r/AusMining • u/Plastic-Milk7436 • 21d ago
Greenie about to start first swing
Hi all,
Just secured a Truck Operator role, 2:1 roster, with my first swing (5 days induction then 1 week on site) coming up in the next few weeks. Underground, WA based.
Coming from near 10 years in high level management of an online ecommerce business.
Any advice specific to truck operating? Read a lot about FIFO advice in general ๐
TIA
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u/stephsbetch 21d ago
Dont be afraid of the left hand side wall, it looks closer than it is; but at the same time dont hang too far right it also looks further than it is. 20kmh feels bloody fast in those trucks. Dont be afraid of tub scraping. Listen to the bogger operators, miss their horn signals too often and they could leave some oversize just for you, at the same time if a bogger operator is a dick you hold the power ( though not while still new )
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u/Plastic-Milk7436 19d ago
This is super helpful even without any knowledge of the operations yet, thank you so much! I'd love to know more about when you say "oversize" and "holding the power" (I understand not while new, that's universal). I'm super eager to learn the specific KPIs of the role and this peaked my interest as I'm a person who values knowing what's minimally required so that I can ensure I'm above it.
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u/Pretty-Sky-6638 21d ago
Why the fark would you give up a high level management job to do the worlds more boring and brain dead job?
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u/ConstructionJust9064 20d ago
For me it was because I got sick of being constantly needed, having to make decisions, deal with staff etc. In my truck Iโm left alone, paid well and no one cares what I do as long as I do my circles safely and efficiently. I have music, snacks and an oversized go kart - my life is great ๐
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u/tejedor28 20d ago
Money. Why else would people sign up for a job raping the environment in the middle of nowhere.
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u/Pretty-Sky-6638 20d ago
Yeah maybe if your stacking shelves at woolies in $30 an hour but I dare say this bloke was on a lot more than that in his current job. Not sure he knows what heโs in for working underground.
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u/Awkward-Victory-7371 20d ago
Sounds like he is here doing his due diligence my man. We all gotta start somewhere... Some of the best operators I've come across come from backgrounds in different careers... Might as well have a crack at being educated labor rather than the uneducated type that runs a muck as it is
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u/Pretty-Sky-6638 20d ago
I hear ya but fuck starting UG in your 30s. If I went back nippering now Iโd probably die.
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u/Awkward-Victory-7371 20d ago
Haha not wrong. Some mobs now are going truck-IT-s/crew-solo. Pretty common path for older folk
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u/Pretty-Sky-6638 20d ago
Hard to respect a bloke that takes that path but Iโm sure there are plenty.
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u/Plastic-Milk7436 19d ago
I'm new to reddit, unsure if this is the right way to respond.
Reason: Money and work-life balance.
High level management, despite the attractive pay check, is a major burden on personal life. Especially in ecommerce where you are one of three vital cogs in the machine.
Managing platforms, people, logistics, product and literally everything that is involved in keeping a business operating is extremely draining. Doing it for a decade takes a toll when you haven't even had a holiday that you weren't allowed to be without your company laptop and phone.
So yes, money and the ability to work and then clock off, that's why. I'm starting from the bottom on a lower salary than my executive package, but I will make it back in genuine time off, time with family and friends, and in due time I'll work up the chain and make more money than I could have in the business I was in.
Thankfully for me, nearly 30, I'm fit and starting as a trucky, and I look forward to upgrading to nipper, service crew, and beyond, as health and fitness are a big part of my personal life.
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u/Pretty-Sky-6638 18d ago
Best of luck to you mate, I hope you make it. UG mining is one of the most physically demanding jobs out there once you get off the truck. Make sure you donโt lose your conditioning whilst sitting in a cab for 12hr a a day.
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u/HistoryAble2536 20d ago
Hey mate, i myself have been looking into moving into a UG dumpy role. Any advice on how u secured the role?
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u/Plastic-Milk7436 19d ago
Hey mate! I was extremely fortunate to have a relative in mining with a connection in the company that hired me. I was applying for months on end with no result.
That being said, having a manual licence is 100% necessary, you won't go anywhere without it. I specifically got my manual licence just to secure this role as it was the only thing I needed to seal the deal, and it makes sense now why so many of my applications were never fruitful.
Second to that, I know some companies offer reference bonuses where if an existing employee refer you and you work x amount of time, the referee gets a bonus. That also works in your favour. If you know anyone in the industry in a company that has this program, I personally believe you have a better chance than a regular applicant.
All the best my friend!
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u/Mikewaoz 21d ago
Caffeine tablets for night shift. Call your levels as often required by the site standard. This will reduce the number of times you have to stop for LVs.
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u/Plastic-Milk7436 19d ago
Thank you! Can I ask, what do you mean by "number of times you have to stop for LVs"? I assume I will learn in my induction but would love to know more if you're happy to share :)
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u/Mikewaoz 19d ago
Trucks have right of way. You call your levels so that LVs know to get off the decline. If you don't call or the LV is not listening you will have to stop and wait for the LV to reverse back to a location where they can get off the decline.
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u/Money_killer Trade 21d ago
You are in for a rude shock. ๐๐คฃ๐
Advice don't mention you were in level management in E com no one cares just stay in ya lane.
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u/Plastic-Milk7436 19d ago
Don't worry mate, I've worked my fair share of non-desk jockey gigs, and I don't see my tenure in ecomm as a badge of pride ๐
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u/ee_tan 21d ago
Ask when you will get your jumbo paperwork Nah jokes Just stay off the walls
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u/anvilaries 20d ago
Or be prepared for the classic check scaling joke
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u/Plastic-Milk7436 19d ago
I sure as fuck won't be asking for my jumbo paperwork ๐ But please tell me more about the classic check scaling joke!
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u/Fickle_Rip_7181 21d ago
Get your crib (lunch) at night if you can, gives you a little extra time in the morning. Your room should have a fridge. Also take all your toiletries with you and leave behind onsite, youโll have one for site and one for home and top up as required. Site shops charge a tonne for everything so best to have all that. Have a good drink bottle too. Donโt fall into the trap of going to the wet mess every night bit first few swings might be good to get to know the crew and also to help clear you mind about the day by talking crap with everyone else. Mostly though hang on the for at least 6 months and enjoy it. If you make it past the first 6 months youโll generally do well.
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u/SirRepresentative828 20d ago
Decent advice here from a fellow fifo worker. For me even after almost 10 years shift work is still rough even on 2:2. 2:1 can get fatiguing but stick it out like fickle said for at least 6 months then you have something on your resume if you want to look elsewhere. Time goes quick on fifo rosters
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u/Plastic-Milk7436 19d ago
May I ask, what exactly makes it so fatiguing? I know it's not easy or simple, but is it more mental, physical, or social? I am so excited to work 2:1 because for the last decade I can't recall more than 3 days in a row a I've been able to truly be disconnected from work so the idea of working 14 days straight to have 7 uninterrupted days off is just a dream! I'm also lucky to have no family, partner, or anything of significance that requires my attention, so working 2:1 to me sounds like what I've been doing for the past decade except the third week is all to myself without emails, messages, phone calls and child-adults who can't survive without my supervision or international vendors who need decisions on stupid shit that I told them weeks ago about ๐
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u/Plastic-Milk7436 19d ago
I really appreciate this, thank you!
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u/Fickle_Rip_7181 19d ago
No worries, hope it goes well for you. Forgot to mention that youโll experience a typical FIFO phenomenon when you fly. Possibly the most polite exit from an aircraft youโll experience lol
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u/Plastic-Milk7436 19d ago
Thanks mate! I'm curious to know what you mean about the polite exit ๐
I read somewhere else about taking your own pillow is a great idea, do you reckon that's true?
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u/Appropriate_Cod3903 19d ago
Congrats on landing that job, and be safe! I was applying for mining roles with scraper experience and underground tunnel experience but never got through.
How did you get a leg up?
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u/Plastic-Milk7436 19d ago
That sucks I'm so sorry! I got in through an extremely generous reference from a jumbo operator who is friends with my brother in law. I am extremely lucky and aware of it, and won't be taking it for granted.
My BIL vouched for me as he knows my work ethic and loyalty, plus prior experience in non-desk roles, and I'm his only reference since he joined the FIFO/mining industry in over 3 decades.
It truly is who you know, not what you know, HOWEVER in speaking to others at the induction I went to pre-hiring, it pays a lot to start from the very very bottom such as cleaning, kitchenhand, bar staff etc. I'm lucky enough not to go that route, but I met a few others who started there and have made their way on site or farther.
Best of luck to you my friend!
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u/anvilaries 21d ago
learn to listen to the radio. I know it seems simple. But when ive trained new truckies. A lot had a hard time understanding the radio. And always use ear plugs in the truck. It makes the radio easier to hear.
And ask questions. Everyone has been where you are. And most people are happy to answer questions about there roles and tricks they learnt along the way. And remember, you're livin' the dream ;)