Information Discussion for Gate Guards

[mdbass]

Thought I'd start a new topic for Gate Guards to use for comments. Like the moderator suggested-keep technical stuff, recipes, mechanical, etc. where they belong. Lets hear from everyone sucking down that caliche dust.

[Blondie_Girl]

Had a fun time today, girls!! Thanks for the invitation!

[mdbass]

Blondie Girl wrote:

mdbass wrote:
Let's see-we have a production pad under construction, a pipeline going in and our rig. And this is not the first time. We asked Whitsett about it and the laughing was deafening. Someone did call us back and told us not to worry about recording the pipeline or production pad traffic. So that's what we do. IMHO You'll have more luck talking to your account rep as she/he is the one that has to get the expense approved by the company man.

Last summer the gate we were on had 3 rigs drilling,

I think the magic word was three rigs drilling. They don't care what else is going on. But they will pay for drilling rigs.

[Blondie_Girl]

mdbass wrote:
Let's see-we have a production pad under construction, a pipeline going in and our rig. And this is not the first time. We asked Whitsett about it and the laughing was deafening. Someone did call us back and told us not to worry about recording the pipeline or production pad traffic. So that's what we do. IMHO You'll have more luck talking to your account rep as she/he is the one that has to get the expense approved by the company man.

Last summer the gate we were on had 3 rigs drilling, a new pad being built, a pipeline crew using our gate, tankers hauling oil out of the existing production sites, and another frac pond being built on the property!! We got paid for the 3 rigs which was good, but we truly had 24/7 traffic with all the other things going on.

[Don_Shar]

FishNFanatic wrote:
Don/Shar....I want to hear the rest of the story about that snake. I want to know; did you pass out? did you scream? did you run? and are you still cleaning out your undies? :W
We found one under our motorhome last year. Bob fished it out with the window awning rod with one hand and shot its head off with the other hand. I was standing about 15 feet away from the action and wanted to scream, wanted to run and thought I would pass out (nope, my undies were fine)!!!!

I am not afraid of snakes but hadn't seen a rattler here at all so was not expecting it. I Ran around and went inside....dumped my pants, then grabbed my camera and tried to get a picture through the window. My wife seen it as he was going under the generator wagon, will I check the oil in the generator....hell no. I had been out there all afternoon weed eating the weeds.....will I do that again....not a chance.

[FishNFanatic]

Don/Shar....I want to hear the rest of the story about that snake. I want to know; did you pass out? did you scream? did you run? and are you still cleaning out your undies? :W
We found one under our motorhome last year. Bob fished it out with the window awning rod with one hand and shot its head off with the other hand. I was standing about 15 feet away from the action and wanted to scream, wanted to run and thought I would pass out (nope, my undies were fine)!!!!

[Don_Shar]

Our drill team left a day after thanksgiving and the frac crew came in two days after Christmas. Since then all we have had was pipeline crew.
Today about 1 hour ago I was out starting our tower lights, I started the one next to the gate then walked around the back of the motorhome to start the other one and heard this zip sound, I looked down about 1 foot from me was a rattle snake. He was at least 6' long and about 3" around.....scared....hell yes I was.

[Texasauction48]

GGup wrote:
three neighbor GG site at a gate that has at least 3 other gates inside. So they get all the traffic for all three sites and get nothing more in pay. So one frack and one drilling is not bad considering these people. Lucky frack only lasts about 5 days.

Good luck and IF you figure a way to get paid more let us know.:)

The last frack job we were on lasted almost 3 weeks, your neighbor and I am sure lots of others deserve more of a consideration that the flat rate.

[The_Texan]

GGS is no longer a family run company that cares about the gate guards, now that Bert has turned management over to someone else. Last year, you would have been compensated for the extra traffic, but no more. It is a shame, as they had a very good reputation when Bert's dad and then when Bert himself was taking an active interest in the company.

[mdbass]

Let's see-we have a production pad under construction, a pipeline going in and our rig. And this is not the first time. We asked Whitsett about it and the laughing was deafening. Someone did call us back and told us not to worry about recording the pipeline or production pad traffic. So that's what we do. IMHO You'll have more luck talking to your account rep as she/he is the one that has to get the expense approved by the company man.

[GGup]

three neighbor GG site at a gate that has at least 3 other gates inside. So they get all the traffic for all three sites and get nothing more in pay. So one frack and one drilling is not bad considering these people. Lucky frack only lasts about 5 days.

Good luck and IF you figure a way to get paid more let us know.:)

[Texasauction48]

I am on a site where they have prepped a new pad and they are going to move a rig with in the gate to a new site on the same land. After the move we well be supporting the new site and they will Frack the number 1 site. IF any of you have supported a Frack site you know it has more traffic than a rig. I was told that the only time you get an increase in pay is two Rigs. That does not make sense to me. We will by all practical propose be supporting two Pads from one gate. By the way this gate is on an exotic game ranch and we have to open and shut the gate for traffic. Wont be bad on the frack for setup as they come in a convoy but those sand trucks come when ever. I know I read on here where someone was paid extra for this setup, but don't know if it was under Roger or Jamie of Gate Guard Services.

[mdbass]

maxx233 wrote:
and I only had one shot at this (could hardly order as it is, and it's 2 hours round trip to get into town to pick it up.)

When someone asks about the challenges of gate guarding, this is a prime example. And 2 hours is not that far out of the ordinary, even for groceries!

[Ajones42]

mdbass wrote:

Andy's forum has an excellent tax thread going about this www,myoldrvforum.com. .

clickable link

MyOldRV Forum

Thanks Mark

[craftiemissy]

Ok ladies, Missy here. The next ladies luncheon has been schedule for March 11th, 2012 at 11:30 We are going to go to Chili's in Beeville, TX. Please RSVP me by pm or call me at 417-322-3765, so I can set up the reservation with Chili's. Hope we can have another good turn-out.

[mdbass]

maxx233 wrote:
Here's a question for you guys that have been doing this for several years... Taxes - how are they dealt with as a gate guarding couple, presumably working as an independent contractor under 1099 conditions?
--Does only one of you (the one the check is made out to) file the 1099?
--As I understand it there are quarterly estimated tax payments due the IRS - for those of us who've only ever used turbotax or a CPA once a year, how are those payments made and 'estimated'?
--Have you been caught off guard by self employment tax or anything else? Any advice for things to look out for or what to expect for actual liability at the end of the year?

Andy's forum has an excellent tax thread going about this www,myoldrvforum.com. Any number of web sites will instruct you on how to pay taxes quarterly. You can even do it electronically. It's up to you to decide how much to prepay. My fiance calculates it by making up a faux return and "guesstimates" what we'll need to prepay to avoid owing Uncle Sam. It's easier than it looks. As I recommended, start at myoldrvforum and always get answers from a pro.