How did you learn to read plans?

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(Non-union) wet utilities operator here. I'm smart enough to know how to get the answers I need, and not dumb enough to intimidate my direct leadership by having them teach me to read plans (you're just an operator, you don't need to know, are you gunning for my job?). In my eyes, I need to know everything about utilities and grading plans in order to be competent as an operator. I need to know where my crossings are, estimated spoils removed for spoils management, proximity to buildings and ...