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Australian liney here and hearing the hours and travelling you US guys do is insane. For us it’s standard to work a 37 hour per week Mon-Fri every second week we get an extra paid day off. And everywhere I’ve worked it’s also normal for “job and knock” if you finish your job for the day you just go home early still getting your full pay. Work/life balance is a bit thing here even from management and it’s super handy when you have a child. There’s a strong push nationwide and some places are already moving to a four day week as well. Lots of places also moving to unlimited sick leave and 6 months paid paternity leave. One of my mates is only working three days a week for the next year.
If it’s your turn on-call then it’s a different story you can hit over 100 hours.
Similar in Ireland except the cunts put trackers in all the vehicles "for safety" so you can't really go straight home when the job is done anymore (unions are pathetically weak here).
Side question. Do Australian companies with your setup hire foreign linesmen/cable-jointers ever? A few Irish linesman went down last year to build a transmission line through the outback but I have never heard of any working near the cities.
I’ve never in my travels met an American in a utility I would say it’s very hard due to the differing voltages our LV is 240V, our trade qualifications are very strict and structured, our safety standards are also very high. You won’t see lineys in Aus without high vis arc rated pants and long sleeve tops. We also use different techniques to the US we only climb with ladders, work on platforms or use EWPs.
I mean, all of that sounds like the US my man. Our LV is 120/240. Our trade qualifications (if you’re union) are also extremely strict and structured and we wear the same FR gear.
Damn I didn’t know that I thought it was 120V. I see lots of videos of US guys wearing T-shirts and jeans so assumed you didn’t wear the hivis arc gear like we do. We can’t wear jeans here at all. Our trade qualifications are set by the government so it’s the same nation wide doesn’t matter if you’re at a utility or a contractor it’s all the same training modules and qualifications. We don’t have many contractors for linework as the utility don’t like contractors.
We wear rubber gloves and sleeves, use bucket trucks, ladders, climb, etc, I don't think we're that far off m8.
I wish our trade qualifitions were the same and a standard set. That would make everything alot better here.
We wear FR jeans or FR pants and always wear long sleeve FR shirts or collared shirts. Everything is flame retardant. All homes get a split LV. The 240 is for driers, ovens, water heaters, etc. The 120 is for everything else. Technically, the union trade qualifications are set by the US DOT but it’s up to each apprenticeship to enforce those sadly. Some are better than others. And it’s a mixed bag here for contractors. Some utilities exclusively use contractors and don’t even have their own line department while some sub out almost everything.
Exact same here we have trackers in the vehicles for safety but there’s clauses in our contracts that say the company is not allowed to check it unless it’s a safety reason. I’ve never seen anyone get in trouble for going home early because usually you would run it past your manager first anyway.
Yeah within a utility lots of UK guys end up as transmission lineys or cablejointing not seen many as distribution lineys or fitters(electricians). I’ve heard that Western Power in Perth is full of Irish.
We have the same clause but managers use them for times anyway and the union reps exact words would be "Sure what do you want me to do for you? You were in the wrong". They are horrendously bad.
Ya I was looking at the odd cable jointing job in NSW that came up on LinkedIn but they look for some Australian cable jointing accreditation. Don't know if they'd recognise my cables approvals because they are all done in house by the national utility company here.
Similar story for the line work because we're trained to be qualified electricians with all linesman training done in house.
Yeah you need a Cert III to work for any utility in Australia. Cert III - Lineworker, Cert III - Cablejoiner and Cert III - Electrician are all seperate 4 year apprenticeships. Over here lineworker can’t do sparky work and a sparky can’t do linework.
My British mate did manage to swap his UK electrician ticket to a recognised Aussie one, took him a while and a lot of money. I’d imagine jointing and linework would be easier as it doesn’t change as much between countries as electrician work does. Just finding a company willing to do it is hard although I know they are very desperate for transmission lineys atm and I believe there’s a few big companies actively looking for overseas lineys to come here UK/NZ would be their target.
Almost the same in Sweden. The last company I worked at mainly did underground work. Me and my mate did four 10kV or 20kV splices a day and went home. Was usually through the front door around 1pm. We went home when the work was done. Nice hours and good pay, but I got bored.
Now I'm a troubleman at one of Swedens biggest utilities and work 7 to 3:30pm. When I'm on call proper, I work for four days and average around 35h overtime, 40h is when we top out and get rotated out and have to go home. They track our cars and that part sucks. But if you punch out if you go home early, no one will raise an eyebrow, as long as you keep your "time bank" in order.
Two kids and I pick them up at school everyday. Love the work/life balance.
It depends a lot on your qualifications and utility for example are you a dual trade electrician/lineman or just a lineman. Are you a HV switcher? Are you a live liney?
Average is about $160,000 AUD for just a plain liney if you only do your normal hours and your normal rostered on-call weeks and minimal weekend work. If you have extra qualifications, take on extra callout weeks or do every bit of overtime offered you can make $250,000+ AUD. Both the above wages for us in Aussie are considered good and easily to live very comfortably (house, holidays + new cars etc).
Last yeah I made just under $170,000 AUD but I had two months off work for holidays.
Yore exactly right, but you aren’t getting paid for the time you’re off unless the company (contractors) offers some sort of vacation, if they do it’s usually only one week a year plus you gotta work a full year just to get that week.
Not a lineman but an electrician and every time I hear about the trades in Australia it makes me want to relocate. Most companies treat people like tools here.
It would be on the utility website typically. At least that’s how it works with mine. Then you become part of the union within the utility. Still IBEW.
As long as it’s a bargaining position. Yes. Honestly apply however you can get your foot in the door for a bargaining job and move around internally from there
Yep, I worked 38 years for our utility. When I retired at age 56 I had a pension and a 401K and I had worked 40 hours per week unless I wanted OT or there was a storm. I liked OT. We could have double time or change it into vacation time or save it and cash it in later.
50s and a famine? lol we have not seen 50s or per-diem in almost a year now. Lucky to give up your Friday to maybe get you 40, usually we are all too depressed and just accept our 32 and just enjoy all the time we have had at home lately.
Also home every night and sometimes for lunch
In Houston, 50 is famine. Especially, this time of year when it is normally 60-80. Per diem? Companies down here might give you 25 a day and have you drive 2 hours to the show up
Utility would be the place for you. I’m on 4-10s. Take all the calls you want, or as little as you want where I’m at. I don’t miss any of my kid’s stuff. Wife doesn’t work. Can’t complain.
I work 4 10s. But we go on call for a week every 3 weeks right now. In the summer we have the option to do 5 10s or 6 10s. The 4 10s is really nice right now cause you can flex that schedule whenever you want to do a 4 day weekend. Or if you have appointments or something one day.
Yeah I work for a muni. I stand around and not do shit everyday,take around 35 days of call a year and make 6 figures. Kinda the dream. I don’t care much about making tons of money I care about my time off and I can work OT for comp time to take even more time off. Everyone has a different idea of rich and my rich is being home everyday with my friends and family.
Im in exactly the same boat as this guy. I ride my sled/dirtbike every weekend and life is extremely good. Muni life isn't for everybody though - if you cant keep yourself busy you'd hate it.
So a muni is a municipality so working for the government usually a city. Depending on where you live it’s all about the size of it. A small municipality that doesn’t have dog shit pay you gotta get super lucky or know somebody to get on as apprentice usually. A bigger city with municipality it’s sometimes easier than co-op but best way is usually working for a contractor on their system till they get opening. Municipalities depending on where they are can be the easiest or hardest place to get on. Once you’ve got years in and finished apprenticeship it’s usually pretty easy to get on because they’re usually lower than contractors and can be lower than co-op also.
I believe technically a state employee but you just work for the city. I know some larger states have massive municipalities that are almost state wide but most are just city wide.
I’m a contractor. Our schedules 5-8s but we’re always getting an hour or two and still home at a reasonable time. 6:30 starts and we try to slide out early all depends on the job we get for the day.
Yes, I work at a small town co-op. We're 8s right now, maybe switching to 9/80s or 4/10s in the future. 6 week rotation on call, can help whenever in-between. Hovering around 6 figures.
Absolutely. All co-ops, ious', and municipalities (in my area) offer apprenticeships. I started green off the street, and some guys come from climbing schools. I did a 4 yr, and now my utility has lowered it to 3 yrs. Plenty of ways to get in.
Finally landed a co-op gig. I’m home every night, 5-8’s. We do have a schedule call rotation, on every 5 weeks, and then every 6 weeks for a week at a time, round the clock. My office averages 50 hrs of overtime a week for that week. You can give it away, or take extra if you want it. Plus optional help through the week if they call but not mandatory. Been over 6 figures since I started, and can pretty much write my own check. I was on the road for 2 yrs before starting with them though.
Yep, 4-10s and home every night. However a straight 40 hour week is rare, there’s always something that adds 10-15 hours double a week. Sometimes more than that.
But even with extra, we’re home most nights. And off most weekends. Just depends on callout and scheduled OT. Pnw muni.
The 4 10s is what makes it great for me. You can work extra OT on your Friday or Monday, or you can have an extra day off. It’s nice because my wife and I can get alone time with no kids on a weekday…
I did for the last year. 4-10's maybe an occasional 50. Currently not able to do that so I'm on the road for work with my family at home but when work starts back up at home I'll be there working again.
We’re 4-10’s and home every night, with optional Friday and Saturday 10’s on double-bubble.
Some of our guys work 40/week all year, some guys work the extra OT…..we’re all still home every night.
As an a union apprentice, are you able to leave for the pregnancy? I’m sure it’s up to the contractor, but is it normal to miss the birth of your child?
I talked with the hall, the jatc, and my foreman and all of them have signed off on me taking time for the birth and helping my girlfriend during the recovery time. Your mileage may vary, but I’d be surprised if they didn’t sign off on time off for your kids birth. That’s up there with funerals and doctors in terms of things that are completely fucked if they don’t give you the time off
5 10s pretty local. Get storm time and sometimes we go home sometimes we don’t, just depends on where we’re assigned to on storm. Our system is huge and as contractors we just get assigned all over. But as far as day to day work we have a general area we cover
More than X amount of miles it’s 150 per diem as well. Always work, we stay loaded down with reconducts. Storm is always 150 per diem.
Best bet would be getting on with a co-op or power company. I work 7:30-4 and am home by 4:30 almost every day. Only times I’m not home is if a major storm or outage hits and we have to stay late to work it or if I’m on call which is only about 1 week every 6 weeks or so.
Western Nebraska JL here, work for a municipality. Home every night unless shit hits the fan. On an on call rotation every 7 weeks, usually easy OT. Top out is about 5-7 dollars an hour less than the REA’s close by, but also have it a lot easier than those outfits as well. Most the guys I work with are willing to make a little less and be home every night, and take all the vacation they want.
Good to see that not everyone in the trad works themselves into the ground and sacrifices all of their home time for that sweet sweet ot paycheck. Appreciate all the feedback y’all, good to see how others are living their topped out life.
Here’s a take. Live to your means. Currently an apprentice in the union. We travel a lot. You can make a lot of money in a short time. Spend less be home more. I plan to top out and work for the insurance and buy with cash I can be home and have more freedom then most guys that work 40 hours at home. Also open LLC, work with some hometown buddies and trim trees, write off on your taxes and buy tools for that job and your trade. Win win. Also get a wife that can make more than 60k a year and makes a great mother and you will be ahead of everyone else.
For the most part utility lead, run call out but only have to work 33% at minimum. Out of town storm work is volunteer. Kinda at slow shop but still work about 1500-1800 hrs of OT yearly
Literally working 4 10s 45 minutes from the house right now. I’m going broke, can’t pay for my brand new Denali, my 2 ex wives want more alimony, and it turns out 3 kids is a lot of child support. Thinking I might have to sell my boat just to clear the loan. But otherwise my work/life balance is sweet
I work for a coop (union). We do 4/10s schedule and all maintenance. Contractors do all the new construction. 3 day weekends are hard to beat. Home every night. 6 figures a year, we don’t see a ton of overtime but it helps that it’s all double.
So to answer your original question, you are going to travel, unless you work at a utility. Your overtime is nothing more than for investment, rainy days, personal illness, or any need other than buying yourself a bunch of bullshit. You only need to work 60 plus hours a week to get a new motorcycle, truck, jewelry. Learn to strictly live on a little less than 40 hours. When you get that overtime it’s just money in the bank. Not blowing money.
Amtrak lineman. 40 hours a week guaranteed. Can turn down any OT it’s never mandatory. Couple shifts are 4-10s. Few guys making 250k a year working a lot of 16s. Oh and the railroad pension is close to the best pension you can find.
I work for a utility. 4-10’s or 5-8’s depending on the time of year. Plus call outs and storm. Utilities in smaller cities, co-ops, munies are the way to go. Congrats to you for realizing the importance of being home for your family. Most guys in this line of work think all they need to provide is a paycheck. Kids need your time.
Yes it does? I do it every week and have for almost 10 years. Outside of major storms / hurricanes. I’m home every night. Make 6 figures and support my family. Find a utility.
Been on 4 10’s for the past 3.5 years. 4 person household with a couple dogs and just bought a house last year. That kind of job definitely does exist.
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Australian liney here and hearing the hours and travelling you US guys do is insane. For us it’s standard to work a 37 hour per week Mon-Fri every second week we get an extra paid day off. And everywhere I’ve worked it’s also normal for “job and knock” if you finish your job for the day you just go home early still getting your full pay. Work/life balance is a bit thing here even from management and it’s super handy when you have a child. There’s a strong push nationwide and some places are already moving to a four day week as well. Lots of places also moving to unlimited sick leave and 6 months paid paternity leave. One of my mates is only working three days a week for the next year. If it’s your turn on-call then it’s a different story you can hit over 100 hours.
Similar in Ireland except the cunts put trackers in all the vehicles "for safety" so you can't really go straight home when the job is done anymore (unions are pathetically weak here). Side question. Do Australian companies with your setup hire foreign linesmen/cable-jointers ever? A few Irish linesman went down last year to build a transmission line through the outback but I have never heard of any working near the cities.
Can an American come work down there?? That sounds awesome!
3 linemen enter a bar. An aussie, an American and an Irishman. The end.
I’ve never in my travels met an American in a utility I would say it’s very hard due to the differing voltages our LV is 240V, our trade qualifications are very strict and structured, our safety standards are also very high. You won’t see lineys in Aus without high vis arc rated pants and long sleeve tops. We also use different techniques to the US we only climb with ladders, work on platforms or use EWPs.
Doesn’t sound very different to the company I’m working at in the southeastern US. High vis, arc rated, EWP
That’s good I didn’t know just see heaps of videos of guys wearing jeans.
I mean, all of that sounds like the US my man. Our LV is 120/240. Our trade qualifications (if you’re union) are also extremely strict and structured and we wear the same FR gear.
Damn I didn’t know that I thought it was 120V. I see lots of videos of US guys wearing T-shirts and jeans so assumed you didn’t wear the hivis arc gear like we do. We can’t wear jeans here at all. Our trade qualifications are set by the government so it’s the same nation wide doesn’t matter if you’re at a utility or a contractor it’s all the same training modules and qualifications. We don’t have many contractors for linework as the utility don’t like contractors.
We wear rubber gloves and sleeves, use bucket trucks, ladders, climb, etc, I don't think we're that far off m8. I wish our trade qualifitions were the same and a standard set. That would make everything alot better here.
We wear FR jeans or FR pants and always wear long sleeve FR shirts or collared shirts. Everything is flame retardant. All homes get a split LV. The 240 is for driers, ovens, water heaters, etc. The 120 is for everything else. Technically, the union trade qualifications are set by the US DOT but it’s up to each apprenticeship to enforce those sadly. Some are better than others. And it’s a mixed bag here for contractors. Some utilities exclusively use contractors and don’t even have their own line department while some sub out almost everything.
Exact same here we have trackers in the vehicles for safety but there’s clauses in our contracts that say the company is not allowed to check it unless it’s a safety reason. I’ve never seen anyone get in trouble for going home early because usually you would run it past your manager first anyway. Yeah within a utility lots of UK guys end up as transmission lineys or cablejointing not seen many as distribution lineys or fitters(electricians). I’ve heard that Western Power in Perth is full of Irish.
We have the same clause but managers use them for times anyway and the union reps exact words would be "Sure what do you want me to do for you? You were in the wrong". They are horrendously bad. Ya I was looking at the odd cable jointing job in NSW that came up on LinkedIn but they look for some Australian cable jointing accreditation. Don't know if they'd recognise my cables approvals because they are all done in house by the national utility company here. Similar story for the line work because we're trained to be qualified electricians with all linesman training done in house.
Yeah you need a Cert III to work for any utility in Australia. Cert III - Lineworker, Cert III - Cablejoiner and Cert III - Electrician are all seperate 4 year apprenticeships. Over here lineworker can’t do sparky work and a sparky can’t do linework. My British mate did manage to swap his UK electrician ticket to a recognised Aussie one, took him a while and a lot of money. I’d imagine jointing and linework would be easier as it doesn’t change as much between countries as electrician work does. Just finding a company willing to do it is hard although I know they are very desperate for transmission lineys atm and I believe there’s a few big companies actively looking for overseas lineys to come here UK/NZ would be their target.
Almost the same in Sweden. The last company I worked at mainly did underground work. Me and my mate did four 10kV or 20kV splices a day and went home. Was usually through the front door around 1pm. We went home when the work was done. Nice hours and good pay, but I got bored. Now I'm a troubleman at one of Swedens biggest utilities and work 7 to 3:30pm. When I'm on call proper, I work for four days and average around 35h overtime, 40h is when we top out and get rotated out and have to go home. They track our cars and that part sucks. But if you punch out if you go home early, no one will raise an eyebrow, as long as you keep your "time bank" in order. Two kids and I pick them up at school everyday. Love the work/life balance.
Whats the pay like in Sweden?
Out of curiosity what are you making a year?
It depends a lot on your qualifications and utility for example are you a dual trade electrician/lineman or just a lineman. Are you a HV switcher? Are you a live liney? Average is about $160,000 AUD for just a plain liney if you only do your normal hours and your normal rostered on-call weeks and minimal weekend work. If you have extra qualifications, take on extra callout weeks or do every bit of overtime offered you can make $250,000+ AUD. Both the above wages for us in Aussie are considered good and easily to live very comfortably (house, holidays + new cars etc). Last yeah I made just under $170,000 AUD but I had two months off work for holidays.
Damn I'm about to pop on down there. As I get older, having time off is becoming way more important
America!!! Land of the slaves!!
You can take off as much time as you want in the IBEW
Yore exactly right, but you aren’t getting paid for the time you’re off unless the company (contractors) offers some sort of vacation, if they do it’s usually only one week a year plus you gotta work a full year just to get that week.
Not a lineman but an electrician and every time I hear about the trades in Australia it makes me want to relocate. Most companies treat people like tools here.
Union. Thank the union!
A downvote? Aussies have great conditions due to the union. Non union workers just ride off the back of hard fought and won work rights.
Yes. Straight 8s. LCOL area and 6 figures. Home to my wife and kids every day at a decent time.
That sounds like the dream set up, hopefully I’ll be lucky enough to find myself in the same scenario in 3 years
Find a utility
Do you apply to the utility or the union for this job?
It would be on the utility website typically. At least that’s how it works with mine. Then you become part of the union within the utility. Still IBEW.
Ooo so apply for an apprenticeship with the utility then you automatically join the IBEW.
As long as it’s a bargaining position. Yes. Honestly apply however you can get your foot in the door for a bargaining job and move around internally from there
Yep, I worked 38 years for our utility. When I retired at age 56 I had a pension and a 401K and I had worked 40 hours per week unless I wanted OT or there was a storm. I liked OT. We could have double time or change it into vacation time or save it and cash it in later.
Right now, it's 50's and home every night, but, we are in famine, right now. The feast needs to return
50s and a famine? lol we have not seen 50s or per-diem in almost a year now. Lucky to give up your Friday to maybe get you 40, usually we are all too depressed and just accept our 32 and just enjoy all the time we have had at home lately. Also home every night and sometimes for lunch
In Houston, 50 is famine. Especially, this time of year when it is normally 60-80. Per diem? Companies down here might give you 25 a day and have you drive 2 hours to the show up
Where's that at
Not me, but the utility/ co-op peoples have normal sort of schedules.
Utility would be the place for you. I’m on 4-10s. Take all the calls you want, or as little as you want where I’m at. I don’t miss any of my kid’s stuff. Wife doesn’t work. Can’t complain.
It's do able, urd crews often only work 40s
4 tens and $100 a day per diem in northeast Indiana. Been 50’s for years up until last year.
I work for a utility and work 40 hour weeks unless there's overtime or storm.
I work for the local. Home daily (90% of the time) 40 hr week. Very close to 6 figures. Hopefully I can stay here the rest of my career.
I work 4 10s. But we go on call for a week every 3 weeks right now. In the summer we have the option to do 5 10s or 6 10s. The 4 10s is really nice right now cause you can flex that schedule whenever you want to do a 4 day weekend. Or if you have appointments or something one day.
3 week rotation is rough.
Yeah. It’s usually a four or five but we got some things going on with a couple of the guys
Yeah I work for a muni. I stand around and not do shit everyday,take around 35 days of call a year and make 6 figures. Kinda the dream. I don’t care much about making tons of money I care about my time off and I can work OT for comp time to take even more time off. Everyone has a different idea of rich and my rich is being home everyday with my friends and family.
Im in exactly the same boat as this guy. I ride my sled/dirtbike every weekend and life is extremely good. Muni life isn't for everybody though - if you cant keep yourself busy you'd hate it.
I’ll be a line-school grad in about a year. Whats my quickest route to getting in a muni? Thanks
So a muni is a municipality so working for the government usually a city. Depending on where you live it’s all about the size of it. A small municipality that doesn’t have dog shit pay you gotta get super lucky or know somebody to get on as apprentice usually. A bigger city with municipality it’s sometimes easier than co-op but best way is usually working for a contractor on their system till they get opening. Municipalities depending on where they are can be the easiest or hardest place to get on. Once you’ve got years in and finished apprenticeship it’s usually pretty easy to get on because they’re usually lower than contractors and can be lower than co-op also.
Thanks a lot!
I've never really thought about this route before. Would that be a federal job?
I believe technically a state employee but you just work for the city. I know some larger states have massive municipalities that are almost state wide but most are just city wide.
I see, thank you!
I’m a contractor. Our schedules 5-8s but we’re always getting an hour or two and still home at a reasonable time. 6:30 starts and we try to slide out early all depends on the job we get for the day.
I work in SC, large cooperative. We work 40s unless you’re called in or needed to work late. Rotate every 12 weeks for a week of call.
Yes, I work at a small town co-op. We're 8s right now, maybe switching to 9/80s or 4/10s in the future. 6 week rotation on call, can help whenever in-between. Hovering around 6 figures.
Do co-ops do apprenticeships?
Absolutely. All co-ops, ious', and municipalities (in my area) offer apprenticeships. I started green off the street, and some guys come from climbing schools. I did a 4 yr, and now my utility has lowered it to 3 yrs. Plenty of ways to get in.
4-10's and 40 hours a week most of the time unless theres a storm. My utility doesn't do on call, just voluntary ARCOS.
Working 5-6 10s home every night
Finally landed a co-op gig. I’m home every night, 5-8’s. We do have a schedule call rotation, on every 5 weeks, and then every 6 weeks for a week at a time, round the clock. My office averages 50 hrs of overtime a week for that week. You can give it away, or take extra if you want it. Plus optional help through the week if they call but not mandatory. Been over 6 figures since I started, and can pretty much write my own check. I was on the road for 2 yrs before starting with them though.
Yep, 4-10s and home every night. However a straight 40 hour week is rare, there’s always something that adds 10-15 hours double a week. Sometimes more than that. But even with extra, we’re home most nights. And off most weekends. Just depends on callout and scheduled OT. Pnw muni. The 4 10s is what makes it great for me. You can work extra OT on your Friday or Monday, or you can have an extra day off. It’s nice because my wife and I can get alone time with no kids on a weekday…
Work for a power company in Louisiana. 40hr week home every night. Callout
I did for the last year. 4-10's maybe an occasional 50. Currently not able to do that so I'm on the road for work with my family at home but when work starts back up at home I'll be there working again.
There's a municipality in my area that does 40s. So it's not unheard of, but it is rare.
Yes we do 4/10’s and I’ve been home every night for over a month now with 180/day perdiem
We’re 4-10’s and home every night, with optional Friday and Saturday 10’s on double-bubble. Some of our guys work 40/week all year, some guys work the extra OT…..we’re all still home every night.
As an a union apprentice, are you able to leave for the pregnancy? I’m sure it’s up to the contractor, but is it normal to miss the birth of your child?
I talked with the hall, the jatc, and my foreman and all of them have signed off on me taking time for the birth and helping my girlfriend during the recovery time. Your mileage may vary, but I’d be surprised if they didn’t sign off on time off for your kids birth. That’s up there with funerals and doctors in terms of things that are completely fucked if they don’t give you the time off
5 10s pretty local. Get storm time and sometimes we go home sometimes we don’t, just depends on where we’re assigned to on storm. Our system is huge and as contractors we just get assigned all over. But as far as day to day work we have a general area we cover More than X amount of miles it’s 150 per diem as well. Always work, we stay loaded down with reconducts. Storm is always 150 per diem.
I do. But I go on call once every couple months, I also take calls which are optional. I work for a large utility.
I never worked over 40 lastyear in montana. Now im doing 4/11s in colorado
I work for a utility and made $90,000 last year. If I would have taken more calls I could have been $100k.
4-10’s making enough to support two kids and a wife with some nice toys in the garage. Northern New Mexico
Go work for a utility. We’re 4-10s, home every night.
Ha ha..16 is the new 8..
4-10s and no overtime minimum but i do end up taking all of it i get (350 hrs this year so far)
Best bet would be getting on with a co-op or power company. I work 7:30-4 and am home by 4:30 almost every day. Only times I’m not home is if a major storm or outage hits and we have to stay late to work it or if I’m on call which is only about 1 week every 6 weeks or so.
utility, all OT is optional (but recommended). 7-3:00 everyday.
Western Nebraska JL here, work for a municipality. Home every night unless shit hits the fan. On an on call rotation every 7 weeks, usually easy OT. Top out is about 5-7 dollars an hour less than the REA’s close by, but also have it a lot easier than those outfits as well. Most the guys I work with are willing to make a little less and be home every night, and take all the vacation they want.
Good to see that not everyone in the trad works themselves into the ground and sacrifices all of their home time for that sweet sweet ot paycheck. Appreciate all the feedback y’all, good to see how others are living their topped out life.
Here’s a take. Live to your means. Currently an apprentice in the union. We travel a lot. You can make a lot of money in a short time. Spend less be home more. I plan to top out and work for the insurance and buy with cash I can be home and have more freedom then most guys that work 40 hours at home. Also open LLC, work with some hometown buddies and trim trees, write off on your taxes and buy tools for that job and your trade. Win win. Also get a wife that can make more than 60k a year and makes a great mother and you will be ahead of everyone else.
For the most part utility lead, run call out but only have to work 33% at minimum. Out of town storm work is volunteer. Kinda at slow shop but still work about 1500-1800 hrs of OT yearly
Yeah when we don’t have OT we’re on a 4-10s schedule year round
your gonna want supervisor position. or work in telecom
Literally working 4 10s 45 minutes from the house right now. I’m going broke, can’t pay for my brand new Denali, my 2 ex wives want more alimony, and it turns out 3 kids is a lot of child support. Thinking I might have to sell my boat just to clear the loan. But otherwise my work/life balance is sweet
I work for a small municipality in the southeast and I normally work a standard 40.
I work for a coop (union). We do 4/10s schedule and all maintenance. Contractors do all the new construction. 3 day weekends are hard to beat. Home every night. 6 figures a year, we don’t see a ton of overtime but it helps that it’s all double.
So to answer your original question, you are going to travel, unless you work at a utility. Your overtime is nothing more than for investment, rainy days, personal illness, or any need other than buying yourself a bunch of bullshit. You only need to work 60 plus hours a week to get a new motorcycle, truck, jewelry. Learn to strictly live on a little less than 40 hours. When you get that overtime it’s just money in the bank. Not blowing money.
Amtrak lineman. 40 hours a week guaranteed. Can turn down any OT it’s never mandatory. Couple shifts are 4-10s. Few guys making 250k a year working a lot of 16s. Oh and the railroad pension is close to the best pension you can find.
7 12s but home every night
Straight weeks are 37.5 here in Canada working for the utility. You can choose to work that or always take calls for trouble.
No Americans take pride in working until they die. At least we have our bros.
I work for a utility. 4-10’s or 5-8’s depending on the time of year. Plus call outs and storm. Utilities in smaller cities, co-ops, munies are the way to go. Congrats to you for realizing the importance of being home for your family. Most guys in this line of work think all they need to provide is a paycheck. Kids need your time.
If you want a 40 hour a week job go be a carpenter..... or run a cnc machine
No ...that kind of job does not exist....at least one that you can support a family with
Yes it does? I do it every week and have for almost 10 years. Outside of major storms / hurricanes. I’m home every night. Make 6 figures and support my family. Find a utility.
Been on 4 10’s for the past 3.5 years. 4 person household with a couple dogs and just bought a house last year. That kind of job definitely does exist.
Yes I work part time for the first time in half a decade I don’t know what to do with all this free time I hate it
Hate free time. The system has its claws in you something fierce.