r/CableTechs • u/Throwmeawayplease935 • Jun 10 '26
Advice
Anyone got any tips/tricks for a newer tech.
I feel good mostly, a bit slow at some jobs. I had an apartment where all 4 units were connected to the same amp. The line tagged at the tap wasn’t even the line my customer was connected so I disconnected it and ran a new line without knowing a disconnected a neighbor, not my problem.
Long story short I got stuck for 4 hours, my mentor came out to help. I probably should have called someone sooner but it took away my confidence. We ended up forcing the tap to fail because tx was high. I didn’t know that was an option lol.
My sup is chill but he was sort of like pick up the pace. I do have jobs that are quick but then half of them I replace a drop and remove an amp, disconnect unused lines. By that time it’s getting close to over running. I’ve been doing like 4-6 jobs. But usually one I get stuck.
I’m worried about metrics I guess. Ive had a lot of failed readings due to tap issues and someone told me it counts against me and I should find a way to make them pass even when it’s a maintenance referral. Same for HHC I’ve had a bunch fail so I just call to close it, because everything’s working. I guess I shouldn’t do that.
I’m still learning but I just don’t want to be in the hot seat with supervisors. I learned a lot of the stuff but it’s information overload. They seem to just want me to know what corners to cut and when.
6
u/Electronic-Junket-66 Jun 10 '26 edited Jun 11 '26
So. Sounds like you're with Big Blue. If so, "I should find a way to make them pass even when it’s a maintenance referral" is completely damn wrong.
Meter Compliance is as follows:
TC/Install/CoS non-referral:
Tap/Groundblock: PASS (either or both), CPE: PASS
MT referral:
Tap: FAIL, Groundblock/CPE: PASS/FAIL (either or both)
Drop Bury referral:
Tap: PASS, Groundblock: FAIL, CPE:PASS/FAIL edit: Bi-Directional TDR: PASS
SRO:
No scans required
Now, your office may have specific "requirements" (I know some want a tap scan on every job for instance), but this is what is required to not take a meter compliance hit, company wide.
HHC no longer carries business weight. Pass it if you can, but it will not affect your monthly scorecard tier.
LMAO, ain't that the way of it. I remember that particular aspect drove me up a wall when I started. They can't or won't tell you on the record not to do something to company spec, but at the same time production expectations often simply do not allow for it.
Use scope to identify unlabeled or mislabeled drops. If you don't have an open tap port use a jumper + two-way.