Why be a lineman

Thread: Why do you want to be a Lineman? Thread Tools Show Printable Version. Featured Sponsor. Hi everyone, I am new to the forums. I was just curious as to how others would answer this question. I have been asked this alot. Why do you want to be a lineman?

I think it is a facinating trade that is also very challenging and rewarding. As a lineman you are able to work as a team to accomplish somethings that very few can or are willing to do. The opportunity to help those in need is also a plus. It really suprises me that nobody can answer this question!

Budda Guest. Proud to be a Lineman To me why I'm a lineman, Its all heart, I did not become a JL because of the paycheck, its all about the brotherhood, comradeship. The best experince I ever had was when I was tramping from job to job, you learn so many different ways how to apply the skills of the trade.

People call it an Art, some may call it a Craft, call it what you like bottom line, you are a professional skilled tradesman, which you learn something new everyday. Sign in. Finding a Job. What is a lineman? What does a lineman do? Drive utility vehicles to work sites Climb poles to service power lines Service transmission and distribution lines from power plants to buildings Plan and supervise installation projects Install electrical equipment for power systems Repair aboveground and below-ground power lines Maintain power lines through regular inspections Manage apprentices and groundsmen Ensure job site follows government and company safety rules.

What tools does a lineman use? Hand tools: Linemen use hand tools like wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers, wire stripping tools and bolt cutters to service power lines. A lineman's tools are insulated using a nonconductive substance like rubber, plastic or nylon to protect them from electric shock. Personal protective grounds: Linemen can also use grounding equipment like clamps, cables, clusters and ferrules to stay safe while servicing power lines. Climbing belt: A lineman can wear a climbing belt to scale poles and service power lines safely.

Other climbing gear: A lineman can use gaffs, straps and climbing spikes to scale utility poles safely. Hard hats: Linemen wear hard hats to protect them from falls, since they can work from tall heights. Gloves: Wearing insulated gloves can help linemen stay safe from electrocution while they work.

Bucket truck: Linemen for utility, energy and telecommunications companies can drive bucket trucks that allow them to access power lines strung on poles. Salary and job outlook for a lineman. How to become a lineman. Earn a high school diploma or GED. Get a driver's license. Attend a trade school.

Equipment repair: You can learn to fix and replace damaged or aging electrical equipment. Climbing: You can learn to climb poles safely during a pre-apprenticeship. Tools: A trade school can also teach you how to properly use the tools linemen use daily.

Cable splicing: A trade school can also teach you to splice cables together to form longer cables or repair existing electrical networks. Reading voltages: Another lineman skill you can learn in a trade school is how to use tools to read voltages in electrical systems. Line tension: You can learn to calculate the tension of a line before hoisting equipment to ensure a job's safety.

Take an aptitude test. Begin an apprenticeship program. Job safety: You can learn the government safety regulations and best practices for linemen during an apprenticeship. For example, you can learn how to use personal protective equipment to keep you safe around live wires. Line assembly: An apprenticeship can teach you how to build and install power lines and towers. Pole building: You can also learn how to frame and assemble wooden poles for utility lines in an apprenticeship.

Maintenance: During your apprenticeship, you can learn how to properly maintain conductors, telephone lines, street lights and elements of traffic control systems, like traffic lights. Installation: A journeyman lineman or master electrician can teach you to install wires and other hardware into energy, telephone, traffic control and street light systems. Wire insulation: You can also learn how to insulate wires safely during a lineman apprenticeship.

Conductor use: During an apprenticeship, you can learn how to remain safe while using conductors. Receive an entry level position as a groundman or helper and gain valuable work experience. Choosing this pathway will throw you right into the workforce, requiring you to work under a Journeyman Lineman and as part of a line crew. However, getting on as a groundman or a helper does not always guarantee entrance into an apprenticeship program.

As an entry level employee, you will be required to go through training that, without prior knowledge and experience, can be quite difficult. Day-to-day, groundmen and helpers are exposed to what linemen do and what is expected of them, but are not fully able to climb poles and work on live wire. This is because they have not yet received full training on how to safely perform the work of a lineman.

As the demand for highly trained individuals in the lineman trade increases, so does the opportunities to receive training. Another option is earning an associates degree from an accredited community or junior college. Programming such as this would take approximately five semesters, or a little over two years, to complete.