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Posted: 7/2/2015 10:13:37 PM EDT
[#1]
Mutual assistance. The other utility flips the bill for all persons and equipment . Usually or sometimes reimbursed by insurance and maybe even the gov.
And no they don't just come in and fix stuff. It's all coordinated by the utilty. |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 10:15:01 PM EDT
[#2]
There is no personnel management at all. They just drive around and fix stuff at will
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Posted: 7/2/2015 10:17:53 PM EDT
[#3]
At the local coffee shop, they had a hard time understanding the Canadian guys, I know that for a fact.
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Posted: 7/2/2015 10:21:35 PM EDT
[#4]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Mutual assistance. The other utility flips the bill for all persons and equipment . Usually or sometimes reimbursed by insurance and maybe even the gov. And no they don't just come in and fix stuff. It's all coordinated by the utilty. This. When the May 20, 2013 tornado ripped through my hometown of Moore, OK, we had linemen from OK, TX, LA, KS, MO, AR, TN, VA and from as far away as CT comin in to help |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 10:22:02 PM EDT
[#5]
As stated, mutual assistance agreements. Since I'm just a dumb engineer that doesn't fix the broken stuff, I am what's called a "storm evaluator/assessor." I would report to a given location, get some drawings and maps, and then drive lines looking for damage. I record information and either call it in or take the package back to the reporting area. Crews are dispatched to repair the damage. We also get trouble tickets as the major repairs are completed to find little stuff previously missed.
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Posted: 7/2/2015 10:24:35 PM EDT
[#6]
Quoted: Last week, a huge thunderstorm, I mean HUGE thunderstorm, came through and blew half the town over. The power distribution system was completely messed up. PECO called in everyone they could, even Canadians, to fix the grid. How exactly does that work? Do the utilities have disaster agreements in place? When one down gets blown up, others come help for free (and some day the favor gets repaid), or is there a fee for this? Also, when the out-of-state guys come in, are they managed by a local guy, or do they free range and just start fixing shit? Thanks for any replies. The responding lineman make big money for the duration, but work LONG days. 16 hour shifts are not unusual. And as far as line work goes, it is fairly dangerous. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for fatalities to occur during major storms. I know of at least two in the last 10 years at local companies. I don't know how all states handle it, but in Missouri if the event is large enough, it will get its own project number and all time, expenses, etc are tracked to it. Keep in mind it isn't just the linemen who work the long hours. If the event is large enough, 80-90+ of the company (excluding generation employees maybe) will be working the event. Engineers, mappers, admins, HR, public affairs, etc. For example, non-engineering staff management employees may be assigned to escort "foreign" line and tree crews. Engineers may spend the day traveling making damage assessments and engineering solutions. I spent ~10 days away from home right before Christmas a few years back. The first few days only a few hotels had power and most restaurants did not. We'd been told to pack for 3 days. So after some of the backbone was restored, we were all hitting up Walmart and any place we could find for clean underwear, jeans, etc. |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 10:26:10 PM EDT
[#7]
Let's say you have a crew from PA working on a break in the line. They're up there fixing it, but unbeknownst to them, a crew from NJ is half a mile away fixing another break. The NJ goes to close switches and blows the PA guy right off the fucking pole. That's the part I don't get...
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Posted: 7/2/2015 10:26:53 PM EDT
[#8]
Last one I went on was about 3 years ago. Went to Alabama when they had a bunch of tornados.
Good money too. 16 hours a day for 2 weeks. All at double time. And for the most part is not hard work. |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 10:28:33 PM EDT
[#9]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Let's say you have a crew from PA working on a break in the line. They're up there fixing it, but unbeknownst to them, a crew from NJ is half a mile away fixing another break. The NJ goes to close switches and blows the PA guy right off the fucking pole. That's the part I don't get... All utilities have a central control center for switching to prevent those sort of things. And storm work is coordinated by the locals. Accidents happen, but all of the linemen I've worked with take safety seriously. |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 10:28:47 PM EDT
[#10]
I worked as a system operator for a bit. Storm restoration sucks balls
Lots of money to be made though |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 10:29:05 PM EDT
[#11]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Last one I went on was about 3 years ago. Went to Alabama when they had a bunch of tornados. Good money too. 16 hours a day for 2 weeks. All at double time. And for the most part is not hard work. Thank you. Those ripped through my hometown. |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 10:30:47 PM EDT
[#12]
It seems like really dangerous work. Something that is "off" right only be "off" because it's pulled only a couple inches out of a fitting by a tree or some shit...
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Posted: 7/2/2015 10:31:21 PM EDT
[#13]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
All utilities have a central control center for switching to prevent those sort of things. And storm work is coordinated by the locals. Accidents happen, but all of the linemen I've worked with take safety seriously. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Let's say you have a crew from PA working on a break in the line. They're up there fixing it, but unbeknownst to them, a crew from NJ is half a mile away fixing another break. The NJ goes to close switches and blows the PA guy right off the fucking pole. That's the part I don't get... All utilities have a central control center for switching to prevent those sort of things. And storm work is coordinated by the locals. Accidents happen, but all of the linemen I've worked with take safety seriously. Yep, nobody is working on those lines without a clearance. We know where everyone is and what they are doing |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 10:34:30 PM EDT
[#14]
A short version of the command and control from my experience:
Evaluators will drive the area and make preliminary damage assessments. They file reports to a team leader. The team leader sends in reports every 2-3 hours. Depending upon the scope, all reports may go to a central command center or to regional or area centers. The work is prioritized and assigned to crews. Once crews work a job, they report back and begin the next assignment. Te highest priority will be "critical" customers. Typically, police, fire, ems, city hall, hospitals, etc. Also, transmission gets a very high priority. Without the bulk power, there isn't anything to deliver to end customers. Low hanging fruit is worked first. If the company can patrol a feeder, confirm it is clear and close in a breaker restoring power to hundreds, that will get worked long before the last customer on 2 mile stretch of single phase. Basically, the more people served by the impacted equipment, the higher its priority in most cases. This is why you'll see, e.g., 100,000 "customers" out at the beginning, 10,000 out 24 hours later and 2,500 out at 48 hours. |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 10:34:34 PM EDT
[#15]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Let's say you have a crew from PA working on a break in the line. They're up there fixing it, but unbeknownst to them, a crew from NJ is half a mile away fixing another break. The NJ goes to close switches and blows the PA guy right off the fucking pole. That's the part I don't get... LOTO and isolation, grounds and keeping your head in the game will keep that from happening . But yea , take away even one of those it could happen. Any time I have gone on a trip our guys were the only ones working that particular circuit. We don't like mixing foreign crews with other foreign crews. |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 10:36:29 PM EDT
[#16]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Let's say you have a crew from PA working on a break in the line. They're up there fixing it, but unbeknownst to them, a crew from NJ is half a mile away fixing another break. The NJ goes to close switches and blows the PA guy right off the fucking pole. That's the part I don't get... In short, you don't close a switch without someone telling you it is ok to close. |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 10:38:40 PM EDT
[#17]
I was a communications lineman.
The utility paid your company. You would show up in the morning and pick up work orders or an area that needed repair. Sometimes you end up helping the power guys so shit goes faster. (we were paid by production). |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 10:39:48 PM EDT
[#18]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
It seems like really dangerous work. Something that is "off" right only be "off" because it's pulled only a couple inches out of a fitting by a tree or some shit... It is dangerous. With that said, the grid has protection and control schemes to sense faults and then switch out the fault, at the basic level. We can talk about reclosers and automatic devices later. 
Also, linemen have equipment to tell them if a circuit is hot. The process for clearances should provide some protection and they have PPE. |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 10:41:47 PM EDT
[#19]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
LOTO and isolation, grounds and keeping your head in the game will keep that from happening . But yea , take away even one of those it could happen. Any time I have gone on a trip our guys were the only ones working that particular circuit. We don't like mixing foreign crews with other foreign crews. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Let's say you have a crew from PA working on a break in the line. They're up there fixing it, but unbeknownst to them, a crew from NJ is half a mile away fixing another break. The NJ goes to close switches and blows the PA guy right off the fucking pole. That's the part I don't get... LOTO and isolation, grounds and keeping your head in the game will keep that from happening . But yea , take away even one of those it could happen. Any time I have gone on a trip our guys were the only ones working that particular circuit. We don't like mixing foreign crews with other foreign crews. Good point. "Foreign" can also mean guys from other regions.
Apparently, we have different terminology to go with our accents here in AL. |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 10:43:56 PM EDT
[#20]
Quote HistoryQuoted: It is dangerous. With that said, the grid has protection and control schemes to sense faults and then switch out the fault, at the basic level. We can talk about reclosers and automatic devices later. Also, linemen have equipment to tell them if a circuit is hot. The process for clearances should provide some protection and they have PPE. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: It seems like really dangerous work. Something that is "off" right only be "off" because it's pulled only a couple inches out of a fitting by a tree or some shit... It is dangerous. With that said, the grid has protection and control schemes to sense faults and then switch out the fault, at the basic level. We can talk about reclosers and automatic devices later. Also, linemen have equipment to tell them if a circuit is hot. The process for clearances should provide some protection and they have PPE. |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 10:45:01 PM EDT
[#21]
Quote HistoryQuoted: Good point. "Foreign" can also mean guys from other regions. Apparently, we have different terminology to go with our accents here in AL. Quote HistoryQuoted: Quoted: Quoted: Let's say you have a crew from PA working on a break in the line. They're up there fixing it, but unbeknownst to them, a crew from NJ is half a mile away fixing another break. The NJ goes to close switches and blows the PA guy right off the fucking pole. That's the part I don't get... LOTO and isolation, grounds and keeping your head in the game will keep that from happening . But yea , take away even one of those it could happen. Any time I have gone on a trip our guys were the only ones working that particular circuit. We don't like mixing foreign crews with other foreign crews. Good point. "Foreign" can also mean guys from other regions. Apparently, we have different terminology to go with our accents here in AL. |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 10:49:32 PM EDT
[#22]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Good point. "Foreign" can also mean guys from other regions.
Apparently, we have different terminology to go with our accents here in AL. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Let's say you have a crew from PA working on a break in the line. They're up there fixing it, but unbeknownst to them, a crew from NJ is half a mile away fixing another break. The NJ goes to close switches and blows the PA guy right off the fucking pole. That's the part I don't get... LOTO and isolation, grounds and keeping your head in the game will keep that from happening . But yea , take away even one of those it could happen. Any time I have gone on a trip our guys were the only ones working that particular circuit. We don't like mixing foreign crews with other foreign crews. Good point. "Foreign" can also mean guys from other regions.
Apparently, we have different terminology to go with our accents here in AL. Ha. Yea not implying Mexican or Canadian . Just what we refer to a crew that doesn't work for that utility. |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 10:51:23 PM EDT
[#23]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
We'd use the term to mean anyone who isn't company or working from the local hall, AFAIK. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Let's say you have a crew from PA working on a break in the line. They're up there fixing it, but unbeknownst to them, a crew from NJ is half a mile away fixing another break. The NJ goes to close switches and blows the PA guy right off the fucking pole. That's the part I don't get... LOTO and isolation, grounds and keeping your head in the game will keep that from happening . But yea , take away even one of those it could happen. Any time I have gone on a trip our guys were the only ones working that particular circuit. We don't like mixing foreign crews with other foreign crews. Good point. "Foreign" can also mean guys from other regions.
Apparently, we have different terminology to go with our accents here in AL. OP mentioned Canadians. Now that I look back, he wasn't necessarily talking about crews assisting. I thought Canada's grid was different anyhow. Metric. |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 10:52:41 PM EDT
[#24]
Quote HistoryQuoted: There is no personnel management at all. They just drive around and fix stuff at will Truth. One power company guy from Ohio fixed my toaster. |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 10:53:06 PM EDT
[#25]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Ha. Yea not implying Mexican or Canadian . Just what we refer to a crew that doesn't work for that utility. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Let's say you have a crew from PA working on a break in the line. They're up there fixing it, but unbeknownst to them, a crew from NJ is half a mile away fixing another break. The NJ goes to close switches and blows the PA guy right off the fucking pole. That's the part I don't get... LOTO and isolation, grounds and keeping your head in the game will keep that from happening . But yea , take away even one of those it could happen. Any time I have gone on a trip our guys were the only ones working that particular circuit. We don't like mixing foreign crews with other foreign crews. Good point. "Foreign" can also mean guys from other regions.
Apparently, we have different terminology to go with our accents here in AL. Ha. Yea not implying Mexican or Canadian . Just what we refer to a crew that doesn't work for that utility. Mexico's grid runs off of frijoles and tequila. |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 10:54:22 PM EDT
[#26]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I worked as a system operator for a bit. Storm restoration sucks balls Lots of money to be made though That is what I do, can be complicated, but it does pay, Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 10:56:49 PM EDT
[#27]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Let's say you have a crew from PA working on a break in the line. They're up there fixing it, but unbeknownst to them, a crew from NJ is half a mile away fixing another break. The NJ goes to close switches and blows the PA guy right off the fucking pole. That's the part I don't get... Where the hell do you work at? Never heard of protocols, managers, phones? People just walk around willy nilly like godzilla and fuck things up? |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 10:57:59 PM EDT
[#28]
Long story short. The guys that come to help get paid very well. The company they work for get paid even better.
When there is a storm like this our bosses are practically begging us to go and we get double time the whole time. It also never fails we get a call to help on 4th of July weekend! Fingers crossed nothing bad happens this year again, but I won't turn it down if they call me.
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Posted: 7/2/2015 11:00:40 PM EDT
[#29]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Let's say you have a crew from PA working on a break in the line. They're up there fixing it, but unbeknownst to them, a crew from NJ is half a mile away fixing another break. The NJ goes to close switches and blows the PA guy right off the fucking pole. That's the part I don't get... Holy fuck, that's not how it works. Not at all. Switching is very complicated and coordinated. Nobody wants to kill a lineman. Thats my worst nightmare. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 11:04:53 PM EDT
[#30]
Hey Sig, what town in PA
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Posted: 7/2/2015 11:06:52 PM EDT
[#31]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Holy fuck, that's not how it works. Not at all. Switching is very complicated and coordinated. Nobody wants to kill a lineman. Thats my worst nightmare. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Let's say you have a crew from PA working on a break in the line. They're up there fixing it, but unbeknownst to them, a crew from NJ is half a mile away fixing another break. The NJ goes to close switches and blows the PA guy right off the fucking pole. That's the part I don't get... Holy fuck, that's not how it works. Not at all. Switching is very complicated and coordinated. Nobody wants to kill a lineman. Thats my worst nightmare. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile I am more concerned with a customer that has seen a switch on his street operated numerous times over the years by a lineman restoring power and thinks he can do it too. Most are only locked with a little brass lock. Nothing for small pair of bolt cutters won't handle. |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 11:11:52 PM EDT
[#32]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
I am more concerned with a customer that has seen a switch on his street operated numerous times over the years by a lineman restoring power and thinks he can do it too. Most are only locked with a little brass lock. Nothing for small pair of bolt cutters won't handle. Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Let's say you have a crew from PA working on a break in the line. They're up there fixing it, but unbeknownst to them, a crew from NJ is half a mile away fixing another break. The NJ goes to close switches and blows the PA guy right off the fucking pole. That's the part I don't get... Holy fuck, that's not how it works. Not at all. Switching is very complicated and coordinated. Nobody wants to kill a lineman. Thats my worst nightmare. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile I am more concerned with a customer that has seen a switch on his street operated numerous times over the years by a lineman restoring power and thinks he can do it too. Most are only locked with a little brass lock. Nothing for small pair of bolt cutters won't handle. You know, I never thought of that, I actually have a 13.8 switch on the corner of my property...and it is just a padlock on it. Never thought of some guy throwing a switch like that. I would shit my pants in the control room til I figured that one out! LOL. |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 11:24:12 PM EDT
[#33]
For the most part we know whats going on at our end. If not testing and grounding will prevent any issues.
The major problems I have witnessed are: 1.Broken line laying on snow that haven't tripped the breaker. 2.One underground riser pole that came up to feed a customers transformer. The transformer jumper broke away before hitting the ground. I walked up on it with my tester going wild. It exposed (top part) of the underground cable was a foot off the ground still hot.(7,200 volts) 3.Dumbass customers that use suicide cables to backfeed their house without flipping the disconnect, in turn back feeding the transformer putting 7,200 volts back into the line. Luckily for our testing/grounding procedures we have never had an accident. Most of the time the 7,200 volt part of the line is still on the ground so it just bogs out their generator. Edit:Also trees on the line scare the shit out of me. The line can can be dead, but what scares me is that a huge tree laying on high tension line will not even sag it to the ground, but effectively turn it into a catapult. cut it off carefully chunk by chunk until it lets go! |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 11:25:49 PM EDT
[#34]
Saw a lot of that in NJ after sandy. Heck we even had foreign Nat-gas and pipeline people show up at LBI (Really creepy seeing Texas trucks responding in NJ,but apparently when the main serving an entire 20 mile long barrier island gets compromised with seawater in the main trunk from the mainland and destroys the entire system... experts need to be called.)
Interesting stories on the electric side too, really old really esoteric substation was flooded out in my area. Supposedly a design that could neither be replaced or easily repaired comprising of thousands of small metal plates and a bunch of wire that all had to be taken apart and unwound by hand, cleaned with toothbrushes and cleaning solvent, and then put back and rewound by hand... betcha someone bought a house with all that OT. Still at least it could be fixed. A real specialty unit blew in Lake Hopatcong and they were without power for months while they tried to figure out a replacement for a one of a kind oil-cooled transformer the size of a school bus. |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 11:33:26 PM EDT
[#35]
As a T-Line engineer, that was lulz. It's a good thing people aren't just throwing switches and cooking people a state away.
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Posted: 7/2/2015 11:39:51 PM EDT
[#36]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
As a T-Line engineer, that was lulz. It's a good thing people aren't just throwing switches and cooking people a state away. Hey it could happen! I was finishing up a distribution 3-phase junction pole in southern Iowa one night at about 3:30 am when approximately a half a mile away there was a huge flash. I had my back to it and it lit up my surroundings like it was noon! Come to find out someone lit up a 69KV line that was still on the ground. |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 11:39:59 PM EDT
[#37]
Some of you here may dig this. My utility recently had a retired Lineman pass away kind of unexpectedly. He was a great Lineman with 44 years of service. He kept the lights on. We did this for his procession to pass under on his last trip, then the Legion did a nice 21 gun salute. And we all got rippin drunk at the Legion and told stories about him. He would have loved it.
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Posted: 7/2/2015 11:40:14 PM EDT
[#38]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
As a T-Line engineer, that was lulz. It's a good thing people aren't just throwing switches and cooking people a state away. Still don't know why t-lines need engineers. It's poles and wires people. Put the big end in the ground and hang wires on the little end. Geez. 
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Posted: 7/2/2015 11:43:40 PM EDT
[#39]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Saw a lot of that in NJ after sandy. Heck we even had foreign Nat-gas and pipeline people show up at LBI (Really creepy seeing Texas trucks responding in NJ,but apparently when the main serving an entire 20 mile long barrier island gets compromised with seawater in the main trunk from the mainland and destroys the entire system... experts need to be called.) Interesting stories on the electric side too, really old really esoteric substation was flooded out in my area. Supposedly a design that could neither be replaced or easily repaired comprising of thousands of small metal plates and a bunch of wire that all had to be taken apart and unwound by hand, cleaned with toothbrushes and cleaning solvent, and then put back and rewound by hand... betcha someone bought a house with all that OT. Still at least it could be fixed. A real specialty unit blew in Lake Hopatcong and they were without power for months while they tried to figure out a replacement for a one of a kind oil-cooled transformer the size of a school bus. The consensus of everyone I know who went to NJ for NG repair/restoration was that the utilities on the coast are run by idiots and tards of the highest order. They literally had no emergency plans in place for anything and entire crews of men stood around waiting to work because management didn't know shit. [The majority of management at many utilities are no longer people who worked their way up and are familiar with operations and when large scale emergencies happen, it shows.] |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 11:46:52 PM EDT
[#40]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
The consensus of everyone I know who went to NJ for NG repair/restoration was that the utilities on the coast are run by idiots and tards of the highest order. They literally had no emergency plans in place for anything and entire crews of men stood around waiting to work because management didn't know shit. [The majority of management at many utilities are no longer people who worked their way up and are familiar with operations and when large scale emergencies happen, it shows.] Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Saw a lot of that in NJ after sandy. Heck we even had foreign Nat-gas and pipeline people show up at LBI (Really creepy seeing Texas trucks responding in NJ,but apparently when the main serving an entire 20 mile long barrier island gets compromised with seawater in the main trunk from the mainland and destroys the entire system... experts need to be called.) Interesting stories on the electric side too, really old really esoteric substation was flooded out in my area. Supposedly a design that could neither be replaced or easily repaired comprising of thousands of small metal plates and a bunch of wire that all had to be taken apart and unwound by hand, cleaned with toothbrushes and cleaning solvent, and then put back and rewound by hand... betcha someone bought a house with all that OT. Still at least it could be fixed. A real specialty unit blew in Lake Hopatcong and they were without power for months while they tried to figure out a replacement for a one of a kind oil-cooled transformer the size of a school bus. The consensus of everyone I know who went to NJ for NG repair/restoration was that the utilities on the coast are run by idiots and tards of the highest order. They literally had no emergency plans in place for anything and entire crews of men stood around waiting to work because management didn't know shit. [The majority of management at many utilities are no longer people who worked their way up and are familiar with operations and when large scale emergencies happen, it shows.] This is very accurate, and the retirement rate of people who have worked their way there is phenomenal. Lot of knowledge leaving the power industry at a high rate. ( I cannot wait, I am getting short.) |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 11:49:43 PM EDT
[#41]
I've worked several mutual assistance assignments.
Generally the local utilities will request the help, how far away we come depends on the extent of the damage. I have gone as far as MS and OK. We have sent people as far as CT. On the storms I have worked, we were assigned feeders (main circuit) to get back on. After we got those fixed, we would go back and fix the laterals (circuits coming off the feeder). Once those were up, we cleaned up with fixing the individual customer services that were still down. Once we got that area fixed we would be given another feeder to work on. We had a local guy with us and had complete control of the feeder that we were assigned. From the breaker at the substation, to the switches that tied to other circuits and even the tree trimming crews were under our control (though the local guy). We went above and beyond our regular work practices to isolate the section we were working on from the rest of the system due to the circumstances. We definitely don't go for free. Our company asks for volunteers to go and usually has more than enough to make the trip. The host utility gets to pay the bill, however they charge it. |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 11:53:29 PM EDT
[#42]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
This is very accurate, and the retirement rate of people who have worked their way there is phenomenal. Lot of knowledge leaving the power industry at a high rate. ( I cannot wait, I am getting short.) Quote HistoryQuoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
Saw a lot of that in NJ after sandy. Heck we even had foreign Nat-gas and pipeline people show up at LBI (Really creepy seeing Texas trucks responding in NJ,but apparently when the main serving an entire 20 mile long barrier island gets compromised with seawater in the main trunk from the mainland and destroys the entire system... experts need to be called.) Interesting stories on the electric side too, really old really esoteric substation was flooded out in my area. Supposedly a design that could neither be replaced or easily repaired comprising of thousands of small metal plates and a bunch of wire that all had to be taken apart and unwound by hand, cleaned with toothbrushes and cleaning solvent, and then put back and rewound by hand... betcha someone bought a house with all that OT. Still at least it could be fixed. A real specialty unit blew in Lake Hopatcong and they were without power for months while they tried to figure out a replacement for a one of a kind oil-cooled transformer the size of a school bus. We'll lose 125 years of knowledge twixt this year and next year just in our department alone. To get someone to ''A'' skill level takes at least 5 years and we are so far behind the curve that it's impossible to ever catch up. Almost none of the management have actual working experience and those that do will be retired in the next couple years. However, as long as they hire some females and Blacks, everyone is happy even though they don't know shit and don't really have the physical, mechanical, and educational background to learn the work. The consensus of everyone I know who went to NJ for NG repair/restoration was that the utilities on the coast are run by idiots and tards of the highest order. They literally had no emergency plans in place for anything and entire crews of men stood around waiting to work because management didn't know shit. [The majority of management at many utilities are no longer people who worked their way up and are familiar with operations and when large scale emergencies happen, it shows.] This is very accurate, and the retirement rate of people who have worked their way there is phenomenal. Lot of knowledge leaving the power industry at a high rate. ( I cannot wait, I am getting short.) |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 11:54:42 PM EDT
[#43]
Quote HistoryQuoted: The consensus of everyone I know who went to NJ for NG repair/restoration was that the utilities on the coast are run by idiots and tards of the highest order. They literally had no emergency plans in place for anything and entire crews of men stood around waiting to work because management didn't know shit. [The majority of management at many utilities are no longer people who worked their way up and are familiar with operations and when large scale emergencies happen, it shows.] Quote HistoryQuoted: The consensus of everyone I know who went to NJ for NG repair/restoration was that the utilities on the coast are run by idiots and tards of the highest order. They literally had no emergency plans in place for anything and entire crews of men stood around waiting to work because management didn't know shit. [The majority of management at many utilities are no longer people who worked their way up and are familiar with operations and when large scale emergencies happen, it shows.] ETA: I seem to recall a news article about toll workers not letting the foreign crews on the roads unless they paid. Since they hadn't expected to be charged for trying to help, it caused a big stink until one of the governors set the toll workers straight. |
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Posted: 7/2/2015 11:55:12 PM EDT
[#44]
On the topic of safety...
I can get on my soapbox about unions with the best of them. I've worked with linemen all over the country - some IBEW, some not. The IBEW crews are overwhelming more skilled and safer in their work practices than the non-union guys. |
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Posted: 7/3/2015 12:00:59 AM EDT
[#45]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Still don't know why t-lines need engineers. It's poles and wires people. Put the big end in the ground and hang wires on the little end. Geez. Quote HistoryQuoted:
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As a T-Line engineer, that was lulz. It's a good thing people aren't just throwing switches and cooking people a state away. Still don't know why t-lines need engineers. It's poles and wires people. Put the big end in the ground and hang wires on the little end. Geez. It gets really tough when we have to underground it. It seems the linemen never bury the poles right. |
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Posted: 7/3/2015 12:01:05 AM EDT
[#46]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Some of you here may dig this. My utility recently had a retired Lineman pass away kind of unexpectedly. He was a great Lineman with 44 years of service. He kept the lights on. We did this for his procession to pass under on his last trip, then the Legion did a nice 21 gun salute. And we all got rippin drunk at the Legion and told stories about him. He would have loved it. http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b238/sd0324/20150630_110122-1_zpsy5hlhpzw.jpg That's awesome! Great memorial fellas! |
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Posted: 7/3/2015 12:07:20 AM EDT
[#47]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
You know, I never thought of that, I actually have a 13.8 switch on the corner of my property...and it is just a padlock on it. Never thought of some guy throwing a switch like that. I would shit my pants in the control room til I figured that one out! LOL. Quote HistoryQuoted:
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Let's say you have a crew from PA working on a break in the line. They're up there fixing it, but unbeknownst to them, a crew from NJ is half a mile away fixing another break. The NJ goes to close switches and blows the PA guy right off the fucking pole. That's the part I don't get... Holy fuck, that's not how it works. Not at all. Switching is very complicated and coordinated. Nobody wants to kill a lineman. Thats my worst nightmare. Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile I am more concerned with a customer that has seen a switch on his street operated numerous times over the years by a lineman restoring power and thinks he can do it too. Most are only locked with a little brass lock. Nothing for small pair of bolt cutters won't handle. You know, I never thought of that, I actually have a 13.8 switch on the corner of my property...and it is just a padlock on it. Never thought of some guy throwing a switch like that. I would shit my pants in the control room til I figured that one out! LOL. It really is amazing you dont see more incidences of assholes opening and closing switches around town. People drive by and dont even think twice
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Posted: 7/3/2015 12:16:08 AM EDT
[#48]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
It gets really tough when we have to underground it. It seems the linemen never bury the poles right. Quote HistoryQuoted:
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As a T-Line engineer, that was lulz. It's a good thing people aren't just throwing switches and cooking people a state away. Still don't know why t-lines need engineers. It's poles and wires people. Put the big end in the ground and hang wires on the little end. Geez. It gets really tough when we have to underground it. It seems the linemen never bury the poles right. I shudder to think about UG transmission. I've had to encase 15kV in a sub and it was bad enough. Uncommon for subs since the whole point of having a fence is so you don't have to bury the stuff. |
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Posted: 7/3/2015 12:38:20 AM EDT
[#49]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
On the topic of safety... I can get on my soapbox about unions with the best of them. I've worked with linemen all over the country - some IBEW, some not. The IBEW crews are overwhelming more skilled and safer in their work practices than the non-union guys. It's the same sort of deal in the machining industry. I work at a non union shop. The #1 rule is don't get hurt, but get the job done as fast as possible. The focus is not on safety, but rather, not getting hurt. Safety and not getting hurt are two drastically different concepts. Several of my classmates from technical school work at union shops. Safety is their #1 priority. If safety slows the job down, then so be it. They can't leave work with blood on their fingers with out filling out a report. We don't have that. It's a night and day difference from what I am used to. I'm used to non union management. If you say the job was done right, then it was done right. If you get caught spinning up a web of bullshit, or wasting time, you are gone. No questions asked. The manager comes out with a red sheet of paper, and you pack up your shit and go. I can't even imagine an evironment where safety is everything. Safety is an abstract concept for us. People rarely get hurt at work. It's usually the shop idiots and wild men that slice themselves. Their behavior begged for it at some point. My union buddies look at me like I'm crazy when I say this. |
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Posted: 7/3/2015 1:02:09 AM EDT
[#50]
Quote HistoryQuoted:
Truth. One power company guy from Ohio fixed my toaster. Quote HistoryQuoted:
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There is no personnel management at all. They just drive around and fix stuff at will Truth. One power company guy from Ohio fixed my toaster. How big was this damn toaster?
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