Being a Lineman - Episode 35

[@djangosmith592]

I first started watching you about 3 years ago. I had commented back then I wanted to be a lineman. I’m in now and loving every minute of it…

[@shawndinterman2219]

Good job buddy, way to get after a dream and grab it by the balls. Stay safe out there

[@djangosmith592]

@@shawndinterman2219 10-4. I appreciate that. Stay safe brother

[@adamlong800]

Man I’ve been industrial electrician for a decade dude makes me want to get back in the field

[@SodiumInduction-hv]

same

[@Bobsdecline]

After many requests, here's another real in depth episode of being a Lineman! I love sharing these ones because they're a great example of what our nights are really like when doing storm work... Lot's of windshield time, planning, and waiting for permits/crews/material etc...

[@linehandibew6205]

Love these long ones brother. Funny that I do this everyday and still live watching line work videos. Love our trade with a passion and seeing different ways of doing things. It’s a passion and a lifestyle. Basically it’s a hobby to me as well. Weird I know. Last weekend went with my companies storm fleet to Massachusetts as a supervisor over 25 men. That one was a turn and burn. Went back to regular work as a foreman back home. I’m heard for westchester ny in the morning to GF another group of guys for this next storm coming in. I am grateful for the opportunities that this trade has provided and being able to grow in my career. Doing the right thing for the men and the company pays off. I get to be a foreman and do the work and go away on storm as a supervisor once and a while. You can’t beat that. All this without and student loans and being paid to train. God bless the IBEW 👊🏼 Stay safe up there and keep spreading knowledge of good/safe work practices. Merry Christmas to you and your family and all the brothers and sisters in you company and Local union.

[@bertblankenstein3738]

Good stuff! Enjoyed this one. I do comms design and it is always good to see how the aerial plant is constructed. Thank you.

[@thetrendpimp]

Hey bob! love the vids. I start lineman school next month. Wondering how long youve been a lineman? Thanks for all the detail in your vids

[@linehandibew6205]

Drov up on low primary over the road one time and there were plastic shopping bags tied to it. It was energized, the customer was lucky it was tree wire and it wasn’t wet out. Wife came out and said her husband did it. I said he should go play the lottery because he touched 7,620 volts and lived

[@Bobsdecline]

😯 Dang, I guess he's lucky! Tree wire or not!!

[@kens.3729]

Very Sorry to hear about the Loss of your Beloved Family Member. They’re Not just a Pet, they’re a Full Fledged Family Member. GOD Bless your Family. 👍🙏

[@kens.3729]

Most Customers have NO Idea how Dangerous this Work is especially at Night and Poor Weather Conditions make things even worse. Thanks Aaron. 👍🙏

[@LarryBlowers]

Just popped in to say thanks for all every lineman or line woman does to help keep the lights on and life moving!

[@tomki6asp]

Lots of our of state crews cleaning up the most recent mess Downeast. We were only out for 24 hours. Some are still without power. Appreciative of all you linemen/women do in adverse conditions.

[@kens.3729]

Retired from AT&T. Telecommunications and Power Companies are Absolutely Essential for Restoration. Thanks for your Strong 💪 Efforts. Safety Always. 👍🙏

[@Bobsdecline]

👊👊🤝

[@hobbesip1]

Thank you for taking the time to make these vids. It's always exciting to see how our civil infrastructure heroes get things back to normal despite the hours. As a native born Central Floridian, I know every time you clack that door closed after a weather event, everyone is so grateful for your work. And these videos help document the people that make that happen.

[@Lanceb131]

So sorry to hear about your pup 🐶 😢. Pets come into our lives to teach us about love, they depart to teach us about loss. A new pet never replaces an old pet, it merely expands the heart. If you have loved many pets your heart is very big.

[@northernliving2387]

My condolences on your loss of dog.. I know how you feel.. I loss mine to Cancer in February 2023

[@Bobsdecline]

Thanks, sorry to hear about your fella too. It's definitely tough 😔

[@b3Nwon]

Haha@this is a mess” I’ll give you the weather. Thanks for shining light on linework

[@veil67]

Rest in peace old friend (cute dog ) and continue protecting and to love your family

[@jonathanhenslee3371]

Don’t envy you guys out working in the crappy weather!! Sorry about your dog 😢 Nothing better than a good dog!!!

[@pappyw9279]

Thanks for sharing these videos with us I'm a retired Lineman and I appreciate your work ethic and the importance you place on safety

[@timothysaja7253]

When you are having communication problems it would be interesting to see if the radio antenna could be attached to the bucket and the bucket raised to give you more antenna height and thus range, just thinking...

[@HammondOfTexas0]

It's nice that you will take care of branches on the lines up to a house. Last time it happened here (US), we had to hire someone, after which 2 of the 3 very old insulated (not tri-plex, and most of the insulation was still attached, but not all) wires were touching. Power company came to look, but didn't do anything. They finally took care of it a few months later after it took out the transformer on the pole that served 4 or 5 houses.

[@PRR1954]

"...take care of branches on the lines up to a house. ...we had to hire someone, ....Power company came to look, but didn't do anything." IME, if your power is OUT, and you report it, the company will fix it, but at some point (100'?) they add it to your bill. If not actually out, judgement call, advise the customer. Yes, bad judgement cost the company a transformer. Read your Fine Print: for water at my last place and electricity here, I pay a few dollars more so the Company will fix for free or discount. With 500 feet triplex in the woods and 69mph 111kmh winds coming, I take the 'insurance'.

[@theNeWo1]

Thanks for responding to these storms, just had one in my part of the world, 3 day storm, 50,000 customers, 300 jobs. You guys must be exhausted after that kind of thing. Hopefully customers show you respect.

[@toddhenning8304]

Too old to be a lineman (66) but appreciate the coverage, always gives me respect for the job you people do.

[@joshk4843]

neat seeing those old style porcelain brown insulators still getting used on that secondary in the first job

[@samuelgilbert9734]

Watching KZbin videos I see so many things that would never fly with OSHA at my work place. It good to see people taking safety seriously. Mind you, doing the work you do, any single incident can be deadly.

[@PinePowerLI]

Dealing with yet another storm here on Long Island. Heavy rain & 60mph wind gusts. Along with temps rising to near 60 degrees and very humid. Probably going to be heading your way in the next day. Good luck & stay safe! Thanks to all the work you & the other linespeople do to keep our modern world running.

[@Bobsdecline]

Supposed to be rolling in around noon 😦. Might be another busy couple days

[@987kestrel]

Have to admit, them guys bouncing the branch around while you were trying to hook that rope was pretty funny. I probably would have done the same thing.

[@gadget1012]

Cleared my first tree off of strand about 4 months ago. I understood tension so I took appropriate steps, but it still shocked me as far as how violent the reaction was when I released it.

[@andreskanes1348]

These long videos are awesome. I'm amazed at the stuff you guys get done in the pitch black. I was sure you'd say that the 4 span down job would be a "tomorrow when it's sunny and we can see" repair. Great job and great video 👊👊

[@ozzie1989landy]

Amazing to watch these professionals at work 👍🏼

[@BudTheDrummer]

We are in a storm right now. Thank the Lord for Linemen and LineWomen!

[@myirepair7002]

hi Aaron, sorry for your loss. R.I.P. Dog x

[@K2Kutz19]

The Bother Hood Lineman 👷🏽‍♂️⚡️⚡️⚡️ 43:12

[@AlecG0]

I remember watching your videos in the back of a black hawk now that im out and 6 months in my apprenticeship i wanted to say thanks Aaron

[@DaveMorris128]

That was great to watch. I was late to work so I could finish it front to back

[@maurasmith-mitsky762]

You are so smart. No matter what fate sends your way you know what to do. Best wishes.

[@jolyonwelsh9834]

I thought that they would be using Milwaukee lithium battery chain saws for this work.

[@jeffreykornspan9053]

Way to put all that mess together, Aaron. I'm sure working in the dark doesn't make it any easier. Again, thanks for your videos always.

[@rickn501s]

You are a very dedicated, competent and hard worker. Thanks for showing us what you do and thanks for doing it!

[@nateroth1302]

I have to admit, I first started watching this in 85 degree weather and didn't feel bad at all... Stay safe my friend!

[@skkeldon8769]

Great job 👍,top notch 💯

[@SeanReigle]

I'd watch a two hour episode 😁

[@chanceandoakleyakitas8709]

I enjoy watching pro's thanks for what you do

[@BigDaddy_MRI]

Thanks for taking the time to make these videos. You do an outstanding job of them. Stay safe and be careful. I hope your customers know what an incredible job you and your fellow lineman do everyday.

[@stillblazzinit]

Absolutely textbook linework and trouble work! Stay safe out there boys! Your integrity for the trade is inspiring man. P.s. Im sorry for your loss

[@somethingelsehere8089]

Thank you. Enjoyed this. I've an uncle that is a retired lineman from Ontario - he's living out east now.

[@BlackHak18]

I work underground for a power company. Thinking of switching to overhead. Watching your videos gets me excited about the possible move

[@dylanoakes9557]

Love these long videos

[@birdfeeding]

Thanks, Aaron. Love your vids. What you do is amazing. Thanks for keeping the lights on.

[@bradwilmot5066]

That radio issue sounds like a bad PTT switch in the dispatch microphone, not a signal issue... the repeater signal sounds real strong, but the carrier drops completely as it cuts out, symptomatic of the transmitter being completely unkeyed...

[@Bobsdecline]

Yes, I believe you're right. When speaking with other dispatchers it was clear at those same locations. The valley in between the switching points, she was pretty scratchy all the way through.

[@bradwilmot5066]

@@Bobsdecline At least you guys have stayed analog... Digital radio sucks when the signal strength is weak... (I can understand someone with a bit of static, but when it turns into digital hash, forget it...) Our local POCO has gone digital, and my lineman friends hate it with a passion.

[@Bobsdecline]

Oh really!? There's been talk of trying it out. Our system isn't bad as is overall

[@bradwilmot5066]

@@Bobsdecline P25 and DMR/MotoTrbo have the same issues... they're fine with a good signal, but let it get too weak, and the radio starts having trouble decoding packets, either completely losing audio or garbling the hell out of it until you can't understand a word being said... a lot of digital radio is IP based, and packet loss=bad in any IP network, but especially realtime streaming (it's like when youtube live drops frames)

[@Bobsdecline]

That makes perfect sense. It'll be interesting to see what they do. I'm assuming things will be just left as is for many more years.

[@c0rr4nh0rn]

Thanks so much for bringing us along on what seems like an exhausting night. As someone outside the trade this really brings home the reality of the folks working to keep the power grid flowing and I very much appreciate how you exemplify safety both in your actions and in your positive callouts of your workplace safety standards. It is also really interesting to see all the things you have to do to stay safe.

[@pottawatomie2]

Sorry for the loss of you dog.

[@robertcookjr6100]

Stay safe out there

[@ImagineeringAerospace]

You all are amazing keeping the modern world juiced up

[@dixiecup3928]

Good greif what hard work getting those lines up and cutting those trees! Great job!!

[@tonymidmore7652]

Great stuff, as always. Sorry about your friend/dog. ❤ I hope 2024 is good to you.

[@gabrielbartkoski1853]

Man I know that sigh of defeat when you roll up on a scene of armageddon. Just knowing you’ll be watching the sunrise tomorrow

[@Benjaminknorpp]

My son and I enjoy watching you, you have inspired my son to become a Lineman here in Nevada USA with NV Energy. He will start soon at our local community college in a program with OTJ training and classroom, then move more into the field as he moves up in is choice of career’s. Again thank you for your service and the scarab ice your family has to make for you being gone all the time.

[@alexhudson2621]

I wish our company would take a look at y’all’s safety rules and rest guides. They would work us 30+ straight, make us remove trees like the first one you had by ourselves. Y’all really have a good outlook for your men up there. We’re a southern co-op in the states

[@ronblack7870]

i think he works for a govt owned power company so they are not chasing a profit.

[@photocontrol]

Great work getting the power back on after the storm!

[@MrRyanSchneider]

You really went the extra mile to prevent damage to that sunroom. Nice work

[@Bobsdecline]

Thanks Ryan! Hope all is well 🍻

[@AlanTheBeast100]

Any episode with ground bonds is a good episode.

[@joelhunter4082]

Love the 1 hour videos. Thanks

[@unwired1281]

so sorry about your pup.

[@wizard3z868]

Just got done watching an old movie life on the line stars jhon Travolta just want to say thx and happy and safe holidays been a mild one so far for the northeast.

[@AchillesWrath1]

Interesting to see the different construction standards in different places. I can't say i've ever come across an aluminum open wire setup like that. There's still quite a bit of 3 wire racks down here in the states but it's usually old solid copper wire that was coated once upon a time with tar paper or something asbestos maybe? not sure but sometimes you've gotta scrape it off to put a pickle in it. Any new construction here it usually gets replaced with triplex. I cant say always because i have transferred plenty of 3 wire racks open secondaries, all depends where you are.

[@toddk968]

Thank you for sharing a day in your work life. I learned so much just from this video and I'm not even a lineman. My condolences on your family's loss, it's never easy, but having them is so worth it.

[@chuckweatherford1601]

good work guys

[@fredrickugarner8278]

I have watching for a few years great content just a suggestion add Share the video that is how I started watching and I am sorry about the dog I am retired and have always have 3 of them In my family a lot of love

[@kg4muc]

Our power down in swva is out as I watch your content. We are fed by a 2 phase 34.5kv and by the way it looks both phases are out and the out acted the recloser tried to clear the fault but couldn’t. So my generator ran out of fuel so it’s just hang on and wait lol. Be safe the forecast was calling for some near hurricane force up your way Be safe

[@cdnaudioguy]

Love the attention to detail. Great way to keep everyone safe and prevent mistakes!

[@railfanpat1719]

Another great video Aaron. So very sorry for you and your families loss with your 🐶. I know mine isn’t just a pet but apart of my life and it’s hard when you lose them

[@kotmasey2313]

С таким инструментом и механизмами , одно удовольствие работать.

[@johnledger7763]

Thanks Aaron great video as always.Keep up the great work and be safe!

[@fcousinop]

Hola muy interesante tus videos .yo trabaje en eso hace mucho tiempo y me entrenia mucho en eso y lo estoy viendo a ti ..excelentes videos..lo estoy viendo desde Chile Santiago...te felicito

[@quadzilla60]

Love the Channel! I work currently in UPS/ battery hybrid industry as a technician, very interested in line work after these videos! Cool stuff!

[@heatherkohlwey8379]

I think that was the same storm system that produced the tornadoes in Tennessee and Kentucky. That was a bad one. Glad you didn't get hit as hard as it could have been. Thank you for making another great video and for all those late nights. So sorry to hear that Ghost passed away. Stay safe, and God bless.

[@Odinsabenteuer]

Nice 52 minutes! Thank you for that lot of informations!

[@ДмитрийДмитрий-ь6ъ2ю]

Хорошая работа!👍

[@Panguinguy]

Love to watch your videos. I have 2 close friends in the industry but never get to see them work. You give me an appreciation for what they do!

[@willrobbinson]

great content as always, been following for years now

[@isjoshhere]

As the classic Central Maine Power commercial from the 1980s-90s would say, "No like is safe to touch..... evah."

[@frederickbowman4494]

GREAT VIDEO GREAT JOB KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@rupe53]

This was one of the better videos. (read: more in depth) Merry Christmas!

[@Bobsdecline]

Thanks Rupert! Merry Christmas!

[@TrentonFirst]

Another great video. Love the long content!

[@kat2641]

You know?? The cold is a real pain in the booty but I could I would rather work out in the cold snow than have to work in a downpour… to me it seamed like I couldn’t make any time… ( eye glasses An down pore rain just do not mix well…) but with out them ? Might as well be blind… honestly in my opinion you all made dam great time in the restoration restores!!

[@martf1061]

Good scenario for a " electricity stealing aliens " horror movie. 😉 Alone in the darkness of the snow covered forest, in search for the cause of a sudden power outage..

[@woodshop2300]

The design of the splice sleeves is interesting. I get that they grip the wire like a finger trap, but why are they designed to butt the 2 ends against each other? I would think that if they were designed so that both wires could pass completely through the sleeve passing one another, then you would be able to ratchet the span to the perfect tension w/o the extra guessing of 1 or 2 clicks to account for slop. An additional benefit would be that since the left and right side spans are passing one another they could act as an anchor for each other, so, a cordless tool could be developed that actually grips the entire sleeve and pulls both sides up tight. Once things are up tight the bit of extra can just be clipped off.

[@PRR1954]

"...a similar storm for tomorrow! 😬" The forecasts in NE Maine are for as bad as I have seen in a decade+. Well, but quite warm and maybe dry? Makes a change from cutting trees 🎄out of my driveway in high wind 🌬and sub-freezing snow. You all be careful out there!‼

[@samchapple6363]

❤

[@bobbylawless]

Love the content thanks for sharing aaron

[@jamesparthun3529]

Stay safe Brother

[@chancesmith3589]

Do you guys not utilize trouble or rope blocks for smaller wire? Most fellas I work with only break out our hoist for bigger wire or really long spans. We also don’t have cable hoist just belt hoist. Lots of similarities in our protocols & work practices.

[@chrisbalderrama6026]

Why not have then neutral on the bottom and open secondary on top? I’m sure it’s just yalls standards in your area ? What is your spacing 12 inch or 14 in between..?Thanks bob.. love your videos and your work ethic is amazing.. be safe

[@cbart1987]

brb going to need a pint for this one and a fresh case of Keiths edit : ant no rest for the wicked stay safe and Merry Christmas/ happy holidays everyone

[@Bobsdecline]

🤣🤣🍻

[@cbart1987]

@@Bobsdecline great work as all ways free pint if you or your brothers make it to ottawa

[@Bobsdecline]

Awesome! Cheers 🍻🍻

[@KissedSomeFrogs]

Thanks for the great video and educational content! Get some sleep!

[@jamesashley3827]

👍👊

[@jfbeam]

Ah yes, I remember the 10, 12, and 14hr days 5, 6, and even 7 days a week. (summers working for DOT) Of course, I was 20 then. As an hourly worker, those were massive paychecks, but d*** did I work for 'em. Most of those days were blowing straw - landscape matting on new road construction... with only three people. (normally done with 4 or 5 people.)

[@dvone4124]

At 40:53 I note the tree is on the line exactly at a previous splice! Does that tree have issues with the power company or what?

[@Bobsdecline]

Lol it sure does!!! It's a private driveway... If it was my driveway, I would hire a contractor to remove about 100 trees in there and then maintain (stopping new growth) moving forward.

[@travelwithus750]

Looks like it’s time to hire more tree trimmers during pretty weather up there lol. Dang that’s a mess.

[@mikel9567]

True North makes some awesome stuff, and they are located in my state. Glad to see you can get Dragonwear in Canada now. I love your longer videos. I'd like to suggest that when you are typing on your laptop, that you don't set the camera on it as well. It causes shake. Keep up the videos, I always look forward to them.

[@Andrew-q5j]

Stay safe and Happy Christmas to you and your family

[@Bobsdecline]

Thanks Merry Christmas to you and yours as well!

[@linehandibew6205]

That orange Dragonwear jacked is sweet. There stuff is so expensive. Get what you pay for

[@Bobsdecline]

It's got a nice slim fit... Easy to work in. Doesn't feel like I'm wearing a parachute!

[@linehandibew6205]

@@Bobsdecline I don’t usually wear a jacket because the sleeves are too tight when I wear my rubber sleeves. I wear a fr vest and hoodie plus layers underneath. When it gets real cold I wear my fr insulated bibs and I’m all set. Funny all the Canadian guys all look exactly the same blue pants and orange.

[@russellmcknight7226]

We didn,t do to bad for this storm here in the southwest but I did see by the outage map you guys had a lot out.