Life of a Lineman: The Unsung Hero

Hill County Electric LInemen share stories and give some insight on what it's like risking their lives each day to keep the power on.

[JSTS]

I spent 44 years as a journeyman lineman/line crew foreman. Safety-Safety-Safety. THATS NUMBER ONE! What this video shows is spot on. It’s a brotherhood that you have to work in to totally understand what it means. You watch out for others and they watch out for you. Remember what Reddy Kilowatt said “Remember kids, electricity will kill you!” If it ain’t grounded it ain’t dead! Were there days that seemed insurmountable and would never end? You bet! Hurricanes, tornadoes, wind, heat, snowstorms, ice, thunderstorms, mud slides/rock slides, floods and earthquakes. In your career you will have experienced it all. I wouldn’t trade what I learned and experienced for anything. Looking back there is an old saying, that if you enjoy your job you’ll never work a day in your life. I feel blessed to have worked with the best line hands possible and make some lifelong friendships. Prayers go out to you all!

[J-gritty]

To all the linemen across the world, you are appreciated!!! Thank you

[katiemclean]

As an old retied Canadian Lineman these brothers are right on . We have to watch each others back constantly . Some times you feel it's thankless, but there is always someone who comes up and says Thankyou ! I have lost some real friends/ buddies in the 39 years . I see many safety improvements as well as work standards . All the Beat Brothers

[karmjeetkaur]

My Father is Lineman.May God give good blessing to all Electricity employees.

[janetcampbell]

In our little town, we lost a beloved lineman two weeks ago. He was working on a job for our town at the time. He served in the Marines and was a loving father and a friend to many. Be safe and stay focused. You are appreciated!!

[Hisslave]

Great vid, it's good to see lineman being appreciated. I came up through the ranks in the 80s, grunt, apprentice, lineman and then spent the last ten as trouble man. I wondered if I would ever be able to sleep through a thunderstorm after I retired but after a few months without a phone call I was good to go. Thanks guys for keeping my lights on now. MAKE IT HOT!

[notatechie]

I was a telephone lineman for ten years. I have eaten lunch sitting on top of a pole. I have used my line hammer to beat ice off of a pole so I could hold on to it. I worked in the hot and the cold.
I can't overemphasize the respect I have for power linemen. They worked in worse weather and more dangerous conditions and I had friends who died but I did not envy the dangerous and difficult conditions that power linemen worked in. Just so we could have lights and other comforts.

[amarnathmishra]

My salutations to all linemen across the world.you make our lives easier.Thank you.Thank you very much.

[willjones]

Everyone always hopes for a white Christmas, I always hope for it to be dry, clear, and calm, so linemen, plow operators, and other unsung emergency personnel of that nature can be home with their families. Thank you to them for all they do, may they stay safe, and may the weather be ever in their favor.

[christianparadigms]

Great video clip! I respect what you guys do. Worked on 480 volt 3 phase myself as a Maintenance Technician for 25 years.

[roosterkerr]

The wind blew, shit flew, out came the line crew .

[rebeccagutierrez]

When we were hit by the massive hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico there is no description to tell people what we went through. We waited months for our electricity to be restored. I still remember the day 6 months later when linemen were at our door. They were there to restore our electricity and not only did they restore our electricity but they restored a respect in us for linemen all over the world. Everywhere you go on the island of Puerto Rico now people will comment on the deep respect and appreciation they have for linemen.

[ghalgren]

Great video from a proud retired Lineman of 42 years in the hooks.

[gadielpaulo]

"we are Unsung hero" we light the world.

[bubbaschannel]

lost some friends doing this. Started out on high voltage towers then went to pole work for a city. Linemen are unsung Heros. Miss it and miss my friends.

[deirdrierennie]

worked as a liney for 47 years. not two days the same.GREAT.

[leonafitzgerald]

True heroes much love and respect to them all

[princekazhila]

Ever wonder how people who really work hard get paid less than celebrities who hardly do anything

[arstizen]

This is what my dad does. Once he was working 28 hours straight and worked for weeks and weeks, almost no sleep when we got a big storm and we just moved to so it really hard.

[marcocaperchi]

respect from Italy
a brother from Enel