help

I am an apprentice lineman. I am enrolled in the merchant program. Does any one have the 2nd and 3rd year tests and willing to give me copies of them? I would greatly appreciate it.

[Electriceel]

Originally Posted by rpcenter78

I am an apprentice lineman. I am enrolled in the merchant program. Does any one have the 2nd and 3rd year tests and willing to give me copies of them? I would greatly appreciate it.

I guess maybe I am to old to understand, but what the #.
Now to become a journeyman you just ask for the tests to study from.
Someone set my ass straight here, I came from the old school, you study it, you watch it, you do it, then everyday you learn more.
I am not in it for the money, in it because I want to be.

[graybeard]

Well Said Electriceel

Just like you said your self,"I came from the old school, you study it, you watch it, you do it, then everyday you learn more." I asked for the test to STUDY from, I WATCH it everyday, I DO it everyday, and I am LEARNING more each and every day. Where in this cycle do you need set straight. It is not rocket science, if you are not going to help why post a reply.

[electric squirrel]

It aint about the job no more fella's!!! Its just about makeing the big money! I have apes coming up to me all the time asking me for answers.I guess they figure that since Iam toppin' out REAL soon and I have all that stuff.
I tell 'em read the books do the homework all the answers are there!Alot of the ape's that I've seen since I got into this program like to have things come to 'em the easy way!They all want to get that step raise and make more money,but they dont want to have to put out any effort to get there.!Its all about staying close to the house and not having to work to hard!I had a 3rd step go out on our crew a few weeks ago,simple job,arm change outs on 3 phz ,dead n' grounded line.Foreman wanted all us squeeks on the wood to get some learn'n time.Lineman and a 3rd step on first pole,me and other 3rd step on next pole,him in the air, me grunting,Foreman was parked in between poles, clear line of site to both stuctures.Anywayyyy, it took my ape almost 40 minutes to move the wire to the top of the pole and get the arm off!THEN he couldnt get it off his belt.He tried riggin' it to the handline , he tried just sending it "airmail"back to the handline agian.Then a 5 minute break,then back to the handline.Finaly the arm was on the ground.Now I tell him the new arm is coming,is he ready? No way, he needs another break.Now the whole time I've been encourage'n him and offering pointers,but he knows how to do it ,according to him.Now its time to put on the new arm on ,after about ten tries to get the arm on to his belt,it was time to put it on the bolt,after another ten tries and 3 or 4 belt adjustments he finaly got it!Now him puttin' the wire back on the glass is a whole other story.Now its my turn and my foreman and I have been teasing eachother,now we are in a race! 3rd steps are on the ground,until his ape decides to climb up and see how its done,mine is in the shade waiting for me to call for the new arm. 22 and 24 minutes later we are on the ground.

I realy dont think this ape is ready to be "hot".When it takes that long to change out an arm ,things arent right.But he's asking for answers to step test later that day and complianing he isnt makeing enough money.Ive had previous experience with him before, he wont take call outs and you wouldnt know he owns a belt'n hooks unless you tell him to get on the pole.He's just lookin' for the easy way to get through this program.
I think that alot of guys get into this trade just for the money,and think they will just skate by untill they top out,and take that first foremans spot that comes up.Those guys disgust me!

I wasnt the best ape, but I always had my foreman and GF's tell me I was welcome back anytime.I always tried to study,even when it was a pain in the ass.I rolled with the punches when I was sent to places far away from home.I put my hooks on every time the primary was tied in,sometimes just so me and the JL didnt stand on eachothers feet.I ALWAYS took a callout,even if I didnt care for the crew or the kinda job.

If you are desperate enough to beg for the answers to some test on this site maybe you should consider another career!Not only are you selling yourself short on knowledge,your pissing off alot of other ape's that havent cheated!!!Maybe you got other issues that force you to take short cuts,but if your shortcuttin' now your probaly gonna do it if you top out!Thats gonna get you or even worse ,someone else hurt or killed!A real good pal of mine was just killed because of shortcuts! Cutting a fat hog in the ass aint always the way to do it!Just my thoughts......E.S.

Nicely done, electric squirrel.

[Electriceel]

Well rp, it is like this, I have no problem helping someone out, I in no way claim to know the answer to everything.
I will help out anyone if I can, at the job site, at the shop, or even after hours if they will put forth some effort into it. Not going to babysit some young smart ass who probably needs his diaper changed.
Hell no I will not give you the answers or the tests, I will help you get it.
I bet you are the last one to make a move for the basket, and I bet you are the one that has to be told get your shit on and get up that pole.
Had an old line supervisor years ago at the time he was probably 55. I said it could not be done off of the pole, quess what he marched my ass right up that pole and I got to see a man a lot older than me do it. Never again did I question whether it could be done or not, he was always willing to talk any of us through the steps, and he was very respected for that.
Squirrel explained it pretty well also, some of the apprentices think they know it all, they got it all figured out standing their for the tailgate, talking about who got laid last night, but whoa when it comes time to go to work, they have to go take a shit.
I do not put everyone in this category, everyone young or old gets a chance, but when they don't seem to want to pay attention, I quarantee you there will be a time when it is either 20 below or 110 in the shade, this old guy will be the last one laughing.
Well I better quit rambling anyone wanting to learn is tired of the bullshit, and anyone not willing to learn can not read anyway.

Wishing everyone and their families and a safe and happy 2007.

Just to fill you in a little about me. I started this job in May of 06, and to be honest with you I did not no anything about electricity except to plug things in. Im not looking for short cuts, I agree with you unless I LEARN this trade, I will hurt or even kill someone. I am looking for any info that will help me understand and learn this trade. My foreman is a 25yr lineman, and he gives me every opportunity to got up in the bucket with him. Just to let you know I take advantage of this opportunities. But for any of you to call me out the way you have is completely out of line. I hope when I get to where you are in my career, Im nothing like you guys. Cause if that is what i get to look forward to you are right this career is not for me. You guys just confirmed for me what great guys i work with.

I think you need to quit whining and take some advice

Originally Posted by pwrlinepole

I think you need to quit whining and take some advice

go hard or go home