Being a Lineman - Episode 30

Hey Everyone!
It's been a really tough month... My father passed away unexpectedly but peacefully with me by his side last week 🕊️. I've been off work for the last 9 days to take the time to grieve and look after his affairs.
This footage was from about 2 days before X-mas, but life has been just too busy to do any large amounts of editing.
I'll be releasing a video covering fault indicators very soon, now that things are getting a little bit back on track for me.
Go give your loved ones all a big hug 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦
Be safe out there everyone! 👊🍻
***
Keep in mind my videos are to be used as guidelines only!
There are many different ways to preform the tasks shown in this videos.
Always adhere to your own company's policies and procedures.
This work should only be preformed only by those whom are both trained and authorized to do so! ***
Huge thanks to my Patreons! 👊👊
➡ / bobsdecline
audio courtesy of:
Corncob Country by Kevin Macleod
KZbin audio
#bobsdecline​​ #beingalineman #lineman

[@Bobsdecline]

I had started editing this one on December 23rd... Then things took a turn :( . My father became ill and we got hit with multiple bad storms. After a real busy month and then some time off for the family, things are slowly getting back to normal. My father was a big part of my life and will be missed greatly. Love ya always Dad 🕊️

[@JoeyThe_Great]

Aw man, sorry for your loss.

[@jjc2896]

That’s really sad news. Hope you’re doing alright. My condolences.

[@hawkeye454]

My condolences good sir, I'm sorry to hear of your loss. Hang in there buddy.

[@michaelhayes8007]

Sorry to hear that man.

[@askemehe5087]

Sorry for your loss Aaron! - with warm regards from N. Florida.

[@dietmarherforth8614]

Condolences from Germany, may your dad rest in peace. I am an german electrician. My father was an electrician to, but he was gone to heaven as i was 12 years... A great hugh to you.

[@mrfoodarama]

Very sorry to hear your dad has passed. My best to you and your family

[@Bobsdecline]

Thank you🙏

[@shaunbarnes7094]

​@@Bobsdeclinemy name is Shaun I like your KZbin channel

[@Rin-xy4tt]

May your father rest in peace. Stay strong!

[@wx7slc]

I can tell from your presence that he was a great man - like father, like son. Peace be with you and your family, and in your spare time, do your best to preserve his history as your father, that his grand and great grand children may learn of his strength and example.

[@advorsky1]

I had a friend who was a journeyman trouble man lineman here in Kansas City and knowing him and knowing the work you guys do I respect you guys more than I do a policeman or fireman you guys deal with voltages and amperage that will kill you every hour of the day/night! You guys work in terrible weather and are out at all times of the day and night! Sorry to hear about your Father passing away! I lost my friend two years ago and I cry and miss him everyday! He and I were closer than I am with my blood brothers!

[@danmiller2177]

Being a lineman is really not dangerous job for highly competent trained individuals because you know what to expect of high voltage... But being police officer or firefighter you never know what your going to deal with.... Being police officer or firefighter your dealing with the unknown....

[@PsRohrbaugh]

​@@danmiller2177> The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) listed electrical power line installation and repair as the most dangerous job in the United States with a yearly death rate double that of police and fire officers.

[@kgt9535]

Even though we're all mostly distant from you geographically, we're family, as electricians and linemen, bro. Appreciate you taking us into your work environments and sharing your experiences and knowledge with us. As always, keep safe, continue to do well and last, but not least, condolences to you and yours on the passing if your Dad. Keep the fire in the wire ✊️

[@Bobsdecline]

Love this comment. 👊👊 Thanks brother!

[@veil67]

Sending you courage and strength Aaron to you and your entire family for the lost of your father and friend , i know deep in my heart he will keep an eye on you and to continue protect and love every one he knew 🤗

[@Bobsdecline]

Appreciate those words very much

[@Lost-In-Blank]

I'm sorry for you loss. I hope your dad rests in peace knowing he raised a terrific young man.

[@bill1962us1]

Sorry to hear about your Dad my thoughts and prays are with you and your family

[@Bobsdecline]

Appreciate that very much

[@kirkhamandy]

Brutal weather conditions to be out in repairing like that, much respect!

[@crabmansteve6844]

Sorry about your pops brother, hope you and the family are doing alright.

[@HamiltonMechanical]

Man, I really enjoy your videos. As a residential electrician, it's super awesome to see what happens on the other side of the meter :) thank you so much for taking the time to make these videos. Always appreciated what yall did, but it's still really interesting to see it all unfold. We haven't had a snow like that where I'm from since the mid 90s lol!

[@williampersson6047]

Best lineman youtuber ever, greetings from Sweden. May your pops rest in peace.

[@Chris_In_Texas]

Sorry about your dad. I am glad you were able to be with him when he passed. He will keep a better eye on you now and give you that extra boost to keep you safe! My dad passed away when I was little and my mom passed about 15 years ago, but seems like it was just yesterday when she did. It does get better. Keep up the good work. ❤

[@buckstarchaser2376]

All that in one night. Here in Michigan, one flicker of the lights and we start scrambling to prepare for the stone age that will be the next week or two.

[@rustybennett2849]

So very sorry to learn of the loss of your Dad. Prayers sent up for you and your family. Rest in peace Sir.

[@tomschmidt381]

My condolences on your dad. We had a little power outage here a month ago. I was at a meeting and my wife texted me power was out, where are the extra batteries. On my way home I saw our local utility guys doing what you do, shining a light on the lines looking for downed wires. They were past our house but when I reached our driveway saw our wires on the ground and the top of our driveway utility pole on the ground. Our house is 600 feet off the road so we have three utility poles and primary running down our driveway to our own transformer. I flagged the guys down and parked at our neighbors. I think they missed the down wire because they were focused on looking at the 3-phase lines serving the road. They quickly disconnected our feeder and ground so they could get the neighborhood back. I big pine along our driveway came down. That would not have been a problem but there were three maples in the way. They all came down and some or all crossed the driveway and broke the top of our utility pole at the street side of our driveway. Interesting the conductors were not damaged and were reused. The utility crew said it was rare for the cable to actually break and more likely the pole breaks. Much to our surprise the utility crew reset the pole that night and restrung the wire along the driveway but did not connect power. The tree crew, also that night, did a fantastic job cutting down the tangled mess of four trees. They left the trunks but cut them so they are below the comm wires so it will be easy for me to drop them when I get everything cleaned up. The next morning another crew reconnected us. I noticed they grounded the phase wire like you do for safety. They also installed a fuse at the street so if this every happens again we will not take out the neighborhood. I've notice that on new installs each transformer is individually fused. Back in the olden days fusing was used more sparingly. Thanks for posting your "adventures." Because of your videos I knew exactly what to expect and how crews go about restoring power.

[@Bobsdecline]

Dang, That entire scenario was very well explained! Always a pain when ya find an old single phase side line that tripped a whole feeder out because it wasn't fused, Glad they put one up! Sounds like the fellas did some great work. Thanks for taking the time to share!

[@Bobsdecline]

Also, thank you for the condolences 🙏♥️

[@chronically.advocating]

This is something I really try to impress on anyone with zero electrical background. Those arcs can do the exact same eye damage as the arc from a welder. The amount of IR and UV light put out by those arcs can cause retinal and corneal burns. It's plenty fine to point a camera at them as they don't damage electronic eyes, but never look directly at them with your own eyes. You are correct even the heaviest tinted safety or sunglasses will not protect your eyes from the arc only a welding mask will provide adequate protection for your eyes from arcs.

[@robertmeyer4744]

That a great video of what you do during a winter storm. the work lights on your trucks are great ! I am in Boston ,NY, USA. we has quite a winter as well. 2 major snow storms and a ICE storm. some times the weather is so bad you have to stand buy. what happened hear 80 MPH wind in Blizzard. so much came down in snow and power lines. took a few days to get everyone back on. We even lost a feed to substation . that a lot of costumers out. I think we had linemen from Canada come across the piece bridge to help us out. Big THANK YOU for all who helped us out. Our local fire and Police are very good hear to. I see costumers bring coffee out to workers quite often. every one helps out. That how we get threw it.

[@alastairhumphries46]

So sorry to hear about your dad.If we had snow like that in the UK the whole country would be shut down. Keep gong with the videos

[@arminschmidt6199]

My dearest condolences, I wish you and your family lots of power in these tough times.

[@jeffreykornspan9053]

Hi Aaron and so sorry to hear about your dad being Ill around the holidays. I've been watching your weather every few days and have seen all the snow you guys have been getting. Great job with terrible weather conditions. Thanks for your video!

[@BzzykidKayden]

Sorry to hear about your father. My condolences to you and your family from here in Tennessee.

[@robertogriffanti7682]

HI ! My name is Roberto and I do the same job as you in Italy, even if it is spoken in English, for me it is the same language, the systems in Europe are different and the way of running them is different but I must say that you are very good!! It's the best job in the world!

[@jovetj]

SOOOO much respect for you and your crews. You are the man!!

[@infopubs]

My deepest condolences on the loss of your dear father. May he rest in peace. Thank you for your interesting content. I'm sure your Dad was very proud of the work you do.

[@acuraintegrar5]

Im sorry for your loss. I lost my father in 2018 and its tuff working this job and trying to take care of a loved one especially when a storm hits! Things get better as time goes on, my father was a lineman too and i like to think hes keeping the lights on up there! Hang in there brother!

[@mrpmojay6330]

Rest In Peace to your dad, I always watch your content he raised a great man

[@adamv5047]

Very sorry to hear about your Dad. Great video. Very interesting on how/why it can take so long for the power to be restored. Thanks for sharing

[@rickn501s]

My condolences on the passing of your Dad. You are a real hero for working under such adverse conditions.

[@Bobsdecline]

Thank you Rick 🤝

[@ebolalegion]

Thanks for taking us on this ride along through a winter storm. I just started as a groundman in the trade and your videos are really inspiring. We don't have this kind of weather where I live in the southwest US, but one day the dream is to be out there as a troubleman just trying to figure it out in the worst of it. Cheers Aaron 🤙

[@dendkmac]

Wow super melted and cold!! Damn Aaron that is brutal. Condolences Aaron on your Dads passing, many blessings to you and your family🙏

[@redsquirrelftw]

That was quite the storm! Thanks for the work you do keeping power on even in bad conditions. Any time we have big storms here or even at our sites at work I think of the linemen working on it. Sorry to hear about your dad.

[@paulw3182]

Prayers to you and family, Great Channel, the content is great - much respect working in deep snow.

[@alasdairmunro1953]

Really sorry to hear of your loss Aaron, please accept my sincere condolences. Immense respect to you guys working in the snow like that. Take care, be safe.

[@peewee3ie]

Condolences to you and your family, may your dad Eddie rest in peace. You and your family are in my thought and in my paryers.

[@docphillips5153]

Condolences from the Hudson Valley of NY. Your videos are extremally important for the younger guys to watch.

[@jjc2896]

Yesss! Been waiting for the next video! I find this series fascinating

[@thechuckster6838]

These are great videos!! Thanks for posting. Safety first. We need you around to keep educating us.

[@PsRohrbaugh]

I don't know why I didn't get these episodes at the time. But my condolences.

[@michaelgagne1911]

Very nice too see the actual work you do great job 👍

[@seanconlin8712]

Bob, sorry to hear about your Dad... I just wanted to say thank you to all the Linemen out there you have my utmost respect. I live in Southwestern Ontario, on past week we lost power to my neighborhood the Linemen of Grandbridge Power came out in an ice storm and found a broken pole and had the power restored in three hours. I was very appreciative that they left there warm of their homes and families to come out trouble shoot and resolve the issue. To that you guys have my utmost respect.

[@photocontrol]

Great work getting the power restored in the snowstorm. Sorry to hear about your father, condolences.

[@bobgallo3775]

I've said it before, you guys are worth every penny. Thanks for posting.

[@thebombcat]

This stuff is fascinating. Thank you for making this content. I've learned so much from you.

[@rowanjones3476]

Your dad raised you well - my condolences on your loss. Doing the lord’s work there - looks like a tough night!

[@badandy2893]

Thanks for the great video. My sincere condolences to you and your family.

[@zpakk4499]

I have worked for my local utility company for 16 years now, always in support roles for the Field Ops teams (office work). Your channel has given me a profound respect for work that linemen do and a much better appreciation for the technical aspects of the job. You are making me better!

[@OldGuy70s]

That driving in the Storm makes me wanna go log rd cruising/rallying.......haa

[@Bobsdecline]

Haha sometimes it's fun, sometimes it's horrifying lol!

[@davidstearns9664]

Sorry for your loss🙏. RIP Sir / Thanks for all you guys do... 👊 (Upstate NY)

[@beingaware8542]

Condolences from a lineman from Pembroke Maine.

[@somethingelsehere8089]

Great video, enjoyed hearing/seeing the interaction between you and your coworker.

[@alan.macrae]

So saddened learn of the passing of your dad, Aaron. My heart is heavy for you and your family. Losing my dad was my toughest adult experience. 🙏🙏🙏

[@scrotiemcboogerballs1981]

So sorry for your loss of your father I feel your pain praying for you and your family that looks like it was hot hot hot on that pavement thanks for sharing

[@scottlambert2949]

So sorry for your loss of your dad my condolences to you may he rest in peace

[@robertmarino2158]

Sorry for the loss , prayers , RIP , stay safe always !

[@heatherkohlwey8379]

My prayers for you and your family. He will always be with you in your heart and watching over you as a guardian angel. That looked like a very dangerous night to be out. Thank you for all you do. Stay safe, and God bless.

[@Bobsdecline]

Thank you for the Kind words Heather 🙏

[@birdfeeding]

Sorry for your loss. Quite the patrol, good fix. Thanks!

[@Bobsdecline]

Thanks Steph 🙏

[@rickmaberry8761]

Thank you for your service. God bless love you

[@DavidDellsperger]

I don't know why these videos keep getting recommended to me, but as someone who lives in a VERY tree-torn prone area in the midwest of the US, I appreciate just how much transparency this provides to what you have to do when weather knocks out power, makes me understand even more why it may take a while to get electricity back on after a substantial outage in a region

[@wepl7195]

Much love and support for ur family.

[@alexkitner5356]

Not a lineman but as a firefighter I've seen arcing wires that took a long time to be shut off melt through granite. One was sitting on a rock shelf and the spot where it had been arcing was bored into the rock and even after pouring a lot of water on it this hole was still flashing it to steam and burping out this molten material.

[@montanaboy3777]

Hell yeah, love the night time heavy snow blowing winds fun!! I envy you guys out there doing what ya do...nice job for both of you, (Didn't hear who your partner was that morning). Sorry to hear about your dad passing - never an easy time or fun handling the legal stuff. I am sure though that your dad would be proud of you doing this type of work and keeping people safe - warm - and with lights. * Fist bump* good job!!

[@rickmartin6817]

That was my favorite of your videos. I know the snowy nights are not fun, but they make the best videos.

[@cinnion]

May your father's memories be blessings. Stay warm!

[@TheAussieRepairGuy]

My condolences for your loss.

[@EHanson814]

So sorry for your loss. I know its difficult. Prayers.

[@Bobsdecline]

Thank you🙏

[@mxslick50]

Aaron, my sincere condolences to you and your family. I lost my dad in 1999 and my mom in Dec. 2021. I had studied linework back in my Air Force days and didn't pursue it because I am deathly afraid of heights and would freak out climbing poles or being in a bucket truck. You have a great knowledge and your company has very solid safety practices as evidenced by your videos. Stay strong, stay safe and know that like many others have posted here, we share your loss.

[@zacksmrereview3867]

So sorry to hear about your dad I just lost my dad 2 years ago and he was 2 years younger born in ‘56. Stay strong man

[@MrSteffen2020]

My prayers are with you and your family. sorry for you lost Rip

[@austinball4343]

My condolences from Tennessee.

[@johnledger7763]

Sorry to hear of your Dads passing Aarom there always with us.

[@66chevystepside]

Condolences to you and your family 🙏

[@Renville80]

Belated condolences on your dad's passing.

[@Bobsdecline]

Thank you

[@johnarkle7916]

Man, I'm in the UK - a domestic electrician but I love, love, love these videos - don't stop

[@BryonBarros-zu2bk]

Be safe out there. We all need you guys

[@j2o3sh]

Awesome video!

[@glennschlorf1285]

Down in the states the power companies hire tree guys to trim all the trees away from the power lines so when snow hits it doesnt take down lines. Sorry to here about your Father.... look at them snow drifts you bucking there.. hats off to you linemen and women whom put it all on the line for us

[@zman3534]

Sorry for your loss but be thankful that your farther didn't suffer needlessly . I completely enjoy your channel. The town i live in is home to what use to be A.B.Chance which was bought out by Hubble Power systems. They make ground anchors, pole hardware, switch gear, cutouts screw in pole bases you name it. Anything and everything to do with electrical line systems they do. They also make the hot sticks and telescopic poles you all use daily. Take care and be safe.

[@WobblycogsUk]

Sorry to hear about your father. Everyone who complains when the power goes out should watch this video. You guys work hard in conditions most of us wouldn't go out in doing a dangerous job, all due respect to you.

[@AlanTheBeast100]

Condolences. It's a rough thing when it happens.

[@mikemmikem2758]

WOW! Great job. Whatever pay you get you should get double what you make now. Thank you this video.

[@AndyFletcherX31]

You certainly earn your paycheque. Those are horrendous working conditions. Much respect from the UK.

[@Bobsdecline]

It was definitely a dirty night out there ,😨

[@grabasandwich]

Sorry for your loss.

[@rupe53]

This reminds me of my days in the fire department, out storm chasing.... and further as I did my 25 years with the generator company, also "storm chasing" various problems. I'd be out in a 4wd truck trying to avoid leaning trees, wires, and closed roads so we could help the folks without power. We'd find things blown apart due to voltage spikes, lightning strikes, and tree damage. I believe it was about 15 years ago (prior to hurricane Sandy) our local power company decided to make a hard call on pulling crews off the road when wind got too bad. I believe the idea came from a crew supervisor (power company) who watched a tree fall on a fire truck while they worked together. I had a scanner radio in my work van and overheard the chatter, so passed the info to my boss, who agreed that we should "mop up" on the way back to the office and call it a night as the roads were officially closing per order of the state police. That was the night I saw a line hanging between poles, straight down and arcing like a welder about 6 inches from the pavement. Obviously, it wasn't enough draw to pop the fuse because it kept burning for a long time. The next day I went by and there was a perfect hole "drilled" through the pavement about 2-3 feet deep. Stay safe out there! BTW, Rest In Peace for your father. I went through it in 2004 and it's hard on everyone in the family, especially when he was so young. (a year younger than me)

[@onradioactivewaves]

My condolences to you regarding your father. I found that interesting about the snowing causing the wire sway. There was a huge line I use to observe sometimes (im guessing ‐300kv) used to really start to resonate from a light spinkle with no wind- all those little droplets popping off on the wires, and they'd really start swaying hard as the resonating built up. They lines would be full on dancing to the symphony of 60 Hz rain drop pops.

[@philkipnis7403]

Very interesting how different things are in driving snow. Here in my part of the California Coast we get wind and rain but almost never snow. And not enough to cause anything like the type of problems you had. I'd be interested in seeing how you handle high winds in drought conditions, not that I wish that on anybody. Anyway great video. You taught us something new and we appreciate you for doing that for us..

[@rubroken]

Transmission lines out in the desert, when they get a break, the transmission linemen will look for the "glass" and many times the glass will be hollow tubes......never seen one but I'm sure they exist. I have seen "sidewalk glass"

[@Lanceb131]

So sorry about your Dad!

[@ElectroTree01]

Sorry for your loss

[@nathancurran612]

Condolences on the passing of your father. RIP. Remember to talk about it it is a process, and it takes time to learn to live again. HV electrician in Australia, don't have snow to deal with, but do get a few cyclones and 45degC days

[@Bobsdecline]

Appreciate those words very much Nathan 🤝. I think I'd keep the snow instead of 45° and tornadoes! Lol

[@wolfcatsden]

Looks sooo cold work, stay safe

[@jamesmedeiros2784]

Sorry for the loss of your dad

[@Bobsdecline]

Thank you James

[@johnvanwinkle4351]

I admire your work in the worst of conditions like this.....

[@randomgoogler1398]

Condolences

[@christopher20008]

My condolences

[@jolyonwelsh9834]

I feel for you man. I was in a similar situation on 30 of November 2020 when 3 feet of snow fell in as many hours. It tore the power line off my house. Fortunately I had a very reliable generator. So I was able to keep the lights on for Three days. I ended up having to reconnect the power line to the house myself as there were no linemen available to do it because of the storm.

[@mtgibbs]

Condolences on the passing of your dad. The "galloping" is worsened because the cables are moving at their resonant frequency. If the pole spacing changes then the resonant frequency would change (assuming same snow/wind conditions on the cable).

[@Oldfartstuff2.0]

This would definitely satisfy Dr Leo Marvin. Good job Bob. Stay safe.