I hate the cable guys in the hood.

Time Warner, right?

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I briefly did installs for DTv years ago in ATL. But was plenty to get all I needed to know about this nightmare.

It's a headache for both the installer and tenant. It's the best option for these guys to run their own lines for several reasons. Mainly not knowing the integrity of the job done before them. Even though you know the last line is perfectly usable, most locations they go to aren't. And trying to bring in the test equipment can get ugly real fast on an old unit or home, there's just too many variables. BUt you had a GREAT point. Why would anyone want to drill when there is already a cable. - They dont! trust me, they would all love to just walk up and tie into a cable right out by the front door and leave all that shit in the van.

The best thing you could do is get your building, home, or duplex wired by a pro, or even do it yourself, it can be pretty straight forward at times.

Time warner is in the business of providing programming, not running cables, these kids are subcontracted. If you did spend a little and take care of the problem, and these guys pulled up and you walked them over to a panel that was neat and looked pro, i promise they would gladly tap into it.

Thats not reality though. These guys are in just about every type of building, or home, or dump all over the city walking onto a job where there are about 4 to 5 previous technicians work hanging off the roof on the ground and everywhere else, which is the case 8 out of ten times. I'm sure you can see how its just a smarter approach this way -to know what your going to do, get there and do it, and eliminate the guessing game and unknowns.

I am a contractor (remodeling, including audio video, etc) but have a background in audio engineering. And this is one thing that I am thorough with, maybe even anal about, but it's very rewarding to be able to wire up your sound, internet, tv, etc in a way that's functional, clean and so these services and equipment works the way it was designed to.

depending on your situation, it could be a wise thing to get a grip on by clearing out decades worth of crap lines and old connections, and start clean. tenants would appreciate it and it would surely save you time and headaches.

i for one think it totally has an effect on your mental state when your constantly tripping over cables, looking at them dangling, etc. Quality of life man, address it, take control. I'll never understand the way New yorkers just except what they are being dealt in this city in terms of living conditions. for what to be in a crowded city ? I love it though, its a great place, could be better, if people made the effort.