Thank a Line Tech!
Faster than a speeding bullet! More powerful than a locomotive! Able to climb tall utility poles in a single bound!
I’ve heard it said line technicians have superpowers, and I agree. Their skills and uniforms morph them from mere civilians to men and women who command the power of electricity – and we encourage you to join us in thanking them.
National Lineman Appreciation Day is April 18. Established in 2013, it is a day to honor those who put their lives on the line to keep the lights on.
And they do just that. When severe storms, including hurricanes, approach, our line technicians leave their families to work days on end restoring our customers’ electric service as quickly and safely as possible. They work in the wind, rain, and sometimes even ice and snow, to keep power flowing in the middle of the storm.
Beyond storms, line techs work in all kinds of weather, performing maintenance, putting in new service (which has increased a lot for our area in the past couple of years), and handling whatever situations come up, including being a hero when a bird got caught in a line this year.
To stay safe, they have to wear fire retardant uniforms, which are HOT. It may help in the middle of the winter, but on a hot South Carolina summer day, line techs do their best to keep their cool when they may feel like they’re melting.
The work is difficult and can be hazardous. Line techs have to be tedious about safety. They put on extra gear (making those hot uniforms even hotter), take extra steps and precautions, and not to mention, always keep eyes on each other. They're riding high in bucket trucks, pulling and pushing heavy wire, and watching traffic so they don’t get hit.
If you ever lose power, think of the line technicians who are out there using their brains and brawn to get your power turned back on. And remember to #ThankALineman.
Want to see firsthand what they do? We’ll take you on a day with a crew on April 18 when we do a line technician takeover of our Facebook and Twitter accounts. Be sure to follow along!
