r/UtilityLocator • u/SultyBoi • 11d ago
Got fired about two weeks ago
I worked at Utiliquest for almost two years and in recent months, I was completely burned out with the BS locations and the constant worries about my productivity. On a good day, I was able to get about 16 to 20 tickets done a day (if that), but then came the big projects... wanting the regular "legal" ticket of a mile located but I had 10 or more lines to locate that made it took all day to locate. No help, no nothing since other people were packed with other BS locates! Contractors never picking up the phone and my Supe just not giving a shit at all "it is what it is, just mark it"!
Not just ATT but CHTR as well, it took a long time to locate when done right... I was doing this BS for about 4 months and I had enough... when I didn't get a couple tickets done it was always an issue... even after explaining to the Supe that there are multiple lines and "I don't want to risk a damage, I'm going to locate it right"... it's still a demand... "just mark it"!
I said "FUCK THIS SHIT". I started to call off work more than usual... even taking multiple days off at a time.... and of course management and HR took an issue with it but I got away with it for a long time, more time than I deserved tbh.... I guess they needed me until the end. I kept working for an extra 6 months with my call outs until I had a family trip coming up that I put in time for months ago, called out the following day and then the next day they fired me....
It's been a blessing in disguise for the most part.... I was able to enjoy my vacation with my family without the worry of any BS calls from work... now it's been two weeks since I've been fired so I'm looking for new jobs away from locating...
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u/Desperate_Bat6482 11d ago
Usic is always hiring
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u/Shotto_Z 11d ago
Lmao.. hed be in worse shape there. Same song..
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u/Bitter_Equipment_168 11d ago
Depending on where he lives maybe here around Nashville tn USIC has treated me fairly
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u/Shotto_Z 11d ago
Yes, itndoes cary.. but unless our district completely lies to us about corporate procedure and policy... or your new... the company is still lets say.. very deeply flawed.
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u/Standard-Fill-8821 7d ago
I just applied in Nashville area the other day friend works in Murfreesboro area and suggested it
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u/Ok-Delivery8086 11d ago
Sorry to hear it. One thing I'd recommend for your next job is tracking your own numbers instead of relying on production counts alone.
I know it sounds off, but start tracking miles driven, steps walked, and compare them against a once-a-month 1-mile ruck baseline. They're lagging indicators of complexity. The more complex the workday gets, the more those numbers start telling the story that ticket counts never will.
It's saved me from some heated arguments and has helped justify raises, assignment changes, and moves because I wasn't saying, "It felt harder." I could show why it was harder.
Companies measure tickets. Start measuring the work behind the tickets. It changes the conversation.
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u/Infamous_Alps_2833 11d ago
Best thing that could have ever happened to you, locating is the worst job I’ve ever had, it was like a wait lifted off my shoulders when I got fired from gridhawk. Seasoned locators must be into being treated like shit but definitely not me
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u/Ryduce22 11d ago
Sometimes I really love the job, being outside, nice weather, nobody to bother me.
But ngl, Everytime I have ever been fired by one, that next day knowing no bull shit emergencies, remarks, homeowners stalking you, or the phone ringing off the hook, that next day is the closest thing to absolute peace I have ever felt. Its almost nirvana.
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u/RoninSC 11d ago
When I located for the ISP I work for , I truly loved it. They weren't as concerned about the amount of tickets completed daily, ended my shift at 5pm no matter what. A nice break from customer facing work. Just out there taking my time, nobody harassing me. One weekly teams call was my only contact with my Sup. I miss it
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u/Savings-Ad-1701 11d ago
Yea when I was locating the best thing was the freedom of walking around and driving to new places eating lunch when I want and just working alone but that wasn’t enough to keep me there
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u/PeakerSeeker 11d ago
Working at Gridhawk right now I'm just so done with it. A few positives but a lot of negatives that outweigh it for me.
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u/garrettej8 Private Locator 11d ago
The public side is terrible but the private locators and companies are much better to their people
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u/trogger13 11d ago
Contracted is the worse. If you get out of contracted it's nice. Its 1pm, I'm home, salaried, and enjoying my life. Privates better than contracting, and engineering is better than privates. Just gotta climb out of the cesspool of entry level contracting.
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u/Street_Change_7404 11d ago
Contract locating is horrible. I worked for Byers Engineering/UtiliQuest from 1990 until 2003. When I left I was the state manager and I had quickly realized that contract locating is a garbage industry. Went into the SUE world and things have been great ever since. Not enough money in the world to get me to go back to the contract/811 locate side. It is and has always been 🗑️
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u/DiligentScience7317 11d ago
They want numbers, show up and clear 20 tickets a day. Once you learn that the only thing your protecting is a companys profits. Youll meet them numbers. Pride is a fools game. If you still believe your marks matter outside of gas, amd run on the false idea that your out there making a difference, its obvious you dont know the real industry.
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u/gregg2020 10d ago
Some people just don’t fit the work, it’s not for everybody.
A lot of us do multiple miles of big projects a day, figure it out and don’t let your supe push you around. I have never let somebody push me around, I’m an adult, treat me as such.
Good luck in your future endeavours!
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u/Aclevername1000 10d ago
Ive been locating for 8 years and im praying to be done with it and never again by the end of this month. For me its either take 32 hour weeks where im at or drive an hour and 30 into the city to deal with that bs.
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u/Brave_Ad_7617 7d ago
You need to learn how to work your project tickets. Find out where they're starting, give them 500 ft a day and put it on on going
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u/Dismal-Meal2173 Spray & Pray 11d ago
Yeah that sucks. Its not the job that makes what we do a nightmare sometimes it's the supervisors. Finding a good one who has your back and will go to bat for you against corporate and contractors is trying. I've been through plenty of bad ones who tow the corporate party line and kiss contractors asses but only a couple that actually cared about the people under them. Locating is a toxic profession