Tree trimmer to Lineman?

[cbdreakiro]

I'm a 30 year old Tree climber of 6 yrs, Pretty good with technical removals and love everything about the job, the heights, the skill required, the glory, and the peace and havok. But it just seems like all the big corporate companies that stress safety over dollar dont pay so well and all the smaller companies pay well but are riddled with drugs and boss's that stress dollar over safety "Why are you using tying in twice, suspension + buckstrap, hurry up and make the f#in cut" ect. I've seen two many bad accident from the hurry up mentality and some were pretty bad. Any ways, I was wonderin if it is common for a tree guy with brains to leap to the poles and if so what can i expect. I put in a resume with Indiana Power and Light for their appreniceship program in Indy and have recieved their application packet. It seems like from what I've read it can be just as rewarding, and not to stress it but it seems like i'll be able to support my family of 5 alot easier. If any bodys got any advice or experience with this I'd love to here it. This forum seems just like my current favorite forum Arboristsite.com, a collection of old teaching new and a good place to meet interesting Characters with great stories. Thanks in advance. Hoping to join your ranks. :cool:
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[Kozmic]

I'm a 30 year old Tree climber of 6 yrs, Pretty good with technical removals and love everything about the job, the heights, the skill required, the glory, and the peace and havok. But it just seems like all the big corporate companies that stress safety over dollar dont pay so well and all the smaller companies pay well but are riddled with drugs and boss's that stress dollar over safety "Why are you using tying in twice, suspension + buckstrap, hurry up and make the f#in cut" ect. I've seen two many bad accident from the hurry up mentality and some were pretty bad. Any ways, I was wonderin if it is common for a tree guy with brains to leap to the poles and if so what can i expect. I put in a resume with Indiana Power and Light for their appreniceship program in Indy and have recieved their application packet. It seems like from what I've read it can be just as rewarding, and not to stress it but it seems like i'll be able to support my family of 5 alot easier. If any bodys got any advice or experience with this I'd love to here it. This forum seems just like my current favorite forum Arboristsite.com, a collection of old teaching new and a good place to meet interesting Characters with great stories. Thanks in advance. Hoping to join your ranks. :cool:
http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/15/15_4_132.gif (http://www.smileycentral.com/?partner=ZSzeb001_ZNxdm119MDUS)

[22900013A]

Hello and welcome. Many of the guys I work with are ex-tree cutters, I even trained alongside some, damn good guys. This is in the UK but I don't see why it should be any different for you. Good luck with your application.

[topgroove]

we have a few tree trimmers turned lineman here and its a pleasure to work with them your climbing skills and rigging knowledge are valuable skills and when you have a storm blow through with trees down its great to have an ex-tree trimmer with you. you'll find its a hell of a lot easier to support your family as a lineman. you have to bite the bullet for a couple years as you go through your apprenticeship but after that you can easily make 100 grand a year. sadly utilities don't consider tree trimmers skilled labor and the pay is crap and the work is rarely appreciated. welcome aboard bro... be safe.

[cbdreakiro]

you"ll be going from a pickup to a cadillac pay wise

[Kozmic]

you"ll be going from a pickup to a cadillac pay wise

[cbdreakiro]

Thanks for the support guys. turned in my app two weeks ago with Indiana power & light for their appr program, nothin yet, but heres wishin.
Been readin alot on the safety forum, pretty close to the Arborist site safety and near miss forum, man these are tough unpredictable careers. SAFE CLIMBING TO ALL AND ALL OUR FAMILIES. Still hoping to join your brotherhood.:cool:
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[Kozmic]

Thanks for the support guys. turned in my app two weeks ago with Indiana power & light for their appr program, nothin yet, but heres wishin.
Been readin alot on the safety forum, pretty close to the Arborist site safety and near miss forum, man these are tough unpredictable careers. SAFE CLIMBING TO ALL AND ALL OUR FAMILIES. Still hoping to join your brotherhood.:cool:
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[cbdreakiro]

Tree trimmer to lineman is a great switch. I was 34 and had 13 years of line clearance under my belt (saddle) before I got accepted into the ALBAT program. Keep trying and I wish you the best of luck!

[Kozmic]

Tree trimmer to lineman is a great switch. I was 34 and had 13 years of line clearance under my belt (saddle) before I got accepted into the ALBAT program. Keep trying and I wish you the best of luck!

[cbdreakiro]

YEA BABY!!! They called back. I took the EEI CAST test and passed with flying colors! Yesterday they strapped me up to some goofy machine that tells them if your strong enough for the job, I can only imagine its hard gratifying work. I'm pretty sure i can carry my wieght (we hand load almost 6-10 tons of wood daily) my boss doesn't beleive in equipment:rolleyes:. I think next comes the fear of poles and heights test:D. I want this so bad I read the forums every night till I pass out then I dream about it till I wake up.
Thanks for the support topgroove,229er, ibew and texas. Here's to hopfully joining your brootherhood soon(know on wood) :cool: MAN I'M EXCITED, IF YOU COULDN'T TELL!!
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[Kozmic]

YEA BABY!!! They called back. I took the EEI CAST test and passed with flying colors! Yesterday they strapped me up to some goofy machine that tells them if your strong enough for the job, I can only imagine its hard gratifying work. I'm pretty sure i can carry my wieght (we hand load almost 6-10 tons of wood daily) my boss doesn't beleive in equipment:rolleyes:. I think next comes the fear of poles and heights test:D. I want this so bad I read the forums every night till I pass out then I dream about it till I wake up.
Thanks for the support topgroove,229er, ibew and texas. Here's to hopfully joining your brootherhood soon(know on wood) :cool: MAN I'M EXCITED, IF YOU COULDN'T TELL!!
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[BigClive]

What was the strength assessing machine like???

[topgroove]

great news bro. Don't worry about the pole climbing test. You'll find poles are a hell of a lot easier to climb than trees. I know I've climbed both. welcome aboard.

[cbdreakiro]

It was an isometric strength machine that looked like a robocop contraption, they have you stand in this thing and then they completly secure it to you from ankles to quads and then to your chest and shoulders. Then they have you bend at the waist 6 times with everything you've got forward and backward, meanwhile the robosuit applies resistance based on how hard you you push and pull, I must have been doin good cause that thing was really fighting me.lol then there are two others,similar but where they stap down you thigh to the knee and then they put resistance on your ankle,front and back and you extend you lower leg and pull it back. The last phase was radial arm strength where laying on your back you had to grab a handle above you head and swing it in an arc to your knee and back. God it would have been so much easier if they just gave me half a pole and said load this on that truck over yonder:D. It was definitly one goofy machine.:cool:
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[Kozmic]

It was an isometric strength machine that looked like a robocop contraption, they have you stand in this thing and then they completly secure it to you from ankles to quads and then to your chest and shoulders. Then they have you bend at the waist 6 times with everything you've got forward and backward, meanwhile the robosuit applies resistance based on how hard you you push and pull, I must have been doin good cause that thing was really fighting me.lol then there are two others,similar but where they stap down you thigh to the knee and then they put resistance on your ankle,front and back and you extend you lower leg and pull it back. The last phase was radial arm strength where laying on your back you had to grab a handle above you head and swing it in an arc to your knee and back. God it would have been so much easier if they just gave me half a pole and said load this on that truck over yonder:D. It was definitly one goofy machine.:cool:
http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/F/1/327p.gif (http://smiley.smileycentral.com/download/talking_preview.jhtml?i=F/1/327&partner=ZSzeb075_ZNxdm119MDUS)http://imgfarm.com/images/smileycentral/imbuddy/hear_me_talk.gif (http://smiley.smileycentral.com/download/talking_preview.jhtml?i=F/1/327&partner=ZNxdm119MDUS)





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[wudwoker51]

Have worked with numerous lineman you started their careers as trimmers and the majority are a pleasure to work with and are damn good hands. LCT do not get the respect or pay that they deserve but what do expect when the Asplundh's of the world control the vast majority of the work. You will not regret your move to lineside, best of luck.