I FOUND ONE!
Last week I got a call from a kid who is 23, said he had 11 years on the job, 8 in the saddle. "Wait a minute" I said "your only 23, how is that possible" turns out, his step dad owns a company,made him start working when he was 11, said he had to work every summer, and after school till dark, step dad put him in a saddle when he was 14, mom and step-dad are getting the big D, says its real bad, gotta cut all ties "cant be around some one who treats my mom like trash". So I have him come to the yard, talk with him, then tell him to show me what he can do out back on a HUGE Bur Oak I have, right up he went, told him to walk a branch, does it with style! Kid admits he really doesn't know much about trees, wants to learn real bad, always climbed with gaffs, very little foot-locking, no problem, we can teach that, tells me, his step dad was a topper and didn't care about trees at all, just the money, so he never learned the right way.No problem, I can teach all that as-well, had him start on Wednesday on 2 dead Red Oaks, Showed him the gear I have, gave him the crew and watched. Kid is AWESOME! Flawless victory on the Job. The crew, real skeptical at first, not anymore!
SO, I guess throwing an add on craigslist wasn't that bad of an idea! Another week of good stuff, and I will give him the crew and tell him to grab the ball and run. Well see, if he is what I am hoping he is, I will be able to take this to the next level. Was worried about him "spying" as I know his step-dad, and he is a real piece of work. After kid tells me about the divorce, surprised there was no physical violence, I don't think hell ever go back, whether it works out with me or not. Climbing at 14, WOW. I have no doubt that he is telling the truth, I know kids here that are running combines at that age. I would not even consider putting one of my boys on the rope at that age, rec climbing, sure, in a saddle, on a job, with a saw, NO-WAY! However, as wrong as it was, I'm glad he did!
