Was there a reason you started FIFO? I.e. deposit for a house, lifestyle. Or where you single what was your reaction when telling women about your roster? Did you talk about it before starting FIFO (as a couple) or the relationship? How long has FIFO been part of your relationship? Was there a time limit? Has that happened?
I’d just gotten out of a relationship and my parents had moved from perth to Tom Price, So I moved up to be with them, I was getting a few casual jobs, and sometimes working 16 hours from retail to cleaning to babysitting, I had applied up at the public mess, and my mother kept running into one of the supervisors, and I finally had an interview, they offered me the chance to go FIFO (and to get back to perth), and I took it, So after being in Tom Price 6 months I moved back to Perth and house shared with people. As I was still “fresh” out of a long relationship, I had a couple of flings, mainly with other fifo people as we had similar weeks off, but nothing really stable.
I met Jason online, as I’d gone online to meet other FIFO people, Jason was working in perth, and we started talking and jut clicked. I was working a 5 week swing at that stage and I was almost finished when I got told that a lot of people were getting cut, heres a weeks pay, see you later. Good news for Jaso really, over the next 4 months Jason and I worked through going from job to job, I hated it, I finally took a stand and made a brave attempt by getting a sign saying “I NEED A JOB” with a few qual’s on it and my number, it made the local paper and I got a job selling tiles, Just as my add on the front page of the local came out, I got a call from the Sunday Times, asking if I could do an interview, I jumped at the chance, purely to let people know its not all fun and games with mining, people do get made redundant! The Sunday times came out, and I had messages, phonecalls, and when id just thought it had ended, a company called, they’d seen my article in the paper and wanted me! I sent through my resume, they emailed back a few days later saying they were going ahead and organising all training (4WD, Small Fire, Lockholders ect) I started with them about 5 weeks later, as I’d booked a holiday and it took a while processing things. Jason understood, this time going back fifo, doing a 4/1 roster, it was for a house deposit, I was nearing my second swing, the end of the project was coming so close, I got pulled into the office at the end of my shift before flying out the next day, “good luck and we’ll hopefully see you for the onslow project early next year”! Back into the pool I went, so I took a dive and flew to tom price as my parents are still here, things were starting to pick up and I secured work, working residential through a recruitment company doing some holiday leave with the promise of a TA position after, Ive been put through working with heights, confined space ect and forklift to follow, Being residential means that if I want to go to perth to see Jason, I have to fly myself, so this stint, ill be doing 6 weeks away from him, im working 6 days on, 6 off, but ive had training on my days off, so its been working well!
What do you like best about FIFO
Money, its got the long hours, so the money comes in a lot faster then working on the same rate in Perth, I like the roster, having a whole week off, as it’s a holiday. When I was working for monodelphous I did 4/1, the RDO days were great, half the guys were so great to work with, as we’re all in the same boat, working away from loved ones, you have to have fun to make time go faster! At the end of the day, its all about money!
What do you find so-so/tricky/hilariously bad about FIFO? What would change if you had a magic wand?
Going from contract to contract, some of the rosters are bad, some sites don’t have anything, yet some have it all! Some of the guys you come across are dead dumb stupid and you know a relative got them here, some are the smartest of the bunch!
If I could change the rules, it’d be more accepting of people who don’t have as much exp and be willing to give it to them, and not having your whole family on site, it’s a bit unfair!
Do you find you have trouble balancing your time off ie. You, partner and kids (How do you stay connected to your family when you’re away?)
Jason works mon to fri and we struggle being able to get a day off so we can see more of each other when im off, it hurts a lot, but we cope with the use of facebook, texts and facetime (Skype) when im away.
How do you handle fitting back into routine?
Not going and gauging on maccas, eating in moderation when your away at camp is hard too, moderation really, once you’ve caught up on your sleep its time to go back to work, my body’s great in a way I can settle back into normal days off and then flick back to work, there are a few days readjusting, as when you come off shift you want to wake up at 6am, then its 8 or 9am normally. Its body clock really!
How do you manage life away do you have a routine sleep, eating, exercise and personal space issues at camp?
Its all about self control, everything in moderation, I was finishing at 5.30, Id be at the gym by 6, dinner before 7.30, on a non gym day I’d shower straight after work, have dinner by 6.30 maybe a drink before with the guys, then you make your calls, do your washing and if your lucky, watch some tv, then its off to bed by 9 – 10pm before a 5am wake up! I put photos of Jason and I in my room, I took a light blanket he had bought me up and a cute teddy to put on my bed to “look after me” as Jason said. Just little things like that, helped me cope doing 4 weeks away from him a lot better.
What’s the most surprising thing your partner has managed whilst you’re away? ( This question is very much optional but public bragging about your partner is such a nice thing..)
Jason become a lot more stronger and independent, he moved all my things to his place with his parents, so we could save more money and I moved out of the sharehouse. He’s learnt to do a lot more for himself, and he values the time we spend together more. He’s become more romantic, he surprises me with little presents and a cute message almost each morning. Hes my soulmate of a reason!
What advice would you give to newbie’s about coping with FIFO.
Its hard, Its not all its cracked up to be. You’ve got to be willing to loose weekends, miss out on a lot of things and if your with someone, go above and beyond to make it work. Its hard, but its worth it in the end. Stay Strong!
More real life stories with:
Kieran 21/7 days here.
Matt 4/4 weeks here.
Jen 2/2 weeks here
Kathryn 5/5 weeks here
Melissa 28/7 days here.
Jessie 26/9 days here.
Alyica 12/12weeks here.
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