Drake Thompson with CDE Lightband from Clarksville, TN demonstrates the skill climb competition at the 20th Annual Tennessee Valley Lineman Rodeo at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama. (Bob Gathany/bgathany@AL.com)
Equipment has changed since my day in the saddle. We had no snubbing belt to go around the pole, only a single strap. And we climbed without belting off at all until we reached the work location. I didn't like it but it was expected of us. I'm very glad to see progress has been made in the safety aspect of climbing.
My uncle Al was a lineman. He fell and broke his back but survived, with limited mobility. He died a couple years ago. He taught me how to use it. Metal J-hook spikes and leather straps, leather belt. I miss that man.
I was a lineman for 12 years, mostly in the 70s, before being promoted to engineer. I once fell 17 feet but was lucky to just break a leg. The climbing systems are much better these days. Much safer. Not to mention more bucket trucks.
Because when the power is off, we were always too busy to play with a camera. Electricity is a luxury. Thank you for your contributions. Don't worry, the weather is always perfect, and we never get tired. It's okay. I'm not hurt. Very bad.
@@modzilla2950 Hey there. Thanks for the reply. I wish all the best in lineman school. Will check the boots on the site you mentioned. My best to you from Canada
Ok where are his gloves and sleeves? Second this is why these buck-squeeze’s are a bad idea if this guy had the old cut-out Kline’s he wouldn’t even been in the race. Let’s put the line work back into what it use to be
Ryan and Michelle Babcock That is me in the video and I came up under free climbing. And this was a event where you could do it in leather gloves. My hurt man rescue was in 2 :10 from tooling up and the time stopped when your foot hit the ground in rubber gloves. What was your time?
