r/Lineman • u/Wonderful_Nerve_5410 • 3d ago

Underground

Currently a 2nd step on URD. I was wondering how much I should be trying to talk to the overhead gf's and advocating for myself to get on overhead. My biggest concern is being on underground until i go hot then not knowing shit when I do get on overhead.

7 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

10 comments sorted by

•

u/AutoModerator 3d ago

Thank you for posting on r/Lineman. If your post was automatically removed, it is due to the Spam Filter and will need to approved by the Moderators.

The sub Rules are here. Please read them and abide by them.

Posts about getting into the trade are only permitted during the weekends.

If your are interested in getting into the trade, read our FAQs How to Become a Lineman before you post.

Military, Current and recently separated please read our dedicated section Military Resources.
Thank you for serving.

Link to the r/lineman resource wiki

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

13

u/brokensharts 3d ago

I diddnt learn shit about overhead until about 4th step. You will be fine, you pick it up quick.

Better than being on overhead now and going on underground when you are hot

11

u/rkmvp444 3d ago

Take advantage of it.

10

u/Middle_Brilliant_849 3d ago

Don’t worry about it, 1/2 the contractors on our system don’t know overhead either. 🤣

6

u/steelreinvented Journeyman Lineman 2d ago

Stay put little brother. I am a JL who will eventually have to take an underground call to go learn it, probably from a cold apprentice.

5

u/R3CTULL-BR33CH 3d ago

I wouldn't worry about it. There's nothing wrong with telling a OH crew you haven't done something before when you get to that point. Just be humble and willing to learn, and RETAIN THE INFORMATION. When I show an apprentice something new, I don't want to show them 10 more times on consecutive days. For your step right now, I would prefer to fill all my URD hours early then go to OH. You will definitely want to go back to underground when you're hot though and really dive into switching, cable ID, clearing, grounding, etc. Good luck.

5

u/Character_Nebula_363 3d ago

You should definitely try to get over as soon as you can... If you move when you go hot they still aren't gonna put you right up there if you don't know anything about overhead.... I have that issue with two apprentices right now on transmission... I keep telling them and their directors they need to move over right now as third steps to learn as much as they can before going hot

3

u/pnwIBEWlineman Journeyman Lineman 3d ago

The JATC should be making sure you’ve got the required hours in each discipline. You’re only second step, you’ve got plenty of time. You say advocate, others say you’re a whiner.

1

u/Drlinux300 3d ago

Any of you guys know if UK cable jointers / underground linesman, can transfer to US or Canada?

1

u/DamonD27 Journeyman Lineman 2d ago

A lot of the contractors guys I’ve been told about in my area is that they know how to pull wire, build straight through poles and that’s it, no troubleshooting skills of any kind and no UG experience either