When I was a kid, about 10, I would play lineman on the skinny trees in the woods. I would take off my belt and thread it through the two front loops of my pants and tie the belt around the trunk. Ten or so feet above the ground , all 65 pounds of me hanging back just like the linemen from two belt loops.. I would drive nails into the tree to have something for my feet to grip. I had no idea how dangerous this was. But it was a leather belt and the jeans were Levi-Strauss so they did not fail me. My career was tamer electronics servicing.
Goodness me! That sounds really dangerous indeed. I'm glad you didn't get hurt. All that said though... BRILLIANT campfire story. :-D And I must admit, quite adorable, too. ;-)
Can’t wait to start with y’all this coming year… I’ve been climbing sketchy ladders and walking second story top plates for 4 years now, figured I’d give a man’s trade a try and so far the school work was a breeze. Onto the physical class for the next 3 months then onto climb school. Stay safe out there! Hope to see some of you soon
Hold up bro? Are you a former mason laborer? That’s what I am. I used to set up scaffolding for a union. Working at heights and doing sketchy stuff was just part of the trade. But now I’m in school for lineman
I have no clue when it comes to english line terminology. But it's great to see Americans use two clutches(?) (Two safety ropes) rather than a single D-link. In my country we use a one rope attached to the centre of the harness and the other end around the pole in a loop. And an extra rope for climbing over obstacles which is attached to the D-links. We use totally different shoes though. I tried the north American style once but my legs didn't like that at all. I prefer to stand completely level with my feet.
The cinch lock looks nice. I'd like to have it or the super squeeze with a rope inner. I have a regular buck squeeze with the belt inner but gotta use what the company provides
I have been a cable TV lineman for going on 15 years now, I know not the same as you power boys. The first 7 years of climbing were done with the old style single clasp safety. Now I have the double clasp safety, just the regular old one not a bucksqueeze or anything like that. The whole time I have climbed it has been free climbing, even when I was just starting out. It has always felt uncomfortable for me to hitchhike, except on the rare occasions when the pole is twice as fat as me. On the job training is the best training.
Back in 1970 when I was in the Army, trained as a field wireman. We never used the belt to climb, just to "safety in' when we reached our work height. I can see where it is much safer to use the belt while climbing, but it was much faster to climb without the belt, and use it only when needed. Guess that was before OSHA got involved in the lineman trade.
None Ya I'm a telephone lineman. I hitchhike nearly every pole now. The poles are always full of shell rot, or surrounded by trees. And I'm just not as nimble as I used to be. But it's super rare that I ever get over 40ft and I'm totally ok with that.
cynch lock is what i use to climb not to many people that i went to school with used it and liked it but for me it grew on and me and lesrned to love it
Nice job. The bucksqueeze is a hard way to climb. I was never trained on it only with a single belt and I hate I mean with the bucksqueeze but a lot of guys are good at it and efficient. It can also make you complacent climbing where you going to keep your butt out since you can't cut out with it on
I'm currently an apprentice electrician and I really want to be a lineman. This looks pretty scary but do you get used to it? Hights never really bothered me but I've never done anything like this
Hey I'm looking into becoming a lineman and I gotta ask is the pay pretty good for the work you put in? And is it a job thats high in demand right now?Thanks!
The pay is good, the linemen I work with are getting paid near $40 an hour, that's the first class guys though, takes about 5 years to get to that point from what I know. But just think, everyone uses electricity so jobs in that field are always going to be needed, I'm actually just about to start line school here in a few months. Some companies are harder to get into than others but all can be dangerous and pay well
NICKELBACKLOVER69 your money will be with the union ie better pay retirement, healthcare, and overall general safety. non union will of course be easier to get hired.
FerreneMachine really enjoying it, it's a lot of fun but there is a lot of work that comes with it. It's one of those things you really take pride in doing due to the work you put in, I'm just in school but my dad is a lineman and like I said I am lucky enough to work with them and see what they get to do. The climbing is real fun too, it's cool to be able to go to school and climb a 70 ft pole or a lattice structure, change out arms, insulators, work on transformer settings and more in your free time at least where I go to school I would give it a try the more you do it the more you want to do
What I mean is the trade seems to grow on you, I look forward to doing it as a career, and it's not hard to get up and go to school when you really enjoy what your doing
Never used bucksqueeze, but i'll totally vouch for the cynch lok belts. They're safe, and very work friendly. Pretty much any adjustment can be made one-handed.
+yayaya1193able It all depends. Some poles are in pretty bad shape so your gaffs can sink in pretty far or cut out easily. They're the worst when there's about half an inch of ice on them.
I don't know about the US, but the Bell Canada network is so widespread and old that poles installed in the 1940s are not uncommon. Yet, it's the ones installed in the 80s that are actually the most problematic
+Jed VanDyke (The New CB919 Kid) I free climbed my whole career, of 36 years, I guess OSHA had something to say about the dangers of pole climbing the old fashioned way.
Because he is not here to impress you. And maybe he felt like going home that night instead of earning a few extra cool points before he fell 65 ft and ended his career.
hardmarine You know what they say about assuming. Do you have your Journeymen's Card? Im a 4th step apprentice and I have alot to learn but not sure you are REQUIRED to free climb or it is PREFERENCE. Good skill to have but not applicable to all people in all situations, everyone does things different.
Hardmarine it's thick headed people like you that slow the progression of safety. He's using fall protection not because he's afraid to climb without it he's using it because it's required at almost all utility companies and WILL be required by OSHA after April '15. Look up Charlie Morecraft, he and his fellow workers thought it wasn't "cool" to wear proper PPE or follow strict company policies set in place to send you home at night and he paid the price.
Because that's how you die and its verry illegal hear it's a 5000 dollar fine if your boots are 10 ft or more off the ground without fall arrest. Not to mention if you free climb that your a fucking idiot
When I was a kid, about 10, I would play lineman on the skinny trees in the woods. I would take off my belt and thread it through the two front loops of my pants and tie the belt around the trunk. Ten or so feet above the ground , all 65 pounds of me hanging back just like the linemen from two belt loops.. I would drive nails into the tree to have something for my feet to grip. I had no idea how dangerous this was. But it was a leather belt and the jeans were Levi-Strauss so they did not fail me. My career was tamer electronics servicing.
Goodness me! That sounds really dangerous indeed. I'm glad you didn't get hurt.
All that said though... BRILLIANT campfire story. :-D And I must admit, quite adorable, too. ;-)
I have deep respect for all you who climb! I got 12 feet up the first time when I was a young man... and froze...
Just practice
Yeah I have found that the lineman who think they are so great are usually the ones who sucks the most. Screw the haters brother nice job.
Great job Jed. Keep working safe.
Wow, I have been climbing poles for about a month and a half right now as a cable technician, I wish I could make it look as easy as you did!
Can’t wait to start with y’all this coming year… I’ve been climbing sketchy ladders and walking second story top plates for 4 years now, figured I’d give a man’s trade a try and so far the school work was a breeze. Onto the physical class for the next 3 months then onto climb school. Stay safe out there! Hope to see some of you soon
Hold up bro? Are you a former mason laborer? That’s what I am. I used to set up scaffolding for a union. Working at heights and doing sketchy stuff was just part of the trade. But now I’m in school for lineman
I have a whole new respect & appreciation for these guys 👊
Nice job brother. Smooth and careful
I have no clue when it comes to english line terminology. But it's great to see Americans use two clutches(?) (Two safety ropes) rather than a single D-link. In my country we use a one rope attached to the centre of the harness and the other end around the pole in a loop. And an extra rope for climbing over obstacles which is attached to the D-links.
We use totally different shoes though. I tried the north American style once but my legs didn't like that at all. I prefer to stand completely level with my feet.
I just chose the 4 D-ring belt. I was thinking about getting the 2-D with a gut strap, but just decided to get the 4-D
The cinch lock looks nice. I'd like to have it or the super squeeze with a rope inner. I have a regular buck squeeze with the belt inner but gotta use what the company provides
going to Hudson valley community this fall for the lineman class would've been in last yr but class was full
Awesome job.
I have been a cable TV lineman for going on 15 years now, I know not the same as you power boys. The first 7 years of climbing were done with the old style single clasp safety. Now I have the double clasp safety, just the regular old one not a bucksqueeze or anything like that. The whole time I have climbed it has been free climbing, even when I was just starting out. It has always felt uncomfortable for me to hitchhike, except on the rare occasions when the pole is twice as fat as me. On the job training is the best training.
Back in 1970 when I was in the Army, trained as a field wireman. We never used the belt to climb, just to "safety in' when we reached our work height. I can see where it is much safer to use the belt while climbing, but it was much faster to climb without the belt, and use it only when needed. Guess that was before OSHA got involved in the lineman trade.
Jerry Ericsson yes sir free climbing is a dieing art nowadays I only hitchhike if the pole is to big and fat for me to hold
None Ya I'm a telephone lineman. I hitchhike nearly every pole now. The poles are always full of shell rot, or surrounded by trees. And I'm just not as nimble as I used to be. But it's super rare that I ever get over 40ft and I'm totally ok with that.
I looked at this and was like... This looks like my hometown. Read the description, sure as hell was. haha.
Tree climber here ;) good job Bro.
Owned it!
Way to get it done!!
Linemen look pretty cool, but I think I'll just try my hand at being a wireman haha
I’m 15 and i just started practicing my climbing, highest i went so far was a 50 footer (it was dead)
That is a workout.
I never knew that y’all had the spikes on your shoes
So no more just climbing the pole without the belt?
I have never seen that kind of climbing shoes before, we use something else in norway
Nice video man. What type of belt are you using seems a lot easier than the buck squeeze our company is making us wear now.
bill lastwits Its the Cinch Lock, I think it's made by SALA? I love it!
cynch lock is what i use to climb not to many people that i went to school with used it and liked it but for me it grew on and me and lesrned to love it
Nice job. The bucksqueeze is a hard way to climb. I was never trained on it only with a single belt and I hate I mean with the bucksqueeze but a lot of guys are good at it and efficient. It can also make you complacent climbing where you going to keep your butt out since you can't cut out with it on
So do you like the Cinch lock, or is that what your company provides?
Daniel Golden Love it! Tried the Gelco and it was alright, my favorite is the Cinch lock by far though.
Cool
Alpena CC? Nice but wait til you free climb your first 90 or up on a 220 latiuce.
I'm currently an apprentice electrician and I really want to be a lineman. This looks pretty scary but do you get used to it? Hights never really bothered me but I've never done anything like this
yes over time you will get used to it after 15 minutes up there you don't really think about it
+Kevin Martin i would stick with the inside electrician make more money in the long run
Ummm electricians do NOT make more money than lineman. Unless you are doing line work non-union. I know lineman that make 200k a year.
@@glenncormican9434 union outside lineman make more?
55$ n hr
Hitchike in line so u dont get the phases swingin
I don't care much for the bucksqueeze thought it does make for a safer climb.
Hey I'm looking into becoming a lineman and I gotta ask is the pay pretty good for the work you put in? And is it a job thats high in demand right now?Thanks!
The pay is good, the linemen I work with are getting paid near $40 an hour, that's the first class guys though, takes about 5 years to get to that point from what I know. But just think, everyone uses electricity so jobs in that field are always going to be needed, I'm actually just about to start line school here in a few months. Some companies are harder to get into than others but all can be dangerous and pay well
NICKELBACKLOVER69 your money will be with the union ie better pay retirement, healthcare, and overall general safety. non union will of course be easier to get hired.
G.K.3 9/6 how is the schooling going for you? I'm interested myself
FerreneMachine really enjoying it, it's a lot of fun but there is a lot of work that comes with it. It's one of those things you really take pride in doing due to the work you put in, I'm just in school but my dad is a lineman and like I said I am lucky enough to work with them and see what they get to do. The climbing is real fun too, it's cool to be able to go to school and climb a 70 ft pole or a lattice structure, change out arms, insulators, work on transformer settings and more in your free time at least where I go to school I would give it a try the more you do it the more you want to do
What I mean is the trade seems to grow on you, I look forward to doing it as a career, and it's not hard to get up and go to school when you really enjoy what your doing
Watch your thumb if you kick out you might pinch it
nice job...that belt looks shady....I'll stay with my bucksqueeze....
I had a bucksqueeze got the DBI cinch lok after the buck failed after 2 years of use.
Never used bucksqueeze, but i'll totally vouch for the cynch lok belts. They're safe, and very work friendly. Pretty much any adjustment can be made one-handed.
i like the buck squeeze too
The Joker I also prefer the super, easier to adjust.
I hate all those FRE belts.
I plan on doing this is it easy to find apprenticeship after the training course.?
usually the school you go to will help you get a JOB RIGHT OUT OF SCHOOL
+Nick Mattson I've already signed my name in the books for the union thank you though
brad horst don't go to those fucking schools they just still your money. only go to union apprenticeships. Come through Indiana we are booming
Jamal B I know I am already In the union friend thank you I figured that out man.
brad horst what local?
how sketchy is it climbing poles in Michigan?
+yayaya1193able It all depends. Some poles are in pretty bad shape so your gaffs can sink in pretty far or cut out easily. They're the worst when there's about half an inch of ice on them.
+Jed VanDyke (The New CB919 Kid) it depends on the area as well, Detroit area has poles over 50 years old in it.
I don't know about the US, but the Bell Canada network is so widespread and old that poles installed in the 1940s are not uncommon. Yet, it's the ones installed in the 80s that are actually the most problematic
NOPE!! Climbed 30 feet as telephone technician. That was high enough
Quotes ka jugaad
Затянул сильно пояс
It's illegal for us to free climb. Some companies allow it, but not in school.
Did they require you have a 4 D-ring belt or was that just your personal preference?
+Jed VanDyke (The New CB919 Kid) I free climbed my whole career, of 36 years, I guess OSHA had something to say about the dangers of pole climbing the old fashioned way.
Old comment, but it depends. One employer had me in a 4 D ring harness, another issued a 2 ring.
That’s how I was taught to climb. EVERYTHING was free climbing. None of this safety off bs.
Brian Payne I free Climb but if neing safe is BS you are a dickhead. Welcome to the world of OSHA my friend
Never climbed with a belt like that or a bucksqueez, free climb with a second belt for obsticals
washers ain't square and no lock nuts ,,, the world may stop turning
What do you do for a living?
I climb poles
Oh yeah I got a pole how much you charge?
Lol JK I couldn't resist it.
if you walk around the my job site with your hooks on you best get your check your not a linemen
And you didn't free climb because..........?
Because he is not here to impress you. And maybe he felt like going home that night instead of earning a few extra cool points before he fell 65 ft and ended his career.
It's not called cool points, it's called the way it's done. But look who I'm talking to, someone who probably never climbed a pole in their life.
hardmarine You know what they say about assuming. Do you have your Journeymen's Card? Im a 4th step apprentice and I have alot to learn but not sure you are REQUIRED to free climb or it is PREFERENCE. Good skill to have but not applicable to all people in all situations, everyone does things different.
Hardmarine it's thick headed people like you that slow the progression of safety. He's using fall protection not because he's afraid to climb without it he's using it because it's required at almost all utility companies and WILL be required by OSHA after April '15. Look up Charlie Morecraft, he and his fellow workers thought it wasn't "cool" to wear proper PPE or follow strict company policies set in place to send you home at night and he paid the price.
Because that's how you die and its verry illegal hear it's a 5000 dollar fine if your boots are 10 ft or more off the ground without fall arrest. Not to mention if you free climb that your a fucking idiot
This kid is really not that impressive
Is this the future of linehands?!
Take pride in the craft, not go-pro videos of panting like a little puppy.Get to work, kid…. SMH
You sound like you have a neckbeard kid, you ain't no lineman.