Episode 16: The Locating Life

In Episode 16, The Locating Life, Planet Underground TV follows personnel from USIC and On The Spot Utility Resources as they work to prevent utility excavation related damages on a daily basis. We follow Michael Toepke, a USIC locator, as he completes a typical suburban locate job and details some of the unexpected obstacles and challenges that arise. Join us at the forefront of the world of locating and explore sides of the profession that many are unfamiliar with. Like any job, some of the most important work is in the details. When it comes to locating, it's important to know how to properly assess your surroundings, communicate with everyone around you, understand the type of property you're working on, and keep to a sound routine that has worked in the past. Most importantly, you have to be prepared for unexpected variables.

Join us as we get an in-depth, educational perspective on The Locating life!

[planetundergroundtv]

Hey everyone! We are happy to announce that we've just released our brand new online locator certification program. Go to www.locatorcertification.com for more information!

[joeg]

Applied last Saturday and had my 1st phone interview Tuesday and now my 2nd phone interview today. Got offered 20 an hour too locate and paid training starting out

[larryc.]

Had my phone interview yesterday and had my 2nd interview today, just have to wait a whole month for the next class

[yagimugayu]

Job like this opens your eyes to the construction

[JuanGomez-iqvn]

When I was a kid I always used to pick those flags and play with them haha

[davidamaya]

Utility locating is not for everyone. Got to be discipline. Amaya’s locating service is a private locating company and we locate all utilities. Good video

[IndigoChildrdi]

I quit my pig plant job, this seems laid back. I am trying to apply as we type

[l.halsey]

Interesting. I have an interview with USIC on Monday.
Reading reviews of the company online, they don't sound that great to work for. Watching this video, I see why, and it's because they're a big company focused on production locates. Maybe things are different in my area, and we'll see. I need a job that's decent.

[Alexander]

25 foot over mark policy Jeeze we are extend to include 3 feet if there is a utility within 3 feet

[jt]

Just wondering what kind of opportunities could open up after being an underground utility locator?

[leogolive]

I just applied for one of these jobs at USIC here in Texas. Is this a good idea???

[kerihudson]

I start my training in Atlanta on Monday.

[suicidalslut]

I find life in the pond behind my house all the time

[Bold_new_city_of_the_south]

How much experience with building plans layout is required for a position as a locator?

[bvchiino]

Random question: how often do utility locators actually go inside manholes?

[danielfischer]

That’s a lot of extra work for a sprinkler system, i get what your saying, but doin it that way you’d never get any of your work done and get behind

[boopro]

All USIC did was take good paying line spotter and locate jobs away from utility companies. The amount of times USIC has mismarked or just straight up not marked a utility line in my line of work is insane. We would save more money having in-house locators. AVOID this company at all cost. I have also worked for them right after I graduated high school... Just go to trade school or try to get on with a utility as a meter reader or something.

[Runforcake]

Can anyone give me some advice from the contractor side ?

[SydneyTheSad]

I’m 73.83% sure Michael stuffs his shorts

[wilsonjr]

Unfortunately Quality of work in contract locating is like oil and water they don’t mix..At the end of the day the company only makes money off of tickets status not the time and effort that may be needed to locate the site accurately.