anybody ever go from this to being a lineman?

[Plasmech]

Just a curiosity question, nothing whatsoever to do with me personally, but I'm just curious if anybody ever switches from tree climbing to lineman work, or vice-versa. Seems like if you can handle a tree you can handle a pole as long as you take the multitude of electrical safety courses.

 

[emr]

A former co-worker of mine did just that. I am not exactly sure how he is still alive. He was not real safe in and around trees... I guess he thought power lines were a better thing to be around. He told me that being in the tree industry helped him get a job. They told him that if people can handle heights in trees, they can handle heights while doing line work. From what I understand many new hires in the power industry cant take working at height.

 

[Plasmech]

A former co-worker of mine did just that. I am not exactly sure how he is still alive. He was not real safe in and around trees... I guess he thought power lines were a better thing to be around. He told me that being in the tree industry helped him get a job. They told him that if people can handle heights in trees, they can handle heights while doing line work. From what I understand many new hires in the power industry cant take working at height.

Height is not an issue if you just concentrate on your work. Wind and moving trees are a little eerie though.

 

[Rftreeman]

yep, several guys that worked with me did when we got laid off did, I had the option but chose not to because I wanted to go full time with my business...best decision I ever made.....

 

[Rftreeman]

Wind and moving trees are a little eerie though.

Plas just hang on and enjoy the ride man, wait till you have to climb in a storm with wind gust blowing you around late at night in the pitch dark with only a helmet light now that's fun right there...

 

[HighGuy]

I started actually working trees around 20... But I didn't go lineman! -lol- The guy who trained me in Communication Towers went lineman afterward and fell for the first time in his life. ???? Go figure? I never really stopped doing trees. Always weekend work to be had!

 

[HighGuy]

I've been a rock climber, skydiver, tower jockey, appartment top carpenter, tree monkey, cliffdiver, etc.,...

As far as heights go, you can fall off your house deck and land on a step, which will do you in. Actually easier because you weren't wearing safety gear.
You can be wearing safety gear and still get hurt. My back surgery will attest to that. It's you, that is the safest thing you have. Using your head! In creaking trees, in storms on towers, on roofs, at 10' or 1000', using tools, you are your best safety device.

Also... The more you do what you do the easier it gets. The scarier the time that you live through, the calmer you get. And when you are really sure of yourself and the easier the job feels the more dangerous it can become, because you stop thinking about the danger and you can get careless. So, it all boils down to "keep using your head". That's where the fear lives and dies, safety is learned and ignored, and where your nerves are tested and calmed.

Biggest thing we taught rookies: Keep busy and your mind on your work, you won't notice the height, as much! If have some wait time, make sure you take the time to watch a hawk, a babe sunbathing by her pool (I said "wait time" not "work time", get your mind off the girl! -lol-) and enjoy the cool aspects of the job!

Hey? It's just life! Live it!

Just what I've learned, anyway!

 

[Plasmech]

The first and foremost thing regarding fear of heights is don't even get into any of this stuff if you are. Doesn't make much sense. Pretty much like a guy afraid of dogs aspiring to be a K9 cop. Dumb.

 

[HighGuy]

I'll second that.

Another one I'll throw out: When I got out of my first tree service gig, it was because I was told to gaff up into a storm willow that I didn't like the looks of and told the boss. He said get up or you're fire! So, I "manned up" and roped my crotch, swung out, the crotch broke like I thought, and I came down fast and hard!
Lesson: "Manning up" is when I through the equipment at him and walked! Not when I went up because someone said so! Use your head! It's easy for someone on the ground to bark orders! You may lose your job, but the decision should ALWAYS be yours in the end!

Towers were fun! We would just "accidentally" drop nuts or washers from about 600', as a hint to "barkers". I'd here, "Wait till you get down here!" My co-workers would explain to them that that wasn't a wise thing to do! -lol-

Stand your ground!

 

[matt9923]

A guy i know is a lineman and got arborist training. So he does both.

 

[Nailsbeats]

I've done both.

 

[cableguy256]

I'm actually a line-man currently and spend my day's and nights gaffing utility poles.... climbed in just about every imagineable weather condition and time of day/night... I am actually wanting to learn the arborist trade... not for professional reasons, but to take care of my own property and help out friends if the need arises.