Venting...

[BlackenedTimber]

For the last 3 years I have been working for an intl utilities company all across the country and world, building wind farms, aerial and burried power transmission lines (115kV-600kV) and fiber optics cable networks.

The company I work for is a small company going big, with all of the growing pains associated with that process. The owners (Father and Son) are trying to get with the big picture and not micro-manage, but they can often times be strangling. I hold the title of Project Manager, but have been burdened with administrative babysitters, because apparently (according to Father and Son) I am too brash and speak my mind to everyone and anyone without any fear of recourse.

Before I joined the world of Power Construction, I owned and operated my own business, a Tree Service, in upstate New York. Typical work load: Residential trimming and removal, site work, some timber harvesting, firewood, etc. More and more I find myself wanting to return to those days of being my own boss, living and dying by my own decisions, and providing for myself. I have been inexplicably buying up tree gear for the last few weeks. New Saws. New Climbing and Rigging lines. New Biners. New this, new that.

I did a pro-bono removal for a friend here in WV last sunday, nothing fancy, 3 dead 60 ft pines over the top of his house. Climbed em, topped em, pulled the spars over, bucked em out. I loved it. Felt good to back in the saddle again, covered in chips and sweat.

I find myself hating my current job more and more each day. I want badly to get back into the biz. My only reservation is that I am currently making a ton of money with a growing company, and getting a sick per diem for being away from home.

The other side of the coin is that I am never home. Spent 4 days home in '08. 10 days home in '07. Been home 3 days so far this year. When I really stop and think about it, I am miserable where I am at. I never see my family or friends, who until recently have played a huge part in my life.

I want, and need, to make a move, but I am hesitant to leave a sure thing for uncertainty, especially when the national economy is in the toilet, and my former customer base (rich people from NYC) is quickly watching thier 401k's dwindle and finding themselves in foreclosure on their vacation homes.

I dont know what to do, and am open to any input.

My apologies for the long, ranting post of little educational value to the AS community, I just need to vent.

Thanks all,

T

 

[Tree Pig]

For the last 3 years I have been working for an intl utilities company all across the country and world, building wind farms, aerial and burried power transmission lines (115kV-600kV) and fiber optics cable networks.

The company I work for is a small company going big, with all of the growing pains associated with that process. The owners (Father and Son) are trying to get with the big picture and not micro-manage, but they can often times be strangling. I hold the title of Project Manager, but have been burdened with administrative babysitters, because apparently (according to Father and Son) I am too brash and speak my mind to everyone and anyone without any fear of recourse.

Before I joined the world of Power Construction, I owned and operated my own business, a Tree Service, in upstate New York. Typical work load: Residential trimming and removal, site work, some timber harvesting, firewood, etc. More and more I find myself wanting to return to those days of being my own boss, living and dying by my own decisions, and providing for myself. I have been inexplicably buying up tree gear for the last few weeks. New Saws. New Climbing and Rigging lines. New Biners. New this, new that.

I did a pro-bono removal for a friend here in WV last sunday, nothing fancy, 3 dead 60 ft pines over the top of his house. Climbed em, topped em, pulled the spars over, bucked em out. I loved it. Felt good to back in the saddle again, covered in chips and sweat.

I find myself hating my current job more and more each day. I want badly to get back into the biz. My only reservation is that I am currently making a ton of money with a growing company, and getting a sick per diem for being away from home.

The other side of the coin is that I am never home. Spent 4 days home in '08. 10 days home in '07. Been home 3 days so far this year. When I really stop and think about it, I am miserable where I am at. I never see my family or friends, who until recently have played a huge part in my life.

I want, and need, to make a move, but I am hesitant to leave a sure thing for uncertainty, especially when the national economy is in the toilet, and my former customer base (rich people from NYC) is quickly watching thier 401k's dwindle and finding themselves in foreclosure on their vacation homes.

I dont know what to do, and am open to any input.

My apologies for the long, ranting post of little educational value to the AS community, I just need to vent.

Thanks all,

T

does your company offer a "leave of absence" maybe take a few months LOA see how it goes. If it goes well then great if not then go back to work.

 

[tree md]

Tough time to jump into it right now. Slowest I have ever seen it. I know what you mean though. Hard to work for someone else once you've had a taste of self employment. I'd say make sure you have a large savings if you jump out there on your own. I'd be more inclined to do so if I were single and no kids.

 

[BlackenedTimber]

That's a good idea, however, these are Italians from the Boston area, and I would imagine thier idea of a leave of absence would involve some time spent in the trunk of a crown vic, followed by toes busted with a 3 lb sledgehammer.

Seriously though, being a small company, I have never even heard the term "Leave of Absence" used while I have been here.

I imagine they would just fire me if they knew what I have been thinking...

 

[tomtrees58]

man its dead here on L I i have had my tree service now for 34 years there's no work its never Ben this bad i am on the north shore big money all the stars and wall street stay with your job for now tom trees

 

[fishercat]

i am like you.

i speak my mind.blunt and to the point.in this ne PC society,that is often not very popular.not that i care but some do.

i could never work for a company or corporation.i don't play the butt kissing game.

i have always believed there is no sense spending your life being miserable or doing what you hate.if you dread going to work the night before,it's time for a change IMO.

as much as i support you,times are tough in some areas in the tree industry.it might be best to hold out a while.at least until Obama and his followers get their heads out of their a$$es.

best of luck.

 

[BlackenedTimber]

Thanks for the input Tom, appreciate it.

I did a 600kVa transmission line for the Long Island Power Authority a few years ago, in the winter. Man, it was miserable. Had to run our trucks up and down the Wantagh parkway, needed escorts front and rear, and had to get off at every exit cause our trucks wouldnt fit under the low bridges. That line went out from the tip of LI, across the LI sound for 18 miles underwater, and terminated at the biggest substation I have ever seen, in Sayerville, NJ.

Sorry to hear things are slow your way. I hope things pick up for you, and if you ever need a hand, PM me, I need a good excuse to bail...

 

[BlackenedTimber]

Thank you as well Fishercat.

What part of CT are you in? I did a job there as well, 8.5 miles of 230Kv burried line, down in the murder capital of the northeast, Bridgeport.

Theres some real pretty country as you get north from there on Rt 8, up into where 8 intersects with 90 in Mass.

 

[tomtrees58]

Thanks for the input Tom, appreciate it.

I did a 600kVa transmission line for the Long Island Power Authority a few years ago, in the winter. Man, it was miserable. Had to run our trucks up and down the Wantagh parkway, needed escorts front and rear, and had to get off at every exit cause our trucks wouldnt fit under the low bridges. That line went out from the tip of LI, across the LI sound for 18 miles underwater, and terminated at the biggest substation I have ever seen, in Sayerville, NJ.

Sorry to hear things are slow your way. I hope things pick up for you, and if you ever need a hand, PM me, I need a good excuse to bail...

wen it pick up you got it tom trees

 

[fishercat]

I am just east of Hartford.

in a town called Glastonbury.

Connecticut,as with all of New England,it is beautiful as soon as you get away from the cities and liberals.Western Mass is great too.

 

[Happyjack]

Do you have any Kids? If so how old are they?

 

[John Paul Sanborn]

I dont know what to do, and am open to any input.

Your profiles says your 25, which fits your mugshot.

As the others say her, the market sucks. Stay with the BS job for a while and save up money so that you do not have to finance as much of the equipment when you make the move back to tree work.

 

[Tree Pig]

Thank you as well Fishercat.

What part of CT are you in? I did a job there as well, 8.5 miles of 230Kv burried line, down in the murder capital of the northeast, Bridgeport.

Theres some real pretty country as you get north from there on Rt 8, up into where 8 intersects with 90 in Mass.

HAHA Bridgeport has nothing on the City Of Hartford, #4 on the FBI most violent cities nationwide at one point. Gotten a little better but still in the top 20.

 

[pdqdl]

If they are working you that hard, they are clearly dependent on your services. Don't think that a reliable man that knows the work is that easy to replace.

Start doing some negotiating. Deal with these guys from an equal footing: they need you as bad as you need them. TELL them how you feel about not getting home, and explain that you need more time home. Then negotiate a fair time to do it so that it does not interfere with their work.

They will squeal and complain that if they have to do without you for a little while, they might as well do it all the time. Counter that argument with a practical point of view: they need to be training more support to fill in for you if you become injured, fall over dead, or get mad and quit. Explain that their business is vastly more secure if they are not so dependent on just you.

Finish with the argument that you will not be able to grow with the company if they are so dependent on you that they can't promote you out of the position when the time comes. They should understand that, and respect you for it.

 

[gr8scott72]

If they are working you that hard, they are clearly dependent on your services. Don't think that a reliable man that knows the work is that easy to replace.

Start doing some negotiating. Deal with these guys from an equal footing: they need you as bad as you need them. TELL them how you feel about not getting home, and explain that you need more time home. Then negotiate a fair time to do it so that it does not interfere with their work.

They will squeal and complain that if they have to do without you for a little while, they might as well do it all the time. Counter that argument with a practical point of view: they need to be training more support to fill in for you if you become injured, fall over dead, or get mad and quit. Explain that their business is vastly more secure if they are not so dependent on just you.

Finish with the argument that you will not be able to grow with the company if they are so dependent on you that they can't promote you out of the position when the time comes. They should understand that, and respect you for it.

Great advise.

I would play it out for a little if you're making the big buck and all the while be buying up stuff for your own venture while the economy is bad and stuff is cheap. Then you would be ready to do your own thing if you wanted to and be ready.

 

[chip's-tree]

stack your money back. the market will return someday. and yes working for someone else just sucks.....
good luck..

 

[HorseShoeInFork]

Stay where you are for now like the others have said. Save the $$$$ stay off the hooch and away from the cooch. Work, learn some life lessons, then when things get right bail and don't forget those lessons you learned. Neither job is a cakewalk. Don't be surprised if in a few years you discover a new passion in life, probably something you would have never dreamed of doing. Alot can happen over a short period of time. Don't ever forget, it's just a job, money isn't everything. There's a whole lot more to life than work and money and stuff. If it won't matter a million years from now, it don't matter now. There will come a time when you wish you hadn't been away from home so much. JMHO, take it for what it is.

 

[booboo]

Tough time to jump into/back into tree care. It's the slowest we've ever seen up here and is continuing to slow down more. There's a lot to be said for a steady paycheck and if you're making money right now, you're one of the few. Like someone else said, it sounds like they need you so it may be a good time to try to negotiate better terms. I'm a big fan of more time off, but I'm also a big fan of making a living, not always easy to balance the 2! Good luck.

 

[BlackenedTimber]

Thank you to everyone for your input and advice. It is honestly appreciated.

One plus to my situation is that I still have some of my equipment parked up at the old man's farm. I still have one of my chippers, a dozer, an excavator, and a wheel loader, in addition to a bunch of saws and gear, and some trucks.

I am going to stick it out with my current company for as long as I can possibly handle it, save my money, continue to acquire gear and equipment, and make the move when the time is right.

I got started cutting when I was 15 yrs old, working for a local logger. By the time I was 17 yrs old, I had a business license, and was working for myself full time. I went to school on monday morning, did all of my work for the week, and was out in the field by noon making money. Maintained a 3.8 GPA and got the highest score on the US Military ASVAB in my home county's history, 98.7 percent (medically disqualified from the USMC cause I had previously broken my sternum and they didn't want the liability...) By the time I was old enough to drink I had several trucks and crews.

Things got slow and the timber market took a spill for a while, and all of the loggers from PA were coming into NY and undercutting me and my buddies by 50 percent. If I quoted a grand, they would do the job for 500. Can't blame em I guess, they needed to feed their families as well.

My girlfriend's dad (she would be my wife if she had it her way...) had a heart attack about this same time. He has a large trucking company in Lower NY, in and out of the 5 buroughs. I ran his company for almost 2 years before I got here.

So now, here I am. I am going to stick with it for as long as I can, and then make the jump when an opportunity presents itself.

Again, thanks to all.

 

[TreeClimber57]

For the last 3 years I have been working for an intl utilities company all across the country and world, building wind farms, aerial and burried power transmission lines (115kV-600kV) and fiber optics cable networks.

The company I work for is a small company going big, with all of the growing pains associated with that process. The owners (Father and Son) are trying to get with the big picture and not micro-manage, but they can often times be strangling. I hold the title of Project Manager, but have been burdened with administrative babysitters, because apparently (according to Father and Son) I am too brash and speak my mind to everyone and anyone without any fear of recourse.

Before I joined the world of Power Construction, I owned and operated my own business, a Tree Service, in upstate New York. Typical work load: Residential trimming and removal, site work, some timber harvesting, firewood, etc. More and more I find myself wanting to return to those days of being my own boss, living and dying by my own decisions, and providing for myself. I have been inexplicably buying up tree gear for the last few weeks. New Saws. New Climbing and Rigging lines. New Biners. New this, new that.

I did a pro-bono removal for a friend here in WV last sunday, nothing fancy, 3 dead 60 ft pines over the top of his house. Climbed em, topped em, pulled the spars over, bucked em out. I loved it. Felt good to back in the saddle again, covered in chips and sweat.

I find myself hating my current job more and more each day. I want badly to get back into the biz. My only reservation is that I am currently making a ton of money with a growing company, and getting a sick per diem for being away from home.

The other side of the coin is that I am never home. Spent 4 days home in '08. 10 days home in '07. Been home 3 days so far this year. When I really stop and think about it, I am miserable where I am at. I never see my family or friends, who until recently have played a huge part in my life.

I want, and need, to make a move, but I am hesitant to leave a sure thing for uncertainty, especially when the national economy is in the toilet, and my former customer base (rich people from NYC) is quickly watching thier 401k's dwindle and finding themselves in foreclosure on their vacation homes.

I dont know what to do, and am open to any input.

My apologies for the long, ranting post of little educational value to the AS community, I just need to vent.

Thanks all,

T

Hey I feel for you. Been there, done that. However, unless you have a truck load of cash sitting around, I would hold on for a bit. Being out of town really sucks, especially if you have a family. But, on other hand, if you can hold out for a bit.. save money you get to buy some tools (if you need them), then when you do start you will be ahead. I think things will be picking up by end of summer in most parts, have not really slowed down much where I am, was working last night until 10:00pm - getting too dark to work safely after that (from around 9:30 to 10:00 was really just clean up). Hang in there... you will eventually have the right time to move and be glad you did.