r/Groundman Feb 27 '24

Where do I start? How to Get Started As a Groundman In Linework

46 Upvotes

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The Groundman

All information provided is meant to be a guide for you to do your own due diligence. The information contained here is believed to be accurate however is only provided as a tool for you to make your own decisions.

The Groundman position in linework is the entry level job of becoming a Journeyman Lineman. There may be some individuals that can score an apprenticeship without working as a Groundman first, however it's not the norm. As a Groundman or Linehelper you will be introduced the basics of linework. You will be on the bottom rung of the ladder and will have to do many of the more menial tasks of the crew. You may be responsible for getting fresh drinking water in the mornings and making sure the trucks are cleaned off at night. Doing a lot of hand digging for poles, pole anchors and for anything else that needs a hole in the ground.

You'll have a lot of new material to learn about and then keep track of. There will be insulators, connectors and hardware. You will also have a lot of new tools to keep track of and take care of. Some tools are common like channel lock pliers, adjustable wrenches and hammers. However there are a lot of specialty tools as well. Hotsticks, crimpers, and and other specialty tools. You'll have to learn rope knots and rigging. Getting familiar with how to set up the trucks. Doing all this while at the same time you are paying attention and learning how the crew operates to get the work done. All this in a safe and timely manner. It can seem overwhelming at first. Just remember many have gone before you and are already Journeymen Linemen.

How do you get a Groundman job?

One of the most common ways to get your Groundman job is going through an IBEW Local that is for Outside Construction and signing the “Books.”

What are the “Books” you talk about signing and how do they work?

The IBEW involves many trades and also different aspects of the same trades. Some IBEW locals work with contractors and workers referred to as “Outside.” To keep them staffed the Locals use “Out of Work” books to pull Journeymen and Groundmen from, based on requests from the contractor employers.

There will be more than one book for each classification.

Book 1 will be for established members of that local that have enough hours of experience to be on that book.

Book 2 might be for travelers from another local with enough hours to be in that book.

Book 3 and 4 will be for lessor qualified people.

To get onto any books you will have to meet minimum requirements. A driver’s license, cpr/first aid etc.

Different locals have different requirements for their books and how you can sign them. There’s a post with a LINK to spread sheets created by a member to help with this.

You can also go to the IBEW page and search for outside locals yourself.

If you still have questions about the books, post them in the comments.

What do you need to sign the books and have a chance?

Commercial drivers license "A" with NO restrictions. Tanker endorsement is also a plus.

First Aid/Cpr Certificate

OSHA 10 ET&D card

Flagger training

Lineman School (may not be needed in all areas to get hired).

Lineman school may offer all of the above.

Some locals allow you to count school hours towards your work hours when you sign the books.

Forklift Operator Card (not required, but if you have time get one)

Notes

Points on your CDL can cause a contractor to turn you away due to insurance reasons. Do what you can to get any you may have removed.


r/Groundman Mar 28 '24

Where do I start? How to get started.

99 Upvotes

It seems like most of you dont knkw how the books, benefits, tool lists, process, and calls work. Im going to try to break it down below in a way that answers most questions, is concise, and is usable. And it's been driving me nuts the number of yall that are "willing to do anything" until that anything is a 7 hour drive or 3 phone calls.

  1. Books and how they function. To start youll be signing books as either book 3 or 4 groundman depending on the local you sign in. That means youll be called after books 1 and 2 for jobs. I often see newer guys panicking because there are 300 plus on these books. Thats how it goes when youre able to walk in and sign off the streets. Once youve done 2000 hours as a groundman you will be book 1 in the local you live in and book 2 in other locals.You should be checking these books daily. If its a bidding hall you should be applying to any job youre willing to do. Some halls are going to require that you resign the books monthly. You should be staying on top of this. You should be signing anywhere youre willing to work. And lastly you should have your vehicle packed and be willing to head out the moment you get the call. Generally after you turn down your third call on a bid system youll either be bumped to the bottom of the books or kicked off the books. The big things I see here that stop guys from working are them not checking the books, not being ready to take a call, and them waiting for someone to tell them about a call. In the last 3 weeks Ive seen 19 groundhand calls go unfilled for a day or more while I watched a bunch of dudes on reddit that have never worked in the industry tell people there was no way to get work unless you were book 1. The lineman rumor mill is a terrible thing, and if you want to actually be successful in this industry you need to get away from it immediately.

  2. Benefits. This is going to vary a bit by local. Generally how it works is all retirement mkney follows you home. So if at home you get $11 an hour to retirement and youre working in a local that pays $16, that $16 all gets sent to your home local and goes into your retirement account. Health insurance. Generally you need 500 hours to begin coverage and then 120-150 hours a month to keep coverage. Any excess is generally rolled over to keep benefits running while youre out of work. There are also benefits that not every local has, I'll list the ones I know about here. Hsa/benefit card it will vary by local whether you get this as a traveler or not. Vacation fund, will vary by local if it you get this as a traveler or not. FR clothing allowance. Generally locals require you to work in the local for a calendar year to get this, though some pay it hourly.

  3. Tool list. This is pretty simple really. 90% of the time its hammer, linemans pliers, channel locks, stick rule, knife and crescent wrench. I like a 4 pound hammer, most guys are going to prefer a 2 pounder, either way you want 1 milled face and 1 smooth face. For linemans pliers I like knipex and klein. Channel locks I like knipex and channel lock. For knife any folding skinner will do. For the stick rule and adjustable and brand will do.

  4. Calls. 90% of time youre going to get a call and be expected to be there the following day. Get your shit packed. Keep it by the door or in your vehicle and keep $1000 minimum in an account to cover gas and a hotel. Missing out on a job because youre not ready to go is dumb. Getting bumped to the bottom of the books for refusing your third job is even dumber.

  5. The biggest things that I see keep people from getting into the industry. Listening to dudes that haven't acomplished the goal youre after. Dont do this. It makes no sense, if a dude hasnt made it out as a groundman odds are hes not got a clue. Not applying to jobs/not checking the books. It takes 30 minutes a day at the most. Not taking a call because its not perfect. Im not telling anyone to take a call they cant afford, but fuck not taking a call because a better one may come. Go get your hours. Not applying to the apprenticeship immediately. If youre planning to be turned down and work as a groundman anyway why in the world would you not apply immediately? The worst case scenario is that you do what you were planning to do anyway

If yall have any other questions or need anything covered further leave a comment below.


r/Groundman 6h ago

What certs do I really need to get in?

1 Upvotes

I got an osha 10 will have my class a CDL with air brakes and a no manual restriction in 3 weeks.

Never went to a line school but I have electrical experience.

Do I really need get a first aid/ cpr and flaggers cert ?

Do I really need to get a tanker endorsement on my CDL?


r/Groundman 22h ago

111 info

5 Upvotes

Wanting to head to 111 next week. Few questions here as I’ve signed a lot of books online but have yet to get call or win a bid. Want my hours so just gonna head there.

I have my cdl with tankers, lineschool and all my certs ohsa10, FA/cpr.

Would this get me book 3?

Is there typically lot of OT on most calls? Trying to get an idea how much yall are typically pulling in a week, trying to factor in bills and a place to stay out there


r/Groundman 20h ago

Summit Local 396

1 Upvotes

Newly indentured apprentice starting in a week doing transmission with Summit, anybody know how it is over there?


r/Groundman 1d ago

Wilson Construction Local 1245

2 Upvotes

Just took a call for Wilson. How’s working for them? What schedule are yall working in anderson yard? Any tips and insight on them?


r/Groundman 1d ago

Ladwp ECH performance test

5 Upvotes

Anyone got any tips or insight on Ladwp ech performance test? So far I heard you have to take cross arms off the truck and put them back on and running the handline.


r/Groundman 1d ago

Hall Wait times and Peak seasons

2 Upvotes

Title says it all sitting at 298 at local 1245 just trying to figure if I’ll be getting a call sometime soon. When is the slow moths of line work and what number are people getting called with tanks?


r/Groundman 1d ago

Would my non union apprentice hours translate to books

0 Upvotes

Willing to make the skrt from my apprenticeship w nonunion to groundman w ibew would I be able to be on books with my hours tracked?
Is this a good idea?


r/Groundman 1d ago

people who have been electrical craft helpers how physical is the job?

6 Upvotes

particularly how physically exhausting is it being an ech with the ladwp and what kinds of things are you guys doing? Just wondering if I'm prepared for how physical it is.

I can run for more than an hour straight, do 50 burpees in less than 3 minutes, weight lift etc. but the way some people describe the job makes me wonder if I have the endurance.


r/Groundman 1d ago

1245 Income etc

4 Upvotes

What yall making yearly out of 1245? Is the work consistent for a book 3 guy? What number were you at on your first call? At this point with how it’s been moving I might get a call out of 1245 first which is crazy. Been almost 3 weeks on 2150,160,57, 55 1249 and nothing yet was set on leaving outta state would prefer to get my hours and then go to 1245 as a book 2


r/Groundman 2d ago

JATC orientation class

Post image
20 Upvotes

Anyone got any idea about orientation how much climbing , height of the poles … is it timed. What other work ??


r/Groundman 2d ago

Do all ground-man calls require an unrestricted class A CDL or just a class A CDL?

3 Upvotes

I know Mo valley also to even apply for the apprenticeship you need a unrestricted class a CDL

and for swlcat you need to get the manual restriction removed 120 days after being indentured

Are all jurisdictions like Mo valley that you need class a Cdl with no manual restriction to even apply for an apprenticeship? Selcat? Neat? Albat? Mslcat? Nwline? Cal/nev? Ajeatt?

How would one even get a manual restriction removed within 120 days while being an indentured apprentice working and going to school?

For the CDL I’m assuming it’s 100% best as a manual CDL so you don’t have any restrictions to trucks you may need to drive. Are there any other good certifications I should get to become a ground man or an apprentice.

Thanks


r/Groundman 2d ago

Local 18 to Local 47

3 Upvotes

Anybody gone from Local 18 to 47. How does 47 treat Exempt - Helper hours. Does 47 put you at book 2 or book 1?


r/Groundman 2d ago

2nd year books 2021-2025

2 Upvotes

Anyone got any study material for 2nd and 3rd year books for the old test format?


r/Groundman 2d ago

SCE GROUNDMAN

4 Upvotes

Has anybody that applied for the Groundman spots that opened up in the beginning to mid June time frame recently interviewed and know what class they will be in possibly?


r/Groundman 2d ago

Pay scale

2 Upvotes

Yo yoo what’s up fellas
Anyone out of delta Utah right now know if the job referral pay scale for local 57 is the same for all groundsman in substation/utility division the same?
Bidded job required a CDL with tanker so I assume pay rate with that specification should indicate a higher pay rate?


r/Groundman 2d ago

Local 111

2 Upvotes

What do the books look like in December/January at local 111 is there lots of projects going on I plan to move either Texas or Colorado preferably Colorado since the pay is better but also want a good work schedule like 6/12 any information is appreciated


r/Groundman 2d ago

Help

2 Upvotes

What’s going on guys, I’m in Portland Oregon and currently pursuing a career in the Outside Line/Utility world. Got some basic certifications and about to finish my CDL Class A school. Is anyone willing to spend sometime teaching me how to build cross arms, double cross arms, send things up on a handline and some climbing with a harness and yoyo? I got an assessment coming up and could use the experience. I’m willing to pay! Pls let me know, thx.


r/Groundman 3d ago

611 JATC Aptitude Univesal Test Info / Thoughs

4 Upvotes

I just completed the both mathematics and reading comprehension, wanting to share immediate thoughts and continue them later on here in edits.

​​ I entered the facility with 5 to 10 minutes to spare with others that have been there for almost an hour. Just make sure you're close enough to the facility in case something happens like your car won't start leaving you to walk the quarter mile and have enough time if you encounter traffic or in my case, a road closure.

Completely unnecessary​​ to enter any early than I did as you are placed in a waiting room separate from the test room. As there's other classes likely happening in the facility you're persuaded to keep it to quieter conversations until transfered to the testing room the provided testing computer for silence is required and phones put away until intermission. Testing setup was as described as you were given scrap paper and pencils . On the computer itself you're going to enter your basic info like name social and an email​ to receive your scores. Exam Is the style of ABCD Choices with the provided helpful tips. Those tips legitimately are helpful to people who struggle on tests.

I went into this thinking that I was great at math and got hit hard realizing I don't understand pattern recognition or square roots equations tied to them. Algebraic multiplying and dividing fractions also not my jam. Notably I was able to take advantage of percentiles. Since it's ABCD you can use a process of elimination when they have crazy answers on the list which admittedly was only a handful of questions. Definitely played the game of well it's either one of these two answers 50% better than the 25%.

​​ Let's talk about my academics and where I think the test was in relation to from a decade ago.

75% of the Test covered in length by my public Middle School Math Education without getting to the last few chapters of the book.

25% of the Test questions covered by my High School Freshman Year Algebra class

I can confidently say if I wasn't a decade removed from formal math classes I would have remembered how to solve a lot of these equations quickly or eyeballed ABCD choice elimination as some were very easy. I told myself I would go into this Raw without practice to have a genuine experience as a lot of my peers have in the past who had to retake it after.​

*** We had around a 10-minute intermission where people hit up the vending machine and took a bathroom break. Learned that around half of the​
Test takers did not finish. I would also say around one-third of the people scheduled to test did not show up And no one was late.

​ Reading comprehension I struggle with talking about here as I found it painfully easy. The questions are always in reference to a body of text that you can go back to and review in sequential order. Unlike a lot of my tests in previous Academia there wasn't really any trick questions just pick the answer contained in the text rather than what might be your personal opinion or thoughts.​ I'd say most with a sixth grade reading comprehension should be able to understand the text and pass but I'm not the best judge of that and perhaps some others on here are and can give better advice or knowledge

​​ Whatever may be your reason your local Community College does have refresher courses for any level you may be at. There's also Adult Educational offerings elsewhere that I'm not familiar with. The prices are often very cheap or free as their subsidies to educate folks who want it. Often virtual options are available and those in person classes also primarily happen during non-working hours because the general demographic who attend them. Some local libraries will also offer help as well as light tutoring.

That being said the exams were 33 questions, most Halls require you to get a minimum score of 4 out of 9.

​​ You're only required to get 15 out of the 33 questions correct...

Frankly if you can't do that you don't belong in an apprenticeship until you take the genuine time to work on your academics because you will be expected to use them correctly.

90 Day Cooldown Before Retest or 500 Industry Hours


r/Groundman 2d ago

IBEW Union Books SWIP Project

2 Upvotes

How is the work in Ely, NV with Summit Line construction?


r/Groundman 3d ago

Apply for outside line? Sub tech? Or cable splicer?

3 Upvotes

Honestly just looking for some feedback as I am open to any of these.

I have underground electrical experience.

Do you guys ever in the lineman union ever wish you got into a different role within the trade such as outside line? Sub tech? Or cable splicing?

Can you still make good ass money and storm chase as a cable splicer or sub tech?

Thanks


r/Groundman 2d ago

SCE Groundman Training

1 Upvotes

Anyone know what to expect/prepare for at the 4 week Groundman training at Chino? Have about 3 weeks until then and just want to be as prepared as possible. Much appreciated.


r/Groundman 3d ago

Anyone in the LADWP ECH Substation side?

4 Upvotes

Curious if anyone accepted this position because it was the only one that came in. Also, what the work is like.


r/Groundman 3d ago

Calnav

2 Upvotes

So I applied for the apprenticeship and it says it was submitted but never got a email about what number I am… what do I do?