Bare hand live line work [video] is not a job for the squeamish. Power companies have found that it's cheaper to put workers directly on high-voltage lines, rather than shut off the power for repairs. The result -- a new high-adrenalin and hair-raising occupation. [idea via]

The most critical part of this work is the electrical bonding procedure as the helicopter approaches the wire. The helicopter, having no electrical potential, acts as a giant capacitor. Only by "plugging into" the wire does the helicopter and crew get the same electrical charge as the line, and work can proceed. If the helicopter is a few feet too far away during bonding, a connection can't be made. If the helicopter is too close, then electricity arcs over to the helicopter resulting in disaster. In the video you see arcing off the bonding wand as about 150-500 kV of electricity moves back and forth 60 times a second between the helicopter and line. The worker's goal is to electrically link the helicopter to the line as quickly as possible; once this is done the current continues to move back and forth but does so harmlessly through the cable rather than through dangerous arcs. Then it's safe for the worker to get on the line. Interestingly the Faraday suits do not protect the workers from the brute force of the voltage, as the video implies, but rather equalizes the electrical potential all over the body to protect it from the severe electromagnetic flux near the line. This prevents severe tingling, and probably prevents minor electrocution. Anyone want to put in a resume at Monster.com?