Clear Flags

[flagsrme]

Call me hard head. I hate putting clear flags out in most cases. If I know that their is a good possibility that the utilities I located on the ticket is near the location where they are doing the work I will put out a clear flag without any problems. But if they are working and the only thing I have to located is a utility that is aerial I like to keep driving to the next ticket. Or if their is a different electic or phone company that is in the area that contractor is working. And only reason that you have to go there is because the ticket has your utility as a member which is in the surrounding township and miles away. Why should I risk another utilities company line from being damage and the contractors life to put a clear flag out where I don't have anything for miles. I'm writing this because I fail couple picture audits because I don't put enough clear flags out. I have not had a damage in two years and one of the top producers on the team. I believe their should be some kind of leeway when it comes to putting out clear flags.

[AULupstate]

Don't you have to write on the flags with a sharpy exactly what utility you are clearing?
I know when I was in Illinois we were doing that. A little time consuming yes, but I thought it was actually a good idea for showing the definate positive response. Of course sometimes it didn't matter anyway due to the contractors inabality to READ and the same ticket would get called in and then you show up and theres multiple clear flags in the ground.

[yahoo]

hey dude....don't have to put any flags at all for any reason down this way....let me know if you want to move to louisiana???? hope things get better for you up that way

[flagsrme]

AULupstate, yes we have to use a sharpy and write tkt#,name, date, and clear. Take picture of each clear flag and picture of location with flags in the picture. It's not to the contractors I have to worry about (they will dig flag or no flag) it's the homeowner that thinks we have to located their pvt electric line going to their garage. Or I would put a clear flag out and they don't read it and think kids took the rest of the flags. I get more restakes when I don't put out clear flags then when I do.
Yahoo, don't the have hurricanes in Louisiana. Thanks but I like my blizzards.

[AntiQuest]

The best way to combat this stupid practice is for all techs involved too slow down a few tickets a day. When the group is questioned about productivity, politely reply that the flag procedure is slowing us down.

[sprayandpray]

Here it is simple - our flags have the Utility's name on them ie: Oncor Electric, Time Warner CATV, etc., and we actually paint the name on the site also ie; ATT/D clear. In fact, Atmos Gas actually has clear flags with black lettering that say " Atmos Gas Clear".

[The Big-E]

I know the issue with Electric is big with me... if homeowner has private line beyond meter and could conflict with dig site, I always call and tell them why nothing is marked and why there is no "clear" flag there either.

Contractor/Homeowner will see the red flag and "OK" on ground and just start digging.

Also the same when two electric cos. in same area, I won't put a clear flag either, unless it's my utility in question.

[Goldenboy]

Like said above regarding private utilities is sooooo true. Even though the clear flag says the companies name contractors just see gas or electric clear and dig through all the private utilities. Alot of these businesses have tons of private on their properties.

I have seen that some states give the contractor a web site to verify what was billed out on their ticket. This seems to be the best way to do things. Before they go on site to dig they can check online to see what was all marked on their ticket.

[yahoo]

The best way to combat this stupid practice is for all techs involved too slow down a few tickets a day. When the group is questioned about productivity, politely reply that the flag procedure is slowing us down.

had to read this a few more times to let it sink in real good.....you know ...that is actually brilliant!!!!

[beyond help]

I agree it's a stupid practice where there is private utilities involved (most properties). I've had more questions and restakes about these.