better to be young and live your dream, than to grow old wishing you would have.

 

[1smoknC]

Haha, I might have to just add some retractable wings to the cummins

 

[sstefanini]

Why would you look for a fittin' job in a state that derives the bulk of its income from product run through pipes? There's plenty of work for experienced fitters on the slopes.

 

[WDaniels]

sstefanini,

The North Slope is in serious decline. The pipeline is only about 2/3rds filled. Almost all jobs on the slope are union and very, very hard to get. If he gets one he will be one of the few lucky ones. And why are you recommending someone to get a job as a pipefitter on the North Slope when in the same breath you slam the state from getting the bulk of its income from a pipe??????? Oh well, to each his own.



1smoknC,

"Don't dream you life, live your dream. " Bob *****in

 

[1smoknC]

Im not hell bent on staying a fitter, I just figure that I at least would have a trade under my belt. I mean I weld everyday too so Im shure I could weld if there were openings out there for welders.

 

[sstefanini]

Sorry for the misinterpreted sarcasm. The fitters I know who worked in Alaska made out like there was always some kind station maintenance going on the slope and plenty of pipe fab in the surrounding cities.

 

[WDaniels]

Man, if pipe fitter jobs were that abundant, I would have jumped ship 25 years ago gotten a job for real money.

WD

 

[Buffalo]

Followin' Your Dreams.

1SmoknC,



I'm originally from Detroit, MI. & my first opportunity to go out West was when I was in the Air Force during the Vietnam War. My first permanent-duty station was McChord AFB just outside of Tacoma, WA. I was there for a bit over 2-1/2 years ('66 through '69. ). McChord was one of the main material shipping bases for Southeast Asia (Vietnam). We had a ton of C-141 Starlifter cargo planes coming & going, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The majority of those planes went to Elmendorf AFB in AK. , refueled & went on to SE Asia. As a member of the AF, you could get a "hop" on just about any of those planes going to AK. , free. You could stay at the base in AK. pretty much for free & get your meals at the base, also.



I wanted to see AK. since I was a kid and saw a group from MI. gather near my home to make the trip up north to work on the pipeline.



My problem was that I kept putting-off the "Hop" to AK. & one day, I got orders to another base in CA. & blew my opportunity for a free trip. For forty+ years now, I've regretted my "putting-off" that trip & now, my one goal is to take my travel trailer up there when I retire in a few years. However, the fuel prices are going to be a killer.



I would highly recommend that you live your dream. If you get married & have a couple of kids, that trip will come closer to becoming impossible to afford. Even if AK. doesn't work out for you, at least you tried & you will know what AK. is all about & probably have some great memories & not wonder how it might have been. 40+ years later, I still don't know.



After leaving Detroit, I moved to Phoenix, AZ. & started a Dental Laboratory, which I owned for 25 years. One of my customers, Dr. Rowley, DDS told me a story about when after he graduated from Dental School. Rather than go right to work, he wanted to take a trip to AK. Not having a lot of money, he bought an old 18-wheeler, got a load that needed to go to AK. , drove it up there & sold the truck & trailer. Made enough money to have a nice vacation in AK. & pay for a plane ticket back home. Don't know if anyone could do that today but, it made for a good trip & story.



If no one, but you, could get hurt by risking a trip to AK. , then I'd say, do it.



Joe F.