Mind if I pick Y'alls brain a bit?

[dingeryote]

I recently left full time employment after too many years of 60-72 hour weeks, mountains of stress that as literally killing me and causing a divorce to loom, and am back to farming full time. Sounds good untill ya look at the numbers, so I am considering a part time or seasonal gig for some pocket cash and to cover the unexpected shortfalls on the farm.

Recently a Asplundh crew has been working the area, so naturally I asked if if they would like to dump chips for free on the farm(Use it for mulch on the Blueberrys) and asked if they were hiring.
It looks like they are, and the crew manager talked things up a bit encouraging me to apply, as he was putting together another truck crew.

Here's my question for you guys in the industry.

Anybody ever work for them?
What's the history with asplundh? Thier crews travel all over the place and for 12+ Bucks an hour, Gas would eat up a paycheck quick, do they pay milage?
How are they on safety?
The crew I watched, did some things that had me shaking my head. They were clearing under and near power lines and some of the trees were contacting lines they were cutting on while energized.
Thier groundy wasn't wearing a lid, neither was the bucket jockey who was cutting with cotton gloves.
I'm not a Safety Nazi, but like my digits and have a breathing habit.

What's Y'alls opinion, thoughts, perceptions of Asplundh in general to work for?

Thanks in advance!
Dingeryote

 

[mckeetree]

I don't like anything about Asplundh. We have to compete against their illegal Mexican workforce here that they let use their equipment on the weekends for free. And their home office has this stupid little attitude with their denial that anything like that goes on.

 

[Blakesmaster]

I've never worked for Asplundh but I think you should look for a small 1 or 2 man show instead of going with a big company. Sounds like you have enough other stuff going on to not have to worry about getting fired if you can't chase a storm with them.

 

[clearance]

Asplundh here in B.C. treated me very well when I worked for them. Safety was a primary concern, they paid pretty well too. Actually I would rate them near the top of the list, and I have worked for many outfits. But most of what I hear about Asplundh in the U.S. on this website is bad.

 

[treeseer]

They were clearing under and near power lines and some of the trees were contacting lines they were cutting on while energized.
Thier groundy wasn't wearing a lid, neither was the bucket jockey who was cutting with cotton gloves.

That's not good. The Asplundh crews here in NC are generally good. For all your questions, ask the employer.

 

[IcePick]

Y'all need look elsewhere

I worked for Asplundh for a little while, and they were all about safety. If you weren't wearing your helmet, the Foreman was on your ass in a second. If the GF saw you, that would be grounds for dismissal in some cases. I'd still work for them if the pay was a little better.

It sounds like the crew you know are non-union hillbillys with no professional demeanor at all. I can't believe the corporate office doesn't come down harder on crews like this peppered all over the country. Whatever, let the clowns kill themselves if that's how they want to work.

I think finding a 1-2 man tree crew isn't worth it either man. Working for a 1-2 man tree crew means beating the absolute #### out of your body, because a crew that small rarely has loaders, or bucket trucks, or lift-gates on their trucks even. That means a big removal entails quartering big slabs so two guys can manage to lift them onto the back of a truck. And for what, 12-15 dollars an hour? If I were you I'd look elsewhere (diff. industry) altogether for part time cash. Good Luck.

 

[oldugly]

The great pumpkin is so large, and diversified it is almost like a different company in every location. I worked for them quite awhile a long time ago, and they treated me very fair, but when I transferred to another location it was like a completely different company. Asking what they are like is a very vague and mostly inanswerabe question. It depends on the foreman, gf, and line boss of whatever contract they are holding.

Personally if you are running a farm, I don't think you would want the job. Your daylight hours would be completely consumed, and your safety concerns will never be answered. Asplundh is what it is...the largest lline clearance company in the world, diversified in location, operation, and standards given control by the needs of the contract they are working. Some of the greatest workers, and foremen I ever worked with was with them, and some of the laziest, and most ignorant co-workers and foremen I ever came accross was with them also.

They are the best and the worst.

 

[custom8726]

The great pumpkin is so large, and diversified it is almost like a different company in every location. I worked for them quite awhile a long time ago, and they treated me very fair, but when I transferred to another location it was like a completely different company. Asking what they are like is a very vague and mostly inanswerabe question. It depends on the foreman, gf, and line boss of whatever contract they are holding.

Personally if you are running a farm, I don't think you would want the job. Your daylight hours would be completely consumed, and your safety concerns will never be answered. Asplundh is what it is...the largest lline clearance company in the world, diversified in location, operation, and standards given control by the needs of the contract they are working. Some of the greatest workers, and foremen I ever worked with was with them, and some of the laziest, and most ignorant co-workers and foremen I ever came accross was with them also.

Well put I spent a short time with them years ago, They paid me pretty well, $19.60 per hr If memory serves me correctly. The first crew I worked with was good, they were down to earth guys, and it was only about a 35-40 minute drive for me. Shortly after I got all my cert's and approvals they put me on a off road crew driving 2hrs each way I told them I was not willing to drive that far without some perdiem and lodging. There attitude was, We value you here and will try to get you closer to home for the next gig but untill then you just have to deal with it. I quit on the spot... I was working 4 tens but with travel I was away 56hrs and only getting paid for 40hrs plus putting gas in a full size truck I figured that $19.60 eqauted to around $10-$12 per hr after expenses..

 

[thejdman04]

I recently left full time employment after too many years of 60-72 hour weeks, mountains of stress that as literally killing me and causing a divorce to loom, and am back to farming full time. Sounds good untill ya look at the numbers, so I am considering a part time or seasonal gig for some pocket cash and to cover the unexpected shortfalls on the farm.

Recently a Asplundh crew has been working the area, so naturally I asked if if they would like to dump chips for free on the farm(Use it for mulch on the Blueberrys) and asked if they were hiring.
It looks like they are, and the crew manager talked things up a bit encouraging me to apply, as he was putting together another truck crew.

Here's my question for you guys in the industry.

Anybody ever work for them?
What's the history with asplundh? Thier crews travel all over the place and for 12+ Bucks an hour, Gas would eat up a paycheck quick, do they pay milage?
How are they on safety?
The crew I watched, did some things that had me shaking my head. They were clearing under and near power lines and some of the trees were contacting lines they were cutting on while energized.
Thier groundy wasn't wearing a lid, neither was the bucket jockey who was cutting with cotton gloves.
I'm not a Safety Nazi, but like my digits and have a breathing habit.

What's Y'alls opinion, thoughts, perceptions of Asplundh in general to work for?

Thanks in advance!
Dingeryote

I heard from a co worker that used to work with them they were pretty lax on their truck maintenace, ie seeping cylinders, if a brake line broke just crimp the line and drive it etc, thats what he always said about them and stories he told.

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

T

Personally if you are running a farm, I don't think you would want the job. Your daylight hours would be completely consumed, and your safety concerns will never be answered.

I agree, find a few local tree services to work part time with. I know a couple of farm boys who do it and make a little extra hauling wood home

 

[TreeTopKid]

I waited till today before I replied so I could ask a guy I work with what it was like to work for A------h and he compared it to slavery LOL!

 

[dingeryote]

Thanks for all the replies and info!!!

The Farm Gig eats up time in season, but from the Fall through March it's slow enough, that all I need are weekends. Besides trimming and some equipment Maintenence, there ain't nothing going on except woodcutting.

I talked to the Foreman again and asked some pointed questions.
It seems they expect employees to drive to wherever the truck is kept(One of the crew takes it home) and leave from there each day.
That would eat any advantage over a local 10 buck an hour part time gig.

In addition, spring and summer they go to 5 10 hour days, then 5 12's, and 6-7 12's as the season progresses. Meaning they would peak about the time I am harvesting. Not good for me, and it wouldn't be fair for me to bail on them at peak.

Also watched the crew a bit more.... nope, I ain't gonna work with a gang like that. If a guy dosn't care about getting himself chewed up, I can't rely on him paying attention enough to keep from getting me chewed up.


I'll holler at a local tree company I have done some side work for(Ground prep w/ tractor), and see if he needs an extra grunt now and then in the off season.It might not be steady, but will keep idle hands busy if they are.

Thanks again. It is appreciated!!

Stay safe!
Dingeryote

 

[dingeryote]

I waited till today before I replied so I could ask a guy I work with what it was like to work for A------h and he compared it to slavery LOL!

Thanks!!
LOL!!
You and the gang mighta just saved me a whole lotta hate and discontent!

Stay safe!
Dingeryote

 

[teamtree]

I think finding a 1-2 man tree crew isn't worth it either man. Working for a 1-2 man tree crew means beating the absolute #### out of your body, because a crew that small rarely has loaders, or bucket trucks, or lift-gates on their trucks even. That means a big removal entails quartering big slabs so two guys can manage to lift them onto the back of a truck. And for what, 12-15 dollars an hour? If I were you I'd look elsewhere (diff. industry) altogether for part time cash. Good Luck.

I would disagree, I have a small 3 man crew and we have everything but a crane and I have several part-time guys who love to come work for me to make some cash. I pay them good 15+ and pay them for travel. They work hard for me and appreciate the extra money. They work in factories, state police and lay brick for a living and it works out well for both parties.

Be selective, sounds like someone with your work ethic will find a good part-time job no matter what it is.

 

[custom8726]

I would disagree, I have a small 3 man crew and we have everything but a crane and I have several part-time guys who love to come work for me to make some cash. I pay them good 15+ and pay them for travel. They work hard for me and appreciate the extra money. They work in factories, state police and lay brick for a living and it works out well for both parties.

Be selective, sounds like someone with your work ethic will find a good part-time job no matter what it is.

I agree!! We operate in a similar fashion..

 

[dingeryote]

I would disagree, I have a small 3 man crew and we have everything but a crane and I have several part-time guys who love to come work for me to make some cash. I pay them good 15+ and pay them for travel. They work hard for me and appreciate the extra money. They work in factories, state police and lay brick for a living and it works out well for both parties.

Be selective, sounds like someone with your work ethic will find a good part-time job no matter what it is.

Teamtree,

Thanks!

I was interested in Asplundh because they seem like they are everywhere, and always busy around here, and figured they had room for a seasonal or part timer.

Been looking at some other seasonal work as well, but am shy to go back to indoor work, but that's all I am finding locally that pays decent enough.

Used to work a trade on the side, and could re-open the shop, but that's creating headaches again LOL!!!

I'll call our local guy and see. Maybe he pays as well as you do.

If ya get north of the border, and need a grunt, or Blueberrys, holler.

Thanks!
Dingeryote