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What are some things to expect when starting my path to become a lineman.?
Is there any tips or advice, and whats the job like on a daily basis. High voltage overhead powerline construction
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Donna’s Answer
My dad worked as a Troubleman for 30+ years at Tampa Electric Company. But he started as a lineman and really enjoyed his career.
1. Know your safety protocols and always respect them. My dad's worst day on the job was retrieving a co-worker who had not followed proper safety procedures. As a lineman you will more than likely be working alone, so this is critical.
2. Sometimes your job will entail "to do" items like changing out streetlights
3. Sometimes your job may require you to climb a pole. My dad tells this story yet today. Called out to a trouble where a young construction guy and foreman are already onsite. Requires someone to climb the pole because a bucket truck wont reach. Young guy and foreman say they will have to call a crew in. My dad said, no we just need to climb the pole. Young guy says he has back problems and foreman says "no way". At 65 years old my dad put his hooks on and climbed the pole and put community back in service.
4. Work is outside 90% of the time. So you will be dealing with sunshine, rain, heat, wind, snow, and what ever else mother nature throws at you.
5. At times you may be dealing with people at their worst. Lengthy power outages cause stress on many people for different reasons. Being calm in the course of the day would be beneficial.
1. Know your safety protocols and always respect them. My dad's worst day on the job was retrieving a co-worker who had not followed proper safety procedures. As a lineman you will more than likely be working alone, so this is critical.
2. Sometimes your job will entail "to do" items like changing out streetlights
3. Sometimes your job may require you to climb a pole. My dad tells this story yet today. Called out to a trouble where a young construction guy and foreman are already onsite. Requires someone to climb the pole because a bucket truck wont reach. Young guy and foreman say they will have to call a crew in. My dad said, no we just need to climb the pole. Young guy says he has back problems and foreman says "no way". At 65 years old my dad put his hooks on and climbed the pole and put community back in service.
4. Work is outside 90% of the time. So you will be dealing with sunshine, rain, heat, wind, snow, and what ever else mother nature throws at you.
5. At times you may be dealing with people at their worst. Lengthy power outages cause stress on many people for different reasons. Being calm in the course of the day would be beneficial.
I am really grateful you took the time to answer this question.
Dennis
Updated
David’s Answer
I have never been a lineman. However I have been a field engineer, and I have also supervised telecommunications technicians working in the field. My advice is to make sure you enjoy working outside in ALL weather. When the sun is shining, and the temperature is nice, working outdoors can be a joy. When it is pouring rain, or it is below freezing, or you are called out at 2:00 AM on a Saturday night in the aftermath of a hurricane to restore services, maybe it is not so nice.
You could possible have a line job with a local utility, work locally, and come home every night at a reasonable hour. Or you could have to get up a 4 AM, drive 3 hours to a barren field to work with a drill crew in the rain in 40 degree F weather all day, and then drive home 3 hours only to get to do it all over again (that is one of the reason I no longer am a field engineer).
So just be aware that a career in the outdoors had good days and possibly some not so good days. If you do like that sort of life, then by all means pursue the job.
You could possible have a line job with a local utility, work locally, and come home every night at a reasonable hour. Or you could have to get up a 4 AM, drive 3 hours to a barren field to work with a drill crew in the rain in 40 degree F weather all day, and then drive home 3 hours only to get to do it all over again (that is one of the reason I no longer am a field engineer).
So just be aware that a career in the outdoors had good days and possibly some not so good days. If you do like that sort of life, then by all means pursue the job.
Hey thanks for taking the time to send me this information David, it means a lot! IS there any information you can tell me about working in telecommunications?
Dennis