What is a lineman's life really like during a storm? While the 7,200 volts are dangerous, the greatest threat is far more surprising. 21-year veteran power line technician Aaron LeBlanc (from the YouTube channel Bobsdecline) pulls back the curtain on this high-stakes trade, revealing why public perception of storm recovery is often wrong.

Ever wonder if the most lethal danger isn't the electricity, but something far more common? Aaron shares the chilling truth about the #1 threat linemen face - a hazard that has tragically caused fatalities. This episode is a crucial look into the unseen challenges, intense brotherhood, and life-saving knowledge of one of the world's most demanding professions.

STORM CHAOS VS. PUBLIC PERCEPTION [10:26]:

"The public sees us roll in... They're like, 'Oh good, the power company's here. We're gonna get our power back soon.' But we could have hundreds of similar calls... We're just there to make sure everybody's safe."

Get a rare look into the real priorities during a storm. Aaron explains why crews often secure a hazard and leave, a procedural necessity that the public often mistakes for inefficiency.

A LINEMAN'S #1 FEAR [16:03]:

"One of the things that scares me the most is actually traffic... There's been some very, very serious incidents. There's been a few losses of life within the last few years related to traffic."

This is a must-watch segment. Aaron exposes why the most unpredictable and lethal threat to a lineman isn't a high-voltage line, but distracted or impatient drivers near a worksite.

CAREER CROSSROADS: MONEY VS. LIFESTYLE [26:02]:

"If you're a guy that wants to start a family or you like consistency... municipality is the way to go... If you're young and you want to work on the road, contracting work, I highly recommend it. You'll learn a lot."

Considering a career as a lineman? Aaron breaks down the crucial decision between municipal and contractor work, helping you choose the path that aligns with your financial goals and lifestyle.

00:00 - CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 Details & Discount

00:31 - Aaron LeBlanc's Introduction

01:31 - Becoming a Power Line Technician

04:17 - A Day in the ‘Trouble Truck’

09:52 - The Unseen Reality of Storm Work

12:36 - Understanding Step Potential

15:03 - The Unseen #1 Danger for Linemen

18:43 - The Brotherhood of the Lineman Trade

22:10 - How to Get into the Lineman Trade

25:34 - Municipal vs. Private Sector Lineman Work

28:36 - Underrated vs. Overrated: Lineman Edition

30:56 - The Utility Expo

35:29 - The ‘Bobdecline’ Name Origin Story

38:11 - Aaron’s Discount Code for The Utility Expo

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Bobsdecline
• 
  
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bobsdecline
• 
  
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bobsdecline/
• The Utility Expo:

Many skilled operators dream of being their own boss, but the reality is a brutal mix of financial pressure, operational chaos, and personal sacrifice. In this episode, Sy Kirby of Sy-Con Excavation shares his unfiltered story of turning a trade into a thriving business.

From a name his grandfather wrote on a toy truck to building a company, a popular YouTube channel, and the Blue Collar Business Podcast, Sy reveals the raw truths about making big bets on people, kickstarting a marketing strategy at CONEXPO, and handling the crushing stress of being the CEO.

🎯 KEY EPISODE TAKEAWAYS:

🤝 The Dozer Deal: How a Two-Year Promise Unlocked a New Division [06:45]

"'You come to work for me for two years... and I'll go buy you the baddest daggum dozer on the market when it comes time.' Sure enough, two years goes by and we've got a chance of capturing an entire project together."

Sy reveals how a long-term vision and a leap of faith in a key employee unlocked a new division for his company.

💀 Beyond the Big Iron: The Brutal Reality of Business Ownership [13:07]

"I can't tell you how many Thursdays we've sat there and prayed... 'How's tomorrow going to work out?' The gear is super cool to look at... but making sure your guys' payroll is there every Friday..."

Learn all about the immense emotional and financial pressure entrepreneurs face beyond the equipment.

🚀 The Accidental Viral Video: How 15 Seconds at CONEXPO Ignited His Marketing [21:48]

"It was just a simple 15-second short, went completely viral…It definitely helped gain some traction and help the algorithm base who we are."

Sy explains how one simple video jumpstarted his marketing effort, proving you don't need a perfect strategy to get results.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 - Starting Sy-Con and Honoring a Family Legacy

02:01 - Building a Business Around Better Work Culture

04:32 - From Residential Work to Commercial Contracts

05:46 - Expanding Into Dirt Operations and Team Growth

08:06 - Hard Lessons from Scaling and Equipment Investments

10:13 - Turning Small Jobs into Long-Term Opportunities

12:34 - Managing Growth, Stress, and Entrepreneurial Pressure

16:23 - Systemizing Operations and Building a Stronger Team

19:35 - Launching a Marketing Strategy with CONEXPO and YouTube

26:44 - Creating the Blue Collar Business Podcast

32:40 - Advocating for Trades Over Traditional College Paths

40:00 - Why AI Makes Blue Collar Careers More Valuable Than Ever

🔗 CONNECT WITH SY KIRBY:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQQpxlyHHeY

Podcast: https://www.bluecollarbusinesspodcast.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sy-kirby-18395b2a6/

Website: https://www.syconexc.com/

Thank you to our good friends over at John Deere Power Systems for sponsoring this podcast: https://www.deere.ca/en/engines-and-drivetrain/

CONEXPO-CON/AGG Newsletter: https://www.CONEXPOconagg.com/industry-news#sign-up

#Excavation #Entrepreneurship #BlueCollarBusiness

Feeling the squeeze with rising costs and a shrinking labor pool? A lot of construction companies feel trapped, like the only way out is to just grind harder with the same old playbook. But what if the real path to growth isn't about more effort, but a totally new approach to your machines, your tech, and your people?

Brian Dietz, Co-Owner of 2024 Equipment World’s Contractor of the Year, Bob Dietz and Sons Inc., runs his business more like a Silicon Valley startup than a traditional construction firm. And guess what? It's attracting a whole new generation of talent, clearly demonstrating that if you keep ignoring these shifts, you're not just risking getting left behind. You’re risking becoming irrelevant, losing bids to leaner competitors, and failing to build a team that actually wants to stick around. This isn't just about shiny new tools. It's about a complete mindset shift.

Discover how Brian is rewriting the rules of construction and building an empire.

📈 THE PROFIT ACCELERATOR [4:47]:"We see just cleaning up our profit lines where we don't waste time or materials. So that's a huge thing."

Learn how implementing GPS technology immediately kills costly rework, saving you time and fattening your profit margins on every single job.

🚀 THE TALENT MAGNET [9:52]:"When that young guy, he's 19 years old and he's in a second dozer right next to the old guy... he's going to fall in love with that machine. He's going to feel good, he's going to go home happy to his family, and he's going to want to come back tomorrow excited to work."

Tired of hearing that young people don't want to work? This is the blueprint for creating a culture that makes them want to build a career with you. It’s that simple.

🚨 THE HARD TRUTH [19:07]:"If you're not embracing it, if you're not grabbing a hold of it, you're going to be, you're going to be left behind."

This is a direct shot across the bow for any business owner who's gotten a little too comfortable. See why falling behind on technology isn't just a risk anymore, it's a certainty.

00:00 - Winning Contractor of the Year and Business Branding02:03 Scaling Up With Bigger Projects and Equipment04:07 Leveraging GPS and Topcon Technology for Efficiency07:01 Cutting Downtime and Boosting Site Productivity10:21 Training Teams Faster With Machine Technology13:22 Future of Construction Tech, AI, and Remote Operations19:50 Keeping Growth Fun and Maintaining Clean Fleets22:15 Building a Unique Clean Heavy Equipment Fleet25:20 Managing Machinery Lifecycles and Large Projects28:57 Handling Multi-Year Jobs and Growing In-House Capabilities29:51 Expanding Into Full Site Package Services32:52 Final Thoughts and Upcoming Conexpo Appearance

• Website: https://www.bobdietzandsonsinc.com/

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bob_dietz_and_sons_inc/?hl=en

Thank you to our good friends over at John Deere Power Systems for sponsoring this podcast: https://www.deere.ca/en/engines-and-drivetrain/

CONEXPO-CON/AGG Newsletter: https://www.CONEXPOconagg.com/industry-news#sign-up

#ConstructionTechnology #AIinConstruction #JohnDeere

🎯 Key Episode Takeaways:Chapters:🔗 Connect with Brian: