JJPDX said:
Hi! I'm curious about this work and your "travels" doing it. Was this a series of short-term placements with breaks between sites? Or were you continuously hired and sent to these various sites? Thank you. jj
Every situation has different criteria.
Many people choose to work only half the year. We choose to work year round. However, most assignments don't require you arrive at the next assignment 'yesterday' - but exceptions do exist.
Some examples:
South Carolina: December is an 'off' month. Surveyors working in this state have the entire month off. Some people choose to go on 'special projects' (short term assignments which need completing in other states) during this period. Others, take the whole month off.
Ark-La-Tex (Arkansas, Texas, Louisiana) Region (Includes Mississippi and Oklahoma as well) works year round. If you want time off, you can spend your 'paid time off' hours, or take time off without pay.
Utah, The Dakotas, and most areas in the very North of the USA only work 6 to 9 months out of the year. Some choose to then travel during the off months. Others (like Heather and I) choose to travel to the next assignment.
Each location has its own contract, and its own 'reasons' for establishing deadlines. Using Heather and I as an example, we spent December in Key West (a paid vacation due to our earned time off). Our next assignment (Myrtle Beach) didn't begin until the second weekend in January, so we had a leisurely stroll from the Florida Keys to Myrtle Beach, SC - stopping in all manner of places along the route. Myrtle Beach then needed us to complete our tasks prior to the start of 'Spring Break.' This meant we needed everything wrapped up by 'Good Friday.' We finished one day early. We then choose to work a 'special assignment' (one month in this case) over in Arkansas until the beginning of our current position (in The Black Hills) start date (May 1st in Bismark, ND). After one week in Bismark, we arrived here (Spearfish, SD) where we will remain until we complete surveying all scheduled pipeline for this year's rotation. The 'deadline' for our responsibilities in this area of the country falls on October 31st. However, we are already
well ahead of schedule. As such, we will probably finish about a month earlier than anticipated. Once finished here, we will move to another area close by (Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota or Minnesota) in an effort to 'help out' others to complete their tasks on time. Sometime after November 1st, we anticipate working the Gulfport, Mississippi area- until the end of the year (where we will vacation in Tucson, Arizona).
As I said, Every company, surveyor and contract has different criteria and different expectations to meet. The above represents our choices. Some people travel more frequently than we do. Some less. Some not at all (they choose to be permanently located in one area of the country).
Although 'overtime' rarely exists, certain circumstances do dictate its necessity. Heather and I have 'chosen' (overtime, even if needed, remains a voluntary situation with our company) to work extra hours on two separate occasions. In both, our supervisor stressed doing so was purely optional on our part. Some areas of the country 'expect' one to work "4 tens" allowing for a three day weekend (or four day when a Holiday rolls around) every weekend. Other areas of the country 'prefer' one work all five days, but allow you to 'front load' the week creating a 'very short' Friday. "Four nines and a four" fulfill this requirement.
As you can see, no 'one way' exists either within a company, within a contract (specific location) or they way each surveyor finds fits best for their area and lifestyle choices.
HTH
Todd
