A Day in the Life of a Lineman

April 8th, 2025

At BTU, our linemen are the backbone of everything we do. Their dedication to keeping the lights on is what makes our work possible. It’s not just a job; it’s a calling. Being a lineman is one of the most dangerous jobs in the country, and we couldn’t be more grateful for the men and women who step up every day to serve our community. April is Lineman Appreciation Month, and we want to take a moment to shine a light on these hardworking individuals.

Every lineworker begins as an apprentice. It takes four years to complete our apprenticeship program. During that time, trainees rotate through each area, gaining hands-on experience in every part of the system. This structured program is designed to build both skill and confidence, ensuring that every lineman is fully prepared for the challenges of the job.

Apprentices begin by learning the fundamentals, everything from safety procedures and equipment handling to the physics of electricity and the mechanics of the power grid. They start on the ground, assisting experienced linemen, handling materials, and familiarizing themselves with the tools of the trade. As they progress, they move up (literally), learning how to climb poles, operate bucket trucks, and perform overhead line work.

Apprentices rotate through each section of the department, each stint lasting a few months, exposing apprentices to different aspects of the distribution system. In the underground division, they work
on installing and maintaining power lines buried beneath the surface, troubleshooting faults, and ensuring critical systems remain operational. In the overhead division, they gain experience with aerial power lines, repairing storm damage, replacing transformers, and installing new service connections. Finally, in the service division, they respond to real-time power issues, learning how to diagnose and resolve customer outages quickly and efficiently. After a hefty 8,000-hour course and proving their skills, apprentices graduate to become journeyman linemen.

A lineman’s day starts early—most report to the yard between 6 and 7 a.m., ready to tackle whatever the day brings. Crews of about four linemen gear up, review assignments, and load their trucks with the tools and materials they’ll need for the job ahead. From there, they head out into the field where they will perform a job safety briefing outlining the tasks and risks of the project before installing new lines, making repairs, or performing routine maintenance.

The work is tough, requiring physical endurance, technical skill, and teamwork. There are days when everything goes smoothly, and then there are days when a simple call turns into an all-day repair because of an unexpected issue. But one thing remains constant: linemen rely on each other. When you're 40 feet in the air handling high-voltage lines, trust in your crew is everything. But through it all, the brotherhood of linemen is what keeps them going. “I’m with these guys more than my own family. We look out for each other,” Joe Lapaglia, Crew Lead Lineman, said.

Being a lineman means being on call on a rotating basis Friday to Friday, from 3 p.m. to 7 a.m. That means when the phone rings, they have 30 minutes to respond, no matter where they are in our 650-square-mile service area. It’s a job that demands sacrifice; missed holidays, ball games, and family events are part of the deal. This job isn’t for the faint of heart. As one lineman put it, “They say to be a lineman, you need to be cut from a certain cloth. Well, that goes for your wife, too. This life isn’t easy,” Lapaglia said.

Severe weather is when linemen’s skills and endurance are truly put to the test. Before a storm, they make sure every tool is stocked and every truck is ready to roll at a moment’s notice. When the call comes in on a cold, dark night, they pull on extra layers to stay warm, but too many layers can make it harder to perform the physical work. The brutal heat and humidity of Brazos Valley summers makes it essential to stay hydrated and try to perform work in the cooler hours of the day when possible.

Extreme temperatures strain the system, too. In winter, heaters run nonstop, pushing infrastructure to its max. In summer, triple-digit heat forces air conditioners into overdrive, the load generating so much heat that wires can actually melt. And then there are the moments you can’t predict, like the time lightning struck a transmission line, disintegrating a mile and a half of wire. “It was all hands on deck for three days to rebuild it. We rerouted power to get some customers back up while we worked, but it was nonstop until the job was done,” Brandon Welch, Crew Lead Lineman, said. Even in the toughest conditions, our linemen find a way. They do whatever it takes to restore power safely and as quickly as possible. Linemen see it all. Animals tangled in transformers, cars taking down poles, and the occasional “you won’t believe this” moment. “Recently, we got a call about a dump truck hitting a pole. While we were responding to that, another dump truck on the other side of town hit another pole. What are the odds?” Welch said.

All linemen agree that the job isn’t easy, but it’s one of the most rewarding jobs out there. “Making a difference in my community, getting the lights back on when people need it most—that makes it all worth it,” Welch said. For those wondering how to show appreciation, a simple thank you goes a long way. “On those brutally hot summer days, when a customer offers you a cold drink, that means a lot,” Welch said.

For those thinking about becoming a lineman, the advice is simple: Be comfortable working with your hands and outdoors. Get your Commercial Driver’s License. And don’t be afraid of heights. Through storms, heat waves, and everything in between, BTU linemen always answer the call. To every lineman out there—thank you for keeping our community powered.