High voltage worker stories: 
John Cross Thomas

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6th step AP

Prior roles: tREE TRIMMER, FACTORY WORKER, 18-WHEELER SHOP WORKER
Location: Houston Texas local 66

years in the trade: 3 years

@jcccct 

@JOHN.CROSS.THOMAS 
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Linemen are so smart, and the amount of strategizing and planning good linemen do is incredible. 

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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 heard about the trade from some buddies I went to high school with. I had just dropped out of college and had no idea what to do. They told me about it, and I did some research, then went to line school.

 

After that, I got into tree trimming while I worked on my CDL, then I signed the books. Then I got into the apprenticeship.

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

People totally misunderstand the brains and the dedication this trade takes. A lot of people think blue collar means you’re dumb, basically. Not at all. Linemen are so smart, and the amount of strategizing and planning good linemen do is incredible.

 

And I really think the brotherhood is misunderstood. I have met some lifelong brothers because of this trade, and I’m so thankful for it.
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People totally misunderstand 

the brains and dedication this trade takes.
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People totally misunderstand the brains and dedication this trade takes.
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What’s your proudest moment on the job so far?

One of my proudest moments was when one of my buddy’s dads saw me about to go up in the bucket. We were on a job by their house, and it was cool to me.

 

Also, another time working trouble, a guy thanked me for being on the pole and swapping his transformer out and the whole nine.

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

For me, high-pressure situations are when there are a lot of eyes on you while you’re working. I’ve really had to learn how to get past that.

 

You’ll come to realize everyone has something to say. It’s just part of the trade, it’s nothing personal, and people are gonna watch you.

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

Kind of what I said in the previous question. I worry myself in these never-ending loops sometimes when a lot of people are around.

 

And I’ve had to learn that what people say a lot of the time isn’t personal, and they’re just talking. It’s nothing directly to you.
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 I have met some lifelong brothers because of 

this trade and I’m so thankful for it. 
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People totally misunderstand the brains and dedication this trade takes.
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 I have met some lifelong brothers because of this trade and I’m so thankful for it. 
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 I have met some lifelong brothers because of this trade and I’m so thankful for it. 
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What do you wish someone had told you when you first started on the job?

How much you need to pay attention to everything going on. Always watch your area and don’t get tunnel vision on one task.

 

Treat every little situation almost like a new JHA in your mind. It’s the small things that get you.

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

An open-minded person thrives very well. And a responsible person, one that isn’t afraid to admit when they mess up.

 

Close-minded people do not thrive, and of course lazy people do not thrive.

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

Believe in yourself. And have some heart for the trade, care about your work, not just the income.

 

Have some pride in yourself and don’t half-ass anything.
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 I have met some lifelong brothers because of 

this trade and I’m so thankful for it. 
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People totally misunderstand the brains and dedication this trade takes.
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Have some heart for the trade, and care about your work,  

not just the income.
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Have some heart for the trade, and care about your work,  

not just the income.
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Have you worked in both union and non-union environments? 

Never was on the non union side 

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

I got hit with 20,000V of induction. We were on a double dead end in transmission making up jumpers. We had two trucks set up on either side of the tower. The guys on the other side got done making up their jumpers, and we had just finished pressing our jumper paddles and were about to bolt to the dead end body.

 

Well, they pulled their grounds, so I became the ground because our side was grounded, and we had a personal ground to the grounded phase. (Personal ground being a connection from our basket to the wire.) And I was holding the jumper when they removed the ground.

 

There were 345 running parallel with this de-energized line. And it was later tested at 20kV. I got a hole in my toe and had to spend the night in the ER. But I’m alive and thankful. This just goes to show how important communication and situational awareness are.
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I’m alive and thankful. It just goes to show how important 

communication and situational awareness are.
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People totally misunderstand the brains and dedication this trade takes.
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I’m alive and thankful. It just goes to show how important communication and situational awareness are.

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

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

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

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

I’m still young and don’t have kids, so stacking OT and traveling has never been an issue.

At this point in my life, I’m all for it!

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

I started out in highline and did two years there, and I’ve got a little over a year in distro. Currently in Houston working for North Houston.

 

And future plans, I want to tramp, maybe chase a little storm, and eventually get on a helicopter job. That’s my dream!

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.

Best for the crew

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.

We want to hear from you

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