I had a career in the hooks and wouldn't have done another job. I loved every day being a lineman.

Yea, it’s not just a job, it’s who we are. There’s a few that leave as soon as they get their ticket, no problem with that, but it’s usually a good thing they move on.
One of the questions we ask each other before someone is offered a job is “can you see yourself working with this person at 3AM in -40 or a thunder storm?” There was a guy in the top 5 who’s dad was a manager and uncles were all retired Mb Hydro linemen. I answered no to this question. His dad asked for an explanation why his boy was graded so high and wasn’t offered a position, we told him and he was very understanding……kinda like he knew. (His boy was my operator for 6 months and had poor work ethic and attitude)

It is who you are and a unique career. I will say the job isn't for the weak and you need to love the job. When you are on top of a 60 footer in hooks wind blowing and 20 below. Been there and have worked every weather extreme and conditions there has been. I still wouldn't have traded the risk job for no another career.

People in other positions take stress leave, work is my stress leave…lol. Must suck to wake up and dread another day of work.
They young trainees do the brunt of the physical stuff, a few years after you get your ticket, our utility pays you to use your brain not your brawn. If something doesn’t feel quite right, change of plans. When I was younger, I’d just kinda wing it. If you do it real quick you might be fine, but it’s tough to beat 60 cycles per second, or gravity. My old call partner was at the transformer on top of a 40’ stick when the it snapped 15’ up. Was good access but instead of waiting for the bucket, he decided to strip the transformer to save a couple minutes before it showed up. Died a few times and will never be the same. The lightning arrester caved his skull in above the eye socket. He’s at home stuck in our medical system. Life ain’t good.
I had to guard the scene at 1AM until the province showed up. They beat our safety officer to the site. Windy, rain mixed with snow. Air ambulance couldn’t fly.

They ruined Houston and other communities down there. We even got some.

Wolfie,

You're loved here buddy, stay with us.

Around here,we bring the linemen out Hot coffee and Donuts.

Shakey it is too bad about that Interlake linesman axident

Details are slow, but got a bit of info from the fella who was on his way to assist. Kyle just beat him there. Customer will be the prime guy to know what he did as he witnessed it, but was bad enough that his partner had to open up a recloser……never tripped, it just saw more load. EMS said it wasn’t good.