American Express

High voltage worker stories:
Daniel jameson

Title

Journeyman Foreman

Prior roles: Journeyman, journeyman Foreman
Location: Canyon Lake, California

years in the trade: 20 years

@d_jameson1

https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-jameson-13653b396

Title

Many people don’t realize just how much goes into our work. We show up

just like the police officers, firefighters,

and paramedics.

Title

Many people don’t realize just how much goes into our work.

We show up just like the police officers, firefighters, and paramedics.

Title

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 get into the trade?

My father and Grandpa worked with PG&E on the gas side for many years. When I was about 7, my father and uncle took me to a rodeo and told me about linework. My uncle, cousin, and brother-in-law are all in the trade, and my great-grandfather was also a lineman for a contractor in CA.

When I turned 20, I applied to the Cal Nevada JATC Apprenticeship. I got into the apprenticeship when I was 21, and that's how I got my start.

looking back, what was the moment you knew this was the career you wanted?

My dad worked his way up through PG&E and was highly respected in his field. When he brought me to that first rodeo, he told me that the linemen were very respected and treated well. I enjoyed watching the linemen show their skills and communicate with each other. My father was an incredible mentor who helped me understand what could help me do well in life, and he gave me good direction.

My apprenticeship started in the same yard I'm working in now. Early on, I was able to experience multiple areas of linework by working in various locations and weather conditions. That gave me a good foundation for this career.

What’s something people outside the trade completely misunderstand about what you do?

Many people don't realize just how much goes into our work.

They think of us as electricians and don't realize just how dangerous the job is or how many hours we work in a normal day. Oftentimes, we are first on site with other first responders, whether there is a fire, hurricane, extreme weather conditions, or another emergency.

We show up just like the police officers, firefighters, and paramedics.

Title

One of the hardest things in this line of work is having to call

a lineman’s wife to let her know that her husband

has been injured and is in the hospital.

I’m alive and thankful. It just goes to show how important communication and situational awareness are.

Title

This trade is hard on the body so having some money working for you is a good thing to set up for your future.

One of the hardest things in this line of work is having to call a lineman’s wife to let

her know that her husband

has been injured and is in

the hospital.

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What's one day from your job that you'll probably never forget?

There was one time when we worked a long shift in the heat (probably one of the hottest summers since living down here). I was heading home, but got turned around for a monsoon and tornado storm that came through and blew down a pole line.

At 2 a.m., it was still triple digits and very humid. Around 4 a.m., our crews got done cleaning up the job site, and we were waiting for materials, so everyone decided to cab up and take a quick nap to rest. My crew took my truck, so I ended up getting a handline to use as a pillow in the back of one of the trucks.

Right as I lay down, a utility representative fresh on the clock came out on the job to see how things were going and decided to make a comment to the foreman working about me sleeping on the job. My foreman decided to stand up for me, told him I had been up in the heat, working for 24 hours, and still had another 12 expected to come. The shift ended up going much longer than the 32 hours.

Over all the years, that foreman standing up for his crew stuck with me, and to this day I appreciate him for that. It has helped make me be a better foreman when I need to step up for my crews.

What’s been the most high-pressure situation you’ve ever had to handle?

I was a lineman working during peak heat in the summer. We had a pole change-out with a 3-phase bank. We had the pole framed, and we were spreading energized wire on a double dead-end when the other lineman in the air with me started acting funny and confused.

At one point, he didn't understand what we were doing, so I decided to tighten it up, take a break, and let him cool down. We were in different trucks, and I saw him get out of his and walk around to the other side where I couldn't see him. I waited a few minutes and decided to go check on him, and he was convulsing in the dirt, having a heat stroke.

So I picked him up, put him in the foreman's truck, and told him to call 911 and start driving to the nearest hospital. He ended up making it to the hospital and had a 3-day recovery in the hospital before he was allowed to be discharged. They told me that if it had been another 5–10 minutes, he probably would not have made it.

One of the hardest things in this line of work is having to call a lineman's wife to let her know that her husband has been injured and is in the hospital. Thankfully, I have had to make very few of those calls.

This is also a good reminder to me to keep an eye out for what is going on at my job sites. It may not always only be my crew, but I keep an eye out not only for the job itself getting done, but for each individual's safety.

What’s one mistake you made early in your career that made you a better tradesman?

One year at the International Rodeo, as an apprentice, I let my girlfriend (now wife) get on the counter at the local bar with the bartenders to dance.

Another lineman tried to put money in her pocket. Luckily, nobody got hurt, and another lineman coached him into not doing it.

I met a lot of new hands that year, and some of them are still good friends today.

Who had the biggest impact on your career, and what did they teach you?

My father. He taught me from a very young age good work ethic and how to be honest. He always led me in the right direction, but also stood back to let me do it and learn on my own.

He worked his way up through the utility and was always just a phone call away when I needed advice on any given situation.

What’s one lesson from this trade that’s made you a better person, not just a better worker?

Make sure to always be your brother's keeper, above and below your position. We see the people we work with often more than we see our families, and it's important that those around us feel seen and recognized. We work better in general as a team, and great friendships and relationships can build from that.

I know I am a better person from working with many of the people I have worked with over the years. An example would be that foreman who stood up for me early on in my career, and those who have helped me when I have had family emergencies. I try to take that and support those around me however they need.

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People totally misunderstand the brains and dedication this trade takes.

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Make sure to always be your brother’s keeper,

above and below your position.

I’m alive and thankful. It just goes to show how important communication and situational awareness are.

Title

I think someone who’s a self starter and can focus on the task at hand is gonna do very well in this trade.

Make sure to always be your brother’s keeper, above and below your position.

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What’s the hardest part of this career that people never really see?

The long hours and the time away from family. Taking difficult jobs far from home.

For example, this last Christmas, my crews went up north and missed Christmas Eve and Christmas with our families to work in the rain and help other families who didn't have power. This is just one; there are so many I could use from over the years.

What’s a moment in your career that you’re most proud of?

I'm proud of many moments in my career, but it's hard to beat becoming World Champion at the International Lineman's Rodeo after years of hard work.

My teammates and I have had to put a lot of time and dedication into doing better outside of work to achieve that title.

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you only have one reputation, you better make it a good one.

I’m alive and thankful. It just goes to show how important communication and situational awareness are.

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My advice to anyone thinking about getting in the trade is do it, you won’t regret it! There are so many avenues that you can take. Best job I’ve ever had.

you only have one reputation, you better make it a good one.

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Have some heart for the trade, and care about your work,

not just the income.

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What separates a great hand from an average one?

The great ones that come to mind all have pride in not just themselves and their job. They look down the line to see the other crews and help them out, because they may be in the same situation the next day, week, or years down the line, and those men or women will remember the great ones that took their time to help them.

They are confident, but not arrogant, and humble, and it shows through their actions.

If someone walked up to you tomorrow and said they’re thinking about joining the trade, what would you tell them?

I would tell them. You will miss a lot of family events, and there will be time away from your family. The work will be hard and define you as a person when the long hours and hard conditions show up.

However, while the job is tough, it is rewarding in a lot of ways. I enjoy going to work each day, and I enjoy the people I work with. I wouldn't have it any other way.

I would also remind them you only have one reputation, you better make it a good one.

Where do you see your career going from here?

Well, I have been a journeyman since 2009 and a foreman for the most part since 2011. I still plan on climbing until I am unable to.

Who knows what the future holds for me. I can see being a foreman, GF, or a Super. I have been offered many jobs, even being a trainer for some companies. They've told me I have accomplished so much already, what do I have to prove? And then my team won the International Rodeo.

Who knows, maybe one day I could be involved in starting a line company. We will just have to see.

What’s one thing you’d change about this industry if you could?

Better benefits for the hands, for example, sick pay for contractors. That is one thing we cannot always control.

When you look back at your career, what do you think this trade gave you that you never expected?

I would never expect the amount of friends from all over the world that I have gained. They always have open arms when we get reconnected.

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We work better in general as

a team, and great friendships and relationships can build from that.

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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.

We're telling that story.