[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by jebartle

Why! In this age of technology is there not a better safer way...Even old
technology, replace the light with a pulley system, remember, necessity is the mother of invention, I think this would qualify as necessity....I'm with RichieLion, could not pay me enough!!

Were they changing a light? On our radio and TV towers, we had to have a tower jack do a visual inspection every now and then. Sometimes the fittings would corrode or we would get a better antenna to put on the tower, or it needed to be painted.

Here is an interesting, but macabre side note. One of the tower jacks who worked on our towers in upstate New York was Nicholas Berg. Remember that poor soul. He was the first American beheaded by the extremists in Iraq in 2004.

[Biker B]

I was one of seven electricians who worked with seven iron workers that set the antenna on top of the empire state building in 1985. After needle was set we worked for 12 months installing the lighting and antenna lines.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by jebartle

Why! In this age of technology is there not a better safer way...Even old
technology, replace the light with a pulley system, remember, necessity is the mother of invention, I think this would qualify as necessity....I'm with RichieLion, could not pay me enough!!

A lot of transmission line maintenance is done from helicopters these days.

[mak44070]

Originally Posted by Pturner

A lot of transmission line maintenance is done from helicopters these days.

I have this mental image of a guy dangling by the ankles, trying to fix something - 'course he'd have a helmet on!

[bkcunningham1]

Originally Posted by Biker B

I was one of seven electricians who worked with seven iron workers that set the antenna on top of the empire state building in 1985. After needle was set we worked for 12 months installing the lighting and antenna lines.

Wow. I bet you have some good stories to tell about that job.

[Talk Host]

Several years ago, Amity and I played golf with a guy down in Sanibel who was the chief engineer for the tower installation on the World Trade Center. I get the shivers thinking about it.

JK

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by mak44070

I have this mental image of a guy dangling by the ankles, trying to fix something - 'course he'd have a helmet on!

Oh sorry, Mak,

At least let me improve your mental image. It's actually pretty darn cool!

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chpOgJwqBXU&feature=related[/ame]

[Larryandlinda]

Originally Posted by Pturner

Oh sorry, Mak,

At least let me improve your mental image. It's actually pretty darn cool!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chpOg...eature=related

That clip includes two jobs at the top of the skill and risk chain
We've seen golf cart operators that can't even get into a car space

Wonder if the pilot has a couple beers to steady the nerves?

L and L

[swrinfla]

Huge kudos to the guys who do this kind of stuff!

Here's a thought, though: the guys we've seen in the clips here are almost at round level. They do deserve our great appreciation; but, what about the guys/gals doing spacewalks at the International Space Station???????



SWR

[N'awlins Lady]

This makes the "Honey, how was your day at work today?" question seem...well, rather ridiculous!

Trudy

[Larryandlinda]

Originally Posted by N'awlins Lady

This makes the "Honey, how was your day at work today?" question seem...well, rather ridiculous!

Trudy

Nice shoes
Hey, have we had it wrong for a half century?

we thought it was 'N'walins'

By the way, our own is "Bawl'mer", Hon.

L and L

[Jakel]

I was an electrician, and was called on to climb a 270 foot tower, which was actually a smokestack for a Trash to Steam plant in N.J. Although my climb was longer than theirs, since they were in an elevator to 1600', their view was much more amazing. My climb was like climbing an extension ladder standing straight up. I had a safety harness that attached at the belt that I had to pull on as I ascended. However, their free climb at the top was what seperates the real climbers from the novices. I didn't even think OSHA allowed that!!
My toes remembered the feeling as I watched the video. Today, I would need lunch, dinner, and 2 naps to make the round trip!!

[k2at]

I wonder what happens if he leaves a wrench up there after he comes down.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of...s_in_the_world

Supposedly this is the 2nd tallest structure in the world. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KVLY-TV_mast

[getdul981]

I hope they went to the bathroom before they started.