High voltage worker stories: cameron lewis

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Journeyman Lineman

Prior roles: Groundman, Apprentice Lineman
Location: King George, Virginia

years in the trade: 7 years

@Cam.lewis00 
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The people who give everything to this trade usually end up having the most fulfilling careers

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Stories in the trade

This series hands the mic to the folks who keep the lights on—how they got in, what they’ve seen, and where the trade’s headed

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How did you first hear about the trade and how did you get into your first role? 

I first heard about the trade through a few friends who were older than me in high school. They graduated and went to climbing school, and got into the trade after graduation from the climbing school and it looked like a very fulfilling trade. I also attended the climbing school which I think helped me a lot when it came to climbing and positioning myself to work. 

What’s one thing about this work that outsiders totally misunderstand?

I think one thing a lot of people misunderstand about our trade is how complicated tasks can be, especially when it comes to power and storm restoration. Power companies tend to post the typical pictures of lineman stocking trucks and the occasional picture of someone in a bucket or on a line truck, but they never post the pictures of winching a truck out of a nasty ROW, or climbing back lot poles pulling up wire and transformers. I feel if companies themselves did a better job of posting those photos, people would be a lot more hesitant to complain about their lights being off. 
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I think one thing a lot of people misunderstand about our trade is how complicated tasks can be, especially when it comes to power and storm restoration

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What’s your proudest moment on the job so far?

I would say my proudest moment on the job so far would be restoring power during Hurricane Helene. We worked in Georgia for two weeks, that’s as long as our company lets us travel for, and it was one of the best experiences I’ve had in a storm. All of the customers that we made contact with were some of the nicest people I’ve ever met. They were so happy to see us, even if we couldn’t restore their power that day, they still treated us with the utmost respect. 

What’s the hardest part (physical/mental) of the job and how do you handle it?

I feel that the hardest part of the job is the mental strain. Being away from your family for extended periods of time, the long hours we sometimes work at the power company, 12, 16, sometimes 24 hour days, it can take a real toll on your body mentally and physically. I tell all the younger guys that are gung-ho to work all the overtime they can, to be careful of the burnout and crash, because it will definitely come, and it’ll come when you least expect it. I’ve learned through the years to take care of myself first, the work will always be there. If I’m not my best self, then I can’t benefit the crew and the guy I’m working across from the best way possible. 

What’s the most high-pressure or intense situation you’ve had to handle?

The most intense situation I’ve had to handle so far would have to be when a hot wire fell next to the truck I was standing beside. 

 

Myself and the serviceman got a call for a single phase line off early one morning, we got there, got the tree off the line, and made our way back to the recloser to reenergize the line. We closed in the recloser and noticed that none of the houses had power, so we back tracked to the take off pole one span behind us. The jumper coming from the main line to the tap had burnt itself in the clear. We set the bucket truck up and I went up and fixed the jumper. When I came down, the serviceman told me he was going to go down to the recloser and make the line hot, to which I replied okay sounds good I’ll be in the clear. I got off of the truck and started picking up the outriggers, he hollered that he was making it hot and when he did the rotten #4 ACSR fell directly on the other side of the truck and operated 3 times from the station. 

 

If I had been on the other side of the truck picking that outrigger up, I don’t think I’d be here today. There was an investigation into it, and we did everything the correct way, it was just the fact that the wire was so old and rotten it couldn’t handle the load of the line anymore. Definitely a great learning experience and why I always tell any new apprentices to never stand under wire while someone is working on it or energizing it. 
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I was always told “if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life,” and I fully believe that 100%. Life is too short to work a job that you don’t enjoy

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What do you wish someone had told you when you first started on the job?

I wish someone would’ve told me how much fun I would be having. I’m lucky enough to be on the same crew as my best friend, and we have a blast working together. I was always told “if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life,” and I fully believe that 100%. Life is too short to work a job that you don’t enjoy. With so many options nowadays, the opportunities are endless.

What kind of person thrives in this work? What kind of person doesn’t?

I feel that an open minded person thrives the best in this trade. With how much growth we’ve had over the past few years between neighborhoods and data centers, we’ve also had a lot of change as well throughout the company. Work practices are constantly changing and being improved. Safety is constantly changing and improving, and I feel that if you don’t like change, or can’t accept change, then this trade is not for you. One person can bring the morale of an entire crew down, and if one man is complaining about a new work practice or new job or new safety rule, then it brings the rest of the crew down with him. 

What advice would you give to someone who's just thinking about joining the trades?

I would say that whatever trade they decide to go with to give it their all. I was always told growing up “a job worth doing, is worth doing right,” and I’ll stand by that comment my entire life. If you aren’t willing to put your all into any trade you want to do, you shouldn’t join the trades. The people that put their all in, usually have the most fulfilling and successful career. 
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Being away from your family for extended periods of time, the long hours—it can take a real toll on your body mentally and physically.

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Have you worked in both union and non-union environments? 

I’ve only worked nonunion so far, but I have nothing against union workers at all. At the end of the day we all have the same goal in mind, make it back to our family at night. 

What’s something that went wrong on the job but taught you something important?

We had a piece of underground equipment explode on us one Saturday while we were on call. Luckily no one was injured and no one was around the piece of equipment when it happened. But it taught me to never trust one of those pieces of equipment. Apparently after talking to a lot of the older guys at the cooperative, these pieces of equipment were known for blowing up. 

How do you handle stacking OT or traveling for the job while having a family?

When it comes to working OT with a family, the best way I can describe my experience is spending more quality time with them over quantity of time. My wife is a stay at home mom with our 7 year old autistic son, and I got very lucky to have her as a wife. She is so supportive of my career and how much I work. I am very blessed to have her and she always pushes me to be the best version of myself. I always try to spend as much of my downtime with my son, whenever he lets me haha.

What’s your career path look like (past, present, and future plans)?

I started as a groundman in 2019, started my apprenticeship at a cooperative about 3 months into being a groundman. Worked at that coop for almost 3 years, then left and went to another coop that was a lot closer to home and finished my apprenticeship there. The coop I’m at now has so much more room for growth and advancement throughout my career and that was the main reason for moving companies. I’m currently a Journeyman Lineman at the coop I’m at now, looking forward to moving up to lead lineman in the future and possibly foreman. 

we’re opening the floor to the folks who do the work

⚡ Features of real workers in the trade 
⚡ Craft features 

⚡ Tips for the trade

Just real experiences, real lessons learned, and real advice from people who do this work every day.

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We're High Voltage Industries

High Voltage Industries started because the most dangerous and essential work in America is also the most invisible. You put your lives on the line every single day and people don't even know what you do. 

 

We're here to share your stories and honor the sacrifices you make so people can flip a switch every day. And we make gear for those who literally risk their lives to keep the world running.

This is your story

Working in conditions others won't face, taking risks others can’t even imagine, solving problems others can't understand, carrying responsibility others can't handle. The grid doesn't maintain itself.

 

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