Driving in Iraq.

Just noticed they're hiring welders in Iraq too. KBR - Opportunities Wonder what it pays? Course Julie would cripple me and put me in a wheelchair so I couldn't go.
Paddy

 

Driving over there is flippin' NUTS... Most of the jobs there are Tanker driving jobs out of the oil fields, and incidentally, this "crude" supply is mainly what the terrorists are looking to take out. They are looking to foul up any success and disrupt the economy any way they can, so to be an american looking individual driving a tanker truck over there, you are a big target for 2 reasons now....

I know someone who did it and managed to survive one year, but said he wouldnt risk it for another year for double the money... and he made close to $120,000 just as stated in an earlier post, so that figure is accurate...

 

post deleted

 

Well, I work with a lot of guys that are doing the exact same job out here for less than 30k. The only real difference is that we are provided our kit and the army has a lot of benefits and programs that remove adult responsiblities from soldiers' lives. For the money, 120k vs the 30k I make now as an infantryman at a desk, the risk doesnt seem all that bad.

The truckers I see out here are in plated trucks if they are American, what ever they can afford to buy themselves if they are not. Also, American truck drivers generally carry a handgun, if not an assault type rifle. The most common ones I see are newish AKs, usually Russian or Czech with a para-stock. Not too shabby.

Once my time is up, Im gonna look into comming back out here for a year as one type of contracter or another. It is hard to pass up a chance to shave three-four years off of a fifteen year financial plan. 'Sides, they say prison changes you, same could be said of the Infantry.

 

God bless you and your men Uncle Dick. Heres hoping that this is over soon so you can all come home. Be carefull and thanks for your sacrifices.

Scarecrow, Ex-Navy

 

I have all that
welding,
pipe, underwater,
lincoln electric alcoholic,
truck,
hazardous material,
kbrjobs.com gonna try that,
used to be a cop,
eyes not as good slow on the trigger ,
but shoot straight,...

 

i was there driving for KBR which is Halliburton. I was there for 9 months in 03. I was making about 1800 per week and it is tax free but only if you stay the whole 1 year of your contract. Its a real #### hole there and NO you are not allowed any weapons at least i wasn't at that time. I am very blessed to be here....many close calls and i lost a few friends there.

If you ask me i would say if you think its worth the risk go but remember...there is a much better than average chance you will not return in one piece or at all! The Army and National guard units protecting the convoys will not stop if your truck breaks down during an attack...they will call for backup but that can take 20 min or more....you may or may not be alive when it arrives! They will not protect you when you need them the most believe me.

I would not do it again since i do not believe this war is worth it anymore and i think Iraq will be worse off when we leave than it was before we came.

 

I wouldn't advise hauling in Iraq. Remember, the insurgents don't care if your wearing a uniform or not. They only see you as an occupier, and part of their problem. Last summer an aquaintance of mine was killed in Iraq. She was attempting to avoid a roadside explosion, that ended in a vehicle accident, which killed her. Lots of money? Yes. Worth it? No!

 

I looked into it. I believe most of us probably have because of the money. My future brother in law is over there for his second year as a contractor in an engeneering field and he's the one who basicly talked me out of it. He has changed alot and not for the better and he told me the drivers were the worst off of any of the contractors

 

I don't know if it's worse then being dead, all these things can be adapted to; takes time and lots of will power, having worked in the medical field for several years and seeing theses amputees has shown me that staying strong and positive can be enough to continue living a happy life. One guy had no legs, he would drive his pickup to our store, use a crane to lift his wheel chair out, he would get into the chair by himself; Also he was a helicopter mechanic which just amazed me. Another customer was paralyzed; he was a computer programmer, he had some software that he could talk to and it would type what he said on to the computer. I'm just saying if you can continue living and be happy, then life even with its many challenges it gives you, beats death any day. The most important thing is to not give up.
I have heard that you need at least 3 years experience before you can go overseas as a truck driver; while the money is great, I think helping out your fellow Americans is just as rewarding and if you do come back, think of the pride you retain afterwards. Pride in itself is worth it. Also forklift driver is another option its 80k tax free and if you think about it, you would more than likely (depending on type of forklift) be inside a warehouse on a secure base. Chances of getting shot are lots lower.