Zack Landry has a unique career that 99.5 percent of us would not like to have.
Landry is a tower technician for Daley Tower Service, Inc. out of Carencro. It is not uncommon for Landry, who is only 19, to spend two hours getting to his destination to make an inspection. What is so unusual about that, you ask?
About two hours is how long it takes him to climb a communication tower if it is 1,700 feet high. However, most of his towers average 400 to 600 feet high.
To be a tower technician, one first can’t be scared of heights, while at the same time, must be able to live on the edge.
“I’ve always wanted to do things that not many people do,” he said. “I have always liked unique and different things.”
Landry was first hired by Daly Tower Service as a yard hand. Because Landry is not afraid of height and loves challenges, he spoke to a co-worker and told him he was interested in being a tower technician. That started the process.
His job has taken him to Texas, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Louisiana, and South Carolina.
The tallest tower he has climbed was 1,700 feet high. It took him two hours to reach the height. He described it as one of the hardest climbs he ever had to do. However, once he reached the top, it was worth it, he said.
“It was worth it, once I saw the Earth from that height,” he added.
He loves taking pictures of the Earth when he reaches certain heights.
There is danger in the job, so that is why the company demands safety first. Every step he takes, he is hooked up to a cable that is hooked up to the tower. If he falls, the cable will catch him.
Thus far, he has not had any close calls. No bird has flown into him.
“I like my job because we get to travel to different states, and we get to see a lot of different things from mountain ranges to flat land. It can be hard work sometimes.
“However, I wouldn’t change it for anything.”
