The Life Of A Tower Climber II: Failures At Every Level | Documentary (2025)

[@englishbulldog89]

23 years old 2 years in this industry and I havent even fully finished this documentary and can only say it's hitting very good points. Thank you Tommy Schuch for doing these videos you are showing so many people what we go through! We need to come together as climbers to demand change and better standards whether for training and structures we work on, and pay/benefits!

[@TommySchuch]

@@englishbulldog89 Agreed! Stay safe out there bud, make good decisions, and remember this - Complacency is one of the biggest killers in the industry.

[@UnitedTowerclimber]

Agreed buddy!

[@ryandyson5398]

Sounds like there needs to be a climbers union

[@Loljuuqwanza]

Now would be a good time. Republicans aren't big fans of unions, but with stricter immigration policy it's not like they will be able to replace us with cheap illegal immigrant labor.

[@emproductions160]

This documentary was really really good. Hope your channel starts to really pop! As an electrician, I think unionizing for tower climbers would be beneficial and a step in the right direction, but there will always be greed. The climbers that work at the same contractor as I, seem to love their work they do.

[@TommySchuch]

Thanks for checking it out,appreciate the support!

[@williamstone4170]

Another masterpiece brother! Great job! I’m sorry I couldn’t help with this one… hurricane Helene screwed that up. Let’s keep this going because progress is being made and it’s very obvious that it’s gotten the correct attention at the congressional level! Whooooop!

[@stephenjschuch]

This is a very insightful and sobering piece digging deep into the reality that tower climbers face each day. Great documentary!

[@TommySchuch]

thanks brother!

[@alskdjfhg0]

These videos are coming out more and more. I commend you brotha! Not to undertone other professions like roadwork, tow truck drivers. But these guys literally keep our phones going.

[@LanceIngram-cg3ej]

All of us that take our communication for granted should be thankful for the tower guys. Thankyou! Bestwishes to the loved ones suffering a loss. We pray for you and the people who risk their lives now! I appreciate it! Please be safe!

[@JacobMcCain-b3j]

I’ve been climbing for 4.5 years, thanks for representing us well.

[@elcharrosays]

Get out my guy. Please.

[@alskdjfhg0]

Nobody thinks about you guys. I do. Thank you. You literally keep the modern world together.

[@PaytonnManning1503]

Your welcome

[@cornell833]

Facts 💯 ​@@alskdjfhg0

[@fryz]

Impactful, thanks for this hope the right eyes see it

[@Newtons_Towers]

Subscribed from the first documentary, and I am confident in saying that your work on these videos is incredible. I'm a 16yr old in high school and want to do tower climbing (at least for a while), as radios, and towers are my hobbies/passions. I know for certain that when I'm at a site, that I will do my best to look out for and address issues with the site that haven't been noted or passed down. It seems that the low-tier subcontractors are just shit in, and shit out. A question for anyone inside this industry: How would one set themselves up for success with proper training and landing a good position with a good employer that guarantees safety and stable pay? I'm lucky enough to have backing for education, so I have many choices for when I select my path. I appreciate all yall out there doing this stuff for the little recognition you get. I hold you of the highest respect.

[@TommySchuch]

Thanks man!

[@elcharrosays]

7 years in and this documentary hit so many feels. We need wider representation and I sincerely hope this message can reach an effective audience. The conditions that carriers put us through are absolutely untennable. And there is no accountability. I am absolutely sick of risking my life day after day for legitimately easily avoidable hazards. I work office and field. I know what it takes. The fault is purely carriers avoiding responsibility. Fuck turf vendors for taking 40% and doing 0% of the work, and fuck AT&T for their absolutely dismal designs.

[@TommySchuch]

You have many valid points, thank you for watching bro

[@mirandaburns7265]

Thank you for your hard work

[@zekeabercrombie1242]

Former tower worker. Everything you said was right on.

[@Wilco6-v6f]

Another banger my bro🔥🔥🔥

[@TommySchuch]

Appreciate ya brother

[@wadesarver4207]

Great job kid, thank you! The ending was powerful.

[@TommySchuch]

@@wadesarver4207 Thanks Wade, I’ve been following you since I first got into the industry. Appreciate it!!

[@wadesarver4207]

@@TommySchuch I appreciate that. This was really good work, impressive. I hope you can make a difference; I tried but couldn't make any real changes. It was great to see Richard interviewed, he's a great guy who also tried to make a difference.

[@TommySchuch]

@@wadesarver4207 Thank you, I really appreciate that! This is definitely a tough industry to effect any type of change in, but I believe it can happen. I spent over two years in the last union push that ultimately fell apart. Learned so much in that time.. I feel like regulations would be effective in the meantime. Richard is definitely a great man with an honest heart-his insights have been invaluable, and I'm thankful to have had the chance to include him. Thanks again for the support!

[@Dugpasttenseofdig]

Hey guys, industry outsider here. (Extremely well done documentary, and thank you for literally keeping the world working by the way). I am commenting because I am extremely curious about the union push that Tommy mentioned. It fell apart after two years? That must have been hard to take. My question is how/why did it fall apart? It seems obvious to me that if a single job needed the backing and representation of a union and all the benefits that come with it it is the one you guys do. So how do you not have one? And why did the last attempt to establish one fail? My assumption is that the answer is the usual one: anti-union practices by the companies and those that own them. Is this assumption at all based in reality? Because it seems hard to believe that with such a small community of people doing extremely dangerous yet potentially rewarding and fulfilling work that you can’t all come together to make it happen. Please enlighten me if you can. Aloha from Hawaii 🤙

[@wadesarver4207]

@@Dugpasttenseofdig You would have to ask them specifically, but I worked with others to help them get going and it always fell apart for these reasons: 1) the unions thought the industry was too scattered and spread out, 2) the money for them to be interested was not there, 3) the people involved lose interest and money, 4) the people starting it are interested in lining their pockets more than driving the union. Luckily, the time it did start it had people that cared about the industry. It takes a lot of time, money, and determination to get that far.

[@jamesmckee9246]

This is great information Something has to be done about this issue at every level.

[@TommySchuch]

Thank you for watching!

[@elcharrosays]

All we need is a union and proper representation. CWA fucked up but we still need to strive for representation. Tower workers perform both electric and steel. Why are we treated so much poorly than either?

[@jamesmckee9246]

@@elcharrosays this seems like a 2 union job Steel worker union Electrician union

[@elcharrosays]

@@jamesmckee9246 You are right. Unfortunately, it's a 0 union job.

[@joebeecher2835]

Awesome vid.

[@WiskeyAdventures]

18 year tower vet here and the industry definitely does not care about the climbers. They push the crews to get in and get back out for little pay for what they do.

[@mikeanshit158]

I m a lineman for a huge power company. We re just a number to them. They don't give a rats ass about us

[@elevensix83]

I rock climb on a reg basis. i've climbed 5.13a outdoors. I'm a navy veteran. i've done backpacking expeditions in all sorts of weather. I worked in the outdoor industry. i worked as a billboard installer. what i'm trying to say is i have more than enough qualifications to be a tower tech. recently applied to a tower tech position and got offered the minimum. i think it just goes to show that the industry is fucked. the climbers are being taken advantage of. i don't know how climbers settle for the shittiest of wages. there needs to be a union. with all the hazards, being in the elements, etc.. something is wrong or things are rigged for the people at the top.

[@TommySchuch]

@@elevensix83 everything is rigged for the people at the top ( to agree with your final statement) 💯

[@UnitedTowerclimber]

@@mikeanshit158lineman and us tower climbers really do have a lot in common. Both dangerous jobs and both have lots of deaths in the industries. Sad they don’t care about the people that keep the country going

[@d2kids4me]

I saw your 1st documentary a few months ago. I have a cousin in California who's a climber. I'm terrified of heights & have nightmares about those towers even though I've never stepped foot near one. My opinion is 4G & 5G are not even close to a legitimate reason to put anyone's life at risk. BFD if your video is a little slow on your phone. Or it takes a extra seconds for your phone to connect to who you're calling. Or that you can't place that catalog order 'right now' because you waited until the last minute before your '50% off code' was set to expire. There's not one good, justifiable excuse I can think of that would be worth the cost of loss of life. We pay so much in BS 'taxes' with cell service, maybe the FCC should make a mandatory 25 cent fee that these companies can ONLY spend on upgrading & making existing towers safe, not adding new ones or upgrading their G service. They should have to PROVE the fee went strictly for increasing the equipment needed for the safety of the climbers. I'm already taxed into oblivion, but I'd be willing to pay the extra fee. If it means my cousin goes home to his family every night along with every other climber, it's a no-trainer. If people want their super fast, smooth running 5G service, let them pay the extra 25 cents every month. If they're too cheap & don't want to pay the fee, then they can go back to 2G & see how that works for them. Start a petition & I'll sign it. EVERYBODY wants their 5G, so it's time they learned just exactly how it's delivered. Stay safe out there.

[@TommySchuch]

You have many valid points here, but nobody should have to pay anymore than they already are. The carriers are paying enough out for climbers to be better taken of in regard to safety/ pay/ working conditions etc. The issue here is the way in which the system is designed with so many layers/tiers between the top and bottom. Too many people siphoning off profits without actually doing anything..I hope your cousin is working for a good company that takes care of him and his well being!

[@d2kids4me]

@TommySchuch you're absolutely right. I wonder if OSHA or Congress can implement a new law that bans the multiple middlemen that skim off the top & screws the climbers. Basically, one company has the contract with the tower owner directly, so there's more accountability & less blaming the climber. I don't know the ins and outs. I'm just a concerned person who thinks these low ball unsafe risks aren't worth it.

[@TommySchuch]

@You are right on 💯 Federal regulation could make huge progress as it has in other industries. I have brought these issues to my congressman and I believe some things are in the works. I will definitely be posting a video on it if it does.

[@elcharrosays]

Lack of money is far from the issue. It's actually kind of the problem. The system of turf vendors and subcontractors is designed to absolve carriers of their due responsibilities. Many safety issues arise from having low-bid contractors performing shitty installs which compromise the next 100 guys who have to climb the same tower for other projects. I know I'm beating a dead horse, but fuck AT&T. Absolute garbage and disregard.

[@tristenpaul808]

Tower cLimBeRs in California are actually just glorified lift operators, So your cousin should be fine. 😂 Just playin

[@thecanopyclimber]

Mad respect for y’all! I’ve done water tower climb, and repel, and am a 7yr climbing arborist and I still can’t fathom being a tower climber! Be safe brothers! 🤙🏻

[@CarryTrainer]

Shared on on my channel. Well done bro

[@TommySchuch]

Much appreciated brother

[@UnitedTowerclimber]

Awesome documentary, I’m showing everyone I know, this hits home for me. Been climbing for 3 years. We all feel underpaid and under appreciated. Something has to change! Safety should come before anything. Great job!!!

[@TommySchuch]

@@UnitedTowerclimber thanks brother Check out part one as well! Whoop

[@ibbylancaster8981]

As a welder and fabricator, I have nothing but respect and admiration for you all. Personally, I’m good on Terra firma. Y’all can have it. I don’t care if they were paying $5000 an hour. Nope nope and nope. RIP to all those who have lost their lives and salute to those who still go out daily and risk it all for an ungrateful public. Much love 🤙

[@bradleyrussell1973]

Safety costs. Unfortunately, that's a hard fact. It only costs companies that haven't experienced an employee safety-related fatality. For many companies that HAVE experienced their first loss, safety THEN becomes paramount, even over efficiency and production. All too late and will only last long enough until the next careless worker takes that shortcut. After him, the next guy does the same. Before you know it, when you ask about the method, you get, "that's how we've always done it." That's an answer I WILL NOT ever recognize as valid. If that's the best answer a company can come up with on a safety question, they don't deserve my professional service. "If you're good at something, never do it for free."- The Joker

[@dunkiles]

another amazing job, following part I, congratulations, tower dog, to represent in such a refined and objective way the problems, the greed that infects the whole country regarding tower industry

[@TommySchuch]

Much appreciated, thanks!

[@joshuaburket9232]

Matthew Vukasovich, RIP your missed everyday brother.

[@cliffguy7231]

your documentary is excellent for shedding light on the dangers of your industry. your documentary speaks it the best, companies will go find some dumb, or willing to please person to get the job done making you look bad. corporations in bigger businesses can just throw you away and replace you making you feel worthless even though you're highly skilled period well done

[@HFarms1955]

Thanks for all you fellas do!!! Retired Firefighter here, and some of the work you do is related to fire and ems comms. Without you guys people could DIE! Be safe! I appreciate what you do!👍👍👍👍

[@justinfish9135]

Spent ten years climbing and the lack of care about my safety is exactly why I left …

[@SADFORIAN]

I'm a 55 yo commercial audio/video contractor nearing the end of his career who strongly considered the tower industry after electronics school back in the early '90s (seemed like cool work with travel and decent money), until I researched a bit into what those guys actually go through. The message I got is that they will run you ragged until there's nothing left.

[@RobertFreeman-gx7lb]

Im scared strapped to a tree in a deer stand. I couldn't ever do this. Mad respect. Ill stock to welding on the ground

[@Jab7581]

This is a real eye opener into the very real danger these guy's are facing everyday and I can't believe how flimsy these towers look and the weight hung off the top of them, it's ridiculous how some towers are just packed from top to bottom with antennas and no safe path to the top. The company's having there antennas put on these towers should have more responsibility over the state of the towers and making sure they aren't overloaded and there is a safe path to the top . Seems to me there are way too many different companies involved in these towers, there should be one company involved in the building and regular maintenance of them and the phone companies should have all the maintenance records and relevant information about each tower they have their antennas on.

[@LetsG00000]

I’m literally going to school for telecommunications so I can move into cell tower climbing. I love rock climbing so honestly any job that’ll pay me to climb I’m down for. Super informative and gives me a realistic perspective on how my future might be impacted.

[@Tacos888]

Don’t do it. Leave. Go join the union or be a electrician

[@LetsG00000]

@@Tacos888 no thanks Taco your 8 month snapshot of this career path isn’t enough for me to change course. I want to be paid to climb. I know tower techs at my gym and they enjoy it especially the travel. You gave no info just negativity. Stay blessed

[@LisaFriedman-p9n]

​@@LetsG00000Why are you going to school for it? They literally said you need zero training. In the first documentry one guy was climbing 4 hours after being hired.

[@urscreamin4it]

i am not in the industry, but great job on the video. i hope this brings change sooner rather than later.

[@tristenpaul808]

I’ve been in the industry for about a decade now. Everything this man said is 110% true, plus some. It is insane what I’ve been asked to do on towers. Safety definitely takes a back seat to money and deadlines.

[@coolguy7526]

Industry of communication and no one communicates

[@frankflstf]

200 fatalities in 20 years is gross negligence Unacceptable

[@scottnixon9236]

Canadian, 55 years and still working in the industry. Great video. Telco provider work is still horrible.They do not care about the riggers and crews in the field. Luckily i do more energy sector climbing where safety is taken very seriously. Most of us older guys, train and teach the younger guys on proper practices and dont throw them in conditions where they are uncomfortable. Be safe out there. Whoop whoop.

[@DelmaRaySmithJr]

Thanks for putting the facts on the table here.

[@xray5382]

Getting ready to go to my Christmas party.. the future looks grim

[@Johnny53kgb-nsa]

I served my apprenticeship starting in 1977 painting energized high voltage tower's. I did this type work several year's before transferring to a local closer to home .

[@oxcolette]

This is scary asf. Please stay safe. I watched a documentary about a guy that fell and how often it happens.

[@Mylifeisnotmyown]

Why is synergy such a problem in so many areas of business in 2024???? It just seems like a no brainer to me…. I’m baffled

[@Sherlockohms303]

Bro Thanks I'm a Tower guy we are underpaid away from our wife's and kids and the worst is no money for ourselves

[@ryandyson5398]

If your out 2 or 3 weeks at a time are at least getting 5 or 7 days off after being

[@williamstone4170]

1 week after the last documentary was released, Jose covarrubias fell from a tower in my home town. The site remained untouched for months. Verizon owned the tower. I still have the pictures

[@TyEMW1014]

Good luck with that. I started decades ago on broadcast towers, with a pelican hook and a rope I braided myself. All my favorite people are gone, most of them on the job, most of the rest of them from the job somehow. Never lost a man on my watch in all those years.

[@babyzfpv1234]

Old man is also a MEGA OG!

[@darrenniles2448]

I’m not a big fan of labour unions, I was a union telephone lineman for years and listening to these stories makes me think that if tower climbers were to join a union they would have some kind of better protection when it comes to saying no to their bosses when they discover things are unsafe they could rely on the union backing them instead of facing an immediate threat of getting fired for losing money, not for shaking the potential for loss of life and limb

[@ryandyson5398]

Plus double if not triple there already 22 hr or so pay electric line man go up 30 ft deal with high kv power lines it’s dangerous but 300 ft up with these poles in these conditions I’d say should pay same if not more.. period

[@VinceOry]

I don’t understand why you guys want get out of the tower trades if it’s that bad of a trade and they don’t pay good then find something else to do don’t get me wrong I got a lot of respect for you guys

[@Knowledge-hit]

I don’t climb but I am in an industry where logistics and intra communication is critical. Sounds to me that companies are not setup with any reviewable safety regulations and qualifications. The issue is the regulations that don’t exist for the company offering the service

[@Silicon-rp9zt]

Hey Tommy! Just found your channel and find all of this work you've done for climbers so profoundly cool! I had a question! Earlier in my life I was considering going into commercial diving. One area I remembered researching was about the guys who dive inside of those water towers to do internal inspections. I find it interesting that they also have maintenance done on the outside as well with you climbers. Has any of your work in the past been in tandem with what the divers do?

[@TommySchuch]

I have heard of commercial divers inspecting full water tanks, but I always thought that was pretty rare.

[@Silicon-rp9zt]

@@TommySchuch yea it's pretty wild! The same guys go into oil drums too, it's nutty! Stay safe Tommy

[@TommySchuch]

@@Silicon-rp9ztThanks you!

[@nicholaskanganis8162]

I climbed for Mastec for almost 2 years.. No prior experience when hired!!

[@helpyousleep7386]

very informative and well made. as somebody who is scared of heights(within reason), i salute you all.

[@coolguy7526]

How do I like this more than once

[@jchastain789]

That's crazy. Respect from nc

[@TyEMW1014]

9:00. Yeah... you need to call the turf vender and get the T.I.A. inspection report and see why the tower was condemned. It's why your doing a structural. Make sure to start with the guyed anchor points, tension specs, and work your way to the top as far as safety goes. Safety rope and rope grabs, etc... all part of the fun.

[@TyEMW1014]

Most people just don't know what they are doing. Inbetween tech upgrades all the experience gets starved out... and its a young mans game anyways, easy to not get paid. It's not if you're going to get screwed over, its when and how often.

[@TyEMW1014]

It's a good idea to always ask for the last T.I.A. inspection anytime you take a job. It will usually tell you why you got the job.

[@BIGEUSMC]

The dangers are a lot different but in the trucking industry companies do the same, that is until someone falls asleep driving or hurts themselves unloading them they’re all about the rules.

[@Primo_extracts]

It’s sickens me that these extremely wealthy corporations. I’ll get that way at the expense of their workers and the public at large. I don’t know how they sleep at night.

[@leonmohan1708]

Incredibly moved by the sheer amount of lads that died on this job. From the huge spread of ages it's obvious that something is going on. U would expect to see a large number of young lads, showing inexperience, bravado etc and then just a few older experienced guys from odd accidents but it's not. Everyone no matter age or experience is shown. That proves is something else like design, poor maintenance or whatever. Blue color workers are the backbone of the west's capitalism and need to be looked after. Heartbreaking. And listening to that awesome, heart wrenching music moved me big time. Prayers to the families that lost a worker and God bless those that are working.

[@Ethanneverett]

I’m 6 months into this industry and man I have not enjoyed it one bit . I love climbing and the feeling of accomplishing the work but at the end of the day I’m starting to think it’s not worth it

[@JoshMunoz-f7r]

Find a better company if the one you’re with is bad

[@babyzfpv1234]

The first scene opens up…..and the first thing I said was f*** this. No way….no f****ng way. You guys must not be afraid of ANYTHING OR ANYONE. Duuuuuude! You guys go hard af!

[@rickboggs4335]

I started back in 1978 Loved climbing u towers

[@dearestdennis]

24:47 - The carriers have actually sold a majority of their ownership of the actual towers/sites and leased them back for cash infusions of billions years ago. Most of the “owners” are not the carriers, it’s Crown Castle, American Tower etc.

[@MikeHarris1984]

Holy f*(# that footage from the water tower has my stomach in pits. How do you do that!??!!?

[@sweetkittiez]

I got anxiety just watching you do it dude

[@TwiztidPain]

Before anyone climbs or works on or around towers, they should have certification in rigging, be licensed electricians, pass multiple climb tests, and undergo pipe inspection training. You should also not have to transfer from a Man Lift to a tower. There should also be a requirement to wear gloves similar to those Linemen use, rated for KV. Veterans of the trades should come together and pressure Congress to push regulation. If a tower owner is leasing a tower out to a Cell Provider then, it's it should be mandatory for the Cell Provider to have X amount of Liability for any crew they hire. If they give a contract to one company and they contract the work out then they should cover. At the end of the day, towers should be made to keep inspection and maintenance logs on site. Before getting a contract climbers should be drug tested.

[@TommySchuch]

Very well said

[@Lovelaceakaop]

Not many Climbers have the balls to vertical desent just to be 30 ft away from site horizontally. Swing harder lol. Much respect. Stay safe brother.

[@TommySchuch]

Haha thanks man, that old GoPro didn’t do the shot justice. I would estimate it was about 60 to 80 feet on that swing 🤦🏻‍♂️

[@woodhook]

I know, I've done tower work and linework on wood poles. Shortcuts are the norm

[@diddymercs]

This is INSANE!

[@AndrewTa530]

Does OSHA know??

[@robertsuter2474]

was a roofer and than a highrise window washer.to all the broken bodyies of constrution ,I SULUTE YOU. WE ARE DISPOSABLE.

[@frankflstf]

There’s no excuse for these conditions other than greed

[@grantgoldberg1663]

If you work a job anybody can do you'll be taken advantage of every step of the way. If you work a job few can do you'll be the one calling the shots. They can't treat you horrible because you can walk away.

[@johnbowen4222]

Ive been climbing myself for 5 years. I love my job I'm going to hate the day I have to give it up. Nothing like working 500 feet in the air. One thing i can say about my company is they are all about safety if its not safe or we feel uncomfortable about doing a job we say it they will wont hesitate to call it and figure out a safer way to do it.Tie up or die up

[@johnbowen4222]

That is one thing about the industry the office dont care if it's raining snowing night cuts we are going on 2 hours sleep 18 30 hours no sleep job needs to get done that's our job get it done ive been on a night cut 400 feet up in neg 15 snowing winds about 40 miles mph ish still gotta get it done

[@TommySchuch]

@@johnbowen4222 sounds like you got a good company, man!

[@johnbowen4222]

@TommySchuch I do bro ive heard some horrable stories about other companies I'm thankful I got on with a company that still makes safety number one and treats us good

[@thejackel1844]

Maybe someday O.S.H.A. could show - up BEFORE a fall ?, ... Then again, how many of these fatalities are negligence on the Climber's behalf...

[@Tacos888]

A lot

[@ryandyson5398]

Need a climbers union

[@RoySATX]

I knew a neighbors kid doing tower work about ten years ago. He and a few of his buddies around the same age, they weren't bad kids but they had no business climbing towers. Every dime they made they spent on meth, stayed high the whole time they were home and made sure to take plenty with them on the next job. I always expected at least one wouldn't return, not sure they all did. It was crazy, talking to this kid he said it was pretty much a requirement to be hired on. What kind of company knowingly sends high kids up towers under the supervision of other high kids? Well, I guess we know. Companies that don't give a damn about the kids they sending up the towers.

[@TommySchuch]

That doesn’t surprise me at all. But generally you get that type of bs at the bottom tier companies. The last couple companies I worked for we were drug tested pretty frequently and if someone was even suspected of using something they were let go. But those companies of junkies are definitely out there.

[@Tacos888]

Damn man. I did 8months doing this work. I switched to parts delivery and it was just as bad. The office staff is straight up garbage no matter who you work for.

[@lonewolf1401]

god bless your souls,,past ,presant and future. i have 2 friends that climb towers...

[@Styxx2018]

Damn, Bro! That's crazy sh!t!

[@Jab7581]

Why is it that the most dangerous jobs always seem the least regulated and the worker's are always under unrealistic pressure to get these jobs done and when fatalities happen none of the companies involved will take responsibility.

[@TommySchuch]

The system is setup to absolve the corporations of liability, placing it all on the guy doing the job.

[@AndrewTa530]

What companies are we talking about???

[@Mylifeisnotmyown]

Also, unions? Can y’all do that? I’d say that’s the best answer but I’m on the outside looking in here…

[@frankflstf]

500,000$ wouldn’t be enough compensation for this job

[@furies]

As a lineman, this makes me feel like a wuss.

[@tubesocktv69]

Can you not climb with a parachute?

[@LisaFriedman-p9n]

😂😂😂

[@CentralPASpotter]

It's really sad that this is the world we live in. Corporations are lazy, they want higher profits at the cost of lives and infrastructure then have the audacity to call us lazy for not wanting to risk it all for pennies. I hope videos like this can help push for change. It hit hard seeing my town in the tribute at the end. I don't remember hearing about that incident. I drove by those towers so many times and always take them for granted.

[@frankflstf]

I can’t even watch this it’s so scary and wrong

[@jeffcarder3545]

That's way to many men it's the carriers Version, T Mobile, all of them

[@dakotahollaway3574]

Been climbing for 5 years I agree we are underpaid and overworked, but some of these things are your own fault. Like as a foreman how do you get 2 weeks into a structural mod and haven’t called into the tower owner once?

[@TommySchuch]

As he said, he was a third tier company. His contact in the chain of command was the company he was contracted under. And let’s say it was his fault, that does nothing but point fingers in the wrong direction.. This is a system where these types of things happens all of the time due to a lack of communication.

[@slabslayer258]

You report to higher up OSHA if it is life on the line danger . Or I’ll find a new paycheck . I’m not scared of a pink slip ever .

[@KerryWoolley-d5l]

🧟‍♂️ Digit Hell Gulag 🧟‍♂️

[@IllIIIllIII]

how to get into these jobs?

[@kellyput1]

Great job. Excellent money.

[@LisaFriedman-p9n]

One guy gets 20K per climb.

[@TommySchuch]

Unfortunately that’s a myth that’s been spread around the internet. Income is between 40-90k per year.

[@dingdongmagee]

Martin luffaz kangz

[@JonathanCardona-u1j]

dont let OSHA see this.

[@Wilco6-v6f]

Why?

[@r34p3r_here]

The complaints made here can literally be made for any dangerous job out there from firefighters to astronauts to military. But I dont get that people know a job is dangerous and then go into it and then cry victim.

[@TommySchuch]

41:22 I expressed the same sentiment. It's remarkable that you would equate criticizing corporate greed and a system designed to prioritize profits over people with 'crying victim'; that's clearly a misrepresentation of the issue at hand. Many climbers are happy to do their job, they just tired of being placed in unnecessarily dangerous situations due to system that was designed without them in mind.

[@talesfromtheleashexpatdogl1426]

Profits come b4 people because that is how capitalism is intended to work.

[@Wannabesky6912]

Correct but at what point does it become extortion by forcing workers to do unsafe work?

[@TommySchuch]

You bring up an interesting point about capitalism and the motive for profits, but my question is: Where do we draw the line to ensure workers aren’t exploited or extorted by massive corporations? When tower owners, and cell carriers prioritize profits at the expense of safety, fair wages, and ethical practices, isn't there a need for regulations to protect those on the frontlines, like tower climbers(who take on the risk to keep the industry running) At what point does this become a moral and ethical issue?

[@1962guy50]

If you think unions can fix the tower industry, take a look at what they've done to the automobile industry. It's real simple: If you don't like the pay and working conditions of tower work, don't do it. Go do something else.

[@tomkeppler3519]

Unionize