High voltage worker stories: Kevin Pilkinton JR.

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Journeyman lineman

Prior roles: Apprentice lineman, groundmen
Location: bakersfield, California

years in the trade: 20 years

@blaxican_linehand 
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In a trade where 1 mistake can kill you, it pays to double check, have a questioning attitude or even get a second opinion.

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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 learned about the trade through my uncle. My dad started doing Line work with him when I was in the fourth grade. I started working at a commercial electrical company when I was 19 but wasn’t there long before I left to go do non union line work in the oilfields. That had an electrician apprenticeship that they sent me to which was 4 years long. 

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

Outsiders misunderstand the amount of time that you spend away from your family. The outsiders only see the money aspect of the job. While not realizing that there’s a lot of sacrifices that have to be made to make the money that we make. I missed a lot of all my kids firsts. First steps, words, holidays, birthdays. I missed my anniversary a bunch due to storms or school. 
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Outsiders misunderstand the amount of time that you spend away from your family. The outsiders only see the money aspect of the job.

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

My proudest moment would be when I got all my lil brothers hired at the oil field company I was working at as well as when I topped out and became a union journeyman  Lineman. 

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

There was a company I was working for that was non-union in Florida and I watched a guy who said he was a lineman go phase to ground on 21kv.

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

The hardest part of the job is teaching multiple personalities, and trying to get them to learn how I teach. Each person is different so I have to take a different approach with each apprentice that is under me.

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

This is a hard question because I had so many different lineman that I had to talk to before I had even gotten into the trade. On account that my dad is a lineman. And they all gave me really good information. I will say the best advice was to go union. That has changed my family’s lives since I’ve been union. 

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

It depends on the situation. I would say that most people who thrive in the trade are open minded, work well with others and are genuinely hard workers. The ones that don’t normally are know it alls, don’t listen and have an excuse for everything. I have however seen guys turn around and start to thrive after previously struggling. I have seen guys that were once decent hands go hot and then turn into slugs. 

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

Decide if this is what you really want to do, research as much as you can, don’t only come for the money because it could get you hurt or someone else hurt, understand there’s gonna be a lot of sacrifices and it’s gonna be hard but it’ll be worth it. My lil brother is an apprentice in the mountain states. I’ve told him everything I just said. Stay cut in no matter what. All it takes is one mistake for your life to change or for you to change someone else’s life forever. In a trade where 1 mistake can kill you, it pays to double check, have a questioning attitude or even get a second opinion. 
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All it takes is one mistake for your life to change or for you to change someone else’s life forever.

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

Yes I started non union in the oil fields in California when I was 19 years old and worked storms in Florida non union before getting on with a utility in riverside California. The pay is astronomically different. As a topped out lineman non union I was making basically apprentice wages. No real retirement or good benefits. Union have all of those and more. The training non union I would say wasn’t bad but it also wasn’t as good as training as the one I got at my current company. Safety may have been a big deal with the company but it wasn’t on the crews. When I was younger I didn’t really know better but once I got some experience I did my best to change it at least on my jobs and with the crews around me. 

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

First time I upgraded as foreman. It was a storm storm in Santa Rosa I had multiple people interfering with the job. I was getting pulled in a bunch of different directions and then almost forgot to ground a section of line. It taught me to that no matter what to slow everything way down and pay attention to what’s going on that way I keep my crew and my self safe as well as the public or anyone on our job site. 
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Safety may have been a big deal with the company but it wasn’t on the crews.

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

Luckily my wife and kids have expensive taste so they understand when I have to work. Also, my wife has been with me since before I got into the trade so it’s been a long hard road, but she understands now when I have to leave. My boys are older now and looking to get into the trade. So hopefully they can get in and their apprenticeship knocked out before starting a family. 

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

I started when I was 19 and loved it. I was a young lineman non union. I decided I needed more so I went to a utility and started over in a union apprenticeship @33 years old. I would’ve had to move so I applied at PG&E to get into an apprenticeship in my hometown. I got it so I ended up starting over again. I ended up topping out @38 years old. I’m currently taking on a temp foreman position. When I was younger, I felt like I wanted to be a lineman forever. Now that I’m older, I still feel like that but my body doesn’t so some form of foreman supervisor or inspector job would be nice in the next 10 years or so.

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.

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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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