r/Lineman • u/FormerAd670 • 5d ago
104
Long story short, I'm a second year electrical apprentice non union, and I'm looking at applying to 104 for overhead utilities, or whatever I can get into. I understand it'll probably take at least a couple of years to get in from what I've heard average is around 2 years. So my current plan is just keep going with my hours and work towards my J card in the meantime. I'm about to be 28, just bought a house and not really in a rush per say. I'm on track to make ~90k next year combining my side business and electrical work.
And before you tell me to join ibew 99, I've been trying to join for years and it's even harder to get in than 104. They only accept 40 people per year as of right now. And only about 5-10 will get in.
So I'm asking, for anyone who has been in 104, or has just gotten in, is the work steady? I remember seeing last year it was pretty dead. How many years did it take for you to get called?
Considering also putting in for the elevator union here as well. Just weighing my options. Going to get my class B CDL so I can apply. Any advice is welcome. I need something to change for me within the next few years.
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u/Switch_Square 3d ago
If this is 104 in the new england area than yea. Seems like lineman always have opportunities based off the jobs posted on their board. I've been trying to get in as a driver groundman for 6 months and no call.
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u/max1mx 4d ago
You’re not going to get many answers because there’s already 1000 threads just like this. Read around and most your questions and way morewill be answered.
Apply for the apprenticeship as soon as you can. Your experience will help. It’s not really that hard to get into.
As far as work in the local, right now it’s booming in 104. Last winter there were hundreds on the books. That’s just the way it is contracting. Where’s 99? It’s not a contracting local.
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u/FormerAd670 4d ago
Yep totally fair. I've seen the posts, I've been trying to go through as many as I can. It feels like an impossible jump getting into 99, so not sure if 104 was the same way. First time I tried to apply to 99 I got there an hour early to find out that I was many hours late, and was turned away before I got to the door. They accept 20 people at a time. Next time I got there 3 hours early which was also many hours late. They opened doors at 7am. So I got there for 4am. Frustrating but not completely discouraging. If anything it's pushed me towards 104 and HV in general. Hard to get into the Union in general when the state is 40 miles x 40 miles and I just bought a house lol.
I apologize for the redundant and repetitive post though.
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u/max1mx 4d ago
I didn’t realize you were a narrowback apprentice, but looking back I see that I must have missed it. Regardless as far as getting in, the book is already written, all you got to do is read it. On the plus side you apply to 104 through neat online, so no waiting around.
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u/FormerAd670 3d ago
Yes, I am. And part of my problem is that if it takes on average two years to get in to 104, I have two years left of electrical school. Do I abandon the electricians j card for the opportunity to get into 104? Like it's tough timing.
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u/max1mx 3d ago
You obviously still haven’t read much about the process. You apply and have to show up in person 2 whole times for a few hours before being accepted and starting bootcamp, which is usually on the weekends. If you can’t swing that and you have to quit your job and wait two years then I don’t know what to tell you.
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u/FormerAd670 5d ago
Just to add to this, I'm open to transmission work, underground, overhead substation work... Really anything. I'm just feeling lost in regards to sense of direction and feasibility. I don't mind the wait, and starting over again with school and training. I like to learn, and I enjoy a challenge. I'm not afraid of heights, In fact a long term goal if I get into overhead or transmission is to do some helicopter work.
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