is anyone still doing it this way

[reppy007]

When changing out a transformer that is truck accessible,maybe from a double bucket,you have two men in the buckets,or it could be a single bucket with a material handler,If there is an apprentice on the ground,does he strap on his hooks and work the bottom side,or does he just watch from the ground...When I was coming up,an apprentice wouldnt be on the ground,he would be up there helping and working the lower side of the transformer in his hooks.With the so called shortage of lineman I was just wondering?

[JD426H]

Cilmb a pole to brush 4 connections and tighten 4 nuts? Would I let a kid do it on a pole accessable with a material handler?

Free climbing- yes

Bucksqueeze- no way!

[rustyhook39]

I have seen our contractors do that. Us on the other hand we are not aloud to climb at all, I asked after I started if I could do that and they told me no and explained it all too me. As a first year guy I cant get near anything dead or alive, I cant even do service work till the middle of next year. I would love to get to have a part in hangin a can or a cut out even.

[reppy007]

I have seen our contractors do that. Us on the other hand we are not aloud to climb at all, I asked after I started if I could do that and they told me no and explained it all too me. As a first year guy I cant get near anything dead or alive, I cant even do service work till the middle of next year. I would love to get to have a part in hangin a can or a cut out even.

Its a shame that some eager younger guys cant do it anymore,,I thought it was a great way to teach,a little hands on in the field. but I guess it is what it is:mad:

[rustyhook39]

Ya it does suck, its hard to try to learn when your limited too what u can do

[reppy007]

Ya it does suck, its hard to try to learn when your limited too what u can do

All I can suggest is to be patient,theres not much you can do about it anyway now.I ve seen helpers ,both with utilities and contractors climbing and helping out,some didnt help much,but it gave them confidence,you could spot the ones that would make good lineman most of the times.

[reppy007]

We used to bring our linemans belt,hooks into a bakyard easement even if we werent climbing,just in case the guy on the pole needed to be rescued.Sat them down about 10 feet away from the pole,it wasn't a rule,but now that isnt seen much,kinda sad if you ask me.