Restoration, not beautification??

Restoration, not beautification? I'm sure most everyone has heard the phrase during storm. Well, after the smoke clears and everyone has power, we are sent out to bring the repairs made after a natural disaster like Hurricane Sandy up to the company spec. Not the most glamerous job, chasing out these "trouble tickets." But after seeing how things are done on storm under the guise of getting lights back on makes me wonder, what is good enough when it comes to storm restoration? Is it just lights? Absolutely not! People come from all across this country to help out, so I get it that they don't have the same material. And what is normal for some is not necessarily the norm out here. And surely people have no idea about specs; and, for the most part, nobody to even ask, being that the bird dogs directing these huge forces of lineman really don't know much more than where the location is. Most, not all, where never even lineman. Being able to stay local surely plays a role in the quality of work we perform, but we are constantly and consistently coming across things that no self respecting lineman should do or even leave for the next poor sap. Phases that are all but burnt in half cautiously placed back on arms and re-energized, setting a trap for the next guy. The list is too long to give all the examples of what we come across. I'm thinking that next time you find yourself saying it's restoration, not beautification, or it looks good from my house, or any other clever saying, maybe we can ask ourselves, what about the next guy? And give that lineman a little respect, common courtesy, and not set a trap for them. Work safe!

Back from Storm

So I have been away for a bit and, honestly, am still not sure I am back. It usually takes a few days to shake the after-storm funk. We had a pretty good run this go around and, for the most part, feel we made out fairly well. All told, we worked about 17 days, most of them averaging about 16 hours a day. An exhausting schedule for sure. I think most everyone was ready to see it come to an end. I know the customers were. I am not sure if it was because we got hammered so bad by the storms last year, or what, but the customers this time around were better than I can remember them being. Of course, there were a couple brave individuals that would yell profanities our way as they speed by in a vehicle, and one that actually opened my door and refused to let it go. But for the most part, we were treated very well, at least on a local level. I have heard crazy stories about others that were less fortunate. To the ones who are still working or traveling home to their families, stay safe, my brothers. Work Safe, Eric

Free Lineman T-Shirts

My wife wanted me to give a heads up to anyone not currently aware of the Lineman Wear logo lineman t-shirt give away on Facebook.  All you have to do is submit a picture or "like" on Lineman Wear Facebook page and you are automatically entered into the weekly drawing for this very cool lineman shirt.  The drawings will last through the year.  There is a link to the Facebook page on www.linemanwear.com.

Lineman T-Shirt from www.linemanwear.com

Still a waiting game.

Well, if we know anything or have learned anything about these storms, it is that the weathermen are terrible at getting any of this stuff right.  Well, that's until it's standing on our doorstep beating down the door, then they get it right about 50 percent of the time.  Can you imagine how few lineman there would be if we did our jobs as bad as they do theirs?

That being said, the forcast is grim and, as of right now, they are calling for some serious rain and crazy sustained winds with gusts over 80mph.  All this, ladies and gentlemen, with leaves still on the trees, especially down along the shore.  Fill up your generators, this could go the distance.   Typically in the North East, when we see gusts to 40mph over a few hours, we can easily be looking at outages in the tens of thousands.  So sustained over two days with gusts double that....hmmmm.  Did I mention generator? 

Had a lineman from Chicago yesterday contact us through www.linemanwear.com to let us know he was on the road and heading our way.  We are going to need all the help we can get if these weather guys are even remotely close with their predictions.

Work Safe,

Eric

Tricks of the trade!

I have been getting some good feedback from the Tricks of the Trade that I put on www.linemanwear.com  So going forward, if you have a trick that you would like to share with other lineman, you can post it here.  E-email it by visiting  www.linemanwear.com and going to the contact us section, go to the Lineman Wear facebook page and message us, or just post it on the timeline.  I am going to continue to put one or two out a week going forward, so check back often.  When things slow down a bit, I plan on doing some of them on video and posting the links to YouTube.

So what about Sandy??  She is looking like she may be the real deal.  Several models I have watched this evening show from bad to worse scenerios.  I guess we will just wait and see.  I got word today that some linemen from Chicago were already heading this way to standby.  Another report I heard, they are bringing in 2000 guys to standby.  It's going to be interesting.

Work Safe

Eric

Storm Coming??

A satelite picture taken from space about this time last year, at night, showed the results of what happens when New England gets two feet of snow when there are still leaves on the trees. On the East Coast, where there should of been lights...blackened.  Almost a million people alone in Connecticut without power.

In the weeks following the storm we worked around the clock and managed to turn the majority of the people back on in record time.  Regardless of what the media said or some of the customers thought our response to one of the worst natural disasters this state has ever seen was simply amazing, and every lineman that helped should be proud.

Now with a tropical storm possibly heading our way is this going to be Round 2?  Only time will tell.

Work Safe,

Eric

www.linemanwear.com

Lineman T-Shirt from www.linemanwear.com

If you're looking for some really cool Lineman TShirts and clothing, give www.linemanwear.com a look.  The shirts are all original and look at the trade from a different angle than anyone else is "currently" doing.  There are more long sleeve versions on the way, as well as a hoodie and a couple things for the line wives.  We are excited about the positive response we have received thus far, and are looking forward to see what the future brings.  So, again, if you're in the market for lineman clothing, give us a look.  Even if you're not looking to buy, I'm sure you will enjoy the catchy tag lines and graphics on these shirts.  This is one of our Lineman t-shirts.  Hope you enjoy.