The Rat Contractor

[LostArt]

Those of you that have worked for one, in the past and now, would you say you received a rounded lineman experience?

[dbrown20]

I worked for one that did both transmission and distribution. It's pretty good experience for OJT, but you have to figure out the theory yourself.

I have known some hands who worked for an REC contractor and had only experienced one voltage, or maybe two, and had never had experience with a delta system.

I had a foreman once whose background was REC. This was for a utility and when I mentioned you could hook certain kinds of pots delta in a wye system he simply did not believe it. Thought I was funning him.

Have you got over the April Fool, Tracey dear?

Ever since I saw that picture I have really wanted to come to Florida. dbrown20

[LostArt]

I worked for one that did both transmission and distribution. It's pretty good experience for OJT, but you have to figure out the theory yourself.

I have known some hands who worked for an REC contractor and had only experienced one voltage, or maybe two, and had never had experience with a delta system.

I had a foreman once whose background was REC. This was for a utility and when I mentioned you could hook certain kinds of pots delta in a wye system he simply did not believe it. Thought I was funning him.

Right, as you and I have talked before, I know when you work for a contractor you can do many different kinds of work with transmission lines. I'm not sure if my husband ( http://www.avowners.com/forum/smileys/fock003.gif) did as much distribution at those times, but he sure did enough of those during hurricanes. And when he contracted out for these REC's he had to calculate the different theories, as you call them. I don't know the different voltage systems, I can only grasp the concept.

That's what I'm saying Danny, you don't get the full advantage of linework if you only work a small part of it. It has been to the Boss's advantage of learning this experience and then going to utility, IMHO.

I asked him yesterday what kind of work is he doing now, "Just changing out old poles dear."




Have you got over the April Fool, Tracey dear?

Ever since I saw that picture I have really wanted to come to Florida. dbrown20

You are a booger Danny! Yes, I'm over it. One thing about me, I don't get fluster often and I'm rarely mad for long! :D Mostly, you just threw me for a loop.

What picture? I'm trying to think of the last pic I posted. Was it of the river? Gracious, I don't even remember the last pic I posted here!

[Bull Dog]

Art its refressing to have you on here we get tired of the know it alls and old farts. Keep posting we love it.

[LostArt]

Art its refressing to have you on here we get tired of the know it alls and old farts. Keep posting we love it.

Thanks Bull Dog. I sincerely appreciate you guys answering my questions and shootin' the bull with me here. Most of you express LOTS of patience! LOL! I guess that comes with the work too though. :D

BTW, are you a rat Bull Dog? I need to find us a dag gum rat smilie!

[Mike-E]

From someones post on another thread about union or non-union, they said that even union linemen can have a "rat" mentality. I have noticed this much more in my own experiences lately. Examples from me only being on the union side are, double standards, violating safety rules, disregard for a "brothers" well being, and just about everything else these so-called union linemen preach against. I'm not bad mouthing my union or the apprentince program but I do understand the fact that even a rat can hold a ticket. But even a non-union company can have high standards I'd bet. From me only having union training with a lot of stand up, quality linemen and a few backstabbing dirtballs, it has been really good, rats or not.

[PA BEN]

What’s a Rat? :confused:

[tramp67]

Thanks Bull Dog. I sincerely appreciate you guys answering my questions and shootin' the bull with me here. Most of you express LOTS of patience! LOL! I guess that comes with the work too though. :D

BTW, are you a rat Bull Dog? I need to find us a dag gum rat smilie!

<a href="http://plugin.smileycentral.com/http%253A%252F%252Fwww.smileycentral.com%252F%253F partner%253DZSzeb008%255FZNfox000%2526i%253D23%252 F23%255F4%255F149%2526feat%253Dprof/page.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_4_149.gif" alt="SmileyCentral.com" border="0"><img border="0" src="http://plugin.smileycentral.com/http%253A%252F%252Fimgfarm%252Ecom%252Fimages%252F nocache%252Ftr%252Ffw%252Fsmiley%252Fsocial%252Egi f%253Fi%253D23%252F23_4_149/image.gif"></a>

[tramp67]

Houston, we have a problem!:p

[LostArt]

What’s a Rat? :confused:

Swamp

:D :D :D

Sorry Ben.....I just couldn't resist. However, he will actually say he is one!

[LostArt]

<a href="http://plugin.smileycentral.com/http%253A%252F%252Fwww.smileycentral.com%252F%253F partner%253DZSzeb008%255FZNfox000%2526i%253D23%252 F23%255F4%255F149%2526feat%253Dprof/page.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/23/23_4_149.gif" alt="SmileyCentral.com" border="0"><img border="0" src="http://plugin.smileycentral.com/http%253A%252F%252Fimgfarm%252Ecom%252Fimages%252F nocache%252Ftr%252Ffw%252Fsmiley%252Fsocial%252Egi f%253Fi%253D23%252F23_4_149/image.gif"></a>


Houston, we have a problem!:p

http://www.avowners.com/forum/smileys/cool027.gif

LOL! What is this code Sir Tramp???!!!

[Bull Dog]

I dont use the word rat. Never been one either!

[tramp67]

Swamp

:D :D :D

Sorry Ben.....I just couldn't resist. However, he will actually say he is one!

Here's one that flies!!http://www.avowners.com/forum/smileys/bat_angel.gif

[tramp67]

http://www.avowners.com/forum/smileys/cool027.gif

LOL! What is this code Sir Tramp???!!!

Hieroglyphics from another Smiley site!;)

[LostArt]

From someones post on another thread about union or non-union, they said that even union linemen can have a "rat" mentality. I have noticed this much more in my own experiences lately. Examples from me only being on the union side are, double standards, violating safety rules, disregard for a "brothers" well being, and just about everything else these so-called union linemen preach against. I'm not bad mouthing my union or the apprentince program but I do understand the fact that even a rat can hold a ticket. But even a non-union company can have high standards I'd bet. From me only having union training with a lot of stand up, quality linemen and a few backstabbing dirtballs, it has been really good, rats or not.

Well Mike, I'm sure my title was actually misleading. This really is about more of the "overall" work experience of a lineman. Dbrown20's post seemed to hit it pretty good. I think he knew what I was getting at and it wasn't so much as a union to non-union thing but more about the experience of many types of linework. I only used "rat" in the title when it should of been any contractor vs. utility.....or even those companies that only do one kind of linework (distr./trans).

Sorry about my title Mike....or any others that are reading, I'm sure it will cause even the brightest lineman in the bucket (HEY BEN! Heh.) to be totally confused! :D

[tramp67]

[QUOTE=LostArt;29458]Well Mike, I'm sure my title was actually misleading. This really is about more of the "overall" work experience of a lineman. Dbrown20's post seemed to hit it pretty good. I think he knew what I was getting at and it wasn't so much as a union to non-union thing but more about the experience of many types of linework. I only used "rat" in the title when it should of been any contractor vs. utility.....or even those companies that only do one kind of linework (distr./trans).

One of the many reasons I like tramping is the huge variety of work I get to do, transmission, distribution, underground, steel, lattice, wood, new, rebuilds, conversions.... the list goes on and on. The new places I get to work at, the different ways people do things, but most of all, I've met many great linemen over the years! I hope to eventually settle down somewhere with a decent utility so I can have a real home, but for now, who knows where the next job will be:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :cool:

[LostArt]

One of the many reasons I like tramping is the huge variety of work I get to do, transmission, distribution, underground, steel, lattice, wood, new, rebuilds, conversions.... the list goes on and on. The new places I get to work at, the different ways people do things, but most of all, I've met many great linemen over the years! I hope to eventually settle down somewhere with a decent utility so I can have a real home, but for now, who knows where the next job will be:rolleyes: :cool:

That's what I was trying to get at!!! This kind of post! :D

Some say that you can't get the "tramping" out of your system. I wonder if you become bored. You all talk about the adrenalin at times, and it seems like you would miss it....to an extent.

[Mike-E]

Sorry LA, I didn't mean to go off the subject. I guess I've just got a bug up my ass with my current situation.

[LINETRASH]

Well, LA, I grew up tramping, my father worked for a rat contractor since before I was born.

I lived in many states, went to many schools. I think the worst thing for me as a kid was always being the new guy..

It was quite normal in the sixtys and seventys to follow projects, live in a trailer that actually got alot of miles on it as opposed to sitting in a final resting place in a park somwhere. The company moved your trailer back then.

At 17, I went to work for the same company building 500 towers in SE Georgia. Then to Montana, then to California,Then to Florida, Luisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Utah, Arizona, Then Texas.

I learned alot, worked on every voltage you can imagine, Put twisted down towers back up, pulled miles of wire, set tons of poles, hung dozen of pots.
Climbed miles of wood.

I believe this gave me alot more experience than someone "born and raised" in a Power co, Co-Op, etc.

The main downside is, having met my wife and having 2 great kids, was draging them all over the country with me, my boys always being the "new kids"

The contractor mentality was difficult for me to shake, but finally, in the late 90's, I took the leap of faith and applied at a power co, after 10 solid years of draging my family from stem to stern of this great country.

At this point, I thought I was well rounded, smart and experienced. Reality check!

Oh, I could do anything a power co lineman could do, ususally better and faster.

But then I experienced my first underground...

It was like starting all over again, and , becoming a troubleman, I feel I am in the graduate course for linemen, I learn somthing new every day.

I have had great teachers, union and non. I am proud of my experience with the rats. Not many of my present coworkers can relate to riding a handline down from a transmission tower, or being on a crew that changed out 6 "h" structures in a day.

Nope, LA, would'nt trade it for anything!

[LostArt]

That's okay Mike. I know I can seem kinda a smartass at times. I really don't mean any harm, but it can sure can get to the best of them at times! As Swamp says, "Some get me and some just don't." Nuttin' new here! :D



I have had great teachers, union and non. I am proud of my experience with the rats. Not many of my present coworkers can relate to riding a handline down from a transmission tower, or being on a crew that changed out 6 "h" structures in a day.

Nope, LA, would'nt trade it for anything!

I wondered what happened to you Trash! I've been waiting on your post! :D That's really what I'm talking about and I know you would know. ;)

Many don't know this, but TRASH has worked with the Boss.

[Trampbag]

Art its refressing to have you on here we get tired of the know it alls and old farts. Keep posting we love it.

I can’t figure out if you’re calling me an old fart, a know it all or a rat. Maybe a ratty know it all old fart.

I resemble that, sir! We may have to draw 2 X 4s at dawn!!!

[LostArt]

We may have to draw 2 X 4s at dawn!!!

You can take him Bull Dog. He didn't mention any live wire or any high voltage. My money's on Bull Dog.

http://www.avowners.com/forum/smileys/party1006.gif

[Trampbag]

Fickle woman.

[LostArt]

Fickle woman.

http://www.avowners.com/forum/smileys/ass843xx.gif

Today is not my day for the Scotts Trampbag. :D

[tramp67]

Hey, Trampbag! I see you traded the snow for snakes!! :eek: Was it a fair trade??:p

[Stinger]

I have worked both sides. Worked in a lot of southern states. Got good experience on different distro systems and voltages. When there was no distro, we worked transmission. However, after joing the Union up here in the New England area I started to get some training and understanding of underground systems which backs up the JL on your ticket Just Learning(JL). Bottom line I feel I gained some experience I probably would not have gotten If I had been homesteading in place. I know there a lot of utilities down south that are pretty large and the hands get good exposure to everything. The best thing ever happened to me was going union. Not so much the work ethics, but here we get the same pay as the JL next to you, and good pension and health and welfare benifiets. All I have to to do in return is give my employeer a days work of safe quality production for a days pay. I know that is the goal of most lineman union or non. Just on the union side you do not have to be in the "click" to get what is due you. I have said before and will say again, a lineman is the strongest brotherhood in the construction industry, I just wish our non organized brothers would organize and enjoy the same financial and health benifiets we do. The stronger we are as a trade in whole, the better off we would all be.

[Trampbag]

Hey, Trampbag! I see you traded the snow for snakes!! :eek: Was it a fair trade??:p

Yea, well I was interested in southern Argentina which would have meant I would get another 6 months of winter and then return north to winter again. My wife told me I was too damned old to be that foolish however I was adamant and put my foot down, hard.

I said with as much force as I could possibly muster, “Yes dear”.

So I get summer, and snakes.

[LostArt]

Yea, well I was interested in southern Argentina which would have meant I would get another 6 months of winter and then return north to winter again. My wife told me I was too damned old to be that foolish however I was adamant and put my foot down, hard.

I said with as much force as I could possibly muster, “Yes dear”.

So I get summer, and snakes.

Hehehe....

How old you be Trampbag? I just wanted to know how old is old. http://www.avowners.com/forum/smileys/doh001.gif :D

[lineman-up]

i have worked for two "rat" contractors in the past and now work for a non-union utility. I would put the contractor i worked for last against anybody period. their lineman are some of the best i have ever seen. i have worked on storm jobs with many union lineman and to be honest i couldn't see the greatness that alot of you talk about. just so all you union buffs know that union card don't make you a good lineman it is what is inside that makes a true lineman!!!!! Now dont get me wrong i would love union wages and benefits, but there are not many union jobs in my area that would allow me to live at home and not in a hotel. I do make a decent living being a "rat". so if me supporting my family and working to be the best i can be makes me a "rat" in your eyes maybe you should try to open them up. In minnesota we call people that put in a honest days work to support their family a "MAN" not a "rat"!!!!! just my opinion

LINEMAN-UP

[LostArt]

I do make a decent living being a "rat". so if me supporting my family and working to be the best i can be makes me a "rat" in your eyes maybe you should try to open them up. In minnesota we call people that put in a honest days work to support their family a "MAN" not a "rat"!!!!! just my opinion

LINEMAN-UP

Welcome UP!

I'm grinning because when I came here, I thought a lineman was a lineman. LOL! Just goes to show you what I knew! NOTHING! :D

But, it seems there are "clicks" in the powerlineman world too. No biggie. You know who you are and what you can do. And as long as a lineman works safe and hard, they are linemen in my eyes.

[KingRat]

Welcome UP!

I'm grinning because when I came here, I thought a lineman was a lineman. LOL! Just goes to show you what I knew! NOTHING! :D

But, it seems there are "clicks" in the powerlineman world too. No biggie. You know who you are and what you can do. And as long as a lineman works safe and hard, they are linemen in my eyes.

LostArt- Atta Girl:D

[LostArt]

LostArt- Atta Girl:D

Why thank you King. But, it's not about me. I'm just saying my husband was a "rat"..............wait, he still is! He is still in a NON union utility! My bad, but he is a hard workin' lineman to me!

But, let me say THIS...........there are many here that I call my buddies/friends that ARE NOT Rats and they are still good linemen. Now, many of you might say I am brown nosin' (I really don't give a rats @ss), but they are also "good" linemen in my book!

[woody]

Hey linetrash... grew up as a son of a LINEMAN TRAMP...UNION... moved 17 times in 12 years. I was the new kid...always in school! Hope you don't carry any guilt about following your job and dream. Meet some military kids when I went through the military service thing...and believe you me...WE ain't got nothing on our SERVICEMAN serving our country. Have respect for anybody doing this trade ... hope they came up with good safe work practices. Been to south Florida on hurricane wilma...saw things for what they are...did my work and spoke to many different crews working there. Union...Non-union... talked to em.... asked em where ya from.... who ya work for.... whats your wage and benes? Never judge anybody where they come from or how much money they make. Anybody that works for an hourly wage doing labor with their hands and back has my utmost respect always! Wish WE ALL got paid for our services...justly. I choose to work union... have never been disappointed making that decsion... have been well rewarded by going union...better money and retirement. Also more respect by going union... and fair treatment. Perfect wages?...perfect treatment?...perfect representation?...perfect conditions? HELL NO...nothing is ever perfect...seldom well be... conditions are what the fellow members make it...PERFECTION IS SOMETHING EVERYBODY IN THIS TRADE WANTS...but until all strive for it we will continue on our current path. woody

[scammy]

did any of you read my post ,,,gunshots and cops,,(a rat)contractor helped me out allot,,,,,he said (I cant leave you boys here alone),,I have alotta respect for him and his crew,,,,,he is a lineman.......scammy

[LINETRASH]

I knew sooner or later I would run across a kindered spirit.

No, bro, no guilt, I know I have done the best I can given the opertunities and information available.

I keep in mind that when I went to work for the utility there were few PC's. and this site was an infant.

Young guys nowadays have the benefit of our experience and stories, not to mention unpresidented insight into options as far as utilities and contractors.

I grew up not appreciating the value of my skills. Now, I can stroke a few keys and see what I can make in Ireland, Aussie, UK, West coast, East coast, you name it.

The world is shrinking, and more of the common man is informed as never before.

I am proud to be a lineman, and very proud of the information we can access to make us all stronger.

My complements to Byron, and to all who seek knowlege.

After all, knowlege is power.