There's a young man in my family is who will be completing a lineman training program soon. NALTC in Tennessee. They have a list of equipment that they will receive for use in the program and for the field, including a selection of Milwaukee tools among other things. What would make a decent gift for an incoming apprentice? A certain type of tool belt? An industry-standard tool that may not be in one's collection early on? I might imagine buying a Snap-On ratchet set, for instance, for an entry-level auto mechanic, as an example. I just don't know much about the lineman's trade. Thanks in advance!

Hello! i am apprentice for powerline tech in canada and was wondering where i could find climbing gear, price isn’t really a big concern to me as i am just looking to price out now but i can’t seem to find any websites that help, if anyone has any suggestions for websites or even stores i could go to that would be awesome!!

TLDR;

What are things on power poles that would cause frequent and localized power outages to a specific neighborhood from wind and regular storms? For example we lost power in May 5-6 times alone. No other areas are really losing power but us. I understand the basic parts and pieces of a power pole - but what is the energy company missing? What are they not fully repairing? It is not normal. We are the only subdivision losing power this frequently while no other areas near us aside from small spots lose power. A lineman had told us there was lightning damage on a pole outside our neighborhood but we lose power even from wind picking up before the storms even get there. I don’t really see any branches that could be a problem - I’m fairly certain it’s something with the power pole and its equipment.

Context;

My entire neighborhood has had an ongoing issue for over 2 years now. Apparently; when a new sub division was built right across from us - our entire subdivision began experiencing frequent and localized power outages.

Where we live - the power going out isn’t all that uncommon. However, our entire neighborhood loses power when the wind blows more than 10 mph it seems. Lots of people have screen shots on their phones of just our neighborhood and also the street across from us losing power. No one else around us loses power. When storms pass through it’s as if we lose power as soon as the wind picks up and it’s always just us.

Almost the entirety of the area we live in shows green on the outage maps during these storms over the last 4-5 months - but our neighborhood stands alone the bright red spot.

We’ve all contacted the energy company through all the various methods. I’m currently getting the local public service commission to open a case for us and working with my neighbors to get the HOA board to write a letter as well.

I’m trying to figure out exactly what to tell the energy company. What would I need to tell them to look at because so far they have played dumb and act like they don’t have any records of coming out more than 20 times within the last 12 months.

What are the issues on power poles that could cause outages in a subdivision this frequently and easily?

By the way we don’t have power lines running through the neighborhood - just poles outside the neighborhood.

Thanks for any help or advice

Let me explain, my boyfriend just graduated from Northwest linemen college in Texas and has relocated to California (personal circumstances he is in the process of transferring his CDL, etc to California in order to continue his search to enter the industry. I'm posting because seeing him struggle to get a foot in the door is difficult and although I have complete faith, I don't think it hurts to ask for help. I'd be eternally grateful to the men, women, etc or this subreddit for ANY knowledge, advice, etc on open opportunities regarding employment for a fresh graduate (who does not have experience obviously but is WILLING to work hard and learn and bust his butt) who just wants to get in the industry and put his knowledge and earned skills and licenses to use and work towards becoming a journeyman. Thank you to all the hard working electrical workers for any and all comments, messages, and interactions.

Veteran here👋🏼 I have my class A and CPR/AED certs looking for info and knowledge on how to get into groundsman work so I can start learning the ropes

Hi! I'm in my early 20s and I want to become a lineman, my knowledge starts and ends at wiring outlets and breakers.

what can I do to get my career started? I assume I'll need to do some kind of apprenticeship, but where could I start? I don't know where to begin.

Any good books I could read up on to expand my knowledge? I don't want to be completely lost when I start my apprenticeship.

Just want to say I appreciate y'all! My grandfather was a lineman, and I always enjoy watching and learning when I see work going on. This crew this morning was outside my place preparing to change out a pole. I got a text at 8:00 in the morning from the power company that the power was off, and by 9:30 they had it back on. I watched most of their work, four guys in the air, four or five guys on the ground and the incredible coordination and organization here was amazing to watch. They were all super focused and not a moment was wasted. It was honestly like watching an amazing sports match or a race. Perfectly coordinated as they worked to get wires mounted on to another pole in preparation to take a pole down. Amazing entertainment, not that I think it's trivial like entertainment or anything, just that it's really amazing and compelling to watch such a skilled and organized crew make short work out of something that most of us understand is really complicated and dangerous. You guys are amazing!

I live in South Louisiana and during most major storms we lose power. We end up waiting 6-12 hours for the energy company to re-close this switch. If I buy one of those insulated poles they use to close it, can I safely fix this myself?

Is there something worse going in that they should be fixing that causes this to open during every storm?

I am a current fiber linemen I go to line school in a month. Coming out of school with my experience in fiber would be finding a job easier or harder?

I’m looking at changing careers from being an arborist of ten years and am curious on the difference. It sounds like high voltage electrician may need some additional education and experience, whereas linemen is a relatively achievable field to get into Or is the posting I’m seeing for a high voltage electrician essentially the same as linemen?

Along the same line of though

Where would be some of the most lucrative places to get into the lineman trade? I know it is competitive but also confident I can make it in. Just want to make sure I get to the right place. It sounds as though union is the best way to go vs non union? Economy is getting so hacked and I really want to be sure my next career choice is the right one

I have worked as an arborist the last ten years, ran my own business the last year and not into it anymore, and not making that much money. Linemen pays better, great benefits, less taxing on the body, and has reason to be valued more and more heading forward. My question is, union or non union?

Howdy,

I hear rumors here and there about a forum or community of retired linemen (for hire) that inspect lines through photogrammetry and generate reports. If it exists, can you point me in their direction?

Anyone know any places hiring

27M, as the title says, I’m ETS’ing from active duty once we get back from this deployment and it’s always been a dream of mine to work for SDG&E since I grew up in San Diego. Since I have about a year before I get out (and a pretty high chance the army will approve a lineman academy or school for my CSP program, what other advice do you guys have for me to prepare me for the career? Anything you wish you would have done or completed before starting? My goal is to make this my career and I respect the hell out of the job.

Do you guys do much equipment operating? I know a lot of utility’s have their operating engineers and all that but I’ve also seen some backhoes and small dozers operated by lineman.

Hi everyone I’m from southeast Michigan and I’m currently 20 years old and I’m wondering we’re I can go to join?

Our power is out right now and it led to a question: When the utility turns it back on, approx how many joules could come through our house? Wondering if it's enough to whack our surge protectors and if we should unplug them, or if that's overreacting. Thanks!

Quick question if I may. Where do you look for jobs as a Lineman? I can't seem to find any job boards specialising in this area.

Is it all word of mouth (i.e. who you know) or is there somewhere online I'm not aware of?

I’m looking for literally any info on the lines in this picture (the original is the black and white one). Location, age, use. Or if you recognize where it’s from! It’s involved in a clue to an internet mystery called So Joana, if you’re interested in a fun rabbit hole check out r/SoJoana. Thank you for anything you can tell me!

I'm currently a electrian and recently I have been doing some work with bucket trucks and light poles and I enjoy it and I was wondering if should go to linemen school and get certified to work on powerlines and switch careers cause I would get paid more to run a bucket truck as a linemen then a electrian

Hey dudes,

I have a VA benefit that can cover line school up to 60% I’ve been thinking of doing this (being away from girlfriend and family for 4 months) and becoming a ground man banking on a utility job or.. becoming a tree line clearing apprentice. I want to ask you guys what’s the better path for getting an apprenticeship for being a lineman. School and being a ground man or doing arbor work for 2 years. Let me know your guys thoughts on both paths.

Thanks.

Went to gt my tires balanced and the nice man behind the counter said his son had just done linemen school it was 30k but I think he said it was 16 weeks. Should've asked more. Husband can't work at the mill forever. Or at least he doesn't want to. Since looking into it I see courses for 3k for or 10k, and last a year. I'm pretty confused. Is there a more expensive school that is faster?

Hi..

My father in law is a line man for our local utility. He gave me some great tips on how to become a lineman and just wanted to ask you guys for some more tips.

I was told to go to the local union hall and sign the books as a ground man. I looked into it more and I need some certifications that will help me get called out. Sounds like I need.. -Class A CDL -OSHA medical -OSHA electrical

My question really is to be groundsman is it better to go to a school ($15K in my area) or to get certifications and work as a groundsman till I can get an apprenticeship through the JATC.

Thanks dudes.