Climber14

[LostArt]

There are some great information on this site that I wanted you to read and visit. You don't have to post. Most of the time, I'm the only idiot that elbows my way in and asks questions. I think they are so use to it now that they sigh and just answer the question. :D

I had mentioned if you had learned about the "bucksqueeze".....well I was searching through some old threads and found the topic. Believe it or not, I didn't even bother with a question!! :eek:

A bucksqueeze....

http://www.powerlineman.com/lforum/showthread.php?t=3361

[PA BEN]

Whats a Buttsqueeze:eek:

[LostArt]

Whats a Buttsqueeze:eek:

You mean you don't do that when you climb Ben? :D

[LostArt]

I think I lost my girl! Well, I can't blame you guys for runnin' her off. I guess I did it this time. :(

[climber14]

I think I lost my girl! Well, I can't blame you guys for runnin' her off. I guess I did it this time. :(

Haha! I ain't run off :D Just haven't been on a little bit. I read the whole bucksqueeze thing and pardon me, but that's bull****. I will say I do need to work on my free climbin, but I don't wanna use no piece of equipment to keep me from fallin. Gaffin is just a learning curve the way I see it. What doesn't kill me will only make me stronger haha... For the most part!

[LostArt]

Just out of curiosity....What made you want to become a Power Lineperson Climber?

I think it's cool as hell. Just curious as to what made ya want to get into the trade.




I got into linework because my grandpa was a lineman for MN power and my dad was a lineman for cable tv, just makin a family tradition out of it I guess. Plus it pretty much kicks ass I love it! :D

Hey Swamp.....she's a looker too! :D

[LostArt]

What did your father say about you wanting to become a lineman? What is some of the advice he gave you?

[Hemingray Insulators]

Hey Swamp.....she's a looker too! :D YA she is for sure lol :D

[climber14]

Haha thanks LA! :) my dad thought it was really cool that I wanted to be a lineman, he was pretty much speechless. Since he worked for Cable TV, he never had the chance to work on the powerlines so he was all for my decision :D He basically told me that I would have a really good chance at gettin a job bein I was a girl and all, but I wanna get a job cuz I'm good at it... not cuz I'm a minority.

And to you Swamp, I wanted to climb because my grandpa was a lineman for MN Power and my dad was a lineman for Cable TV. I guess I just wanna carry on the tradition :D Plus it's a helluva a lot of fun! I'm lovin school right now, too!!

[PA BEN]

What school are you going to? And what kind of things are they teaching you to get you ready for an Apprenticeship? What are your plains for after school?;)

[climber14]

Well I'm goin to schoool at MN West over in Jackson, MN and it's pretty fun. We haven't really gotten too much in depth into the main stuff yet, but soon... Right now we're learnin about schematic diagrams, A/C circuits, splicing rope, wire size/distance/load/voltage drop across a circuit with a bunch of equations, and trigonometry. So far we've set all but 3 of our 50 poles by hand and we've drilled holes up top and put up an A1 single phase setup with pole top pin & ins and neutral. Next step is cross arms :D I can't wait to be back out in the field!
After school's done in May, I'm gonna see if I can get an apprenticeship through IBEW local 31 and maybe get on a good crew where I'll learn a heap! Hell I'm already learnin stuff from you guys! :D Thanks a bunch!! I'm just hopin I can get on a crew that'll let me climb every now and then, I love it!

[LostArt]

Climber, do you mind if I move this thread to Apprentice & Wanna be's?

BTW, do you know any women lineworkers? I know you said there weren't any in your class, but do you know any in the field?

[climber14]

No, not at all haha :) May I ask why though?

I actually do not know any other women lineworkers. I heard of one that got hired by MN Power as an apprentice, though. From what I hear, they sent her up the pole and told her to do some sort of procedure. I guess she climbed down, said 'this isn't for me', and left :eek: My dad's buddy was wonderin if it was me they were talkin about. He says hell no! That ain't my daughter! Haha :D

[LostArt]

No, not at all haha May I ask why though?

I actually do not know any other women lineworkers. I heard of one that got hired by MN Power as an apprentice, though. From what I hear, they sent her up the pole and told her to do some sort of procedure. I guess she climbed down, said 'this isn't for me', and left My dad's buddy was wonderin if it was me they were talkin about. He says hell no! That ain't my daughter! Haha

LOL! Does he want you to wear a pink hard hat? It's an inside joke with my daughter and her dad. He wants her to wear a pink hard hat on site, but my son says she would look stupid in it. But, her dad is so proud of her that he wants her to wear a pink one. :D

Well, you are an apprentice. And since we are asking you linework stuff, I thought it would benefit everyone.

Not everyone comes inside the ladies room. :D

[PA BEN]

LOL! Does he want you to wear a pink hard hat? It's an inside joke with my daughter and her dad. He wants her to wear a pink hard hat on site, but my son says she would look stupid in it. But, her dad is so proud of her that he wants her to wear a pink one. :D

Well, you are an apprentice. And since we are asking you linework stuff, I thought it would benefit everyone.

Not everyone comes inside the ladies room. :D
Line school doesn't mean your an apprentice. After school you have to get into an apprenticeship. Then the real work starts.:D

[LostArt]

Line school doesn't mean your an apprentice. After school you have to get into an apprenticeship. Then the real work starts.:D

Well, would you count her as a Wanna be? :D

I can't wait to hear about Climber's days when she graduates and starts working. That's when the interesting stories begin ALSO! :D

[LostArt]

Btw, Climber we have a retired lineman that is married to a retired lineworker. Yes, it's true.

[climber14]

Haha no my dad told me to wear a white hard hat...just because I suppose. Pinks not really my color either, not sure I own anything pink haha :)

That sounds alright with me, but I agree with Ben... I'm not exactly an apprentice yet. That starts next fall :D (and I can't wait!!) So go ahead and call me a wannabe haha! I spose I am.

I bet that couple has some pretty cool stories to tell each other :)

[Pootnaigle]

Ummmmmm I jus wanna see her pee behind a bin door onna side of the busiest intersection in town.

[climber14]

Ummmmmm I jus wanna see her pee behind a bin door onna side of the busiest intersection in town.

I ain't scared

[PA BEN]

How about posting some Pictures from school and the things there teaching you guys there.;) BTW this is LA's dream come true, a girl to post things other then herself.:D

[LostArt]

I bet that couple has some pretty cool stories to tell each other :)

I'll have to get Mr. Batts over here. :D


Pay no attention to Poot. I hear he blows alot of hot air...........heh.

[climber14]

Sorry I don't actually have any pictures because I haven't quite managed to bring my camera out to the pole field, I'll see what I can do now that we're gettin into interesting stuff though :D Glad to help out LA! Whatever I can do for ya lady jane Haha

Thanks for the reassurance LA :) Interesting expression ya chose there Haha!

Thanks for the welcome SBatts :) I appreciate it!

[LostArt]

You are welcome. Don't take no doo doo girl! And do the best you can.

I wanted Mr. Batts to share his story because once upon a time, there were a few women in the trade---you aren't the first. They had to be tough back then. Not saying it's still easy, but alot better due to some technology.

Just keep in mind it can be done. Although if you are already that deep in it, you might as well finish, right? :D

Thanks for sharing Climber and let us know about your progress, ya hear?

[RWD]

Many moons ago .. in Wyoming I ran across a lady linehand. She was a bit too small for the trade but she had the smarts and the desire. She did very well with one exception, she refused to ask for help. There are many jobs that require two people. If the situation warrents ask for help. We had to rescue her form the wire one day as she, in an effort to complete a task alone, safety'd off to the wire. It was frosty and slick and her safty slipped out away from the bells. The same job would have had to linehands any other day.

Another Lady linehand was also real good. She took the wrong step and hurt her back during training. Came off the top of a 30' pole. I guess she thought it was a 35' pole. 3 months later she classed up and I heard about her in Alaska.

As for Pissing out the door. What these ladies found was that you can put one foot on the door handle and the other on the seat and with the door open you can take care of business in relative privacy. If the guys give you **** ... well hand them some used toilet paper to take home.

RWD

[climber14]

You wouldn't believe how the IBEW wants qualified women in the trade. It keeps the lawsuits off their A$$ about discrimination in the work place.

Just step up to the plate, but don't be pushy. You know the old saying. If your a man, your taking the initiative if your a woman your being *****y. A woman's place is in the home, right after she gets off work.


I ain't a very pushy person by any stretch of the imagination, but I don't feel I belong at home. Thanks for wishing me luck :)

LA, don't worry I won't! And I'm always gonna be givin it my all! :D I ain't the first and certainly not the last woman lineworker :D
I'll definitely keep ya posted on current events and such as long as you do the same, please.

RWD, those are some pretty cool stories despite the troubles with each one. Ya know, I guess I can understand that lady being stubborn. I tend to be a little stubborn myself from time to time because I feel like I have to prove myself with all those guys lookin down on me. I'm willin to take help when I need it tho, if the situation calls for an extra opinion and set of hands :) As for pissin out the door, I'm not really sure how'd that work haha! I'll see what I can do though

[LostArt]

As for pissin out the door, I'm not really sure how'd that work haha! I'll see what I can do though

LOL! Well, let me know how that works because the few times I went out hunting or camping with my brothers or even with my husband, I never tried it out the door. 'Course if we were wanting to be ladylike about it, we wouldn't be there in the first place, right? :cool:

[RWD]

While I'd love to be a fly on the wall for this one I'd guess that you would need to try it out in a fairly private place first to make sure you had the details sorted out!

Good luck and keep us up to date on your trials and tribulations. Most linehands are asses but not *******s, but there are bad folks all over.

RWD

[climber14]

Haha! I think that's definitely somethin to try in a private place first :D I think I got it down though, so we'll see how that goes. And I think ladylike went out the window a long time ago Haha! Not that gettin all gussed up and puttin some earrings in and actin proper from time to time is anything bad... Just not on the top ten list of things to do :)

Fly on the wall, huh? Ya ain't missin much :) And thanks very much for wishin me luck, I do appreciate it. Not sure I could ever be an ass to many people, just too nice I guess. I'll just have to make sure I watch who I'm the nicest to.

[RWD]

Nope that was not what I meant :( I meant that the mechanics of the trials would be a show to see. A slipped foot here a wayward piece of clothing ... that sort of stuff. I'm sure the other would be a site as well, I guess I was thinking coreography.

RWD

[LostArt]

Nope that was not what I meant :( I meant that the mechanics of the trials would be a show to see. A slipped foot here a wayward piece of clothing ... that sort of stuff. I'm sure the other would be a site as well, I guess I was thinking coreography.

RWD


http://www.avowners.com/forum/smileys/ass843xx.gif

Gotta watch these dudes Climber. :D

[Hemingray Insulators]

http://www.avowners.com/forum/smileys/ass843xx.gif

Gotta watch these dudes Climber. :D

haha more like u gotta watch out for me haha. seein as were both the same age lol.

[climber14]

Nope that was not what I meant :( I meant that the mechanics of the trials would be a show to see. A slipped foot here a wayward piece of clothing ... that sort of stuff. I'm sure the other would be a site as well, I guess I was thinking coreography.

RWD

Haha I kinda figured that's what you were talkin about :)


LA, I think I might have to lol yikes!

Hey there, bud I don't think i got anything to worry about. I can take care of myself :)

[Special ED]

Glad to see more women interested in this line of work. Back when I was bout to top out the power company hired a lady for their apprentice program. She worked out well. She would climb and do the work just fine even with her smaller stature she would get the job done but with a little more effort. (This gal is tiny) I don't know why or anything but now shes workin in the trouble department in dispatch. I do know she was hired on and climbin while pregnant and then got moved into the office and has just stayed there.

Your gonna have to put up with alot of hazing and crap but for the most part but just cause most of us are stubborn *******s most of us are still gentleman.

Good luck in your journey and I hope all works out for you.

[climber14]

Glad to see more women interested in this line of work. Back when I was bout to top out the power company hired a lady for their apprentice program. She worked out well. She would climb and do the work just fine even with her smaller stature she would get the job done but with a little more effort. (This gal is tiny) I don't know why or anything but now shes workin in the trouble department in dispatch. I do know she was hired on and climbin while pregnant and then got moved into the office and has just stayed there.

Your gonna have to put up with alot of hazing and crap but for the most part but just cause most of us are stubborn *******s most of us are still gentleman.

Good luck in your journey and I hope all works out for you.


Thank you very much! It seems since I came on here everyone has been nothing but nice to me :) I always like hearing stories about women that could cut it and hang with the big boys. I hope I can be one of the girls come september. The way I see it, if I don't let it bother me and just laugh it off they shouldn't keep it up for long. It's worked out pretty well here at school. I've realized that the guys givin me **** are good at heart, just hard to get along with sometimes.

SBatts, that's a sweet pic! Glad to see a lady doin so good :) Thanks for the share, I appreciate it :D

[LostArt]

I've realized that the guys givin me **** are good at heart, just hard to get along with sometimes.

Really? Well, try marriage. It doesn't get any easier. :D


SBatts, that's a sweet pic! Glad to see a lady doin so good Thanks for the share, I appreciate it

That lady is the one I'd like to meet. I bet Ms. Ruby has many stories to tell. And doing linework right up into her 40's? Jeebus! She has my admiration! Even more being married to Steve! :D ;)

[LostArt]

Did I mention some topless beaches?????

LOL!

:D

Chief of Police? Man, Ruby sounds like a woman I could bumbard with many questions for a long long time. :D

[LostArt]

I guess I shouldn't her government job, I got jumped by some moron in another thread because she is on state retirement.

You know how it is barefoot pregnant, and working in a coffee shop is all women are good for according to a few red neck cracker racist here.

The person that needs to meet Ruby hasn't got the balls to meet her.

That'd be me! No balls here. :D

The Boss teases all the time about "women in their place", but I've yet to see him let me stay home and be the "little woman"

He's all bark that Boss.

[LostArt]

I guess I shouldn't her government job, I got jumped by some moron in another thread because she is on state retirement.


I saw that. I hope to get state retirement some day myself! Isn't that what we work for?

Blaaaah, pay'em no mind Steve.

[climber14]

Some people, I tell ya! I used to catch hell in some classes about the woman's place and all that garb. Time's are changin and it's startin to look up for us I spose. I figure a good work ethic and drive to do the job is all we need ( plus the education that's always fun :D ). Personal opinion I suppose tho. Atta way for Ruby bein all she can be in her glory days! I agree with LA, bet she's gotta some tales to tell!! :D

[Ski_Digger]

climber14 ---
Wish you all the luck in Line school. I just been reading some of the posts. I had a lady in my class when I went throught. She now works for excel (WI), there was also one that went throught and got a job in MN for a Coop. I thought, I heard. I was thinking that was you, but I then seen you were in school. I Had to stick up for the girl in my class a few times, I got some heat from some of the guys she works now with. Your going to have a long road ahead to prove yourself, work had and keep your head up it only gets better. Rember you can't keep the wind out of your sail, but you can ajust it.
Best to ya
Ski

[climber14]

Ski Digger,
Thanks a bunch, that means a lot to me! :) Good for you for stickin up for the girl. As much as we say we don't need it, sometimes it doesn't hurt haha! I think I heard about the gal you're talkin about, from what I understand, she didn't do too good :( Just up and quit cuz she found out she didn't wanna do the work. Hopefully we didn't hear about the same lady. Thanks for wishin me luck, I appreciate it :) Hope everything goes well for you too!!

[JD426H]

Hey Climber 14. Just wanted to chime in and say hi, and wish you the best of luck. Always use your head, and think things through before you jump in on the work. As far as the guys giving you a hard time, just remember....they can't get your goat as long as you don't let em know where he's tied! ;) One of the best that I ever worked with was a female lineman. That's what she prefered to be called. Calling her a "Line Tech" pissed her off...lol. Have fun, and be safe. :)

[climber14]

Thanks JD! I'll be sure to mind my Ps and Qs like usual and see how that goes :) The guys don't usually get to me, just laugh it off is my policy. So far, it's done well for me for the most part. I spose I'd just rather be called a lineman plain and simple, I don't need to be differentiated from the rest just beacuse I'm a girl and the hell with being politically correct! Haha I just like being one the guys I spose :) Well, thanks again for the warm hello!!

[PA BEN]

Just out of curiosity....What made you want to become a Power Lineperson Climber?

I think it's cool as hell. Just curious as to what made ya want to get into the trade.
It's Lineman, Mr. RAT:D

[LostArt]

It's Lineman, Mr. RAT:D

That's what Climber said! :D


I spose I'd just rather be called a lineman plain and simple, I don't need to be differentiated from the rest just beacuse I'm a girl and the hell with being politically correct!

[topgroove]

hey we've all expierenced some crazy $hit that brought out the feminine side of us.

[LostArt]

hey we've all expierenced some crazy $hit that brought out the feminine side of us.

Heh. Oh boy. You guys are a roughass crew. No doubt. :D

[topgroove]

c'mon swamp you've never opened a switch and wished you didn't. or been up some big wood with the wind howling? I don't care how big your balls are. there's times when your ass will pucker-up in this line of work.

[LostArt]

Well.............how's the weather where you are Climber?


























































Jeebus guys. Come on now. Please?

[climber14]

You have an interesting take on things there Swamp. I agree there really isn't a feminine side to linework, nor should there be. I also respect what you said about not dumbing the trade down. I guess that's why I'm glad to be at the top of my class

[climber14]

Well.............how's the weather where you are Climber?
Everything's fine up north here :) glad to be home for a little bit, but I'm really excited for classes to start up again. All the fun ones are coming up this semester such as transformer banking and some more electrical distribution, I can't wait!! Haha :D How are things where you're at LA?

[LostArt]

Everything's fine up north here glad to be home for a little bit, but I'm really excited for classes to start up again. All the fun ones are coming up this semester such as transformer banking and some more electrical distribution, I can't wait!! Haha How are things where you're at LA?

It's alittle cooler, but nice. In the 70's. :cool:

Happy New Year Climber! :D

Don't worry about Swamp. He and I fuss all the time. :D

[PA BEN]

Article 1

Sec. 5. Words used in this Constitution in the masculine gender shall include the feminine.

[CPOPE]

Article 1
Sec. 5. Words used in this Constitution in the masculine gender shall include the feminine.

So what do we call a Manhole? Utility I work for {not IBEW} BUWhttp://www.buwcouncil.org/about_the_brotherhood_of_utility_workers_council

39000 MH's each marked MH ##### on prints and in the field. As part of the diversity effort I think we should call them somthing else so as 2b inclusive of the split tails on the property.

Can't call em vaults because that implies they are in a building. What does the IBEW call a ManHole?