I'd love to hear from the group. Now the majority of this page its discussed about how the industry has slipped a little due to the introduction of college certed individuals policing and policies an electrical industry they dont fully understand. My question is- If "John Lineman" has his ticket was verifiably trained (Apprenticeship + records+ curriculum+ Verified On the job hours) is he Qualified or Competent.. *Osha says anyone checking those boxes of verified training metrics and the knowledge checks is deemed qualified.... NOW, We take "Bill the MFJL" Whoms paper trail includes Groundhand/Operator for 5+ years -insert magic wave of a wand-- POOF Bill is a JL and companies dont verify <Compliance to training regulations, History of individual, no knowledge checks> TEST QUESTION IS: ONLY select one. Is Bill in the above Paragraph? A) Qualified B) Competent C) Both A and B D) Someone who bought their ticket and should have an *** placed beside their name and not allowed Apprentice training privileges until all criteria of training and proof of On the Job competency being met along with knowledge checks. We worry about our industry rightfully so. Many of us this is what we know. We love it to the fullest maybe to strong. Shamefully the answer above is most often wrong. Safety departments isn't the only cog in the machine with a tooth missing. I now know 8+ individuals that are either crew leds or General Foreman or daily MFJLs that did not pull one day outside of pulling levers on a digger or excavator or shoveling or running a hand line. Curious is all 🤙 Daniel Cooper, CUSP,CSP

Beneath the hum of the wire’s song, Where current and courage belong, We build more than lines through the sky We build men and women who know why. Each bolt, each splice, each careful turn, Holds lessons the fearless must learn. For safety is not just a rule we recite, It’s the promise we make to come home each night. The craft runs deep through sweat and flame, Through every storm our brothers came. With calloused hands and sharpened mind, We honor those who came behind. Accountability it’s the quiet creed, That grows from effort, word, and deed. It’s owning the moment, the miss, the win, And rising each day to begin again. Professionalism is more than a stance, It’s pride in your posture, your glance, your chance To teach, to guide, to pass the flame, So the trade forever bears our name. So stand tall, lineman, teacher, friend, For the lessons you give will never end. In every spark, in every plan, Lives the brotherhood and the making of a man. By Daniel Cooper, CUSP, IBEW 317 Journeyman Lineman

Very few times are we in the same book, same page, or wavelength. However, The more I read the more I know that wavelength I'm on and not alone. If this community is on the same book with where we need to be in this industry the more encouraged I'll become. Looking forward to more of this. Extremely similar to my Courage over Comfort series I've been writing and teaching to apprentices at the Apprenticeship. Felling Jazzed LFG!

Leaving the LCTT industry to trade saw for stick. Natural trees to man made and placed. I brought with me a brashness that comes with fighting a large corporation's union busting activities. Having nearly no hesitation to call Bull$hit on bad logic and bad leadership. I found and continue to find myself in situations where that trait will lose you favor with some, but to those who would not speak up and stand on principles its often admired. As a groundman I was placed on a safety committee where we had 4 management and 4 bargaining employees we would meet 1-2 times a week. Knowing nothing of the electric trade at that point. I got to watch and observe how each side treats and bargains even when it came to safety. -"We will get X if you do Y". It really shined a light on what I had suspected. From that moment I placed it in my heart as I will never bargain with the needs of my brothers. Since then I have turned down safety positions at some of the largest contractors because their values in the interview process simply was about value $$. -"If it dont make dollars it dont make sense." -"We are 16% profits this year and even if we have a fatality to close out the year we will get 3-4% and a pat on the back." Thank you for saying the -dont say that part outloud thing. Point is Be a brother have the courage to do the right thing. Keep the comfort away from me. Can't pay me enough to bite my tongue, it hurts too much.

First off — thank you. Every single one of you who stepped in here with me just took a leap most people talk about but never make. You showed up. You raised your hand. You said, “Yeah, I’m in. Let’s build something that actually matters.” We're a week into this thing. The First 250 are here; it's been incredible. This place? It’s a work in progress. Still rough around the edges. Still finding its footing. Just like everyone of us did when we first stepped into this trade, but that’s the beauty of it — we’re building it together, in real time, with real conversations and real truth. Several of the modules are filled, and I'm adding more content and programs as we grow. I can't say enough about how grateful I am for all of you. I don’t take it lightly. You could be anywhere else, listening to the same polished corporate noise we’ve all heard for years — but instead, you’re here helping build something raw, honest, and for the boots, not the optics. So settle in. Speak up. Contribute. Call bullshit when you see it. This is your community as much as mine. Welcome to Lineman Bull$hit Skool — where truth lives, we learn from each other, and we rise together. ~Kevin