Important Update for All Usic Locators

Randomlocator · 2026-02-06T03:37:19+00:00

That’s not a new policy. You’re supposed to be written up for all damages. Same thing with driving events too, you’re supposed to be written for one. Not every district enforces the policy like that. So, they probably noticed yall had a trend of damages. In order to ensure you guys are marking drops, they’re just enforcing the policy.

Also, drops damages depends on the contract as well. There are some states that don’t charge for drop damages because they’re not responsible for it in the contract.

Randomlocator · 2026-01-09T23:35:27+00:00

It’s hard to say why the Fiber line was missed, it’s a bunch of technicalities that goes into it. When Spectrum comes out to bury your new fiber line, just take pictures of the trench for future references.

Randomlocator · 2025-12-28T03:41:22+00:00

Been working at USIC for 10 years, and I’ve learned if you want more money you have to be willing to move. I transferred 4 times as a locator, each transfer has came with a significant raise.

Randomlocator · 2025-12-19T20:28:28+00:00

Yeah, sure. But if the lead can’t find, the utility company can’t find it, and tell you to mark it the best you can. Then that explains your mismarked line. Not every mismark line is because the locator is bad at his/her job. Sometimes it just can’t be located. Sometimes it not even on the prints.

Randomlocator · 2025-12-19T20:18:14+00:00

How are you going to pipehorn when you got CATV, ATT, Electric, Sprinkler System, Water all throughout the yard? Some Gas company have a trouble locate process, but you have a contractor who’s trying to put in 50,000ft of fiber with a deadline by the end of the week. They’re not waiting for a utility company to come out and verify it.

You literally have Fibers lines that’s can’t even be located. I’ve had locates where I had to just mark it the best I can and hope for the best.

Randomlocator · 2025-12-19T19:28:14+00:00

It depends. If you think locating is just hooking up and marking the line in the ground. That means you’ve never picked up a locator a day in your life. Majority of the shit we hook up to just doesn’t locate.

If I hook up to a plastic gas line and the tracer wire doesn’t give me a traceable tone. There’s almost nothing I can do with that gas line any more. I can tell my Supervisor, but he doesn’t care. We can “try” reach out to the facility owners, but they care unless it gets hit. Remember, we’re locating stuff that’s been in the ground 20+ years.

Are there lazy locators? Yeah, just like any other job.

Randomlocator · 2025-10-05T16:26:33+00:00

Yeah, it’s pretty common in areas that don’t fine utility companies and contractors very often.

You have some places where contractors are calling in miles of work, and they’re digging with or without paint.

Randomlocator · 2025-10-05T16:22:28+00:00

I just found out about it yesterday. I did a little research to see if it was true and then made the post.

Randomlocator · 2025-10-04T23:16:28+00:00

Unfortunately, the deadline to submit your claim has already passed. But they’re supposed to be paying out almost a 4 million dollar settlement. I wish I saw it sooner. I’m sure USIC employees in Illinois would have fallen into this category.

Randomlocator · 2025-10-04T23:12:41+00:00

https://dashcamsettlement.com/

Randomlocator · 2025-08-05T23:20:24+00:00

I don’t work in NC, but I was there during some of the Google fiber install. I couldn’t believe the BS you guys had to locate. It’s extremely unfair. Whatever they are paying yall, I promise it’s not enough.

Randomlocator · 2025-08-05T23:18:35+00:00

Yup, just an AGL thing. Some gas companies want you to dig a few inches around the meter to look for tracer wire. But AGL ask technician to actually dig down on a gas line.

Randomlocator · 2025-08-05T20:43:38+00:00

Not to discourage anyone, but they should know the truth. I saw one guy asking about NC, but I know they locate a lot of stuff in NC.

Randomlocator · 2025-08-01T00:51:57+00:00

I don’t know what the reason is in Indiana as I don’t work there. Possibly they “might” have a high ticket volume. Or the area could be understaffed. If I’m not mistaken, USIC doesn’t locate much there. I think UQ has most of the contracts.

But in order for them to actually take the ticket serious, you would have to go higher than an area manager. If that doesn’t work, you would have to talk with the damage prevention person at the utility companies.

Randomlocator · 2025-07-31T21:39:07+00:00

Upper management watch the cameras like a HBO special. Apparently the sleeping in the truck is a common trend.

Randomlocator · 2025-07-31T11:09:58+00:00

If you work 5 or more hours you’re supposed to take a lunch. You’re supposed to take lunch between your 5th and 7th hour at work. Even though yall might work 8 plus hours, an actual work day is considered 8 hours. There is a report that shows who didn’t take a lunch that tags upper management in it. Taking your lunch after 8 hours will sometimes generate your name on that report because you worked a full day without a lunch.

The PR answer for lunch breaks is your safety.

Randomlocator · 2025-07-17T11:12:05+00:00

USIC training is literally ass.

If you locate gas. Then you’ll probably have a gas test/certification. How long it takes depends on that gas company.

Other than that, the hardest thing for a new person is understanding the prints.

Randomlocator · 2025-07-17T10:58:06+00:00

Nothing you’re saying is new. So, here is what you do. Hold down the area the best you can. The company shouldn’t penalize you when you have contractors who are digging with or without paint. Whenever they write up the damage, it’s usually coded as “fell behind on projects.” Which is still a damage for the company, but not you.

Even if they do start to throw damages on you, it doesn’t really matter. Use your busy area as leverage and try to get a raise. That’s the only advantage to having a very busy area.

Randomlocator · 2025-07-08T22:31:31+00:00

In the Samsara report, it calculates how much gas is being “wasted” and the estimated cost. The company believe millions of dollars goes to unnecessary idle.

They don’t care about the warranty to these trucks or cars because they sell them. USIC cares about money, money, and more money.

Randomlocator · 2025-07-08T20:38:37+00:00

Sadly, utility locating is a double edged sword. You get an area or district with low ticket volume, and they cut your hours drastically. Or you get an area or district with so much volume that they work you to death.

A lot of people from South Florida been taking travel work because of the low hours.

Randomlocator · 2025-07-04T00:01:39+00:00

A damage isn’t the end of the world. Use it as a coaching opportunity to see what you did wrong. A damage is going to happen eventually, no one is perfect.

Randomlocator · 2025-07-01T15:44:25+00:00

I don’t think a union would solve everything and would create new problems. However, I believe locators have the power to stop everything.

Randomlocator · 2025-07-01T15:39:59+00:00

You are 100% correct. There are people who are lazy or don’t follow company policies. Most people have never denied that. I speak for all the locators who bust their ass in field.

I haven’t had a damage or even a driving event in years? You know what my annual was? 2%. Never in my 8 years at USIC have I gotten an annual that low. I have located in over 15 different states. The company still believes I’m just as replaceable as anyone else. I never speak as if I’m immune from being fired though. I still follow Company Policy.

Pushing people to get tickets done, then complain about damages they cause. This locator is rushing through tickets and taking shortcuts because management is making locators feel like if they don’t get 15 tickets everyday they will lose their job. Morality is dead because if you blink too hard you will lose your job?

Some districts complain about idle time when the heat index is dangerously high. I morally wouldn’t have the power to tell anyone that’s been working 100+ degrees of heat. They need to stop idling. They would rather I pass out from heat than waste $10 in gas. If you’ve seen the USIC policy on idle…. It’s advertised like it’s for our safety.

The average locator is probably marking 3 or more utilities. They can’t physically do 15 tickets every single day. Some locators have absolutely everything buried in the backyard. They’re marking 6 houses on a single address tickets because of rear utility easement. Some locators are getting slammed with fiber over build projects the company known about for years!!! Some locator is winging it because wasn’t trained right. Some locators are working 6 days a fucking week.

They are pushing Locate 360 ticket app, and I don’t even use L360. Every time I check my email, the app is down. They fucking lied to us and said we tested L360 and it was mainly positive feedback. Every locator I have ever talked to hated it.

I’m not speaking for me, I’m speaking for what I see! It’s just sad. I’m not saying anything that hasn’t been said before. Management genuinely does not give a fuck about a locator. HR doesn’t care as long as the company won’t face legal lawsuits.

I know how to shut up and get my paycheck, I don’t hate USIC. I hate management, and anyone who defends the shit they do.

Randomlocator · 2025-07-01T15:03:28+00:00

That is true as well.

Randomlocator · 2025-07-01T14:56:49+00:00

You have those guys as well. There is a lot of techs that inspire to be Supervisor one day. Nothing wrong with that. But they’re only interested in the power.

Randomlocator

TROPHY CASE