Running into old friends

One of many cool aspects of being a union electrician is that we often run into people we've worked with before, on other jobs, and/or for other companies. The first time I worked with Andy was over 10 years ago for a shop that is no longer around. I was an apprentice, and he was my journeyman/foreman. Several years later, I was foreman on a job at University Hospital and he helped me out as a worker. We've often worked together at the steel mills too. When I walked in the room for the first time for Call Henry, I saw him, Earl, Bobby, Tom G, Bruce, and Eddie; it was sort of like a family reunion. Working together over the years gives one a feeling of comraderie and brotherhood.


A couple of weeks ago, I worked with Andy on a cutover, and got to teach him a bit about HV splicing. He's a "splicer-in-training" for the shop and hands-on experience is always a good learning tool. Here he's shrinking down a Raychem motor lead termination kit for 2400V unshielded cables. I did the first three terminations, explaining what to look for, and showing him the proper technique of using the torch. He did the next three, then I finished the last three.

I couldn't have done a better job myself.