Well, back in the old days, before fiber optics, there were telephone linemen. This guy is lonely for his girl, yet he's busy with his work, and he knows if the snow flies down south, the telephone lines will need repair. He daydreams about taking a vacation to be with his sweetie, but he knows he can't take time off from his job when the phone lines need fixing. That is why "the Wichita lineman is still on the line."

Hankster, I knew you were occupied with coleslaw making, so I googled it for you. After all, we are a tag team when it comes to these things.