Side-Stack Insulator Changeout at NLC 2015

Second attempt at changing out a side-stack insulator on a 55' transmission pole at Northwest Lineman College

[@tracystolp5357]

My dad was a lineman and I was a groundman in Florida FPL west Palm Beach . that is hard work.

[@jolllyroger1]

I heard a great tip from an old guy that said turn the bolts while holding the nuts so you do not drop them.... Made lots of sense.... Also you hooked the gate in that's a no no.... From the same old guy.... Gates on carabiner and your hoist hooks should always be away from the pole..... That's safest

[@freethinkingamerican80]

Nice video, very informative. I haven't done much transmission work and this gives me a good idea of how to change out insulators if I run across this scenario.

[@m1k3fx]

i'd really like to see what your heart rate is at on the screen, cause mines pounding

[@kanuspel4085]

If you ever run into that issue with the rope again, just grab that square knot off the top of the pole and slip it under the insulator, & on to the other side back to the top of the pole. Would be much quicker! :) Stay safe man. Nice vid.

[@wasabichips]

Ive recently been finding maintinence on this sorta thing fascinating

[@bkdog1993]

you did really well to be in school. smooth

[@delta5566]

Very intresting job. :)

[@jeffkerr4249]

Good Job!

[@healsound4274]

hmm.. They make us do a double grunt knot for those sidestack insulators. Also saying not to tie it onto the polymer section too.

[@heribertobonilla6797]

Excelencia y qué Dios los bendiga siempre y familia y amigos Excelencia trabajo

[@themikedschannel]

Hey man, I’m looking to attend NLC but am wondering how getting an apprenticeship works out after graduating. Do you find one yourself, wait for something to come up? And also staying in CA vs nationwide.. I have no clue the employment process afterwards! Thank you in advance

[@benwhittaker5001]

MD you have to get into an apprenticeship on your own after graduating. The schooling is just a good thing to put on your resume. It can be difficult to get an apprenticeship in CA though

[@earllross4107]

When your on the line there's travellers,put the armerod on then make your mark then use a small Jack and two grips ,hand line in front of you to lower everything and bring up your saddle from your ground men also slap that sucker on no need for that bolt and that other hard work that saddle is that same length as your Sherman Reilly as some would call the travellers .but remembered these lines lots of muskeg work .

[@Lewdacris916]

Could never do this kind of work, im fine on a scissor lift at 30 feet but climbing a pole to 55 no way

[@brianpayne2478]

Jay Lew it’s easier than you think. The easiest way to climb it? Don’t look down.

[@cowboyup1215]

It’s really only like 48 feet, pole is in the ground 7-8 feet

[@jimmynomad8793]

Dude.. that looks a bit scary.. Did they work you up to that height, or did they just throw you in the deep end to see if you could swim? I'm thinking about getting into Linework. Were you nervous at first?

[@benwhittaker5001]

Everything+Lawn Care they give you some time to work up to that height. at first they only let you climb about 6 feet up, then you go up to 20, then 35 ft poles. you don't get up to the 55 ft for a few weeks. it's still pretty freaky at first, but you adjust to it if you push through the feeling

[@Bananahammock88]

Ben Whittaker did you get a job right afterwards?

[@benwhittaker5001]

Brandon I got a job with ATT about two months after I graduated. I worked there for a little over a year, and now I'm working for PGE in the line apprentice progression. The lineman college definitely helped me get here

[@Bananahammock88]

Ben Whittaker I just applied yesterday and am going through the process. I'm quitting my job of 6 years and manning up and doing something I want to do so I hope I can find a job afterwards.

[@benwhittaker5001]

Brandon awesome, man. there is definitely work out there. the only thing I would say is to be prepared to move for your first job. not everyone has to, but a lot of my friends from the school ended up moving out of state to get their start, and are making their way back now

[@anthonymartinez6347]

Man he hit the time of 20 YEPEE!

[@spencerdye8631]

is this wedding stepping I see?

[@ZER0o10]

one qeustion , where did you mounted your gopro? thx man

[@benwhittaker5001]

ZER0o10 I mounted it right on the front brim of my hard hat

[@skof-zj2ss]

Ben Whittaker I have a lineman pole climbing test coming up. I never climbed with gaffs any tips bro.

[@parkerlathem2586]

Hey man i hope you see this. Im thinking about going to NLC after i graduate high school. Heres my question. Is the program really worth $15k? And is the salary after you get out really all that its made out to be? Or is it hyped up?

[@reileyghettobagel3843]

I can't tell you from experience but I'm in the program now in week 9 and it might help if I told you all the teachers here seem to be filthy rich, and all are past lineman of varying experience. everything I've seen for myself when I'm graduated is above 20-40 an hour with benefits but with a massive increase over the next few years as you reach journeyman.

[@benwhittaker5001]

parkerilmb sorry for the late response man. It has worked out well for me for sure. I worked for a year at ATT, and now I’ve been an apprentice with PGE for over two years. I made $120k my first year, and $135k last year, so it has absolutely been worth it for me. That being said, not everyone has that experience. I have friends who went through the program who are currently working in Texas in pretty rough working conditions and making decent money, but not enough to be worth how hard the work is (in my opinion). It can definitely be worth it, but it often takes some time and pain to get into the right company and get through an apprenticeship. Also, to make big money you have to work a ton of hours and be willing to work through the nights and weekends sometimes. Hope this helps!

[@tjregennitter2131]

Ben Whittaker question for you brotha , do you think telecom helped you land your next job ? And if so what company did you work for and what location

[@robertgroves5630]

You can find cheaper schools. To my knowledge there is no grant money for NLC.

[@cameronwells3901]

It cheaper go find a line crew get on as a ground man

[@zeus0710]

awesome I'm thinking about going to this college quick question if you dont finish under the time limit do you fail the class? do you get more opportunities

[@benwhittaker5001]

You get as many tries as you need to pass, just as long as you get it before the semester ends. You usually get several times to practice it before you even attempt it with a timer

[@zeus0710]

+Ben Whittaker thanks man appreciate it

[@benwhittaker5001]

+Joel Gonzalez Jr. no problem man

[@billt15]

Unbelievable

[@skof-zj2ss]

Any one has any advice on using gaffs. Need all the tips I can get.. Got a job opportunity coming up.

[@benwhittaker5001]

Congrats on the job opportunity, man. The most important thing is just to pay close attention to the instructions they give you at the test, and do exactly what they say. They really want people who follow instructions and pay attention.

[@landon7080]

hey man, what’s the process like after you graduate this? also once you got a job did you go straight for your journeyman?

[@brandonsikes9166]

Finding a job after completing school can be hard depending on where your from. Once you finish and get a job you will be an apprentice some places with give you credit for school others won’t most will give you 500 to 1000 hours for it which will make you second step but you still have a long ways to go before you are a journeyman

[@freethinkingamerican80]

No.way man, you need years of experience to become a Journeyman.

[@landon7080]

@@freethinkingamerican80 ik that, i was asking if he starting working to get it right when he got the job or did he just go to ground a. or something like that

[@freethinkingamerican80]

@@landon7080 well if you knew you wouldn't have asked a question like that. Not trying to be a dick at all man.

[@landon7080]

@@freethinkingamerican80 me either man, just asking a question, a simple miscommunication, no problem with you. didn’t mean to come off as an ass

[@Murican1776]

Anybody know what kind of gloves those are?

[@davidbrown2239]

Did you ever get into a utility?

[@Harley-Charlie]

Im thinking about going in May....Not sure yet though. How has it been for you since you've left the program? Any advice?

[@benwhittaker5001]

I got hired by AT&T about two months after finishing the program, and I'm loving the work so far. if you're able to get a foot in the door with an entry level job at a good company without doing the program then always shoot for that, but if not then doing the program will definitely help you out

[@VariacManiac]

+Ben Whittaker You are going to making big $ with that job;DD I collect insulators( from small to big ), and they are pretty cool to see up close, and I'm thinking of getting a job like that, because it seems like a career that I'd love, but I do know that it is a laborious job, cheers for your career;DD

[@nashecklund15]

Damn they changed this. That looked like your first time

[@adrianperez47]

Super easy

[@DrTBaginz]

Didn't test for voltage and secondary belt wasn't action out. Fail.

[@logantffny1]

This is at a school, none of these lines have voltage nor have they ever had voltage. No need to test

[@user-sn7pn7gk5z]

예수는 참된 선지자가 되셔서 하나님을 만나는 길을 열어 주셨습니다. 그리스도의 직분을 감당하신 분이 예수입니다. 누구든지 예수를 믿고 영접하면 죄와 저주에서 해방받고 하나님의 자녀가 되는 축복을 누리게 됩니다. 예수를 믿고 영접하세요.

[@jaywillow9927]

So, they're going to kill the voltage to changeout the insulator? Dunno bout that. OR, are they going to throw this guy into the scenario where "oh, fuck training dude, you gotta wear gloves for this, this is live, we cannot kill the voltage for this shit". School is horseshit except for guys learning to climb and they learn equipment. School and real world are two different worlds.

[@ivanf.8489]

Yah, school and real life are different, always. In school you learn technical and theorical stuff and in real life practical stuff. I find both equally important, interesting and usefull.