r/Lineman

Got offered a foreman job with jwd. Downsides for working for the company ?

First off I’d like to say I’ve not traveled much this is actually only the 2nd call I’ve ever taken outside of my local. Got a call yesterday for a job and they sent me referral last night to be filled out and sent back today. So I filled it out & sent it back over so I could be there to onboard Monday morning. Buddy of mine calls me today & says the local he’s working out of has like 20+ open calls for the area he’s in and we’d be able to stay together & save some money and the hours are a little better where he’s at. Now I’m a newer JL (topped out Jan 2025) and I don’t want to make a bad name for myself and screw people over. I want to add that the local I took this call out of is a very small local with rarely any travelers and there was no other JLs on the books so I dont see it as taking the call from someone else because there was nobody else to begin with. So if it were you guys would you go to the call you committed to and really give it a good shot and only leave for a good reason? Or would you just call & tell them you don’t want it anymore? Torn between doing the “right” thing and committing to the call I took or chasin the money with one of my buddies. Thanks.

What do I need to know? How can I make his day easier? Any tips?

I’m currently a foreman for a non union contractor and have been considering joining the union and running storms. Can anyone give me some information on the average income and days worked in a year that solely run storms? I know it can vary on year and if you decide to skip some but just wondering generally how many days you’re on the road vs home. Thanks in advance!

Does anybody have any idea of the outcomes of the new bargaining agreement for 769? Any changes? Wages benefits?

I'm currently sitting in day 7 of a massive disruption and was hoping for some insight from you guys.

When a large section of the grid goes down, how do you guys maintain balanced phases when certain legs could have far more subscribers and therefore more load? Does that even come into consideration, or is it more just get as much infrastructure online as possible?

I would assume that there has to be some sort of communication with the power company otherwise the grid could become unstable. I'd love some insight from anyone with knowledge on the subject.

I was offered the opportunity to participate in a program with National Grid. After completing the program, there may be an opportunity to receive a job offer in one of the following positions:
Pipe Handler
Customer Associate
Revenue Associate
Maps & Records Technician
Cable Splicer Apprenticeship
Maintenance Worker
Warehouse Stocker
Automotive Technician
Clerk

My long-term goal is to change careers and become a journeyman lineman. I currently have a bachelor’s degree in Finance, but I do not have a CDL Class A.
Would it make sense for me to accept this National Grid opportunity as a way to get my foot in the door, gain experience with the company, and then try to transfer into a lineworker/lineman apprenticeship?

I’ve been waiting on the books out there for awhile and am curious if some big jobs are expected sometime soon

Hey all, quick question for the guys working out of buckets.
Is it just me, or is the amount of stuff guys hang off the outside of the bucket getting out of hand? I’m seeing guys with full tool aprons, hard covers, heavy metal tools, and hell, I even saw a guy hanging a portable generator off the lip the other day.

I totally get hanging your rubber goods, hose, and cover-up on the inside/outside hooks to keep your floor space clear so you aren't tripping over yourself up in the air. That makes sense. But OSHA explicitely states no metal tools or conductive stuff hanging on the outside of the bucket. Aside from the obvious electrical hazard, what about the weight limits?

Correct me if I’m wrong, but the manufacturer's bucket capacity rating (usually 300 to 500 lbs max depending on if it's a single or double) includes:
The liner itself
You in full gear / FR
All your hand tools, hydraulic tools, and material
Everything you've got hooked onto the lip/sides

A lot of guys seem to forget that the bucket liner itself eats into that total payload, and hanging 100+ lbs of gear off the side is pushing those boom capacity limits way faster than they think—not to mention screwing up the jib or bucket leveler.

Are safety guys at your shop just turning a blind eye to this, or are people just ignoring the capacity tags until something snaps? How strict is your utility/contractor on bucket overload and outside hooks?

We all know what it means to drag up but it occurred to me that I didn’t know the origin of it. Google gave me a million different answers so you guys got anything? I was thinking welders dragging up their leads, fishing boats dragging up their nets, I’m not sure.

Welp pretty sure I’m fuxked, trying once again to get into IBEW 2150 lineman union. I Have construction experience, in the inner city gas work and building trades, also have a Class A cdl and a few endorsements. Boom cert, flagger cert.

Drove down to Missouri Vally JATC stayed down there took the test passed, then went into the interview same day..

Called today and got my number and I can’t help but think I failed interview was good in my opinion they asked a few vague questions, I didn’t get to tell them much about me they were just pumping guys in and out working 5-7 min

Better luck next time?

Hey guys I’m in a good pickle but a stressful pickle. I’ve accepted a rotational camp job in bc as a labourer with opportunity for apprenticeships. Meanwhile I just talked with a PM for a Saskatchewan non union apprenticeship job and he’s gonna send an offer through

My sole goal is to become a PLT. The Saskatchewan has good pay and loa but that’s not the main thing. It’s about becoming a PLT within 4-5 years at most. But in bc, the job is 84 hours a week 14/7 days off.

What would you guys do? Cause if bc has a pathway for me with that contractor and they indenture guys, I’d rather be in the mountains and learning in bc than Saskatchewan.

I have 1200 groundsman hours so far and getting my class 1A/AZ license finished by next month or so.

I’m really in a tough bind here cause I love both offers. And if bc has a concrete path, it’s better but… you know, if the non union role is good, I can become a journeyman in 3-4-5 years.

But just know my rotation ends a week before expected start date with Sask so it actually gives me the opportunity to go work a rotation, see if management really indentures guys or just sells vague advancement ideals.

Hey guys I’m on the waiting list for ALBAT out of 369 and I’ve been #56 for about a month now. Can anybody give me a heads up or a rough idea about how long it’ll take to get to climbing school? I’m on the groundman books as well.

Considering a move to AZ from California and really like the northern Arizona areas. How is working with APS or SRP? Ability for overtime? San tan valley is a possibility too I’m just weary of the heat in the summer. Would like to hear anyone’s experiences and recommendations. Arizona has been on my mind for years I just know nothing about the locals out that way. Anything helps, thanks

Hello, practicing for an underground lineman test physical. I failed the above ground, they had us drive and remove 5 lags in 6 minutes, just ended up missing too many times with the hammer and only getting 4.5 in.

Looking for any tips/expierence on your physicals? Also for driving and pulling lags, any and all input welcome, thanks.

I’ve been an apprentice at a municipality in Georgia for almost two years. I’ve been learning, but the progress has been pretty slow due to the workload and the type of work we have available.

I recently got in contact with SELCAT and found out that I qualify for direct entry. I’m seriously considering leaving the utility/municipality side and going union so I can get more experience.

I’m looking for advice from anyone who has made the transition from a municipality/utility to union.
How was the transition for you? Was it worth leaving the municipality? How consistent was the work, and how much traveling did you end up doing?

I’m also curious about the benefits, especially retirement and healthcare. If I stayed with the municipality for 30 years, I would receive a pension and healthcare benefits in retirement. How does the union pension and healthcare work compared to that? Do you have to work a certain number of years/hours to become vested, and can you still have a solid retirement after spending 20–30 years in the union?
I’d really appreciate hearing from anyone who has actually gone through this transition and can share their experience. Thanks!