True grit Thermography employees live out of suitcases an average of 240 days a year, usually traveling alone. Being away from home and missing important family milestones can be a strain on employees and their families. Although this line of work may not be for everyone, thermographers love to travel. Traveling in remote areas of the state brings its own unique challenges. Cell, internet, and GPS service can be sparse or nonexistent, hampering communication with the ofce, managers, customers, and team members. More than once, they have driven of in search of better cell coverage to relay an urgent message. Planning their route and their meals is an important part of the job, too: There may not be any stores, gas stations, or restaurants for miles. But there are bigger issues to deal with. Confrontations with nearby residents come with the territory. When employees are performing inspections in a utility right-of-way, angry property owners have on occasion appeared with weapons. People sometimes think the cameras are aimed at them, their children, or their homes and property. Suspicious residents have followed and shot video of our thermographers, claiming to have evidence of wrongdoing. Our thermographers use a marked company vehicle, with lights fashing, wear clothing with the company name on it, and try to be as visible as possible. Having the skillset to deescalate a tense situation is a requirement of the job. With a goal of 100 to 150 miles per week, it takes patience, understanding, and precious time to explain multiple times a day what they are doing. Urban areas present their own problems. Driving slowly along the shoulder, the thermographers need two or three minutes per pole to take photos. Rubbernecking, horn honks, and insults shouted from passing cars are common. Tailgaters pose a special kind of danger, since the drivers behind them can’t see the markings and fashing lights on the vehicles. The Next Hundred Years 105 Inspectors found that both northern and southern phase primary arms had come loose from pin insulators near Vestal, N.Y. Here, the primaries rest on the crossarms. Branches rest on the primary, near Lindley, N.Y. Axel Batlle captures an infrared image through the sunroof, while Tim Vanderwerken prepares to photograph from another angle. Inspectors found that both northern and southern phase primary arms had come loose from pin insulators near Vestal, N.Y. Here, the primaries rest on the crossarms. Branches rest on the primary, near Lindley, N.Y.
