Aerial lift specialist??? WHY??

[lxt]

Just got my arborist news in & while reading it learn that the ISA has come up with another "stupid" credential.

Aerial Lift Specialist, they put alot of time in on this so they say....there are people waiting in line for a chance to get this credential........WHY?

so lets hear it pro`s & con`s, IMHO I think this is a ridiculous money grab, every company I have ever worked for in line clearance has given a test & had someone watch you while working from the bucket to determine if you are safe & qualified.

I have gotten my operators/training certificate through Genie pertaining to my lift, this gives me the ability to train in regards to the use of my lift & eliminates the possible headaches that could come without such.

problem I see is there are many different aerial lifts & this "credential" in no way will give anybody anywhere near the "minimum" required skill level to be even familiar with all of them!!!

I would tell the ISA leave this one alone!! #1 its just a money grab #2 would mislead in qualifications to employers, after all you are a "aerial lift specialist" the list goes on. Leave this to the Companies they are better equipped at training on their equipment!!

I just renewed my membership & when I come across crap like this it sometimes makes me wonder why?


LXT...................

 

[clearance]

I got nothing to say, wouldn't want to be accused of something, yet again.....

 

[Rftreeman]

just something else to make someone feel better about them self, I'm sure you're like me being that we both come from the line clearance side of things, many years under our belts in a bucket I mean "Aerial Lift" and now someone will think they are better because the are an aerial lift specialist .......

 

[JohnH]

Another way to get $$$$$$$$$.

 

[KodiakKen]

telephone company line trucks

I work for the phone company and we have to test out for bucket trucks. We are regulated by the public utilities though..could be the ticket. watch a video and handed the keys..woohoo I passed..like everyone else..just another ploy.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

Well, it is a good way for a guy to look for another job...

 

[ropensaddle]

Well, it is a good way for a guy to look for another job...

I have not found my specialty listed in any employment firm yet.
I specialize in spending money but have a problem when it runs out
It is a money grab imo unless it changes my value it means absolutly
nothing imo. I have climbed and used buckets 25 years with no specialist
credential and don't care to start now. I am interested in some of the other
credentials that I feel will help my employ ability to a higher calling having
been a foreman over twenty years. That is why I am learning things I
need to know like permanent wilting point, axial transport, diffuse porus,
differentiation, infiltration rate and such because this knowledge can
help imo.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

such because this knowledge can help imo.

IMO2

There are several benefits for a largish company to get credentials for employees, insurance is a big one, OSHA compliance may help too. It may help with large contract bids also, they can say that industry certified technicians will be doing the work, supervised by a CA.

As for the individual, it can help when s/he is running into a payscale problem, then having the credential, along with the work history will help if they are going to a smaller company that may pay more hourly.

I have climbed and used buckets 25 years

I find it hard not to say "DUH!" when ever the longtimer's come out with that line. Then a few minutes latter they complain about the newhire who supposedly have experiance, but look like they have only a few hours of actual work time under their belt.

Once again, these are minimum knowledge credentials. You will never be able to get the intuitive aspect into a test, like weight judgments and knot proficiencies.

What they do is start a standardization for entry into the trade.

What you are doing is finally turning your trade into a profession.

 

[John464]

What you are doing is finally turning your trade into a profession.

See this is the beginning. It will take a long time and or a big change for this to be effective. For it to be effective it must go beyond the recognition amongst tree care co.'s. The public needs to take hold of the requirement that just as you wouldn't hire an unlicensed electrician you wouldn't hire a unlicensed(or in this case uncertified) tree man.

Laxed state regulations and the public unawareness make these credentials beneficial on a limited scope.

BTW. I am a certfied aerial lift operator through a different organization and don't really feel it's necessary to be certified twice under the same category.

 

[Toddppm]

All of the responses come from experienced guys here ? How about those of us who have never used a bucket? I've been doing tree work over 20 years and never had the opportunity, don't really plan on getting a bucket but if I did and my guys have never used one either(which they haven't) where else can you get good basic info about use and safety?
I'd gladly pay and offer a little more $$$ to my guys to get certified by a test that shows a little more than attendence at a class. Might make them feel a little better too? One manuf's test like said above I don't think would be enough?

 

[clearance]

Ok, I am back. I am a utility arborist, it is a government regulated trade in this province, in the same vien as electricians, plumbers, mechanices, etc. Residential climbers have no such status, ISA certification is not a recognized trade here and nor should it be. Profession, trade, really just semantics.

Running a lift is a skill, you have to read the manuals, be instructed, use your head and look after the boom and associated equipment. I fail to see how the ISA can do anything that shouldn't already be happening in this regard except provide the illusion of competence yet again and collect money.

 

[lxt]

Running a lift is a skill, you have to read the manuals, be instructed, use your head and look after the boom and associated equipment. I fail to see how the ISA can do anything that shouldn't already be happening in this regard except provide the illusion of competence yet again and collect money.

Absolutely!!!! very well said, If you havent or dont plan on operating a bucket & think this cert./credential will help........you couldnt be more wrong!

they are not starting a standardization into the trade JPS....they want the $$$ plain & simple, why dont they offer CDL training too being I can get a job quicker with that than any cert. the ISA has to offer!

what they dont realize is when that person "screws up" while running a bucket with a credential like this is that they may eliminate some of the companies responsibilities??? after all you are now a "Aerial Lift Specialist" you should know better, define....specialist in regard to a trade or profession/career!

I think you`ll find this term could elude to a persons knowledge level being above that of an "entry level starting standard"

with all the different lifts there is no way ISA can even begin to touch on this, let the companies have the lift MFG`s teach their employees, like I said I am cert. through Genie....but only on my lift.....I dont think John would want me to just jump in and run his "spider" without showing me first what to do.

Ive ran alot of buckets for contractual lengths of time, Altec, Teco, Highranger, Asplundh, Liftall, Ameriquip, Versalift, Genie, Jlg, Nifty, Skylift, Condor, etc... & I dont consider myself a "Aerial Lift Specialist" Im just a "Bucket Operator"................Plain & simple!!


LXT................

 

[ropensaddle]

IMO2

There are several benefits for a largish company to get credentials for employees, insurance is a big one, OSHA compliance may help too. It may help with large contract bids also, they can say that industry certified technicians will be doing the work, supervised by a CA.

As for the individual, it can help when s/he is running into a payscale problem, then having the credential, along with the work history will help if they are going to a smaller company that may pay more hourly.



I find it hard not to say "DUH!" when ever the longtimer's come out with that line. Then a few minutes latter they complain about the newhire who supposedly have experiance, but look like they have only a few hours of actual work time under their belt.

Once again, these are minimum knowledge credentials. You will never be able to get the intuitive aspect into a test, like weight judgments and knot proficiencies.

What they do is start a standardization for entry into the trade.

What you are doing is finally turning your trade into a profession.

Well I thought you were doing this proper English thing Duh
You term it finally turning it into a profession and I reluctantly agree.
I have always been a professional, learned what I could along the way
and was not born with a silver spoon! I made many mistakes as well,
however I always trimmed proper after several years in the industry
and teaching of Shiago were used in line clearance it sparked curiosity.
I was already trimming correctly by observations made in nature, I
just did not know why it made a differance. Knowledge only truly
becomes an asset with humility to have learned all only to become
asinine is not progress. In my opinion knowledge is wonderful when
combined with wisdom and common sense but the whole picture
many times is erased; because lack of experiance makes it easy for
one who has had the bumps in the road graded before him to look
down on others less fortunate. I want to learn all I can but must
make my family's living at the same time. I will in no way tolerate
someone looking down on me because I have put in my time in the
tree tops and once I attain the other will have the whole picture.

 

[Mkarlson]

I would vote that it is all for the money. I'm not a tree guy..well not like you all but I am a licensed pesticide applicator. In Indiana you do have to attend a class then complete a test, which I found extremely easy after only couple years doing part-time work. People do fail the test ,but you would have to be someone with absolutely no knowledge of the type of work your wanting to get into. Anyway after the test is recertification training in the form of seminar and some hands on field days. Of course these all cost someone money. Throw in an anual fee for license renewal and you have yourself a nice money tree.

I will say in our case it all puts all the responsibility on the applicator. The company has always back everyone up that I know of, butyou know they have the ability to walk away from us if they so desire.

 

[RedlineIt]

I am WAAAY ahead of the curve on this stuff, I am the very first holder of the ISA's Chipper Stuffer Specialist Certificate. Insurance sensitive tree service companies have a backlog of candidates lined up behind me!

The ISA Chipper Stuffer Specialist Certificate builds an individuals self image. By studying for and passing the ISA Certified Chipper Stuffer Specialist Exam, individuals prove to themselves and their peers thorough knowledge and skill, that they are a valuable part of the tree care industry.

The ISA Certified Chipper Stuffer Exam consists of 9 multiple choice questions drawn from a questions bank and 3 chipped up tree ID questions, presented in a scratch-and-sniff format. (Hint: The Planetree scratch-and-sniff sample can actually make your eyes bleed.)


RedlineIt

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

The ISA Certified Chipper Stuffer Exam consists of 9 multiple choice questions drawn from a questions bank and 3 chipped up tree ID questions, presented in a scratch-and-sniff format. (Hint: The Planetree scratch-and-sniff sample can actually make your eyes bleed.)

1. When feeding debris into the infeed chute, the operator stands

A. To the curb side of the infeed
B. To the Traffic side of the infeed
C. Directly behind the infeed.
D. On the infeed table using at least one foot for assist, while holding on to the feed wheel control bar.

 

[treevet]

I am WAAAY ahead of the curve on this stuff, I am the very first holder of the ISA's Chipper Stuffer Specialist Certificate. Insurance sensitive tree service companies have a backlog of candidates lined up behind me!

The ISA Chipper Stuffer Specialist Certificate builds an individuals self image. By studying for and passing the ISA Certified Chipper Stuffer Specialist Exam, individuals prove to themselves and their peers thorough knowledge and skill, that they are a valuable part of the tree care industry.

The ISA Certified Chipper Stuffer Exam consists of 9 multiple choice questions drawn from a questions bank and 3 chipped up tree ID questions, presented in a scratch-and-sniff format. (Hint: The Planetree scratch-and-sniff sample can actually make your eyes bleed.)


RedlineIt

Bucket pistol twister specialist will have a test taker's guide at $79.99 or seminar at $109.99 in order to figure out what trick questions they are going to ask at the test that costs $149.99 but if you flunk, then the re take is $99.99. You must join the ISA first ($149.99 yearly), and have 3 years experience, but they won't tell you this until you sign up and buy the book (like they do on the muni test). Renewal fees will be $89.98 yearly to be a BPTS (Bucket Pistol Twister Specialist), and you have to attend 29.99 seminars per year (only ISA seminars) that they will tell you how much they cost after you take them and before you try to sneak out the door. :monkey:

 

[lxt]

I am WAAAY ahead of the curve on this stuff, I am the very first holder of the ISA's Chipper Stuffer Specialist Certificate. Insurance sensitive tree service companies have a backlog of candidates lined up behind me!

The ISA Chipper Stuffer Specialist Certificate builds an individuals self image. By studying for and passing the ISA Certified Chipper Stuffer Specialist Exam, individuals prove to themselves and their peers thorough knowledge and skill, that they are a valuable part of the tree care industry.

The ISA Certified Chipper Stuffer Exam consists of 9 multiple choice questions drawn from a questions bank and 3 chipped up tree ID questions, presented in a scratch-and-sniff format. (Hint: The Planetree scratch-and-sniff sample can actually make your eyes bleed.)



RedlineIt

That`s funny stuff, BUT!!!! give it time & ill bet there is a credential for chipper operators on the way! LOL. Ill just go to the rental agency & tell em, hey Im a certified aerial specialist & chipper operator grand wizard how about a rental discount!!

speaking of rental agencies.....funny how they can rent you equip. give 5 minutes of instruction & off you go!!


LXT..............

 

[ropensaddle]

I am WAAAY ahead of the curve on this stuff, I am the very first holder of the ISA's Chipper Stuffer Specialist Certificate. Insurance sensitive tree service companies have a backlog of candidates lined up behind me!

The ISA Chipper Stuffer Specialist Certificate builds an individuals self image. By studying for and passing the ISA Certified Chipper Stuffer Specialist Exam, individuals prove to themselves and their peers thorough knowledge and skill, that they are a valuable part of the tree care industry.

The ISA Certified Chipper Stuffer Exam consists of 9 multiple choice questions drawn from a questions bank and 3 chipped up tree ID questions, presented in a scratch-and-sniff format. (Hint: The Planetree scratch-and-sniff sample can actually make your eyes bleed.)


RedlineIt

:hmm3grin2orange: That is one I will run from I can write books on using one but unless it is grapple fed I care nothing about doing so, your position is a
very safe one

 

[ropensaddle]

1. When feeding debris into the infeed chute, the operator stands

A. To the curb side of the infeed
B. To the Traffic side of the infeed
C. Directly behind the infeed.
D. On the infeed table using at least one foot for assist, while holding on to the feed wheel control bar.

I really like d I however am doing neither feeding mine and even if it
ain't in no book it rocks. I am a branch distance curbside throwing the sob
into my hungry bush monster