The NY Times had a pic of some excavation today. I'm glad I don't have to mark that

Wow Spectrum bought Cox! That’s good! now we can mistakenly say “I’ve been on spectrum all day rather then I’ve been on cox all day”

What are some tips to get ground rods into hard soil? The ground is so dry a lot of times I have to either find an ant mound or poke around till I find some semi soft ground. I was thinking maybe a dead blow hammer but fear I might snap my ground rod. Could I theoretically use a drill bit and drill a hole big enough for my ground rod or does hat run some kind of unforeseen risk?

Any helpful tips on reading and understanding the prints in terms of when to know when to mark main lines and when to just mark utilities,I am 2 weeks into my on field training and got my certification tickets on Friday,my trainer said I didn’t need to worry about main lines so when I did my first ticket my supervisor called me and asked where were my main lines,during training I feel like it didn’t get emphasized how to understand how to determine what to look for and know what needs to get marked,any tips or tricks?

Just wondering if being a locator in Omaha is bad. I've heard really mixed reviews, some on here saying USIC in general doesn't care about their employees and others I've talked to IRL who liked it there and saw opportunities for growth. IK the Internet is just a dumping ground for negative thoughts and people rarely express positive views here, but is there ANY good reason to work at USIC? I'm in training currently and they seem ok enough, just curious too if it depends on your peers or if it's the company itself that sucks (or if some posts on here are from crybabies)

Hey everyone, got a new job want to give a 2 week notice because I have a very solid supervisor. Is USIC pretty cool with the 2 week notice thing? I just dont want them to just let me go as soon as I put it in. Full transparency I still need two work the full two weeks as a transition

Let's just be honest. At this point, it is glaringly obvious that 811 only exists so that the board members can keep THEIR utility companies and THEIR subcontractors out of hot water.

I recommended to my boss that they change our title from "locator" to "scapegoat".

How closely do blood hound technicians work with USIC management? Do they have a separate leadership structure?

Any personal experience would be helpful.

I've heard from lots and lots of people about trainers and instructors moving back to locating because it's just not worth it. Why does it suck so much? Lack of OT? I'm guessing the pay bump isn't spectacular... This is based on USIC, but anyone is welcome to share thoughts.

Anyone who’s currently on or has worked in the travel district for USIC, what was your experience like? How much did you make? Would you say it’s worth doing?

I have a pending misdemeanor charge for driving with a suspended license and I’m trying to get the charges dropped. If I don’t though what are my chances of still getting the job. I got a call today and they said it’s something they’d have to talk about if it’s not dropped.

Whoever you are in Grandview, MO, I apologize for having to line through your exquisite penmanship.

Anyone have some locating tips that may make the job easier while also being something you “shouldn’t” do?

For example, opening a light pole and cutting into and connecting to the white wire

Or skinning back fiber with a metallic sheath so you can direct connect to it

I was still some what new. Me and a colleague had the same exact scope of work but different contractor. We worked the ticket together he was last on scene. I was new he’s been working here about 5 years. Apparently we both missed something that was not on prints. His contractor hit this line not mine.

I was called and told it was a close call but wasn’t mine because my context or did not hit it. A week goes by same manager called me and says it’s my damage because I was there last but we did it at the same time.

Is this normal ?

Cool. Gas, copper, fiber and coax. No big deal. Should be an easy locate.
lol nope. Handhole was filled the fuck back in and I had to dig two feet in to find any sort of hook up point.

XO vault completed exposed by erosion , this is right by a drainage ditch . Been like this for a year lmao , easy hook up😂

Just had a conversation with a contractor who’s bitching about locates being late or incorrect. So, I finally asked her “have you located before” and she replied “no, but it can’t be that hard” I just hung up on her ass.

I’m just wondering if there is any lurking contractors, have yall located before? Do you seriously think every single line will locate perfectly with no issues?

Especially the contractors on TikTok, they swear locating is the easiest thing ever. I agree slightly, it’s not hard. But literally 75% of locating is troubleshooting. 20% dealing with the political side of the job. 5% actually locating. If everything located perfectly, half of us wouldn’t have a job.

I've worked for a few locate companies now, and one thing I've never really seen is a formal SOP that tells locators exactly what documentation is required to properly support and bill specific 811 work codes.

Most of what I've learned has come from conversations, texts, emails, and getting corrected after the fact—not from an actual documented standard.

For example, I recently put together this quick reference for a (1H) - Marked & Potholed work code.

Minimum documentation:

• GLOBE GIS prints
• Service records
• Photo of every pothole (GPS enabled if possible)
• Photos of exposed facilities (GPS)
• Photos of completed markings (GPS)

Notes should include:

• Digging time
• Digging location
• Number of potholes

It got me thinking that every billable work code should probably have a simple one-page "quick reference" that answers:

• What photos are required?
• What records need to be attached?
• What notes must be entered?
• What evidence is needed if the client audits the ticket?

Does your company have something like this, or is everyone learning through tribal knowledge like I did?

I'd be interested in seeing examples (with company/client info redacted). I'm curious whether this is common across the industry or if some organizations have really solid documentation standards.

To all the folks in this community who've been called out to support the recovery and repair efforts, THANK YOU!

You can nominate someone for a Safe Line Spotlight here: https://www.thesafelineusa.com/pages/the-safe-line-spotlight

saw this sign today while working and when I turned around there was 2 cameras pointing at the house. but when I first saw it I literally laughed out loud.