r/UtilityLocator

New locator, and I have no issues with spiders, snakes, bees, anything. However, I have rediscovered my fear of wasps. (I shuddered typing that) I have wasp spray, I open nids and peds slowly, still get freaked out whenever I see even an empty nest. It’s too cold for them to be active around me right now, but once this heat kicks up I may be SOL.

I really like this job and am working 10-12 hours a day just because I like it, not because I have to. If I can’t get over the wasp issue before they start getting active, I may have to call it quits and I really really do not want to do that. So, what do you guys do when you encounter them?

Wouldnt it make sense for these companies to hire dedicated night locators to take oncall? Pay em a little less but for the whole shift no matter if they get a call or not?

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I’m looking for input on what everyone is using for ground stakes/rods during utility locating/designation.

I’ve never been a fan of the ones offered by the big manufacturers, and I’m also not interested in using screwdrivers or similar makeshift tools. I’m hoping to find something that’s durable, ergonomic, and purpose‑built without being overengineered.

If you’ve found a setup you like, I’d appreciate hearing:

- What type of stake/rod you’re using

- Why you prefer it over the standard options

- Any DIY or modified solutions that have held up in the field

Any ideas or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

What do you guys do to help prevent your leads getting tangled? Any product or tips appreciated. I’m already doing the thing where you connect both leads to your ground rod and wrap them around it, but they still get tangled every other job

I was finishing up locate for a home owner i was parked outside between 2 driveways. I was sitting in my truck billing out a ticket and after I closed it I look up and see the homeowner backing out of the driveway and saw she was close to the truck. Afraid she would hit the truck I go put it in drive to move but before I could accelerate she hit the back of the truck it was a hard enough hit to push my body and whip my head forward. I wasnt wearing a seat belt cause i wasnt in the process to drive off. She gets out and accuses me of reversing into her. I call police (procedure) and she also sees the dash cam and starts going on a tirade about i shouldn't of parked in front of her house cause nobody parks in front her house. She said I should of called her to tell her I was there. Apparently having a rear view camera, side mirror, and a head that can look around cant see a truck with my light bar flashing. So now im rolling around with a broken tail light, and she gots a dent from where she hit the bumper to the corner of the tailgate.

Looking to relocate to the area, I currently have three years experience as a locator.

What would happen if enough of the employees across all the 811 contract companies who are sick of being underpaid and overworked decided to strike and demand change

Anybody do this?

I’m due to start with ELM in a couple of weeks. Please share your experiences, pros & cons.

We’ve got a commercial job that’s been sitting for 7 days after submitting an 811 ticket on a Monday. By Friday, four utilities had already marked their responses, but the fiber company is still completely silent. I’ve tried calling their emergency line multiple times and just get no answer or a full voicemail box. The GC is pushing hard for progress, but I don’t feel comfortable moving forward without that response in place. Is this kind of delay normal with fiber providers, or is there a typical way people escalate when an 811 ticket just stalls like this?

I hit my one year mark a couple weeks ago. Zero damages, no driving events, I run one of the biggest areas on my crew, I put in the hours, and I get shit done.

There’s a kid that started same day as me, has an at fault accident, several driving events, a bunch of damages and his area is a third of the size of mine. Boss man refers to him as his “work son”.

Him and I just missed the cutoff for yearly raises so our sup gave us merit raises to compensate since the new people were making the same as us. Tell me why this kid got a dollar more than me.

Needless to say I’m a little bent out of shape over it. Sup says his hands are tied.

What would you do? What the hell else can I do to get a raise besides grow a dick?

If any of this sounds familiar, no it doesn’t. If my sup is reading this, I deserved that raise.

My question is how much stable Gtel is? Like they offered me $26 per hour and I am at north region - Timmins. But they layoff in winter as they told me.

I got another opportunity where I will get $20 per hour but is stable. What do you think I should choose?

So I guess if you get injured on the job you become an outcast? Other than the initial calls about what's expected of you and a few emails I haven't heard a peep fom anyone. Not even coworkers.

Honestly just curious wth is the point in us marking survey tickets?

What does the jobs and pay look like in ohio around the Cleveland area?