[CES]

I'll start off by saying hello. My name is Chad and I live in central IL. I'm 27 (28 in March) and have a B.S. degree in Law Enforcement.

I am considering a career change i was hoping for y'all's input. I worked as a police officer for 3 years, and am currently employed as a Probation Officer. I grew up on a farm and have pretty much worked "blue collar" jobs up until now. I don't dislike the job I have now, but I don't get the same sense of satisfaction as I had when I was working with my hands.

I have always like electricity, but only know some basic stuff. I think I would enjoy being a lineman. I love the outdoors and I miss doing manual labor (call me crazy).

I have no idea how to get into the electrical field. I know most (all?) companys require at least a completed apprenticeship before considering someone for hire. I have no idea how to get one or where even to start. Which is much of the reason I never pursued this sooner. A local Vocational school has an electrician program. Would this be a good place to start? Do I have to be a member of the local IBEW to get an apprenticeship? Is it too late in life to consider an career change? Am I crazy? Some schools (NJATC) offer a apprenticeship program. Can I do that on my own? or do I need to already be in the field? What is the best route here?

I would appreciate any advice/comments/suggestions/ from you seasoned vets out there.

I forgot to add, I am diabetic. Anyone know of any diabetic lineman, and if this will hurt my chances of pursuing this?

(I appologize if you get these types of posts on a weekly/daily basis.)

Chad

[crippledlineman]

well bro this is my input and my input only. some might agree some might disagree. find your local IBEW hall. that course could help you some but in this trade the best and only way to learn linework is hands on training. all these schools are good but they cant teach you how to move a hot copper phase that is 80 years old and might break on you. so find your local hall or tell us exactly which town you live in and we can find the hall for you. but if i was you id join the apprenticeship program at the IBEW and in 5 years you'll have that journeyman ticket and you'd be able to work ANYWHERE in this world with that. good luck!

[Wood Walker]

Go for it!

It's a tough job at times but the mental rewards are incalculable. I'm a comm worker and over the last few years I thought we were done and out of a career, but things have been pretty stable this last year. Power on the other hand is just about to start booming.

Good luck and keep us posted as to your status.

This post has been edited by Wood Walker: 18 November 2004 - 07:17 AM

[crippledlineman]

Oh yea I missed the diabetic part. I know one thats still in it right now, one of the best lineman I've seen. I've worked with about 2 or 3 and I know 2 are still in it. We've even had to take one to the hospital on an ice storm. A ton of companies will take any kind of linemen they can get. You become a journeyman you'll be okay, and if they try to tell you that you cant become a lineman being a diabetic you tell them they are crazy.

[CES]

Oh yea I missed the diabetic part.  I know one thats still in it right now, one of the best lineman I've seen.  I've worked with about 2 or 3 and I know 2 are still in it.  We've even had to take one to the hospital on an ice storm.  A ton of companies will take any kind of linemen they can get.  You become a journeyman you'll be okay, and if they try to tell you that you cant become a lineman being a diabetic you tell them they are crazy.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

It may vary from state to state, but I think I can still get my CDL being a diabetic as long as I am not an "over-the-road" trucker. Anyone know if that is the case, or am I mistaken?

BTW, I appreciate all your responses so far!

It's definately a big (scary) decision when you are thinking about switching careers. Sometimes I find myself trying to talk myself into it while other time, I am trying to talk myself out of it. I am worried about putting all this time and effort into starting a new career, then not liking it. How would you say the overall job satifaction for lineman is?

[linemans lady]

It may vary from state to state, but I think I can still get my CDL being a diabetic as long as I am not an "over-the-road" trucker.  Anyone know if that is the case, or am I mistaken?

yeh, i'd definately check with the DMV in your state. i would think that that is the most important one since they will be issuing your CDL.

i found this for you...
The following "may" restrict you from getting a Commercial Drivers License: Previous Heart Attack, High Blood Pressure, Insulin Controlled Diabetes, Amputated Limbs. Vision must be correctable in both eyes.

doesn't mean you can't have a CDL, just means you may be restricted in amount of hours or something i would assume.

as far as the physical work itself, as long as you can perform the essential functions of the position with or without an accommodation there is no reason you cannot be hire. (sorry, let me introduce myself, i'm an ADA coordinator where i work). if you need to administer your insulin at a certain time or have to take a break to have some fruit or something that is definately something that can be accommodated with the correct planning.

feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

It's definately a big (scary) decision when you are thinking about switching careers.  Sometimes I find myself trying to talk myself into it while other time, I am trying to talk myself out of it.  I am worried about putting all this time and effort into starting a new career, then not liking it.  How would you say the overall job satifaction for lineman is?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

it definately is a scary decision. my hubby gave up his own business after 10 yrs to get back into linework. his business was in a totally different industry. we had to think long and hard and made the decision together. we both realized the ups and downs and the travel in times of slow work in our area and talked about it up and down and sideways and inside out. if you are married i suggest that you both be on board about the decision 110% because it can be a tough road, especially during the apprenticeship.

overall my husband is so happy he made the move it's not even funny. however, he chose the route of the union and working contract so he's always movin' around and not with the same people or company very long. i think the longest he was at one assignment was almost 2 years. he's traveling right now and chasin' some time jobs so we can bank some and finish an addition we just did. he's been away on and off since labor day and will probably tramp until xmas, then home for a bit and then it looks like he's going to head to cali probably in the spring.

again, feel free to PM if you have any specific questions or ask them here.

[linemans lady]

oh, and by the way, hubby was 32 when we went back and joined the apprenticeship. he became a JL this past july.

[Cricket]

well bro this is my input and my input only.  some might agree some might disagree.  find your local IBEW hall.  that course could help you some but in this trade the best and only way to learn linework is hands on training.  all these schools are good but they cant teach you how to move a hot copper phase that is 80 years old and might break on you.  so find your local hall or tell us exactly which town you live in and we can find the hall for you. but if i was you id join the apprenticeship program at the IBEW and in 5 years you'll have that journeyman ticket and you'd be able to work ANYWHERE in this world with that.  good luck!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Welcome, CES. The local here in Central Illinois is 51 down in Springfield.
Address: 301 E. Spruce • Springfield, IL 62703 • Telephone Number: 217/544-8481 • FAX Number: Fax 217/544-8490
It takes a special type of person to do linework. I say if you have an interest in it, GO for it!! My husband has been a lineman for 25 years; his father was a lineman and so was his grandfather.
The men and women on this site are helpful, honest and sincere (a little odd at times :nutty[1]: -but that adds to their charm...). You came to the right place.
GOOD LUCK!!

[Tha Bobster]

Curious, are you married? if so this will have a bearing on the type of linework you'll want to get into.

TB

Oh, almost forgot......welcome aboard!

[CES]

Curious, are you married? if so this will have a bearing on the type of linework you'll want to get into.

TB

Oh, almost forgot......welcome aboard!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am engaged and will be married next August. Why would that effect the type of work I would want? Because of the moving? My fiance said she would be willing to move with me if we had to. She is a RN and they are needed everywhere. She could even take a job as a travelling nurse and work almost anywhere in the country on a temporary basis and get paid very well.

[linemans lady]

Curious, are you married? if so this will have a bearing on the type of linework you'll want to get into.

TB

Oh, almost forgot......welcome aboard!

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

I am engaged and will be married next August. Why would that effect the type of work I would want? Because of the moving? My fiance said she would be willing to move with me if we had to. She is a RN and they are needed everywhere. She could even take a job as a travelling nurse and work almost anywhere in the country on a temporary basis and get paid very well.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

CES...see my post to you above. for a marriage to work in this line of work especially if you travel, you both have to be on board 110%. i have spoken to many linemen who are now divorced b/c their ladies said they were ok with it or were willing and then just couldn't handle the times away. one just had a breakup recently over it. many also can't handle the danger of the job (much like police and probation -- my cousin is a PO and i fear for some of the home visits she has to do). just make sure you are both on the same page. like i said, ask any questions or PM, we're all willing to help with what we can. if your finance has any questions, tell her to register and post in the line chick forum or PM too.

[crippledlineman]

CES-

My good buddy that I still talk to alot is one of the diabetic linemen I was talking about. He is pretty bad, he can only get a 2 month health card on his CDL's. I'd say its according to how bad your condition is. I'm sure if you take care of yourself you wouldnt have anything to worry about. Like I said my buddy has it pretty bad and he still gets certified on his health card every two months instead of the normal 2 years.

[Wood Pecker]

Hey CES,
Sounds like that career step has you a slit bit concered
Listen if you are serious about doing this let me give you a small bit of advice
You should take a day off sometime and go to the power company see if they will tell you where they have some construction going on? It is worth a try
Tell them you are interested in doing it and would like to observe what it is about Hell they may tell you where you can go wach some stuff.
That will only give you a bleek insight into what it is about, but it may help on your decision? I allways encourage people to go look at the crews where we are and then if they are still Interested to come back
I am a communication lineman and have been for a long time
Personally I find Linework very rewarding and hopefully always will
Next time you see some power guys at lunch ask them a few questions Most of them are friendly

WP

[three]

How would you say the overall job satifaction for lineman is?

Lots of satisfaction man!! It's hard work, but very rewarding. And you just can't beat the friendship of the pole-buddies you'll make.

My fiance said she would be willing to move with me if we had to. She is a RN and they are needed everywhere. She could even take a job as a travelling nurse and work almost anywhere in the country on a temporary basis and get paid very well.

Well there ya go dude. Bring her with you. Do some traveling, see a lot of country. It'll be like a long ass honeymoon! Try it out!

[crippledlineman]

yep bro there's plenty of hospitals here looking for rn's and linemen. i dont think you'll have any problem.

[JustaGrunt]

Hey everybody, just found this site(glad I did!) I just thought I would tell CES that I'm also 27 and in the first year of my training program and I love it!! lot's of hard work but the pride and comraderie are worth it, but I'm just a newbie, what do I know!

[Wood Pecker]

Hey There Justagrunt
Welcome to Line-man.com
Hope you enjoy yourself here
WP

[slack-span]

Welcome Justa..

Thanks for the quick input.. Good to see ya posting so soon...

Sit back and have Tang with us...