I recently left my job of seven years as a culinary arts instructor and coach at a high school to run fiber. The teaching profession had driven me to a point where I was borderline suicidal, I couldn't afford to live and support my kids. My second day on the job we were in a low area after a week of rain and they asked me if I wanted to try and climb. I said yes, put my gear on and I remember looking up the pole and asking God if it's his will give me the confidence to do this. When I got to the neutral and hung my handline I took a second to breath and looked down and my heart was pounding. Then I looked across the skyline and the sun came out and at that moment I knew I made the right choice. I'm two months into this and your video helped me, Im just learning as I go. Your never to old to learn something new.

As someone with a fear of heights, I got the heebie jeebies more than once watching this video. When I was in high school electronics our teacher had pole climbing gear that he would let us use when supervised. At around 30 feet my knees were shaking so bad it wasn't funny. I truly admire and respect linemen.

I really liked seeing the customer come out to thank you. Love to spread positivity in this world!

The most comprehensive and sensible pole climbing lesson I've witnessed on or off the web.

I was a lineman 50 years ago. Our belts were junk compared to the newer systems. I did cut out once and fell 20 feet. I've had back trouble ever since. I'm glad the safety considerations are better now.

Love your videos. I just finished my apprenticeship and got my Journeyman Lineman ticket today 8/11/2022 IBEW Local 1393. I’ve watched all of your videos and I have to say, thank you. I’ve learned a lot and had a few a-ha moments. Keep doing what your doing. Your content is great for anyone either already working in or interested in line work. Best wishes. 👊 Best wishes from Indiana.

I'm not a Lineman, but am hooked on this channel.

I think the thing I was most impressed by in this video was how impeccable and efficiently you were able to use your handline with no groundsman. Everything you had was already set and ready to go!

After my Grandpa passed away, I got all of his old lineman gear, including his belt and spikes. Thanks for showing how they work, I know I'll never find myself climbing a pole!

As a guy who spent over 30 years with 3 different Telcom this was very interesting. At all three "hitching the pole," that is strapping around before ascending was an absolute no-no. You would climb and then toss your belt around the pole. We faced encountering no parking signs, bird feeders, clothes lines and "Have you seen this cat" signs. We had to freehand to the top then throw the stap around. So much of your video was spot on, and things I had to teach to new technicians. Carry your hooks to the pole, don't wear them. Leave your Gaff guards at the base of the pole as a reminder to put them back on after you decend. Your life depends on small little hooks . Also, LOOK UP! It is so easy to get preoccupied with climbing that you climb right into high voltage. I really like tour preparation before climbing, it was a difficult thing to teach new technicians. Plan for what you need before you climb. Too often would encounter newbies that would climb the pole with 1 drop clamp just to drop it at the top and have to desend, get another and start again.

My dad was a lineman in the Army Signal corps he did line work off and on for years tried to teach me how to climb I was up about 8 feet cut out and dint go back up many times I wish I had. People told me he was very good love your Chanel 😊

You showed this extremely well! I'm a telecommunications technician here in the US and gaffing is part of our training. You did a great job here and I really enjoyed the video! Keep up the good work

Cool stuff. As I grew up climbing trees, watching linemen climb poles was totally fascinating. I wanted a set of spikes so much. And yeah, pre-attaching the ends of a single rope to both things is one of those “duh, that’s genius” things.

Having watched several of your videos i gotta say watching somebody talk about something they are passionate about is always fascinating to watch. You are obviously knowledgeable as you can explain things so simply but still understand the larger concept. Thanks for bringing me along with you, and keep doing what you do. It's really cool to see something I know so little about yet rely on daily. Cheers!

I'm thinking about applying to Hydro One for an apprenticeship. My name's also Aaron, so that must be a sign haha. It's not a job I ever imagined I'd want to do, but now that the opportunity's there I'm seriously considering it. I've worked in the trades, love building and fixing stuff, operated heavy machinery, love tools, heights, the outdoors. I had a good, but pointless job for 15 years and I'm glad I left. Now I want to do something that actually matters and that I'll actually like. These videos are really helping me make an informed decision, so thanks for making them 😁

I appreciated how slow you explained moving your climbing techniques and maneuvers.

I enjoy watching this as it brings back great memories. My dad was an active working electrician from 1947 when he was discharged from military service post ww2, until 2003. He was a member of IBEW from the day he started work until the day he retired. Most unions these days exist solely to collect due and to shake down large companies for more money, even when their members are paid very, very well. IBEW and NECA both sponsored an apprentice program that was 4 years long. My father taught at that school until he was 90. I grew up around construction sites and industrial plants. By the time I was 15, I could bend pipe with the best of them (mostly because my dad was an excellent teacher) I could quote the NEC by heart. Now it's the IRC which determines what you can do and it varies from city to city. I started climbing poles at 15 or 16. I can't remember which year it was. We did a ton of short term jobs at saw mills in rural California and temp power drops for oil drilling. I joined the military at 17 and planned on being a lineman/electrician. Unfortunately, I was hit by a drunk driver and my spine was damaged to the point that climbing poles or crawling around equipment in underground vaults was something I can't do on a regular basis. So I became a deputy and at 34 I became a paramedic and work doing life flight helicopter transport. At 42 I became a registered nurse. I make enough to live comfortably, but at 56, I still work at least 1 day a week as either a lineman or inside electrical work. It's very satisfying to be able to go out and do your job and not have someone telling you exactly how to do it. I always loved doing pole climbing and tower climbing. You set your pace, you do the job right and you get paid well. I always feel happy when I am up a pole or tower or wiring an industrial plant. To this day, I still get a thrill when I turn the switch on and everything works

Good climbing video. As a retired telephone technician for over 25 years I used the Miller Stop-Fall which is an older version of the buck-squeeze :) One big no-no is not to climb before testing the pole electrically with a foreign voltage tester and physically stabbing the pole with a large screwdriver below grade prior to climbing..especially those old cedar poles where they rot from the inside out. Safety first brother!

The senior linemen would often yell at the new guys, “ the company is paying for both Hands”.

this was helpful, i am considering becoming a linemen at 28 in order to make some big money by working storms and long hours. and this gives me a good view on what its like a bit.

You included a lot of good tips. One thing that surprised me coming from a line clearance arborist background is that you are allowed to climb solo. We weren't allowed to climb or operate a bucket alone in case something happened that necessitated a rescue.

40 years ago I climbed poles. Never saw this safety device. I also never had formal training. Climbed 500 ft. towers too. But I remember one time I was up a pole and a mother Doberman and two half grown pups came flying around the corner of a house and down to me. I got my work done and climbed down to just out of their reach. They were barking and jumping. I had a hammer in my pouch and got it out. Went on down the pole swinging. When I got to the bottom unsnapped the single hookup and reached down and grabbed a rock. They evidently knew about rocks because they took off immediately. But I can imagine what might have happened if I had been locked in like he is.

Nicely done sir! You guys are awesome! As a retired firefighter, I was always impressed with you guys and the wrecker folks. Yall are da heros in my book.

Thanks for the videos Aaron. I work for the Electrical Distribution Network Operater in the UK similar to yourself. In my company when it comes to pole climbing anything above 2 metres requires a harness to work at height but also requires to work as a team with the second man able to pole top rescue in case things go wrong. It's interesting to see you are allowed to solo climb in your company (I only mention as its an obvious difference not to try and highlight things in anyway). Really appreciate seeing the differences in different countries doing the same kind of work. Take care.

Much respect to the guys and gals who do this kind of work. Thank you for all your hard work and sharing with all of us.

Another great service call you carried us on again, bro. You're an inspiration to electricians and linemen alike. Remember to always be safe, and to keep the fire in the wire.

I look forward to your videos. I have nothing but respect for what you do. Thanks for creating these very educational videos and stay safe out there!

love the old days climb the pole to the work position belt in and go to work.

Thank you for taking the time to demonstrate this for us! Have a great day

Did this myself for about 12 years give or take in telecommunications work so it was lower on the pole and lower risk. They issued me one of these to use. It was easy for me to learn how to use it as I would often "hitchike" style climbing. The down side was that if there was anything else on the pole such as signs, power supplies, staples, tension supports, downguy wires it made everything a pain. Free style climbing was how I learned though. Some of the stuff I did in trees and walking/scooting the lines to get mid-span would have made OSHA and regular people scream. I also would climb ropes free hand mid-span to deal with equipment that was stuck. I am a small guy so was easy for me to carry my own weight even with just arm strength. That pole is really clean free of bs and also look to be a comfortable size.

Fantastic information. It's great to see all the safety precautions that are taken.

This is the most impressive thing I’ve ever seen on KZfaq. I have a whole new appreciation for linemen.

This was a great video. My Dad was an old time phone guy. He had some great stories about pole climbing. This video reminded me of him. Thanks.

whoa! this video gave me chills! great footage!

This is pretty cool footage. My best friend became a lineman a couple years ago (IBEW 57), and the way he described this process was fascinating. The weight of all the climbing gear sure surprised me!

Thanks for the awesome content!

This is great. Cant wait to get on the lines

as a electrician I don't climb many poles . I have spent a lot of time up on a skyjack . of some kind of lift. Usually I have a crew and is a big help changing tools/supply's on the ropes. one thing I have been taught is never throw anything to the ground not even it junk. I like a 5 gal pail on rope. put the trash in it . I love how people come out and thank you. I get that hear in US as well. thank you for showing this video.

I love watching you're videos. Hell I'm a plumber I don't even know much about this stuff, but I do know you're very thorough and careful and always do clean work. And you explain whats going on very well. Great videos dude! I learn something new every time I watch

I've had a bad case of Acrophobia all my life. My mother told me when I was a young lad, "Never climb higher than you can afford to fall." Great advice, mom!

As a retired Verizon lineman in NJ the official name for those hooks are called drive hooks. “J” hooks are something else.

Just found your channel. Love the content. Im just a civilian watching from south east florida. Nothing but respect for you guys keeping us in power especially when the hurricanes hit. Been binge watching a lot of your videos. You are a very hard working excellent diagnostic technician. It's amazing how you can look at a problem from the ground and know what it is and how to fix it. Keep up the great work.

Aaron, I admire your passion for excellence. You truly epitomize my belief that being a lineman is not just a job, it’s a calling… The efforts put forth by your brothers and sisters from all over Eastern Canada to Atlantic’s most recent hurricane prove my point. As an electrician, clients often state how much they admire what I do for a living; but I know that it’s really you linemen who are the true “keepers of the current”. You guys are everyday heroes in my book, right up there with nurses, RCMP, firefighters, military, and medics.

Wow, who knew how much is involved in pole climbing/work. Masterful job in the explanation/video of you doing this. Keep the videos coming, really enjoyable.

I've seen a few people up poles in the UK without lifting gear, really interesting to see it all explained!

I will probably never do this kind of work, but I keep watching your videos because they are very educational.

I just started lineman school these videos really boost my confidence

How I know how you like climbing poles everyday! Great and easy job and thank god for the tight bite lugs. You always make it look so easy Aaron.

Nice video. You are really good at explaining and demonstrating. Stay safe out there.

started pole climbing getting up to 30-35ft was fun! And a bit of a thrill! It definitely gave me mad respect for lineman who ascend and descend with grace….I’m still slow but hopefully I get some finesse😂 I appreciate that you give back to the community with the knowledge you’ve obtained through your years of experience!

Great video, thanks!

I liked how you dropped the old light down and then pulled the new one up with the same rope. I'd have probably made an extra trip up the pole! Great videos. Please keep them coming!

I've been in all kinds of construction in my life, and seen some crazy things but you guys and iron workers take the cake. BRAVO GENTLEMEN... BRAVO

You'd be an awesome on-the-job instructor. The way you're always talking about the safety measures and best practices and how you fit them into an actual work flow. It's not just how to be safe, or just how to do the job, it's 'how to get the job done without getting hurt'. That attitude gets you tons of respect. which comes in really handy when you have to remind somebody about working safe.

I am waaaaaayyyyy too old to ever do this kind of work. I do however have the utmost respect for you and all the other guys and gals who do this work! Thank you for your clear and understandable explanation.

i just wanna say thanks for making these videos. I'm going to lineman school soon, and these videos keep me motivated for my end goal

You’re doing a great thing for the lineman community

Thank you for your service. You all risk your lives so others can be comfortable. Thank you so much

You're a good man, Bob. You sure do know quite a lot about the many aspects of your job. Thanks for sharing them with us.

I did that for 5 years and you have a lot more safety features than I had . The cross strap is really nice and 1kv gloves. We worked a lot of lines hot and in leather gloves.

This was a very informative video. My group is involved with wall and mountain climbing..... and I learned several valuable tips here. Thanks!

Nice! I made a pair of pole climbing gaffs as a kid about 9 or 19 years old in the 60s in order to build a tree house in some pine trees that were close together. I went down the pole the wrong way doing my first climb and got full of splinters. It took me awhile to learn before I built the tree house. It would have been nice to have youtube back then

The way we were taught to climb power poles in the US Marines is pretty much exact opposite! We didn’t strap in until at the work area. Also we always had tree gaffs which were gnarly if you gaffed yourself in the ankle. That sound of someone sliding down a heavily gaffed pole is distinctive! Like ripping apart Velcro. Hahaha!.

Thanks for sharing this.

That was interesting Aaron. 30 and more years ago we'd see linemen and phone workers climbing all the time even when the pole was next to a road. Now they all use buckets. I had a friend who was a phone guy. He drove a van and when he needed to go up a pole, he'd climb it. When the company started requiring them to use a bucket truck when it was neat a road, he retired. He loved to climb.

Great video , in Australia we generally use hardwood poles . In my old company we used ladders and bucket trucks to work aloft . I asked managers years ago why pole spikes are not used and was told they are very hard to use on hardwood poles so ladders and pole platforms or bucket trucks only. Good to see how you climb and work off pole spikes it beats carrying a heavy ladder into difficult access areas like I often had to do .

I’ve been using that same choker belt and retractable for 15 years love it

We use "Stolpskor" in Sweden. They're far more comfortable, especially while stationary. You can even stand upright with no tension on your belt which really nice to relax a few minutes off your hips.

Great video good job explaining how to do it the right way keep up the great work.

I did an apprenticeship as a residential electrician for 3 years. I stopped and moved to a different career before completing my red seal ticket and there's days I think about what could have been if I would have continued on that path. Linesman was always something that interested me and there was a time I was debating going back to school for it but maybe in some other timeline I went through with it and that's why YT is showing all these videos now lol. Either way, very interesting content. :)

As a retired telecommunications Verizon tech 25 years great job, wish we had buck squeeze or cross straps when I was working. Verizon required free climbing to work height then safety belting on In Training to qualify, when in the field you could hitch hike . I loved gaffing and most guys would call me to hook for them especially areas where you stood at the top of the pole had to traverse down and climb up. Scary at times but learned to trust your equipment, stay safe and again great job

Nice video man! I pole climb at least a few times per week as a telecom technician, not because I have to, but because I just love it and I find that it's always good to see how someone else does something so you can learn a bit more. I am not as confident as you are with the jelco belt, I find it scarier than other models where the strap is choked at all times no matter what you do. Anyway, keep up the vids, I love it!

Great video !! Stay safe always sir aaron!!👊💪

Nice job Aaron, Really like the tips especially on working safely. In our small Utility in Eastern Canada we have a fair bit of backlot and most of the time we cannot reach with a truck as well.

Great job young man! 🤩🤩

Excellent video. Keep up the awesome work

Amazing climbing video!

Hell climbed 40-60 foot poles for a utility for 31 years with 1/2 pint of vodka or big beer in my pouch . Never worried about safety. Never , ever got hurt . Been retired 20 years could still climb .

Your channel has been very informative and this is coming from someone with a desk job. Keep it up because I thoroughly enjoy it

Ty for teaching us how to climb and snag free lights

Great video! I never used spurs, we had pole steps and ladders to get up a pole or up to a strand. We also just changed over from straight leather belts to leather belts with some extra padding….wow that was luxury!!

Loved the video my man! Hooks are my favorite way to ascend a pole in my line of work.

I bought a pair of climbing irons at a garage sale. On a big Maple tree I tried them out. I didn't have rope or saddle with me. I found out that climbing down is a lot harder than climbing up! (at the beginning I thought that was just a bare pole in your back yard, to practice on)

Great instruction and pointers on pole climbing. That old Powerlite Private-Eye light was in good shape for it's age, looked like it was refurbed from originally being mercury to 100W HPS.

I love gaff climbing. Fun for me. Good video and good explanation throughout

Hello, I am not in your line of work, But I have worked smart and hard as well and I Envy you 100% for what you do, how you do it and When as in Rain/Snow etc... It's so important to follow Rules and procedures diligently and I admire you ALWAYS DO!!... You are the lifeline to the world.. I hear enough about Truckers.. How about You Guys!!

Big men! Fantastic. Really! Well job

The pole climbing is really something i like. None of that here in the Netherlands. Love your primer vids on that!

👏👏👏 great work

great video great view into what you guys do love the channel

I loved watching this video. Pole climbing was the thing I hated more than anything when I worked for the cable company. BUT, we didn't climb anything like you demonstrated. We only had one belt/strap and we were not belted in at all when climbing up or down the pole. It was only the "right climbing angle" and holding onto the pole on way up and down that kept you on the pole. Belting on and off was very scary! If I would have had your climbing gear I likely would have been way more comfortable.

I really like that belt. I learned to climb back in the 80's with just a basic belt. Yours looks so much safer.

Great videos ive learned a lot from you. Keep up the great work be safe

Great to see a professional working a pole... We had a free-standing tower for repeater work, so I just had the belt and no spikes. The effort it takes to pull yourself, safety gear, a few tools, and a rope over 100' up is amazingly draining. Then you still have to do the work and working with a 10' vertical antenna is it's own art. I really miss the view, but not the work.

awesome video !!!!

when I started lineman school the instructor pounded into my head "trust your ropes " because you need two hands to do your job. I remember the instructor yelling this to alot of my fellow students as they lol learned the ropes of pole climbing.

COOOOL!

Retired Coop Lineman, NW Arkansas.. It was a great career!

An interesting look at the quintessential craft of linework. Climbing poles.

Great lesson