Electric power lineman

[86slater]

I am currently looking foward to doing this kind of work. The big question on my mind about this kind of work is how are u suppost to use the restroom when ur up there lol!?

[Mrdesertsnake1991]

I fly these missions when I'm not overseas doing Contract Pilot work...all of the linemen I have worked with are good guys, like the work, it has great pay, and they really know what they are doing. Dont have to have a degree or anything, just good common sense, good situational awareness, be able to get along with others, love to travel, and not be a doper or a drunk. Lots of fun if it werent for some of the twats in the upper echelons

[akawerewolfking]

o.o even if u pay me £1m i would not go on the wire :z sorry i dnt have the balls to but those guys have the biggest balls in the world to go on a 500k kV lines scary....... i hope they getting paid more...

[bafe88]

This is the most relaxing video I know of. His woice is really soothing. Does anyone has more information on the background music?

[cavaliersfan124]

The last couple lines were probably the most bad ass things ever said by a man.

[alextownsend565hotm]

one of the best videos on youtube i reckon?

[shadowstikeman]

Oh hell no. Not for me, Glad he was born.

[bradldozier]

It's mainly to protect them in case of arching. To prevent them from catching fire.

[Ampz316]

This might sound stupid but why do they need a Faraday suit if they aren't grounded at any point?

[mugenpower69]

I=E/R

[warrior4just]

i'm an electrical engineer, and would do this job, the only thing i'd work on more...is height, but that is to be done, we dying anyway....might as well, do amazing work.

[bansheemike]

I have been a lineman for a few years now but they are getting out of the barehand work on the 44kv lines... Only a few older guys trained to do that in my area.. Wish I could try that out!

[louiearmstrong]

So nuts. Ive watched this clip... ten times?

[scottynascar]

Nice clip

Have been a lineman for over 20 yrs

Although never worked on towers

From helicopter , looks like it would be rewarding.

I do barehanded 44kv

And it's great work not having to use rubbergloves.

A very good carer choice , and agree not for a person who can't use there head .

[Britton001]

My dad has been an electrical lineman for almost 40 years. I can say from experience being a lineman is great if all you care about is working and money. If you want to be able to spend time with your family this is the last job you want to get. My dad would regularly put almost 2 years worth of hours in each year and was NEVER home.

[nanodelle]

Brings to mind the old Glen Campbell song....Wichita Lineman.

Notice how calm that guy was on the wire, as well as the other guy. I think as long as you are totally focused, you're probably okay (goes 4 the pilot, too).

[Glove1991]

talk is cheap...takes a certain kind to be a lineman. Hopefully I make it through school. I love it. Never was much of an adrenaline junkie..but i'm soon to turn to one haha...i know climbin a 40' pole doesn't seem like much to some of you lineman..but It's definately an accomplishment for me and i'll be proud to be one someday.

[DjDroyd]

@Glove1991 Yeah man Im in the same position.

[CoDeZeRo112233]

o F*%K i just appied for a job like this didn't think it would be this scary

[rockleed87]

@MassDeportation ||| furious typer is furious lol.

Awesome clip though. I really want to find the original source. I'm sure it's an amazing documentary. This is something I would want to do once and never do again.

[ER801]

Sure is a quiet helicopter......

[westonsz]

Wow what a job. I could never be brave enough for that. I keep hearing this talk of journeyman when it comes to skilled professions. I am an experienced machine programmer and repair person and have never had anyone told me I had to be a journeyman although I hear such is required in a union shop environment. Is the journeyman designation a thing just for union men?

[ugod519]

Im building these transmission towers :-)

[chippeywaffles]

Apprentice with Movalley for a year and a half and got laid off*^&*this economy. If anyone says there is a need for lineman because of retirements etc. just realize there is ABSOLUTLEY NO need for apprentices just Journeymen. Helmets to hardhats aint a gonna help ya,you plan on getting into this profession the best way is to have a relative(nepotism is HUGE), go with a RAT outfit and get the experience(I AM GONNA HEAR IT),or get used to being laid off for months at a time.DO NOT ENROLL IN CVTC.

[MegaMoxxy]

My bro has been a linemen for over 30 yrs; he works with live wires from a bucket truck so no one will be without electricity while they fix the lines. When you evacuate during a hurricane why don't you look over at the white army of trucks going into hurricane zone and honk; they are going into battle to keep power on to people who could not leave. Unsung hero are linemen !

[ethomfactusest]

These folks are magnificent!

[lukefled]

An absolute marvel! Great film, great editing/production, and fantastically huge balls!

[AssemblerGuy]

I once described this sort of operations to a flight instructor -- he just gave me this "you-sir-are-out-of-your-frigg­in'-mind"-type look... XD

[yourshitjusthitmyfan]

soooooooo TOUGH !!

[leazxcv]

balls. more balls

[aqinthe]

@arthurpucket Lineman make about $40 per hour. They also get extra pay for working above certain heights and any over time is double pay. The health care and retirement is also very good

[namebrandaddikt]

this is the bomb diggity FRESH!

[Thewestcoastshooter]

What is this from? anyone know? have seen it on tvs in future shop as a demonstration flick...

[2G4M3R5]

id give anything for that job ...fractaldad @ gmail

[21Blitz]

Takes courage, fearless,set of strong balls, and guts to do this i'm highly impressed. I'm 19 this may be a path i could take, but will take time. & guts!!

[WHODOESNTFART]

Im in lineman school now. Does anyone know a company like this that is hiring? Please let me know. This is an awesome job!

[lbgundead]

Holy shit that's an awesome job you got there!

[deville123]

Two hoots and a holer sweet

[forestgumpaed]

rather them than me.

[438426x1]

why do people make voltage seem so deadly? its current that kills you... you could have 10 million volts going through u at low current, and it would just tickle...

[stripes5150]

um....actually....you'd be burned pretty bad dude.....

[wharghoul]

The average line has 40A overcurrent protection, and these guys work all lines, even the biggest.

Line voltage would kill you instantly. Closed casket and everything. Some of what these guys work would quite literally vaporize your flesh.

Also, high enough voltage can cook you.

[alpineassualt]

yeah i know people get shocked with a taser at 50,000 volts they dont suffer any damage at all while 15 amps will kill you or give your some serious nerve damge

[lilblackduck]

Is this part of a documentary at all does anyone know?? Please if you do contact me Thanks

[mujn56]

Yeah mate it's a documentary called 'Straight up Helicopters in Action'

[MegaHolysmokes]

I am a journeyman lineman and must say distribution or transmission both require one thing, an apprenticeship! When u become a journeyman any line is your domain.

[snowmansteve88]

Right on Brotha!!! IBEW LU77

[YourMama1K]

@MegaHolysmokes

did that 3 phase DC or ac?

that cabble around the world all is same?

[davidgillis25]

Im in highschool and interested in this job, what sort of education did you have to go through and what courses did you take in highschool

[KMascak]

@davidgillis25

im 19 in my first year of college trying to get in an apprenticeship program through Stark State College in Ohio paid by FirstEnergy. Its very hard to take this route because they only choose 10 out of 250 applicants each year. Next year im attending Southeast Lineman Training Center in northern Georgia. Its a 15 week program, 40 hrs a week. 2.5 hours a day in classroom and 5.5 hrs outside learning hands-on. 95% of graduates get jobs within 1 year. theres one in Oroville, CA too

[Danwar3]

@davidgillis25 physics! and math 12

[xrebxtoc]

@davidgillis25

Hey David it depends where you live buddy? I went through school, didn't take the right courses so had to go back after I graduated to get into my line school. There are however apprenticeships you can take by just signing up. The cool thing about my school is your there 8 months than working 4 months and so on... for 2 years. Basically you get into an apprenticeship just by being accepted into the school. Now I like in Ontario however. Message me and I'll try to help ya more!

[xrebxtoc]

@davidgillis25 I can tell you however you want to take as many Science and Physics classes as you can! Math is very important too, take your grade 12 math even though you don't need it to graduate... that's one of the biggies for getting into power line technician college. My school is Conestoga College located in Ingersoll, Ontario. The nice thing about my school is it was built JUST for power line technician apprentices. My class is the first to go through since it was finished this year

[xrebxtoc]

@davidgillis25 So you can try your luck by going to a local hydro contractor (be it utility or a regional maintainer) I think most IBEW's in the U.S. have apprenticeship sign up sheets.. Now just because you sign up does not mean you will get in, especially with the bigger electrical utilities.That's why I chose going to school it gave me a foot in the door so I could just skip all those steps. Now if you considered moving to Ontario just for school you would not regret it. Wearethebestinontario

[Uberdum05firealarm]

Thats kinda scary, I bet its nerve racking, but it looks awesome!!!!

[bluntblaz3r]

Here in southern cali its about 60k to start....if you really want to do this kind of work..you need to move here..you dont have to pay thousands of dollars for schooling..chk out east los angeles skills center or LA Trade Tech.its a 600 hr course..for about $120..the only catch there might be a waiting list.. this course is req. before u can even apply for a entry lvl position..if hired u have another 4yrs of intense training...goodluck with it.

[bluntblaz3r]

If you want to be a Lineman choose transmission over distribution much safer (less hazards)... how many yrs do you think it takes to be at that level?10+yrs?

[srvfan454]

holy crap that looks like fun

[jellis270]

that is so freaking awesome. he's the electric man.

[Eralen00]

electricity, heights, and whaaaaat?

[unseenmagic]

women u nimrod! if i know u, u are to lol

[Eralen00]

it sounded like he said

electricity, heights, and Ritalin

[nicsthomp]

Stumble win, job win.

[Willdavis4]

I second that

[philbee321]

that cool

looks like a fun job

[eskiboy84]

why is he doing this 1:03?

does it has something to do with making his body electrical load equal with that of the live wires?

[Railroad2014]

He explains why

[Swive]

What he is doing is slowly introducing the electricity to the helicopter... its kind of like slowly discharging a static shock from your socks on the carpet... if you do it slowly it doesnt hurt but if it happens all @ once it does... its the same with the helicopter only on a wayyyy bigger scale... so instead of an ouch its 500 000 volts of BOOM and that much power causes almost any type of metal to heat up fast enough to explode... did i answer your question?

[eskiboy84]

yes you did. thanks for explaining it so clearly.

[SaltWaterHippo]

Why do you say slowly? Relative to us I dont think it is

[b86p]

There's nothing slow about it. He's raising himself and the helicopter to the same voltage as the line. Without a path to ground there is no current flow. It doesn't matter how slow you approach the conductor, the electrons still move at the same speed.

[artorres27]

how they do it.?

[karlchilders34]

krazy F!@#$%er's pretty kool

[Britton001]

Pretty cool. My dad's an electricallineman in Michigan.

[ChewmeBacon]

Wow, my favourit Youtube vid is sill up. This is one of the most beautiful vids on Youtube. Photography, light, narration and script, music. Simply a perfect 10. I know absolutely nothing about linesmen, but this vid makes you wanna fly.

"Its not a job for a hot dog" Classic.

[bla7091]

For the type of job, I think the pay is low

[pshinspections]

Don't feel too bad for them. Compensation packages of 100k plus overtime are rare, even in the trades.

[bla7091]

You gotta admit they're being put at significant risk

If for whatever reason, the heli touched a tree or crashed because of engine problems, they're both fried

[pshinspections]

You heard the man, he likes the thrill of the job. Such accidents do happen. Tis why they earn 100k plus overtime. I will stay on the ground, thanks.

[006deluxe]

lineman often make around 40$ + an hour...and most work overtime

[taskerbabe]

Dear god do we need electgricity so bad that we have to do things like this!.. No wonder the balance of the worlds resources is so badly affected by humans!!

[Hntr]

Oh, we could always go back to living in a cave. Duh!

[wastedwhiteguy6978]

You do realize that the people who work these trades Chose to work them right?

Ever been to a Lineman forum........The amount of Job appreciation blows any other trade away....They love what they do.....

[triden55]

@taskerbabe better get off the computer and save some power then

[headdy74]

@taskerbabe Are you for real? I would jump at the chance to do this. There is no balance of the world's resources being affected by humans. We're just a blurp in time. We should be thankful we have them to use during our time here on Earth.

[brettaburger]

@taskerbabe you are extremely out of touch with reality

[MrLineman052]

@taskerbabe what powers your computer?



[micheinnz]

@taskerbabe Are you serious? This guy's as safe as houses. He's either on the helicopter (which is no more dangerous than being in any other helicopter) or attached to the line. He can't fall, and you bet he's inspected all of his gear before he goes up. As the man himself says, this is no job for hot dogs.

[sirdag]

@taskerbabe As you type this on your keyboard that's connected to your computer which is connected to your monitor and the modem that are all connected to a power outlet so STFU you dumb faggot

[80spodcastchannel]

@taskerbabe go live in a cave and bang some rocks for fire.. your not even worthy of an insult

[bmacspence]

amazing work gotta love it

[ShockwaveTGT]

fabulous job. 5/5

[tattoo05mike]

im a coax/fiber lineman out of kansas and on average if you know your shit and take your job seriously our starting wage is $27.00. you have to move fast while being safe and accurate. as long as you read your map/plans and follow them to a T there is not a problem. watch out for shitty customers that want to fight cause of your truck placement and remember the customer is always right. be a smart ass and smile!

[slopmaster1]

The average pay in the south region is $23.00 for A contract lineman.Duke,etc A lineman make around $27.00 or more an hour.I,m just a C guy at $18.00 an hour and i still bring home around $50 plus a year.With overtime of course.But thats not hard to come by in this line of work.

[thebeersaint]

Lineman make excellent pay but most lineman work is hard stuff. One has to get through a 3.5 year apprenticeship before becoming a journeyman lineman. Average pay for a Journeyman lineman is 38-50/hour... but they make a lot of overtime pay. My brother in law is a lineman for Avista in Coeur d'Alene, Id and makes great pay... but the dude earns every cent.

[crackwhore202]

i like his voice

[Frozenheatld50]

lol i thought the same.

[johnpgallenstein]

Hey this is a great video! How much do you make as an electric lineman?

[slopmaster1]

I work in manholes, vaults in downtown charlotte for Pike.I thought my job was dangerouse.Don,t feel like i,m enough of a lineman after watching this LOL.

[isaian2e]

These guys must get paid very good. These guys have balls, gotta give them that!

[metalini]

anyone one know the average pay that these guys get? and i heard that you dont need a post secondary education (although it could be helpful) to do this kind of work because your employer will train you how to do it, is this true?. I've just begun to look into this kind of work and i'm trying to get the most information about it.

[DeAnge69]

good on him.

[zerotem]

Damn, these pilots must make a fortune. When do you ever hear of a line repair helicopter go down? NEVER. You hear of med evac choppers going down and stuff.. But these guys must just never crash..

[120voltz]

The line is 6ookv. Plenty of schools offer training for this type of work. I did it for 5 years and loved it. It really is amazing work with a great view but you must respect the power of those lines

[WillardHayes]

I believe the phase to phase voltage is 500Kv on this line..

[120voltz]

you are right, I just saw what I had written in there, hey, I'm good with Lines, not with typing.

[drtrance]

i love this video, especially how the narrator tells the story.... simply amazing..

[annemasch]

The most extrordinary footage I've ever seen. I show it to my 5th graders, a wonderful and spellbinding 3+ minutes of video!

[Aetherangel]

Hubby does this stuff...God love 'em!

[Larzabeth]

This is kind of creepy. But amazing to.

[komandos3]

500 kV

[dannygaulle]

Fantastic electrician!!!

I think that electrical line is 400 or 600 kV

[vkotis]

i'm petrified of electricity and heights. there is no way in hell i could do this job. big 'UPs' to these guys. i'm sure they get paid well.

[tbc27Z]

amazing....

[beansderek]

for all the people that keep the power up , for those who work upon cell towers,firemen,police men,doctors that keep us going , the military.......... anyone who i forgot thanks for the hard work . i work in the cell industry and love everytime i go on a tower .

[1nojeep]

Im working on it

thats going to be me !!!!!

Ive done 1800ft towers;however, big differance here. Very very reverant indeed.

[mcalder01]

looks like a cool job......for someone else,he really does a smooth job,atta boy from Canada

[davcambur]

Where did they get the silent helicopter? You can hear every click and clank of his tools but almost no rotor wash. Very cool editing.

[louiearmstrong]

@davcambur This is from IMAX... they have use the BEST equipment

[cragnadune]

@davcambur This guy goes up in a helicopter which flys as close as it can to a 500kv powerline at which point he energizes himself, climbs on to the still live lines and climbs along them. Having watched all this all you find to be impressed with is the editing of the film. Please add thankless to the list of words to describe this fellas job.

[d1962burns]

@cragnadune Dude, sorry. I guess I should have said I have been a high voltage distribution lineman for 20 years. The electrical part of his job looks impressive, however far more lineman are maimed and killed working on much lower voltages. His biggest danger would be a bee in the cockpit with the pilot at a critical moment. If you look again you will see he is always tied in to a fall arrest system, he cannot fall. I just thought someone did some really good sound editing on the video.

[mjenkman]

Yeah man. I am an accountant. The most danger I come into to contact with in my job is lunch. LOL! I say that to say, these cat's are hero's to me. I am scared as hell for them but to me thses cat's are the Jolly Green Giants of the earth.

[alfabetony]

IBEW 357 ! L.V. NV.

[lukessummer]

"I am the linesman for the county"....and nobody knows or cares...God speed to you guy's....

[luchadorlibertad]

Does anyone know if this is the intro to a show or something? It seems that way, the way the music kicks in near the end there. WAY UBER INTERESTING though. :)

[apprenticelineman]

im a lineman....but u guys deserve respect. its not hard workin off hooks or in a bucket, but walkin highline...that takes balls. i hope to be up there with you on the line one day. until then thanks for keepin the lights on

[linerat32]

things are alot bigger when your a lineman

[linerat32]

by the way, there is a difference between an electrician and a lineman, i promise you that

[sgcsc]

yea lineman are'nt electricians

[linerat32]

once a lineman always a lineman

[MyLuckyCars]

They're job is Danger...

I respect them, without them

we can't have the power of electric...

[frankelectric]

ya konw, i'm a master electrician and i make a lot of money, but i've never done nothing like that. i wouldn't mind trying it, in a strange way, it seems kind of peasefull, like there is no one up there to get in your way or to bother you. great job on the video, these guys deserve everything they get and more. be safe!!!

[dsdahustla]

Makes me proud to be an employee of E&R inc.

[barbararose08]

wow! im so proud of my husband! he starts with haverfield corporation in 6 wks!!!!! i am so proud of him and everyone that does this job! they are a special breed of hard workers!

[carlawon]

i climb poles and i must say ..thats fuckin nuts.. special breed

[mm4ng]

i love this video. great video!

[linerat32]

this is a great video, elect. need to listen to this video

[Andyman3k]

Thats awesome! 1:03 is the coolest part.

[buttonscott]

can i do that

[pablo560]

what if he has to use the bathroom??

[sgcsc]

isnt transmission safer than distribution

[bluntblaz3r]

yes...

[bluntblaz3r]

too many things can go wrong in distribution....choose trans if u get the option to choose...just my opinion..

[sgcsc]

if i did have to work distribution i would choose over head. you cant see whats going on underground

[jpgbrookes]

@bluntblaz3r

what is involved in distribution? what kind of wire is usually used in these applications?

[bluntblaz3r]

@jpgbrookes .Distribution is working in residential areas..so more variables to deal with..even though your working w/ lower voltages alot more things can go wrong..The apprentices I've talked to said if u have huge balls an don't mind climbing steal..and you have the option to choose Go Transmission..its safer.

[AtwaterFan27]

what state is this taking place in

[bluntblaz3r]

ooo wrong post ..my comment isnt on this video......this vid is one of my favorites....

[newder]

That is sweet. I wanna play

[pablo560]

fuking love this video...

[conordonaghy1]

i love getting electric shocks

[shortstopdrafter]

That was so amazing long live lineman southern california edison local 47 dont you just love what u do.

[bluntblaz3r]

where did u get your training?

[fiddy8811]

shit I get shcked changin a light bulb

[GizzardTheWizard]

That was just amazing.

[AlaskaLoneWolf]

That was the best. Where do I sign?

[fig51]

Beautifully shot and nice narration. Its amazing what transmission guys do.

[redvines314]

INSPIRATIONAL This video is absolutely the key to drive any individual to be there best and appreciate all aspects of linework. Thank you very much for sharing your video. BE SAFE.