Female FIFO worker gives a very honest account of what it's like to work in the industry - and why it's no good for her blonde hair
- Robyn McKinney, 27, revealed what it's like to be a woman in the FIFO industry
- The Perth 'truckie driver' admitted it was a lucrative field with certain drawbacks
- She reveals spending days in the Outback 'constantly covered in red dirt'
A female FIFO worker has lifted the lid on what it's like to be a woman in the industry, revealing how the lucrative field is not always what it's cracked up to be.
Robyn McKinney, 27, doesn't seem like your ordinary female tradie, often sharing glam photos of herself dolled up on social media.
On Instagram, where she has more than 1,200 followers, she identifies as a 'mining chick' and 'truckie driver' from Perth with Irish heritage.
But the tradeswoman has warned friends not to be fooled by appearances - saying that while she may appear as someone who lives 'a great life with money in the bank', the reality is much grimmer.
Robyn McKinney, 27, shared an honest account about what it's really like to be a woman in the FIFO industry
Off duty: The 27-year-old self-described 'mining chick' and 'truckie driver' from Perth, said people should not be fooled by appearances on social media
'Before you go thinking I live a well-maintained lifestyle, take a closer look!', she said sharing a photo of herself in uniform on Facebook.
Ms McKinney revealed much of her job is actually spending weeks in isolation in the Australian Outback, 'constantly covered in red dirt' and sleeping on broken spring mattresses.
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She admitted to experiencing 'loneliness like you wouldn't believe', being unable to commit to relationships, and always missing out on social events.
'People soon forget about you and you stop getting invited eventually, and when you're home, they're working,' she said.
'[You're] unable to sustain a relationship because really, how can you know someone you see 12 weeks a year, right? Relationship failed because we ain't at home resulting in serious family issues.'
She admitted to experiencing 'loneliness like you wouldn't believe', being unable to commit to relationships, and always missing out on social events
Ms McKinney went on to list a slew of drawbacks: 'Constantly covered in red dirt (blonde hair is a killer), you can only imagine landing at work and forgetting something.. you're screwed mate!'
'Same dirty, orange uniform every day, cause well, fighting over a washing machine that's had 100's of uniforms in before is a thing!
'Same routine everyday, 4am wake-ups and returning 6.30pm, too tired to get dinner (not like ur missing much), carrying the backpack that contains your life to every truck you get into!'
While most tradies are given seven days off in return for working long nights and hard hours, Ms McKinney says most of that time is spent sleeping in and trying to regulate her body clock, before having to fly out again.
'I am by no means saying our job as a FIFO worker is worse than others but when you have men and women committing suicide and mental health issues through the roof.. it obviously isn't the best!' she added.
'Me? I absolutely love what I do and proud of it but some days like everyone else, I can’t be arsed and wish I was at home in my own bed, snuggled it with a proper feed but.. [tomorrow] is a new day.'
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