Class 8 truck mechanic compensation plan/style

In my experience the comp time is never good. It sounds really good at time because of taxes on the overtime. I have never been fired or quit an employer and burned a bridge by leaving a piece of equipment strung apart or not tried to give notice but i have heard when you have comp time even documented it is really hard to get. i have never took that option because of that rumor. That aside the mechanics work from can to cant in the oil patch, taking time off is not usually well accepted. if work time is 7 am and just before quitting time there is a breakdown that can be overcome before start time next morn even if it takes all night they want you to stay pull off the impossible and still be at work 7am next morn. So when do we have to take time off? I have right at 20years exp as a pipeline / oilfield mechanic and I have been told several times oh it wont be that way here but usually it is. Also seems the mechanics have a hard time working together there are to many that dont enjoy it and are always jockeying for position. As far as using over time for bonus no they dont hold out tax on a bonus but do hold out ssi cause they have to, the income still shows up on your w-2 so you still pay taxes on it regardless. I have always hired out with my truck never used a company truck, 15.00 dollars an hour plus your fuel is normal used to it was in a seperate untaxed check and no 1099 form last job i worked on for Price-Gregory they held taxes on it too so for what its worth i hope this helps and good luck on a positive note the mechanics in an oil patch always make stacks of cash since the trucking not real good right now I may hit another job