So you want to be a Lineman?

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Hey there pole dancer, welcome to your 5 minute newsletter about cool shit happening “On the Line.” Made by your bucket buddy, Barnyard, a JL out of Detroit.

Holy hell, am I tired. We’re only working 6-10s at the moment, but this reconduct job is kicking my ass. Storm has been relatively slow here on 17 property; I could really use some Over Time. How has it been around the rest of the country? I know Louisiana was pretty much a bust, but send us an email and let me know where the hours are at!

I wanted to take a second to just remind everyone that we have a dangerous job, and make sure we take an extra second to ensure we go home in one piece every day. There was a fatality on property last week: a Vac Truck operator boomed up into the 13.2 feeder line and was killed. It’s important that we don’t take the wires we work with every day for granted.

We’d love to hear how your week went—drop us a line and share your stories! But before we gear up for the weekend, let’s dive into what this issue has in store:

• ☁️ Weather Update

• 🪜 Innovations

• 📷 Pic of the week

• 🤔For the New Guys

• 🧐 Where’s the work?

🌪️Storm Outlook

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season remains highly active, with several storms developing and ongoing threats. As of now:

1. Hurricane Francine, which impacted parts of Louisiana earlier in the season, has now dissipated, but its aftermath continues to affect the region, with ongoing FEMA assistance for those affected​(

2. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) predicts that the hurricane season will stay busy, expecting 17-24 named storms, including 8-13 hurricanes, and up to 7 major hurricanes (Category 3 or higher)​

It's important to stay updated on local advisories, especially if you're in a region prone to storms, and be prepared for potential evacuations or severe weather events.

💡Father’s of the Trade:

Fred A. Watson was a pioneering figure in the lineman industry during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. As the electrical grid rapidly expanded across the United States, Watson worked tirelessly to enhance the safety and efficiency of line work.

In an era when safety regulations were minimal, and linemen often faced dangerous conditions, Watson's contributions centered on improving both the tools linemen used and the techniques employed to install and maintain power lines.

Watson was among the early inventors who helped refine climbing equipment and protective gear, which significantly reduced the risks associated with working at great heights on wooden poles. One of his most significant contributions to the industry was his role in standardizing lineman tools and techniques. 

He saw the need for more uniform practices to ensure that line workers were equipped with reliable, durable tools that met specific safety standards. His innovations in climbing tools, such as gaffs and safety harnesses, allowed linemen to work more securely and efficiently. Watson's focus on tool design directly contributed to the professionalization of linemen, helping to establish the occupation as a skilled trade that required both specialized knowledge and equipment.

JNCTN is a company specializing in digital identity and credential management. Their platform helps organizations transition from paper-based verification processes to a digital system, allowing for secure and efficient management of employee credentials.

JNCTN's solutions are used across various industries to ensure that the right people with the right qualifications are in the right locations, streamlining compliance, onboarding, and credential verification. The platform also offers features like automated notifications, real-time monitoring, and easy integration with existing systems.

The plan is for them to be a partnership with the man power. There’s an app in development, being built with the Lineman in mind. The IBEW isn’t partnered up yet, but hopefully soon.

Busy Poles, Busy Days

🧑‍🎓New to the Trade?🧑‍🎓

For all of the people fresh into the trade, or looking to join, here’s some things to focus on:

• Make sure you have your tools: Klines, Channies, Screw Driver, Hammer, Knife, Speed Wrench, Belt, Hooks. Those are your basics. Always have your tools when you show up to a job. For bonus points: always have your Klines, Channies, Knife and a roll of tape on your being at all times.

• Attitude: If you’re a little shit head, no one is going to want to take the time to teach you anything. The worst thing you can do is whine or talk back, and for the love of god, do not say “I Know.”

• Pay attention: There isn’t much that I find more frustrating than having to repeat the same instructions over and over again. If I am taking the time to teach you something, please try and take the time to retain it.

• Stay busy: There’s no better way to piss off your lineman than by sitting in your truck. It doesn’t matter if the floor boards are so clean you could eat off of them: as an Apprentice, you need to constantly be doing something. It may sound stupid, but even standing next to a bin and rattling bolts around will keep your JL off of your back.

• Button up your trucks: We practically live out of those things. Make sure they are organized, stocked, and clean. Get the trash out every day, and make sure you replace all the material that was used.

• Don’t get discouraged: It’s going to be a long 4 year. I’m not going to lie. There’s a saying that apprentices are lower on the totem pole than whale shit… get used to the hazing and shit talking. If your crew is making fun of you, it’s because they like you.

• Stay safe: If you don’t know how to do something, let your lineman know. If you see something you’re not sure about, or you think might be sketchy: let your lineman know. You might get shit for “asking a stupid question” but it’s better than something happening because you didn’t speak up.

• Be patient with your JL: The trade has changed a lot over the decades. Hell, 10 years ago, I would get screamed at if I made a mistake. I think my apprentice might start crying if I yelled at him that same way. There’s a good chance you’ll have an age gap with your JL, think about how your parents were raised, compared to yourself? We’re taught how to build power lines, not necessarily how to be teachers.

🎒Looking For Work?🎒

I checked the books, and here are my top 5 recommendations for books at the moment, criteria being over $50/hour, and “promising” as far as Book 2 calls going out.

• 1245, CA/NV. Currently 33 on Book 1, 153 on Book 2

• 649, IL. Currently 7 on Book 1, 18 on Book 2

• 44, Montana. Currently 1 on Book 1, 3 on Book 2

• 1249, NY. Currently 112 on Book 1, 218 on Book 2

• 55, Iowa. Currently 39 on Book 1, 37 on Book 2

• 17, Detroit MI. Currently 24 open calls.

🫡 Time for “The Business”

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See ya next week,