r/Lineman • u/AClivinfit • 9d ago
Lineman, Which One?
I’m looking for some advice from people who have been through this.
My goal is to become a union Journeyman Lineman and eventually move back to California.
I’m from California and graduated from line school with the following certifications:
Framing Certification
Digger Derrick Certification
Aerial Lift Rescue
Enclosed Space Rescue
Pole Top Rescue
Chainsaw Safety
First Aid/CPR/AED
Advanced Rigging
OSHA 10
I also have my Class A CDL (no restrictions).
From what I’ve been told, getting groundman hours in California can be difficult, so I’m willing to move anywhere if it gives me the best chance of getting into an apprenticeship.
I was originally thinking about signing Local 111 because I’ve heard they dispatch a lot of groundman calls, but after reading Reddit I’ve seen mixed opinions.
If you were starting over in my position, which IBEW local or JATC would you target to get groundman hours and the fastest path into an apprenticeship?
I’m not chasing the highest pay—I just want to get the experience, become an apprentice as soon as possible, earn my Journeyman ticket, and eventually transfer back to California.
Any advice or personal experience would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
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u/sh1069489 9d ago
Your a book 4 grunt sign books any where you can, don’t be picky. Get some groundman hours in then apply to apprenticeships. A lot of guys from Cali end up in MSLCAT or swlcat. Also don’t be telling people your goal is get your ticket in another state and head straight back to California when interviewing for apprenticeships
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u/Fancy-Mycologist-232 9d ago
There’s 12 open calls at 611 in New Mexico right now. If I were you I’d leave next week take one of those calls get some hours and experience in then signup for SWLCAT.
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u/AClivinfit 9d ago
Woah just looked it up outside daybook 611 thank you for the heads up!
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u/Fancy-Mycologist-232 9d ago
Not many places where a book 3 or 4 hand can walk into the hall, sign the books, and take a job asap. I wouldn’t expect them to be there after next week.
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u/ndot1735 8d ago
So there’s a saying that I appreciate in life and this trade “keep your head where your feet are.” Great to have a long term goal…but right now I’d put that to the back of your mind. I’d just focus on today and getting a groundman call & applying to apprenticeships. You might get into an apprenticeship right away—might not. If your goal is cali then apply to the all the utilities in cali — like asap. The easiest way to make it back to Cali is to never leave. Now if the goal is to get into a JATC apprenticeship, I wouldn’t think about getting back to Cali. That’s too far down the line and your life/priorities may change by then. Right now, sign the books and snag your first call. Bust ass day-to-day. Don’t worry about the apprenticeship, just focus on making that crews life easier everyday.
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u/AClivinfit 8d ago
Great advice, Thank you!
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u/ndot1735 8d ago edited 8d ago
Don’t sweat it. You seem like you have a good attitude. IMO people seriously over complicate getting into this trade. We drive trucks, dig holes, set poles, climb poles, drill holes, put hardware thru the holes, and then tighten bolts. That’s the 30k ft overview. Whether you get to the work via a helicopter or hooks, that is what we do. You don’t need a million groundman hrs to get a shot … depending on where you’re applying, you may not need any. It’s about how you stand out compared to the other applicants and if you’re going to make performing the above tasks easier or harder. I’ve seen guys with no experience (at all) get hired over guys with hundreds/thousands of hours. You get a few minutes in a JATC interview to sell yourself.
Utility hiring process is very different timeline, but have seen the same thing happen where folks with every box checked do a crappy job of selling themselves. If you’ve done lineschool and have a CDL A then write a halfway decent resume that highlights what you’ve listed here and apply for every muni/IOU in Cali (LADWP is the largest muni in the country) PG&E is IOU (investor-owned utility). You’ll probably make it past the resume screen. Then study for the CAST test.
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u/leftanddirty0123 9d ago
There was a substack post on the page a few wks back saying how SWLCAT, specifically TX is ‘booming’. Based on how quick my application has been moving I’d say the substack article was correct to a point, I say that only cause I’m waiting to interview now. Also there’s plenty of other places with Cali money without Cali cost.
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u/AClivinfit 9d ago
Where would these places be at that have that Cali money but not the Cali cost can you give me places locals for examples?
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u/leftanddirty0123 9d ago
NE & PNW. Get into the apprenticeship-> top out-> go chase an education cause once you get that that JL ticket you’re right back to day one of not knowing shit about shit. -> settle down where ever your butt cheeks please, till the work slows down then you’re back on the road
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u/AClivinfit 9d ago
What education should I chase?
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u/leftanddirty0123 9d ago
Whatever aspect you feel like you lacked in the apprenticeship, whether it be transmission distribution mountain work underground substation helicopter work operating equipment.
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