Line and instrument repairmen are the “trouble shooters.” They locate troubles and faults which occur on lines or in subscribers’ instruments. After some experience a repairman usually knows from the symptoms of a fault just what the difficulty is and where it may be located. Ability to climb poles is usually essential for this work. A knowledge of principal telephone circuits, cable and line layouts is also requisite. A repairman is usually promoted to this work from some other position with the company. For proficiency it requires experience on the job. Hours are eight or nine a day, and compensation may be from $60 to $110 per month.
PLAN No. 1228. SWITCHBOARD REPAIRMEN—REPAIR SECTION
Switchboard repairmen are men of ability and a number of years’ experience. Their functions are to maintain and repair local and toll switchboards, private branch exchanges, and sometimes the auxiliary equipment in offices, such as ringing machines, charging generators, and storage batteries. As already noted, switchboard equipment is quite intricate and requires the attention of a competent repairman to maintain it in efficient operating condition. The switchboard repairman’s job may be considered as a possibility for a man who enters the telephone industry in a minor position. The work is practically all inside, in the telephone-exchange buildings. While it requires manipulative skill, and full use of the hands, little physical effort is necessary. The salary will range from $75 to $125.
PLAN No. 1229. WIRE CHIEF’S SECTION—PLANT DEPARTMENT
This section tests lines, switchboards, cables, and instruments, and locates troubles which may occur in these. Some of the men who are employed are switchboard inspector, testers, wire chief, night wire chief. The work is done almost wholly indoors. It requires some knowledge of the elementary principle of electrical practice and the functions of the switchboard and its accessories. The testing is done from a central testing desk, or testing switchboard, which is located in the terminal room of a telephone exchange. At this desk the wire chief or his assistant operates the keys and switches whereby the tests are made. To be a good wire chief in a city telephone system usually requires from six to 10 years’ experience. Duties of subordinate positions may be mastered in shorter periods. All of these jobs require experience, which can be obtained by a man who starts with the telephone company as an untrained beginner. A wire chief may receive from $75 to $175 per month.
PLAN No. 1230. INSTALLATION SECTION—PLANT DEPARTMENT
Installation and removal of telephones and private-branch exchanges is the work of this section. There is constant demand for new stations and for shifting about old ones, which provides work for a large number of men. For this work little experience is necessary. A helper may become proficient in a few days and may soon be competent to install instruments without supervision. The work may be graded in such a way that an ambitious man may advance to more responsible and remunerative positions, such as switchboard installing and testing.
One possibility for those who like installation work is the position of private-branch exchange installer. His work consists in the installation of complete private-branch exchanges in factories, stores, public buildings, and elsewhere. He must supervise the running of all necessary wires and cables in buildings, setting of switchboards, connecting instruments, and making final tests to insure correctness of installation. Much time is spent out of doors traveling between jobs. The remainder is spent in buildings in which installations are made. A beginner may receive from $40 to $70, and a foreman from $75 to $110 per month. This work can be handled by a man who has only minor disablements and who has full use of his hands. Such training as is necessary will usually be given to him by the company which employs him. However, as with other electrical vocations, a short preliminary theoretical course will be of considerable value.
PLAN No. 1231. CABLE REPORT SECTION—PLANT DEPARTMENT
Making definite records of every circuit in the telephone system is the task of the cable report section. Such records are essential to enable the wire chief to locate definitely any telephone fault, even though the circuit involved an exceedingly devious rout. The work is clerical. A general familiarity with the complete telephone layout is desirable, but a beginner with little experience may be employed. The qualifications, possibilities, rates of pay, hours, and the like are about the same as those for accounting or auditing clerical work. However, a man who has had some previous telephone experience will be able to utilize it in this department.