Without The IBEW, Nik Wallenda’s Grand Canyon Walk Would Never Have Happened (safety)

[Omaha Steve]

http://nhlabornews.com/2013/06/without-the-ibew-nik-wallendas-grand-canyon-walk-would-never-have-happened/

By NH Labor News | June 29, 2013 | Union

Did you see that crazy guy Nik Wallenda walk 1400 feet across the Grand Canyon on a high wire? This was a record setting moment would not have happened without the hard work and dedication of the IBEW 1249 linemen at O’Connell Electric. Here is a snippet of the walk that aired on the Discovery Channel.

Without the knowledge and expertise of these linemen from IBEW 1249, this record breaking moment would not have happened. In fact without their help, you may not have even heard of Nik Wallenda before. The lineman from IBEW 1249 were responsible for rigging up the two inch wire that Nik walk on when he walked across Niagara Falls. When he decided to walk across the Grand Canyon, he knew exactly who to call, the IBEW.

Check out this amazing video of how the linemen from O’Connell Electric rigged up the two inch cable across the Grand Canyon and how their work was instrument in the success of Nik’s walk.

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[burnodo]

1. I thought Wallenda was conservative

Or just religious?

[cherokeeprogressive]

2. WTF does your post have to do with who rigged the cable?

Methinks your post needs a little of the Charmin Ultra in your sig line.

[burnodo]

3. Uh, Republicans?

They tend to shit on unions. I wondered if Wallenda held that same view.

[cherokeeprogressive]

4. No republicans in labor unions huh?

[burnodo]

7. Do you follow the news at all?

Or popular sentiment in Republican circles?

[cherokeeprogressive]

11. Why would I follow popular sentiment in republican circles?

I leave that stuff to other people.

[burnodo]

12. DU seems like a good place

To catch up on what's going in Republican circles.

[Omaha Steve]

5. Did you look at the second video?

[cherokeeprogressive]

9. I did but I guess I missed the mention of democrats and republicans. n/t

[burnodo]

10. Yes

I was just curious about Wallenda's political views.

[niyad]

6. I think the guy is nuts, but glad that, because of the ibew, he was able to do it as safely as

possible.

do I understand correctly that he is planning some sort of stroll across NYC?

[NoOneMan]

8. So its their fault we are subjected to this bizarre proselytizing?

[Cirque du So-What]

13. Who you gonna call?

The pros - each of whom has completed an apprenticeship that involves considerable hours of both classroom instruction and on-the-job training? Or some jack-leg outfit that'll hire just about anyone - including the wastrel friend of the owner's son? The smart money's on hiring workers from the IBEW!

[Hestia]

14. Exactly. That is how his grandfather died - didn't have experienced people put up the rigging

in Puerto Rico. Instead of taking his own crew, I think it was the hotel who rigged the lines.

Excellent work IBEW! I watched him walk that line - good grief - my heart was in my throat the entire time! My DH thought I was nuts because I was freakin' out from the shots that showed the canyon floor. Gulp!