any power line technicians?

hi guys im not a power line technician just someone looking to get into this career. just wanted to get some advice on how to get into it or just some thoughts on it.

 

a couple college buddies got into it. i went with electrical engineering

good money, hard work, killer overtime in storms.

i screwed up my back in 07 in a motorcycle accident, my lineman career would have ended. I chose a career that i rely on my my brain rather than my body and brain.

It is a good career, not bashing it.

If you go for a degree in Electrical construction and maintenance or electrical engineering technologies, or plain ole elegtrical engineering it will give you a great education that you can use for many jobs. (the college i attended had overhead line course.) i thought about taking it but its very specialized.

The way i look at it the overhead line is good for one job.
elec. con and maintenance is good for multiple jobs from building maintenance to overhead line working, to being an electrical contractor

 

yoytoda exactly what kind of jobs can you do with that degree? and just how hard was it to get and how long did it take? my main reasons for my interest in PLT is due to the pension and like you said wage and overtime and medical benifits. i had to be in a trade to pay for my truck and it was the only way to make good money with out having to do years of school but now with my truck payed off i really want to go into a career i can spend the rest of my life in that not only makes me a good living but can also give me a sense of accomplishment. Im no dummy when i apply myself i can be very smart i just have to be interested not like i was in highschool aha. thanks for any input

 

im a lineman for pike electric. they are a contractor company but down south there aint alot of people hiring, its a great feild to go into. full medical and dental decent pay and plenty of room to upgrade to a higher pay grade. its a wonderful feild to go into. if you work for a company for a while then it looks really good for college classes. right now im taking online classes for my degree in electrical engineering.

 

I'm an electrical engineer as well, but work with many linemen. One option would be to get into an apprenticeship program with a utility company that's a municipality (city-owned utility). Here is where you may find the benefits (medical, pension, leave, etc.) that you're looking for. You can also do the same with private utilities, but their benefits may or may not be as good. Another option is to get on board with electrical utility contractors like Henkels & McCoy or C&C Powerline, just to name a few. These guys can make some killer pay especially in storm restoration, but they are constantly playing leap frog looking for work.

Lineman work isn't easy by any means. You work in all types of weather conditions and typically there aren't any second chances if you make any mistakes because it can cost you your life or that of others. With the proper training though it can be extremely rewarding. You might want to get more info regarding this career path from a local community college that offers this type of vocational track. Good luck!

 

henkles and mc'coy are a union company, you have to join a electrical brother hood, im not sure about c&c though. like istiz099 said your best bet would be to try with your local electrical cooperation and see if they have a apprenticeship program.

 

I believe C&C is unionized too. Nothin wrong with that though...I'm all about unions.

 

nope nothing wrong with the union, great pay and if your willing then you will pretty much always have a job.. there is just no telling where that job will be.