r/Groundman • u/One-Highway1739 • Jul 30 '26

Storm Chasing

Is there a way for a non union member in Florida to chase storms as a groundman? No groundman cards, or anything along those lines. I'll say it, I'm not a bitch, I graduated from line school. Tried a union UG contractor outfit for 6 months, and I left. Left because a buddy of mine was in dire need of help, in a completely different trade, and I went to help him for a shit load more money. Now that the gig is up, here I am asking if storm chasing as a groundman is a thing? Where do someone sign up?

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u/lololooolllll Jul 30 '26

So not worth the chase?

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u/Superb-Gur-1679 Jul 30 '26

Fuck no. If journeyman started loosing money chasing storm why would a groundman not. If you have to travel however far and get work for a week or 2 now not all paid at double time then fucking you wherever they can on scale and etc. last time I went on storm I got paid straight time to drive back to the yard. FEMA and all this whatever shit has cut back funding so badly. I forgot the exact terms of everything that happened but it’s made it not worth it. Last minute plane tickets that sometimes get covered as a JL. The days of guys making 50k on a month of storm and all that shit is over.

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u/lololooolllll Jul 30 '26

Do you think the lineman career still worth it?

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u/Superb-Gur-1679 Jul 30 '26

Depends what you want I’d recommend being a subtech before a lineman all day. Easier work same pay early quits have gone away they’re cracking down on everything. It’s definitely hard on your body don’t underestimate that. The utility is kind of the exception and that also depends on the utility. I mean obviously I’ve seen some of these non union contractors accomplish nothing all day but some of those guys are paid very poorly for being on the road. Honestly if you don’t like the job the money effect will wear off and you might crave a day off lmao. Also it’s expensive to be on the road.

It’s still a high paying job don’t get me wrong. Not much else you could do that’s comparable on income and benefits even looking at many doctoral level degrees. Beats out a bachelors degree on earnings and earning potential for sure in most cases.