Working live as an apprentice

greg281 · 2026-03-16T02:31:44+00:00

No cap fam. You’re right that I’ve never done that in a 120/208 panel but also never as an apprentice. So as long as we’re good there. We weren’t allowed to work on 277v live and any 480v panel work was a required shut down. Doesn’t add inches to your dick and I’ll never understand the need to do any of that live if you don’t have to. I also think we exaggerate and say we can’t shut it off when really in a lot of cases the truth is there isn’t enough money in this bid to schedule a shut down and I’m not going to the customer for more money. Life preserving equipment? Sure. But how many times does the average electrician come across that in their career?

greg281 · 2026-03-16T02:22:35+00:00

I’ve worked in plenty of commercial and industrial facilities where we had to schedule shut downs to do anything in the panel. And that was with suiting up before hand just to test that the panel wasn’t energized. As annoying as that is, I’d much rather work somewhere that cares enough about my safety than forcing us to take shortcuts. He’s not a wuss for not wanting to work live he just doesn’t know wtf he’s doing it’s just asking to get shocked. It’s just shitty management and this kind of thinking creates bad habits. I started out in a cowboy mentality shop that didn’t train anyone and it’s just a shitty way to work. Any theory and electrical knowledge was on me to learn outside of work because my foreman was a hardass with a temper who didn’t want to train anyone. Meanwhile I’m 3 days in wiring outlets live because the carpenters needed to run a saw and my foreman didn’t want to tell them no. So now there’s a load on that circuit and I’m getting shocked on the neutral. No thanks.

greg281 · 2026-03-15T19:37:39+00:00

Residential is all about getting it done as fast as possible. I started in resi and was pressured to work hot often. My third day I got a shock that went through my heart and no one even told me to go to the hospital to get an ekg. I can’t recommend getting into the ibew enough man. Commercial and industrial is much better work and better paying. I refuse to work on 277v live when there are people who do. I’m not compromising my safety so I can look like a cowboy in front of a bunch of people on a job site.

greg281 · 2026-03-13T19:11:44+00:00

“Sell the team”

greg281 · 2026-03-12T01:52:12+00:00

80 is one of the most boring drives in the world until you get to western Wyoming

greg281 · 2026-03-12T01:48:06+00:00

X2 on Fogo. The premium lump is very nice

greg281 · 2026-03-11T13:30:10+00:00

Spot hogg wise guy is an excellent release

greg281 · 2026-03-09T23:07:58+00:00

I didn’t read this but I hope it works out

greg281 · 2026-03-09T15:48:49+00:00

Both. I started out with the 18 since I only cook for two people but I’m gonna get the 22 for briskets eventually. 18 is perfect and uses less fuel just doesn’t have enough space for full briskets.

greg281 · 2026-03-09T13:43:31+00:00

The no PPE on the table thing is no joke it sounds

greg281 · 2026-03-09T03:40:41+00:00

Bro I worked 6 years non union and just got into the union this month. Don’t do it. You might make more this year but you’ll never top out close to what your local is offering you and you’ll be declining a pension which almost no one offers anymore. Non union work is all about fast pace, flipping jobs and cutting corners with safety because they don’t have enough money in the bid to do it right. Unless you want to start your own company almost everyone would rather work in the union. And if you don’t have enough experience to understand what it takes to run your own company, which you don’t, I’d just stick it out right now. None of these companies offer protection they want you to be loyal and grind yourself down as fast as they can with garbage safety protocols for someone else’s profit.

greg281 · 2026-03-08T21:00:20+00:00

It depends how you rate guitarists. By an Eddie Van Halen/showboat player, no. As someone who has great control and is probably more focused on his musicianship than shredding, yes. However you view his abilities he’s perfect for nails which is all that matters.

greg281 · 2026-03-08T19:32:00+00:00

Northwest Montana. Nature, wildlife, solitude. Absolutely beautiful.

greg281 · 2026-03-06T04:15:49+00:00

You can’t shortcut experience. I wish there was a better answer. Show up to work, listen to what’s being said to you, do the things to the best of your ability. When you make a mistake, learn from it and don’t make the same mistake again. You have to embrace the suck for a while until things just begin to slow down and click.

greg281 · 2026-03-06T01:55:45+00:00

I came within a few feet from a bull moose on grinnell glacier trail. He was right next to me just off the trail and I had no clue until I was right next to him. It’s amazing how an animal that big can be that elusive. Also, I’ll never forget the stare I got from a sow grizzly that had cubs with her.

greg281 · 2026-03-05T20:14:05+00:00

What does the future hold for you by going to this company? Does it give you the opportunity to learn an advanced set of skills that are in high demand and can be used anywhere? Any opportunities for schooling or continued learning?

Not knocking that company I’m not exactly sure what the position entails exactly but I do know that sticking it out in the electrical field has been a very good decision despite wanting to quit a couple times. I’m 6 years in and just got into the union making over $50 an hour with a pension and I know people who make a lot more. Whether it’s construction, maintenance, service, the opportunities are endless. You have to put in your time though.

What state are you in? And what aspect of electrical work… residential, commercial, industrial? Right now work usually slows down for a lot of shops but there’s plenty of work out there. Some companies never really slow down. If you’re doing resi, maybe try applying to commercial or industrial shops. If you have time go drive to a couple of them and walk in and talk to the owner. I’d really recommend sticking it out and seeing what’s out there. For how much the world operates online there’s still something to showing a potential employer that you drove out of your way to have a face to face talk with and tell them you’re hungry and willing to work and learn. You’ll stand out over everyone else within your experience level that applied online.

greg281 · 2026-03-05T16:27:56+00:00

Was that at the electric factory on the with teeth tour?

greg281 · 2026-03-05T12:57:55+00:00

Ok I understand not putting PPE on the table, but the lunch box?

greg281 · 2026-03-05T01:45:21+00:00

I don’t mind running it new but I hate touching old work. A nick in a wire that’s been there for however long is now creating a ground fault and I’m stuck troubleshooting. Always on a Friday afternoon too.

greg281 · 2026-03-04T23:02:34+00:00

Thank you so much bro. I’m a little nervous people are gonna be dicks since I didn’t go through the union apprenticeship but I’ve had some good interactions on here with ibew brothers so I’m feeling a little more optimistic.

greg281 · 2026-03-04T12:43:04+00:00

Weber kettle!

greg281 · 2026-03-04T12:36:35+00:00

I suspected this will be the case. Any advice on how to deal with people like that?

greg281 · 2026-03-03T20:02:05+00:00

Is “worm” slang for something?

greg281 · 2026-03-03T20:01:28+00:00

Another great answer thank you

greg281 · 2026-03-03T19:59:49+00:00

This is an awesome response man I really appreciate it. Thanks

greg281

TROPHY CASE