Got the job! ... now, which one do i want?

[climb4fun]

well, ive been climbing as a hobby and for the general well being of the trees on my property for about 5 years. i found out i was going to be a father and so i started putting in resume's to a bunch of different companies. now ive got two that are gunning for me lol. its some damn hard work, no doubt. one company seems more professional but the other will put me in the trees sooner. hard choice to be honest.

 

[KenJax Tree]

well, ive been climbing as a hobby and for the general well being of the trees on my property for about 5 years. i found out i was going to be a father and so i started putting in resume's to a bunch of different companies. now ive got two that are gunning for me lol. its some damn hard work, no doubt. one company seems more professional but the other will put me in the trees sooner. hard choice to be honest.

Sooner as in before you know all you need to know?? Sounds dangerous

 

[climb4fun]

ive already been climbing for 5 years. i know all the technical stuff, isa regulations as well as ansi crap. the biggest difference between their technique and mine is the speed... and theirs is far more basic. they dont bother with ascenders or throwlines cause most of what they do is removals and if they have to prune them, they use a bucket truck. they would be sending me up trees part-time to get me up to speed but wouldnt put me in the trees full-time until i was able to work at a fast pace safely... which i seriously doubt will take me any longer than 6 months.

 

[joezilla11]

A professional company to me means steady work and reliable pay checks.

 

[TheJollyLogger]

Arrange to work a day with both companies, and then decide which is a better fit.
Good luck, Jeff

 

[TheJollyLogger]

As an add on, it is just a job, and just your first step in what I hope is a good productive and enjoyable long career in this field. Keep your head down, eyes and ears open, and mouth shut. Tree guys are a rough bunch, and it sounds like these guys are old school, which is fine. Just learn and move on. I promise you thay will teach you a lot, and they have been doing fine, at least in their own minds, with the way they have been doing it all these years. Based on what you have described, they probably have never heard of a Petzl ZIGZAG, let alone that it was recalled, just as an example. For every fine member of AS dedicated to mastering their trade there are a thousand guys out there that work trees eveyday and somehow muddle through, lol.

The point I'm trying to make is this is a chance for you to get out there and experience production tree work in the real world. Some of it aint purty. Just keep your head down and knock em out with attitude and work ethic, and the cream will rise to the top, just like it always does. The only thing not to liisten to is the inevitable groundie that pulls you to the side and says "hey dude, slow down, you're makin me look bad."
The best climbers are also the best groundies, and best brush draggers, and best chipper feeders, and best rakers, because they have BTDT, and because they know it's a team sport. I know you've been climbing a while, but I promise you when you get to see a good crew in action you'll see just how important every position is to get er dun. Jeff

 

[climb4fun]

i here you on that Jeff! i had a working interview last friday with alder creek tree service. they have been around a long time (1940's or 50's?) and they were a no b.s., little technique, get #### done kinda crew. at one point i suggested using a throwline to set a rope and they looked at me like i was from mars, i backed away like i had just pissed off a bear! i knew i had crossed a line i have been a mechanic for 12 years and if some new guy came in and suggested that i did something different i would put him in his place as quickly and politely as possible but no less, shut him up. i have another working interview set up with Rich's tree service this monday at 6:30. they have offered to match the pay rate of alder creek (which before they were offering less) so im excited at the prospects at hand. the money is really going to help since im getting married this independence day and will be having my first kid around the beginning of the year

 

[KenJax Tree]

I wouldn't put anyone in their place if they were just offering a new technique or another option,even after 16 years and from a newb im always open and willing to listen and learn something new things. I just don't need someone telling me how to do my job.

 

[beaver316]

1st off, congrats on the pregnancy. Being a dad sux at times, but its the best friend you'll ever have. In texas its 90 degrees and i'm whooped, but when i see my 2 boys, its time to party

I would see if you can work 1 day with each company to see how the crew works and yall get along.
Which company has better equipment
Are you only climbing or when you're out of the tree are you dragging limbs or running saw.
What's the pay
IMPORTANTLY, who's got steady work

Best of luck to you man

 

[KenJax Tree]

1st off, congrats on the pregnancy. Being a dad sux at times, but its the best friend you'll ever have. In texas its 90 degrees and i'm whooped, but when i see my 2 boys, its time to party

I would see if you can work 1 day with each company to see how the crew works and yall get along.
Which company has better equipment
Are you only climbing or when you're out of the tree are you dragging limbs or running saw.
What's the pay
IMPORTANTLY, who's got steady work

Best of luck to you man

Being a Dad has NEVER sucked for me,actually its the greatest thing ever.

 

[climb4fun]

i helped raise my niece. back then i was still in school but my sister worked two jobs to support them and i often times was up with that lil girl till the wee hours in the mornin cause she wouldnt settle in and sleep. i have a pretty good idea of whats to come and im very excited, even if i lose some sleep for awhile. ive got my fingers crossed and prayers in check, for a boy. it would be the first boy from my generation and therefore the first to carry on the family name :msp_biggrin: we should find out the gender in about a month i believe

 

[justtools]

Ever heard the old joke. The wife comes home and says great news I am having a baby. Husband turns to wife and softly says, Did you tell you father. Congrates on the pregnancy. Now get a real job.

 

[justtools]

Being a Dad has NEVER sucked for me,actually its the greatest thing ever.

I would agree 100%.

 

[KenJax Tree]

Our first one was a boy, we have 1 of each Jaxon is 3 and Kennedy is 1.

 

[climb4fun]

rock on! it completely changes a fella's perspective. ive been working for family for a long time. it goes without needing to be said that i was getting the shaft on my paycheck but i liked the job otherwise. as soon as i found out i was going to need to support a family, i kicked my ass into gear and headed to where the money was. soon as i get 3 years climbing and an isa certification im set.

 

[StrataTree]

I think your gonna love the tree biz! Best of luck. If your at all like me you'll wonder why you wasted so much time doin other dead end jobs for so long! I'm in my second year climbing for a residential tree company and I love going to work every day! The first year I just dragged brush and chipped, didn't even get to cut even though I had lots of saw experience. We have a contract climber who works with us sometimes on certain jobs, and he told us a couple weeks ago that our crew is one of the top two crews he has ever worked with...can't say enuf about working with a respectful humble cohesive crew! A good crew will likely make you pay your dues, but the rewards will be worth the grind! Be patient and humble, watch and listen, be the best you can be at whatever they ask you to do and you'll be one of the few "keepers". We get all kinds of guys, just had one Tuesday and half the day Wednesday, who claim they have experience and can run saw...well you can't fake it in this biz. I can tell in less than a minute if a guy is blowin smoke or is the real deal! Some of 'em are worth trainning and some aren't worth shinola, as was the case with this last guy...nothin personal, just not seein what we need to see...
This guy hadn't worked up a sweat all day. If everyone around you is dripping wet by morning break and your dry, you either need to go to the hospital or down the rd.
I guess I got off track but seriously, best of luck in choosing a good company. You can always jump ship. A good climber will always have options!

 

[ropensaddle]

As an add on, it is just a job, and just your first step in what I hope is a good productive and enjoyable long career in this field. Keep your head down, eyes and ears open, and mouth shut. Tree guys are a rough bunch, and it sounds like these guys are old school, which is fine. Just learn and move on. I promise you thay will teach you a lot, and they have been doing fine, at least in their own minds, with the way they have been doing it all these years. Based on what you have described, they probably have never heard of a Petzl ZIGZAG, let alone that it was recalled, just as an example. For every fine member of AS dedicated to mastering their trade there are a thousand guys out there that work trees eveyday and somehow muddle through, lol.

The point I'm trying to make is this is a chance for you to get out there and experience production tree work in the real world. Some of it aint purty. Just keep your head down and knock em out with attitude and work ethic, and the cream will rise to the top, just like it always does. The only thing not to liisten to is the inevitable groundie that pulls you to the side and says "hey dude, slow down, you're makin me look bad."
The best climbers are also the best groundies, and best brush draggers, and best chipper feeders, and best rakers, because they have BTDT, and because they know it's a team sport. I know you've been climbing a while, but I promise you when you get to see a good crew in action you'll see just how important every position is to get er dun. Jeff

Ummm I get the best groundie thingy but best brush draggers and chippers

To op getcha some mang just don't be afraid to know when something is past you experience level!

 

[climb4fun]

i enjoy climbing but im humble enough to know my limitations. i play around with things that are out of my league when im at home but i wouldnt do that on a job site unless they were using some free time to teach me something. good advice though, i appreciate it.

 

[ropensaddle]

i enjoy climbing but im humble enough to know my limitations. i play around with things that are out of my league when im at home but i wouldnt do that on a job site unless they were using some free time to teach me something. good advice though, i appreciate it.

It came from experience, I many times did every challenge presented had several close calls in 30 years which could have ended it all. Of course now I have been in most of the difficult situations but looking back, I wish I had a better mentor many things after the old school basics I had to learn on my own!

 

[B Harrison]

ive already been climbing for 5 years. i know all the technical stuff, isa regulations as well as ansi crap. the biggest difference between their technique and mine is the speed... and theirs is far more basic. they dont bother with ascenders or throwlines cause most of what they do is removals and if they have to prune them, they use a bucket truck. they would be sending me up trees part-time to get me up to speed but wouldnt put me in the trees full-time until i was able to work at a fast pace safely... which i seriously doubt will take me any longer than 6 months.

That last part is scary? I wouldn't want you doing anything fast on any of my jobs or around any of my customers houses with only 6 months of exp. I don't care if your name is Tarzan.