the truth

[iwlv433]

Working for an outside contractor, how many weeks are you laid off a year can you get in "good" with a company and stay with them how does it all work what do most people do, in my trade the guys who worked for 10 contractors a year are the guys you dont want to work with is it the same tell me everything about working for contractors please, i know there is travel involved, and is this a trade you can retire from and still be in good phisical condition to enjoy it or be young enough to enjoy it ironworkers normally retire when they are about 60 and by that time they can barely walk and look like they will collect 2 retirement checks and die is it about the same with you guys.

[Swamprat]

Working for an outside contractor, how many weeks are you laid off a year can you get in "good" with a company and stay with them how does it all work what do most people do, in my trade the guys who worked for 10 contractors a year are the guys you dont want to work with is it the same tell me everything about working for contractors please, i know there is travel involved, and is this a trade you can retire from and still be in good phisical condition to enjoy it or be young enough to enjoy it ironworkers normally retire when they are about 60 and by that time they can barely walk and look like they will collect 2 retirement checks and die is it about the same with you guys.

Bein a Lineman, is a trade that can take you, wherever you want to go. As a "Contractor", distribution or Highline, you're gonna bust your a$$, and move around alot. Union or non.

You can "settle down" as a Journeyman Lineman, in a Utility, Muni, Rea, or a Corporation, and have a pretty secure life for your family.

YOU have to decide what you want for your life. Ya want to be on the road, job IN security?
It's a tough question to answer. I would say this,...Workin for a powerline Contractor, Distribution or Transmission, Union or non, will wear out your body Alot faster than workin for a Hometown Utility or Muni. It also provides "Job security" for your family, if you have one. Just my Opinion.

[Pootnaigle]

This depends on 2 things. Just like your current Job as a steel worker. In new construction is the job for a double pole circuit 3 miles long or is it for a single pole circuit 30 Miles long? Are 20 men working it or is there 100? Once its completed you and the contractor is done, They may or may not have another starting. Maintainece type jobs tend to last longer.But if you aint a dependable hand or you have personal issues with them you will be gone.If its job security you are after I think thats a misnomer nowadays. Everyone is subject to be laid off by the corporate culture.

[arkansas traveler]

i don't know where you've worked, but i take exception to your post. there are some years where i've worked for 10 contractors. the beauty of working outside construction is to be able to drag when you want. you probably couldn't carry my tramp bag. i'm pretty much retired now, collecting my ssi, nebf and a variable anuity. i plan on staying around for a while. so, have a nice cup of stfu.

[iwlv433]

i don't know where you've worked, but i take exception to your post. there are some years where i've worked for 10 contractors. the beauty of working outside construction is to be able to drag when you want. you probably couldn't carry my tramp bag. i'm pretty much retired now, collecting my ssi, nebf and a variable anuity. i plan on staying around for a while. so, have a nice cup of stfu.

sorry didnt mean to strike a nerve, just trying to get the most info i can, i plan on trying to learn things for a while. so, have a nice cup of ctfo, "chill the f@$k out":) anyways, im really not trying to be disrespectfull i know one thing for sure is that i want to go union what ever happens, it would be really nice to go with a rural co op but the dang turnover is so low its hard to get a foot in the door i am number 20 on the list to go to climbing school just waiting but that is the hardest part. i apologize if i affended anyone.

[Berserk13]

As a Union Apprentice through your apprenticeship your going to have to move around, alot. Or atleast that's what's happened to me. I live in FL, and in the past 3 years I've worked close to the house a couple times, then from Tn,ky,tx,pa,ny,Il,NC, and am currently in Ohio working dist. From easy gravey jobs to climbing 300 foot towers. Whenever you top out you can do whatever you want though, work near the house find a co-op or whatever as an ape your kinda screwed unless you get hired on locally

[reppy007]

As a Union Apprentice through your apprenticeship your going to have to move around, alot. Or atleast that's what's happened to me. I live in FL, and in the past 3 years I've worked close to the house a couple times, then from Tn,ky,tx,pa,ny,Il,NC, and am currently in Ohio working dist. From easy gravey jobs to climbing 300 foot towers. Whenever you top out you can do whatever you want though, work near the house find a co-op or whatever as an ape your kinda screwed unless you get hired on locally

Berserk,how old are you any way,man you have been around,where have you been staying mostly,in hotels?And what state did you enjoy the most so far?

[Berserk13]

I'm 22, I got into it around 18. I'm in Selcat, gettin my hot time I just turned 6th step. Mostly hotels, depends on the area if it's cheaper I usually bring my camper. Pay wise the north pays alot better because the Unions stronger. Depends more so on the people, seems everytime I work near the house I get stuck with a bunch of dumba%@ I really enjoyed doing transmission maintenance for TVA, tower extensions, near lines etc. Ohios been pretty cool minus only working 4-10's it's a really old system we are changing out poles from the 1930-40's sometimes. I think when I top out I'll tramp around while I'm young then settle down at a co-op

[Berserk13]

I'm 22, I got into it around 18. I'm in Selcat, gettin my hot time I just turned 6th step. Mostly hotels, depends on the area if it's cheaper I usually bring my camper. Pay wise the north pays alot better because the Unions stronger. Depends more so on the people, seems everytime I work near the house I get stuck with a bunch of dummys I really enjoyed doing transmission maintenance for TVA, tower extensions, new lines etc. Ohios been pretty cool minus only working 4-10's it's a really old system we are changing out poles from the 1930-40's sometimes. I think when I top out I'll tramp around while I'm young then settle down at a co-op

Oh as to have much your laid off, depends on the year and the work. The most I've been laid off was 3-4 months and that was when it was really bad. Otherwise turn around is under a month between jobs. I've been with Hydaker for 9 months, I was with Myers before this for 6. Then again I've only been at some companies for 2 weeks lol

[reppy007]

I'm 22, I got into it around 18. I'm in Selcat, gettin my hot time I just turned 6th step. Mostly hotels, depends on the area if it's cheaper I usually bring my camper. Pay wise the north pays alot better because the Unions stronger. Depends more so on the people, seems everytime I work near the house I get stuck with a bunch of dummys I really enjoyed doing transmission maintenance for TVA, tower extensions, new lines etc. Ohios been pretty cool minus only working 4-10's it's a really old system we are changing out poles from the 1930-40's sometimes. I think when I top out I'll tramp around while I'm young then settle down at a co-op

wow,thats pretty good,just 22,I can see that you have a bright future,and a 6th step this fast.........let me ask you another question if I can........what or who turned you on to this type of work,or how did you first get started,some of these guys are spending mega bucks on those schools and they dont seem to be helping them alot..........If I were to spend that kind of money,I would want results........not another test or interview,or even a call telling me that I placed 100 out of 100.........Im begining to wonder if some of these schools are vacum cleaner schools...........sucking the money out of anyone.

[Berserk13]

They had a vocational school at my h/s for inside wiring, I took to that pretty well then one of the local power company guys talked to us about linework it seemed pretty cool. I went through one of those line schools about have way through I found out about the Union Apprenticeships and realized I was getting screwed. I mean if your that worried about climbing it'd be ok, otherwise I'd say get your cdl and send in your info to your local apprenticeship, selcat albat whichever and save your money. You get the same training for free, selcat has a 10 day boot camp. If I could do it over I would of never gone to the lineschool and went straight into selcat. I got accepted in the end of 08 right before everything got slow and was put right to work. I'm not sure on the waiting list these days. Before trying all that I put in resume after resume at all the local power companys with no results

[reppy007]

They had a vocational school at my h/s for inside wiring, I took to that pretty well then one of the local power company guys talked to us about linework it seemed pretty cool. I went through one of those line schools about have way through I found out about the Union Apprenticeships and realized I was getting screwed. I mean if your that worried about climbing it'd be ok, otherwise I'd say get your cdl and send in your info to your local apprenticeship, selcat albat whichever and save your money. You get the same training for free, selcat has a 10 day boot camp. If I could do it over I would of never gone to the lineschool and went straight into selcat. I got accepted in the end of 08 right before everything got slow and was put right to work. I'm not sure on the waiting list these days. Before trying all that I put in resume after resume at all the local power companys with no results

so thats the way we do it,huh that may give some of the others guys some tips,I guess you were in the right place at the right time.........that helps.........well good luck ,and be safe..........thanks for the good info.

[gumbo]

i don't know where you've worked, but i take exception to your post. there are some years where i've worked for 10 contractors. the beauty of working outside construction is to be able to drag when you want. you probably couldn't carry my tramp bag. i'm pretty much retired now, collecting my ssi, nebf and a variable anuity. i plan on staying around for a while. so, have a nice cup of stfu. Hee hee hee.......tell us how you really feel. I know what you're saying though. I had one year with 10 state tax returns, I forget how many contractors, and only worked 6 months that year. If the job sucks......see ya. That's why I save my money. Gives a man options. When I do hit a good one, I hunker down and make the best of it I can. Make enough money, you can spend all the time you want with your family. Wait for another good one and head out again. That IBEW annuity is what it's all about.