pipeline spotter jobs

[Helen Woods]

Where can I find out about jobs as a pipeline/powerline spotter? I
called my power company today and their HR girls seemed to think I was
off my rocker.

Helen

[Dave S]

The power company contracts out for those sort of jobs to outfits. Look
for "aerial patrol" jobs with aviation outfits.

Dave

Helen Woods wrote:
> Where can I find out about jobs as a pipeline/powerline spotter? I
> called my power company today and their HR girls seemed to think I was
> off my rocker.
>
> Helen

[Robert M. Gary]

I think they are contracted out. When I first joined CAP our first
mission was to find a powerline spotter who didn't return. Turned out
he hit a line and was KIA. :( Too bad.

-Robert

[Marty]

"Helen Woods" > wrote in message
...
> Where can I find out about jobs as a pipeline/powerline spotter? I called
> my power company today and their HR girls seemed to think I was off my
> rocker.
>
> Helen

Hi Helen,

The power co HR wouldn't have a clue, generally speaking. This is a
contracted service, which means you would need to have your own company and
you would bid on the inspection service. They generally don't have their own
planes and pilots.

As a student pilot, I had the opportunity to "tag along" several times with
a pipeline pilot on patrol. It was a wonderfull, but bone jarring
experience. The route- Joliet, Chicago, Rockford IL to Kansas City, Mo.then
back home to C09.
The wonderfull part, flying <200ft agl in the Chicago Metro area, doing
"pylon turns" around transmission towers with heavies departing over your
head, yahoo! Those folks at O'Hare&Midway are good at what they do,I really
like the Rockford gang also.
What sucks is, that as the morning turns to midafternoon, you are <200ft agl
@ 75-80% power in a 172 Cutlass(or equivalent) constantly cinching the lap
belt to keep from landing in the back seat. God help ya if you had too much
coffee B-4 takeoff.
It's a great time builder, if ya can hack it.

Marty
P.S. Check out the threads on off field landings and take-offs, as the
schedule MUST be maintained ;-)

[Gig 601XL Builder]

"Helen Woods" > wrote in message
...
> Where can I find out about jobs as a pipeline/powerline spotter? I called
> my power company today and their HR girls seemed to think I was off my
> rocker.
>
> Helen


I don't know about all the companies where you live but both of the pipeline
pilots are independent contractors so I'm sure that the HR departments of
the companies they work for would probably not have a clue.