Comments on: Crazy Job - Cell Tower Technician

By: astc

astc — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 21:48:44 +0000

I worked for a compnay called Viper Communications, they are based in Ocala FL, with an additonal office in Charlotte, NC. We did a ton of work in Atlanta, my original antenna work is probably still in the Olympic torch there, check it out next time you are in the observatory at the top. Anyway, the deal with the tower business is, you can live almost anywhere and work for a tower company located almost anywhere. They pretty much own you for weeks at time. They move you around from hotel to hotel with extensive travel required, but hey, you are paid whether you are fighting or marching. They pay perdiem which is great too! Live cheap and you can bankroll! Typically, you stay out on the road about 8 weeks and then home one week. If you and your family can live with that, you can make great $$$. I did it in 2000, during Sprint’s push for a nation-wide digitial network. Man did we move all over the US.. It was a blast, you develop brotherships that last forever because you have to trust those you work with, with your life. Another huge benefit is you will be in the best shape of your life after pulling yourself vertically for a few months!

By: Joe Fitzgerald

Joe Fitzgerald — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 04:50:02 +0000

Just sent in my application to Industrial Communications her in MA. Lets see how it goes.

Never had a fear of heights, just working with idiots.

By: Matt

Matt — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 10:03:03 +0000

U guys somed it up pretty well. It is probably the best and worst jobs win the world. The beautiful scenery, powerful..
That feeling of landing a boom.,crosing the threashholds of normalcy and feeling alive. Even when its tough.. these are the things that make us stronger. To all my bros strappin on a belt …cheers.

By: John

John — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 05:40:11 +0000

Yes you have all the saftey items one could ever need. The reason that people fall is because they get lazy on saftey and then dont do the proper tie off procedures. I have been doing this for 5 years and have never had anyone around me even fall what so ever. I feel bad for those families and friends.

By: ricky

ricky — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:25:24 +0000

I am an ex contractor/builder the econemy got real bad and had to close down my company. It sucks but i sucked up my pride and answered an add in the paper and it didn’t say exactly what it was except wireless comunications and it was tower climbing 1st time up 150 ft not to bad 2nd time 450 thought i was crazy but loved it. it’s been 7 months i am the only one to make it out of 27 guys look to actually make it a career you thinking about it make sure cause i have rescued 4 people off the tower and 350 ft repelling down with a man atached to you thats where you seperate the boys from the men and yeah just this short time ive been to 9 different states so hope the pay gets better than 17 bucks an hour

By: Jeff

Jeff — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 02:56:39 +0000

Jared,
I am a certified trainer in the tower industry and would be gald to work with anyone who has the ambition to be a self starter and not just beg for a job in an industry where very few can succeed. Where are you from maybe i can help you get tied in with the right people?

By: Jared

Jared — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 18:33:54 +0000

I’ve been looking into becoming a tower tech. I’m 6′4″ bout 270lbs. so I’m not really sure if thats gonna work out. But i’m tryin to save up the $$ for the climbing classes. that crap is expensive! but I look forward to it.

By: Felicia Ranjel

Felicia Ranjel — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 20:49:23 +0000

My husband is an electrician and is wanting to repair lights on towers. he already has to be high when he repairs exterior lights so it doesn’t faze him. Could you tell me where he could apply for a job like that. Please email me at feliz_navidad_18@yahoo.com. we would so appreciate it because we have a 3 year old and a new baby and could use the money. Thanks

By: Mark W

Mark W — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:37:34 +0000

I agree with James McQueen i was a tower worker for 2 years and was away from home alot and paid 15 bucks an hour to risk my life for a cell phone connection! Not only that it was in 30 degree weather with crazy about of wind cuz your working up thier above the tree line with nothing to block the wind!

By: raymond

raymond — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:01:23 +0000

I’ve been in the cleaning business for the last thirteen years and would like to start a new career. I live in atlanta, Ga. Are there any companies that would hire a greenhorn. I’m ready!

By: Troy

Troy — Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:59:45 +0000

I worked on towers for many years. Here’s the deal. Safety comes first is the preaching. Get the job done fast is the standard.

There are no safety nets, but there are harnesses.

I worked in some of the coldest and nastiest weather that made you feel miserable, but on a comfortable sunny day it was heaven being on top of those towers. Peaceful and you can hardly imagine the views. We did not work in icing or high winds above 20 MPH.

We climbed to the top and walked or scooted to the edge of the antenna arrays. I built towers so we had ground crews that would send us up equipment and parts via lines and pulleys that the first man up the pole would attach to a solid anchoring point. We communicate our needs via radios.

It was dangerous. An interesting thing was to see how the new guys handled working at the top for the first time. It’s amazing how many “fearless” people suddenly develop a serious fear of heights when up there. I have what I like to call a very healthy respect for heights. I use and trust my equipment. I have worked with guys that would jump from one array to another without being tied in. CRAZY!!! They learned quickly that when they worked with me they were going to hear an ear full if they did that while I was on the tower.

I often miss the job, but the pay was so bad that I couldn’t support a family on it. The time away from home was hard too. Forget relationships if you ever do this job.

By: matt

matt — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 17:45:28 +0000

I just became a tower tech it is awesome!

By: Saman Sadeghi

Saman Sadeghi — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 11:53:26 +0000

They don’t provide you guys with any safety harnesses?!

By: James McQueen

James McQueen — Mon, 26 May 2008 22:57:09 +0000

yap i have been climbing cell towers for 14 years and have had alot of friends get killed,they have been 7 guys fall off of these towers from 04-12-2008 till now ,the cell carriers have no value of life but only $$$$$$$$$$$ so we are rushed and under paid ,would love to get some help out there for guy like me ,so we could get paid for the danger we face every day so people can talk on there cell phones and cops can use there two way radios for help,the avrage guy makes 15 bucks an hour and stays away from his family months at a time..

By: Vern

Vern — Wed, 07 May 2008 17:49:57 +0000

Not to sound stupid. But, that guy is in a really tame position. It is the most insane job to have. You find your self BSing with some dude 250′ in the air. I’ve done it for a while and it is crazy. The money is ok, but its the per diem that makes it worth it. It takes a certain amount of “craziness” to do the job

By: Jason

Jason — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 21:23:04 +0000

Thanks for the respect!!! I am a tower tech or a Tower Monkey is what we like to call it..lol. People think I am crazy for having such a dangerous job but the money is good and the view from my office is great! you can see some pics of me on some tower sites at myspace.com/jsining and no I am not some porn start trying to get you to look at my webcam for 4.99 an hour hahaha

By: bill

bill — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 01:41:28 +0000

wow that is really high up there! i would love to do this job:for the excitment,and to be able to feel alive up there!

By: bill

bill — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 01:39:57 +0000

wow!!that is really high.i would love to do this job…to be able to feel alive!

By: gary

gary — Sun, 05 Aug 2007 15:34:06 +0000

Wow…I am really curious how well that pays. I’d never be able to handle the height. Some of those towers sway in the wind as well. No thanks.

I just hope that guy works for Verizon and not some foreign spy agency!

By: Saman Sadeghi

Saman Sadeghi — Fri, 03 Aug 2007 15:49:01 +0000

I have to disagree with you on this one - the tree may not look 100% real, but I’d rather see a stealthed tower then a metal monolith…