Lineman

Any Linemen out there? Really interested in pursuing this type of career any info would be great.

 

What do you want to know?

It's physical outdoor work, sometimes in miserable conditions. It requires training, skill and attention to detail. Often to keep you and your coworkers alive.

https://rarehistoricalphotos.com/ki...h-co-worker-contacted-high-voltage-wire-1967/

It pays well, equipment is continually improving, and it's a need that will not go away in your lifetime.

The company you work for, like any other job, does matter. It is better to be a regular employee for a customer committed outfit than an employee of a contract firm like Pike, at least in terms of job stability.

 

The physical part and working in shitty conditions I’m used too, been doing that for the past 10yrs as an infantryman in the army… I’m more interested in what’s the best way to get started with it and stuff.

 

I have a couple friends who got started here: https://lineman.edu/students-home/campuses/idaho/. They have good things to say about it and went right into the field after graduating.

 

@cory02taco

 

One way is to find a crew at lunch. Either in the field or sometimes at a dinner. Ask them.

Another is to just apply for a position at your local electrical utility. You'll start as a groundman, but like any trade, it's the way you learn an work your way up, based on your competence and vacancy availability.

I don't know how many lineman schools are out there like @ridefastflyfar linked, but it's worth exploring. But be sure you understand what you may or may not be able to hire in at when you graduate. Most companies are an IBEW chapter, and they may require starting at the bottom and working up, (barring actual working experience) regardless of formal education. That would be worth a conversation with both the school and an HR person at a company you are interested in.

 

I’m not a lineman but I work in my utilities Power System Tech department. It’s maintaining substations and equipment. That may be another avenue to pursue if it’s something you’re interested in.

I’ll say like the others, there are lineman schools out there, but at least in our system going to those only bumps you from groundman to apprentice (it may be different elsewhere). My thought is to apply to your local utility if you want to get to work right away.

the other part is most of our lineman’s trucks require a cdl to operate, so that is part of the progression as well.

 

What’s the job title for that if I was to search it

 

If you searched for my job it would say Power Systems Tech 1st class. I didn’t get hired as a first class, but that’s how they post them. You’ll find lineman jobs are the same. They’ll post for lineman 1st class, but will end up hiring someone as a groundman or apprentice. Don’t let the job title fool you, apply first ask questions during the interview.

 

In addition to lineman (which can be broken into distribution and transmission, and sometimes further subdivided into new construction or maintenance) there are also Substation electrician roles as mentioned above, and there are Meter Department roles as well. All a bit different with different specialties, but all good careers for those willing to work at it.

 

I used to work for the local utility trimming trees out of power lines. I'll say that being a lineman is a young man's job. All of the "old", 40+ something, linemen were busted or broken in someway. If you pursue this line of work have a plan B in your back pocket so you can walk away when the physical demands get too much. (I bailed on the tree trimming job after one day finding myself literally inches from death at the hands of a high tension power line. Started over with a career in technology and never looked back.)