Well the title is my career choice. I was wondering who is a lineman and could help me out with some information. Thinking about NLC in Idaho. Any of you guys been there? Or what college do you guys recommend. Any info on this subject appreciated. Thanks
Journeyman/Lineman
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If you live someplace close to a big city, join the utility. They train you for free and you get a lot of experience too, and with overtime you can double your regular income. (This is from my experience with Exelon in Chicago.)
What type of work you planning on doing? How high of voltage?
They regularly have opening with our local PUD's for apprentice lineman. From talking to my neighbor (he's the head lineman for one county) he said its a great way to go, once you get through your first year you're pretty much on for life. Sounds like decent money too.
i live in washington and the biggest town near me is tri-cities. i dont know how high of voltage i should go yet. just wondering how it is gioing for the people who are lineman
Well I talked to my neighbor some more and he said the past couple years with the wind storms on the coast the linemen have made out pretty good pay wise, lots of OT and extra training opportunities.
Here is some info on the apprentice program both PUD's go by in my area
http://www.chelanpud.org/lineman-apprentice.html
and here is an add looking for a journeyman at the same PUD (been advertising for this position for at least a year)
http://www.chelanpud.org/job-opportunities.html
Kinda gives ya an idea what you could look at making. Neighbor says the apprentice starts somewhere around half (wages) and moves up from there.
Anymore infor I can get y just let me know.
Here is some info on the apprentice program both PUD's go by in my area
http://www.chelanpud.org/lineman-apprentice.html
and here is an add looking for a journeyman at the same PUD (been advertising for this position for at least a year)
http://www.chelanpud.org/job-opportunities.html
Kinda gives ya an idea what you could look at making. Neighbor says the apprentice starts somewhere around half (wages) and moves up from there.
Anymore infor I can get y just let me know.
Sort of like a real Electrician except it's 95% bull labor and 5% brains. Build pole hangers until you puke...
You always get to climb poles at night in blowing snow. Nothing ever breaks during a sunny day.
You always get to climb poles at night in blowing snow. Nothing ever breaks during a sunny day.
one wire: hook 'em up.... two wires: fook 'em up... 
Your percentages are off a little, lots of labor, but there is also a lot of safety procedures. Don't want to end up fried...... lots of stories about close calls....... dangerous stuff is high voltage! I never want to see what a fluke looks like when it sees 4kV! Got fire retardant gear?
yeah i know its hard work but it seems intresting have heard stories of people frying them selves but i guess its just a job
H
Hairy Mark
Well-known member
you can always look into going to spokane community college. bpa hires directly out of that program for lineman, electricians and substation operators.
yeah thats my other choice. its either NLC in Idaho or spokane community college. just trying to think which way i should go.
I'm not a lineman yet, still a equipment operator for our powerline construction company, but I can tell you life is pretty good for the lineman. Just be prepared to die every day. We work on mostly 230KV stuff but the little lines will fry you as well. Ask yourself if the money is worth it.
It has been my experience that if you follow all your safety requirements, the chances for injury are small.
Very true. As long as everyone does their job well it's safe. I'm not scared of this stuff and wouldn't trade this job for anything, you just have to keep in mind what you're working with.
