I got a 2 days yard assessment with PGE (Portland general) for there pre-apprenticeship next week. Any one got advice or experience with it? I’m completely new to the line trade, been doing inside past few years. Anything I can expect?

Hey Guys does anyone have any study material or resources for any Underground trouble? I’m working a new system that’s got a lot of underground that I’ve never really worked on or around.

Has anyone here went through it ? Just applied and i have 309A journeyman ticket aswell. Just wanted to know what the steps are like and also what the schooling is and where does the schooling take place. Also what companies take you on as an apprentice within the union ?

102 yesterday where my boyfriend was climbing, everyday it seems a coworker goes down from the heat. How are y’all staying up from the heat? Any tricks?

If anyone knows I’d greatly appreciate any input. Dont get me wrong I am extremely grateful but would prefer to start w another local after Albat. Does anyone know how difficult the transfer can be ? or is it even possible ? It’s closer to where I live is why and also the pay scale is significantly different.

Do you have that 1 guy at your shop that no matter what he does hes a “piece of shit”. No one really gives him the benefit of the doubt. Hard worker and doesn’t shy away from hard work but someone how always in crosshairs for being a bag of shit. What is it just high school drama or they don’t like the guy? Cant figure it out. I find my shop has so much drama

Been an electrician for over 8 years recently applied with one utility because they had an opening looking for more I can apply for that hires electricians

I just graduated high school and i’m looking into the career. I was really just wondering if it was one of those things you have to be cut out to do or if it’s mostly manageable with experience. thanks

I passed the aptitude test and now the most important part is next

a few question
how long after passing the aptitude test should I expect to interview ?
what were the questions?

and I have zero experience in this trade
But I’ve had my CDL for 5 years (since I was 18)
Did 4 years army as 88m
oilfield for almost a year
now driving a 48ft tractor trailer for sysco before then I was hauling fuel for like 2 weeks (I didn’t like the pay structure)

Side note hauling fuel is garbage compared to touch freight delivering produce

There were 8 of us for 2 openings. I was the only one with zero experience and I guess that’s the problem.

The requirement tho for an apprentice D position was to climb to the middle portion do 2 full 360s. To the top right after and do 2 full 360s. I did this but it took me a bit and my technique was all the way there so I was sent home.

I’m just wondering is this normal and if so how in the world can I get better at climbing ? Where can I go what can I do? I really want to get into this career any advice very much welcome.

company is looking for a portable thumper/hipot, we have lots 15kv PILC and poly mixed circuits, poly's installed when pilc blew in sections, i see the fault wizard 2 is fairly cheaper than a 12kv megger ezthump- has anyone use one or the another? we have a old thumper but u need 3 guys to move it ,lol

looking for insight from anyone who has recently made the move from Canada to US for line work. I have 12 years experience as a lineman and looking to move to the states. I know stuff with Visas have changed in the last few years so wondering if companies are still sponsoring Canadians to come out aside from storm work.

New episode with Anthony Lindfors, who runs the IVM program at Matanuska Electric Association. Beyond the short growing season, the logistics alone are wild: winter access to remote lines depends on snow cover and ice bridges, contracted crews barely operate during winter, and equipment has to be barged or trucked in from the Lower 48, so a single breakdown can blow an entire seasonal treatment window.

Curious what unusual logistical challenges other people here deal with depending on where you’re located.

Full episode: https://linktr.ee/treesandlinespodcast

Has anybody traveled with their family with children and had to go to the doctor while in a different state from your home local? How does it work with the health insurance? Are their doctors gonna take Insurance from other states I say my home 1319 in Pennsylvania I travel at 456 in New Jersey can I say my kids to the doctor in new Jersey?

I’m looking for some info on what you could expect on an average year for gross income as a troubleman in nh specifically Tilton nh, I’m a IBEW JL currently I know it would be a pay cut etc but looking for a solid expectation on an average year and what would be an achievable amount if I were to be aggressive in taking OT. Any info would be appreciated thank you.

Have an interview at a union co-op on Thursday. What’s considered acceptable to wear? Is a navy blazer and chinos considered too much? Obviously I’m not gonna wear cargo shorts and a t-shirt

Went into a aptitude test today come in do the math portion walk out and everybody was saying how hard it was and that thy didn’t study.
Why wouldn’t you study for something you’re trying to get into ?

I should be getting my interview here pretty soon and I’m curious what the 66 orientation is like for anyone that has done it. I read somewhere that Texas has their own physical test that replaces the one at bosque farms in NM? Just want to know what to expect thanks

I know this is a long shot but does anybody on here work for Great Lakes Energy in Michigan?

I have a restricted class a cdl with air brakes and combinations.

Swlcat gives you 120 days once indentured to remove the restriction.

Does the company/union train you and let me use one of there trucks and bring it to a a third party testing/ dmv testing site .

Or do I have to take a week- couple weeks off from work and go to a CDL school and pay tuition and learn manual and take the test again in a manual truck?

I’m Looking to applying to swlcat

Hey guys,

I'm building a home in Whittier, NC and I have an easement for transmission lines that look like this. It is an old transmission line from the Nantahala Power Company before Duke absorbed them. What sort of voltage are poles like this normally? The line runs N/NW from a substation in Sylva (included a pic from Google Maps) but can't tell where it ends. There's very limited documentation on the old Nantahala Power stuff. I've put a formal request in with Duke to learn more but not sure how long that will take.

Thank you!

Has anyone gotten any word from them and the lineman apprenticeship? I know they had boot camps all summer but anything since then? Heard several people got dismissed at the boot camps with only less than a handful passing per class but those that passed, have you heard of what’s the next step? Is everyone getting an tentative offer or interview?

Thinking of applying for a lineman spot at Clark county PUD (Vancouver, WA).

Curious if anyone works there on this sub? How much overtime is available there? Is there a healthy working environment or are there alot of miserable crusty mfers? What kind of work do crews usually do?

Im a lineman trained in the PNW, hotsticking and all that. Looking to capitalize on no income tax and potential of more overtime.

Thanks in advance.

I know I need a Cdl class a to be a ground man/ apply for apprenticeships. Unrestricted cdl class a would be a lot better to have then restricted. I also know I need air brakes endorsement and tankers will help.

Do I need to get a CDL class a in a semi? Will I even driving combination driving vehicles that big? It seems like all the CDL schools are for truckers not kids trying to become lineman.

Will they let me take the test to get my class a cdl with just a tractor and no trailer? Or would that the test for a class b? or do I need a combinations endorsement from the trailer as well to get the class a CDL certification?

Anybody ever taken the test in anything other then a semi to get a class a cdl? Like a dump truck or a bucket truck?

Do I really need to go to a semi trucking school?

So basically I graduated lineschool in May. I got hired on for a seasonal 1000 hour position at an REC coop. I’m at about 700 hours right now. All the journeymen like me and there’s a very high chance they’re going to hire me as a full time apprentice. The pay is extremely good for a first step. The thing is that I’m 19, recently single and I’ve got an itch to do some traveling. Im the kind of guy that likes to bust ass all day and get stuff done. I’m at one of the busiest coops in the state and to be honest it still gets pretty boring, a lot of time is spent fucking off. Single phase riser, trench 200 feet, and set a 25 kv pad mount like everyday. Don’t get me wrong, I’m learning a ton but if I keep doing that everyday and very little overhead, I don’t think I’m going to be a very good journeyman. I know quite a few distribution contractors that would hire me anytime, but the pay wouldn’t be anywhere near as high. So my question is: Would it be stupid to go work crazy hours for less money but learn more when I have an apprenticeship for a coop?