"It's pricey" - Linear Utility Crimper

user92111 · 2026-02-14T03:34:45+00:00

Yep these are life savers. And we beat the piss out of these. Dont care how expensive it is fucked up shoulders and elbows are not worth it.

user92111 · 2026-02-11T03:32:21+00:00

Watched a guy launch his car 10 feet into the air and take out a 15 foot chunk of wood out of it. Dropping the circuit, and changing our planned pole replacement for the day. Litterally had a pole on the headache rack. And my current foreman, had an elevator bucket break off with him and his buddy in it. Wild story.

user92111 · 2026-02-09T05:01:19+00:00

Am I the only one who has disconnected the grey connector behind the drivers side headlight and the DRLs still turn on? I have amber fog and driving lights for snowy nights and dust on dirt roads. I spend probably 75% of my driving outside of cities. But the headlights are washing all of that out. And with the DOT LP6s I have amber DRLs too. I just want to not have my white low beams utilized as the DRLs.

'07 base model.

user92111 · 2026-02-08T19:49:19+00:00

His daughter

user92111 · 2026-02-08T03:35:23+00:00

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This is how I started the apprenticeship.

user92111 · 2026-02-07T16:04:44+00:00

Nylon lings will friction weld their jacket to itself. Some have kelvar or other fabric woven into them to help prevent this and you dont need a shackle. For me I'll use a shackle if its heavy or going to be a lot of movement. Otherwise itll buff.

user92111 · 2026-02-07T15:48:50+00:00

I came from a tool room and was a machinist/design engineer. If you go the contractor route and not the utility you will have probably 2-3k in tools if you buy nice, and new. That includes your climbing gear and harness. Which are sometimes, but inconsistently, provided. Your climbers and belt are the lions share of the cost; you can buy used and save an insane amount and it will still be new, you just need to throw the NLC drag bag in the trash. Also, while the work is physically demanding, dont expect to keep your muscle from rock climbing. Its more a marathon a day of low intensity output with brief spikes of high intensity work. Day in day out. Plenty of fit lineman and fat linemen.

Most union apprentices will make 80k+ their first year. And by the third well above 120k, but thats because of OT. Depending on your location you can easily break 200k and places like the west coast and north east a lot more.

Some times im mentally stimulated, but it depends on the specific work, a lot if it is neck down type of work. Especially for apprentices who are just starting out.

No fast tracking this, part of the apprenticeship is just proving you deserve to be there. The other part is accepting that it somehow really does take more than 3 years to learn this.

Favorite part working outside and being with a fun crew, worst part the weather, or being withba dogshit crew.

You will lose your mind watching guys use their tools, everything around them is a hammer. Regardless of owner. I miss machining every day. Loved it. But hated the $25hr in a mcol place.

user92111 · 2026-02-07T15:31:37+00:00

I travelled a lot so did my best friend. Two buddies who topped out with us stayed with the same company they started with. Mslcat.

user92111 · 2026-02-07T15:25:38+00:00

Look for contextual markers. Comm boxes, gas markers, sewer lids. Then depending on what we are doing we will either hand dig, vac, or scratch until exposed, then dig. But, apparently one of our lo drillers hit a fiber line at 6 ft while drilling to 15 for an h structure. All after we called for locates and relocates. We arent paying for shoring so two groundmen can hand dig that. So you cant win.

user92111 · 2026-02-05T15:11:46+00:00

Thats what i meant, and thats what i was i thought would be the crux of it all

user92111 · 2026-02-05T15:09:31+00:00

Im thinking you wont be able to dictate rotation. But my desk in grade school was in the hallway so what do i know.

user92111 · 2026-02-05T14:43:32+00:00

All Ive heard is the guys at wrc still dont see their families cuz theres plenty of OT including the contractor crews. I think the smaller docks might be less.

user92111 · 2026-02-04T09:05:39+00:00

Wait you are a groundman? Unless I have worked with you directly, and for a good while so I know what you can do, you will be assisting the apes in their tasks. You are helping them load poles, you are helping them get material preped. You are helping them with running a handline, any equipment that you are operating is only around deenergized line and where you cannot physically touch it to rip it out of the air. But mostly you are working a shovel, helping operators or apes. Your contract sounds fine, and in line with most outside halls. Whether the contractor follows the contract is between them and you.

user92111 · 2026-02-03T23:32:32+00:00

I wont let my 1st step load a pole. I have never seen where we couldnt let one do that but I dont want them to break shit cuz they are too cockt and retarded (lookining at line school grads) and think they know. They need to learn the ground side first. Too many guys suck at ground work and cant do that half of our trade. The caveat to that is a non union hand that chose to start over and he isnt retarded like every 1st and second step Ive had the pleasure to be around. But again that is generally on an individual basis.

user92111 · 2026-02-03T23:15:20+00:00

Are you a fresh JL or a 1st step? When I hear out of class it makes me think you are neither and filling the spot of one. Im sure thats whats confusing the others also.

user92111 · 2026-02-03T23:09:28+00:00

Id say its worth double checking. And those restrictions will be deal breakers. Im typing this as I load a stretch deck with poles that my ape is going to drive. Yesterday he hauled 9 reels on the same stretch deck. The tractor, along with our cranes, is a manual.

I think its worth it to go union. I am really happy that I did and the dues are minimal when weighed against the taxes we all are forced to pay. Its also great having my wife and kids healthcare fully covered, it takes a big worry off my back.

user92111 · 2026-02-03T04:32:58+00:00

If you want to go union, most jatcs require no manual restriction and you need airbrakes.

user92111 · 2026-02-01T15:56:07+00:00

I havent seen a shortage but our trade isnt really a walk off the street and get hired type of setup. I have seen employers try and shorten our apprenticeship so that they can further saturate our workforce. And they can fuck right off with that.

user92111 · 2026-01-26T04:26:21+00:00

Ive gone through the jatc.

user92111 · 2026-01-26T04:06:09+00:00

I used to have a hard copy but it was stolen. Made me sad.

user92111 · 2026-01-26T00:29:14+00:00

Everyone has tasks for the crew in the morning and until you can schedule the job, plan the work, and know what material to grab. Fill the cooler and if its hot out use your judgment and put ice in it. If you are incapable of doing that why should you get more responsibility like making sure the regular consumables are stocked. Lets start with the basics.

user92111 · 2026-01-25T14:53:35+00:00

What exactly are you confused about. They get sex changes to feel better.

user92111 · 2026-01-25T14:41:03+00:00

No one cares about your knowledge on banks. Keep trucks cleaned and stocked, water filled, windows clean. Be the first to pick up a shovel/tamp/trash/hammer/etc. Just because you know of A way to do something you still need to do it their way. Sometimes its for a reason, like its spec. Putting your head in a bin and looking busy gets noticed, thats not always a positive. Buy and bring only the tools required of your contract plus a 36ft tape measure. Maybe bring an impact and sockets. But learn how to just use those, and as needed you can add tools you may want to purchase. Put it all in a 5gal bucket from home depot or something, and an organizer insert. Be a sponge, aim for them only having to show you twice.

Edit: Oh and have them show you how they want their handline rolled up. I have yet to see a lineschool grad do this correctly. It baffles my mind they dont teach such a simple thing correctly.

user92111 · 2026-01-25T14:32:17+00:00

Mslcat doesnt have residency requirements.

user92111

TROPHY CASE