Imagine yourself in a fire-retardant suit, standing on top of a 90-foot
power pole that you have just erected on the summit of a mountain. You can
look around for miles and see nothing but the power line that you have been
working on. This is the kind of view that power line technicians can enjoy.
"I like the element of danger involved, the buzzing and zapping of electricity
as it travels through the wire usually unseen," says Darcy Lockhart, a power
line technician.
"The excitement of being up high on a pole or tower is like being on top
of the world looking down on creation. The thought that only a select few
are even capable of such adventures makes me feel excited about what I do."
Lockhart enjoys working outdoors and working as part of a team. His job
also gives him a sense of accomplishment.
But these things don't come without a price. This job deals with high
voltages, and that means that lives are on the line -- literally.
"The hardest part of the job is looking out for your fellow worker, making
sure that everyone goes home to their families every night without any incidents
or accidents," says Lockhart. "This brings a sense of commitment and camaraderie
every day you go to work."
Lockhart would encourage others to become power line technicians. "To
go where many people have not gone and build a power line so that the lights
shine bright at the other end is very rewarding."
Wendy Kennedy has been working as a power line technician in New Jersey
for over 20 years. She is a mechanic by trade, but was having trouble finding
employment in that field.
It took her a year and a half to get a job at a garage, and once she was
in the opportunities for advancement were slim to none. That's when she decided
to begin a power line technician apprenticeship at a training center.
In order to get hired as a power line technician, Kennedy had to pass the
company's physical tests.
"I had to climb 50-foot poles and hang wires to train for the job. It's
a test to see if you're strong enough," Kennedy says. "Some women have problems
with these tests and quit. But the company needs to test its employees first
to make sure they are physically capable to do the job."
Kennedy is now a chief linewoman. Her work takes her outdoors and to different
locations most days. She's always on the move and enjoys doing something
different each day.
In addition to enjoying her work environment and co-workers, Kennedy gets
a lot of satisfaction from doing her job well.
"I enjoy the challenges. It's rewarding when you fix the lines and go
to the person's door to tell them their power is back on. They thank you
and you see how important your job was to them," she says.
Although power line technicians usually work eight-hour days, there are
times when they are called to work beyond the usual hours. Kennedy is always
on call. She even has to take her fire-retardant work clothes with her if
she is going out with her family. Storm trouble is an example of when she
might get a call.
"During [an] ice storm...I had to get my family to look after
my daughters. My husband was also a chief lineman and we were both away from
home for a month. We worked 16 hours a day without a day off for that month,"
Kennedy says.
"Be determined," she says. "Some days will be bad, but most are good."