10 minute rant

[40isthenew50]

First of all how the hell do I change my username??
A quick background on myself. I've been around trees most of my life,family business. Started as a groundie,worked my way up to Foreman. Been climbing for about 15 years. Like most of us, I took pride in what I did. Love working outdoors could never be caged up in an office.
About 10 years ago I took an opportunity and got hired by a local municipality. I couldn't turn down the benefits.
But what I've come to realize over these 10 years is the typical stereotype of city workers is true.
Now we only cut trees in the winter time if it's not snowing and maybe a little bit in the summer. So basically I hate my job the other eight months out of the year.
I've tried to teach all these guys the proper ways and proper techniques but it just doesn't seem to stick with them.
I'd rant more but it's not gonna do me any good.

 

[Drewtree]

I watched some City of Toronto sub contractors sit in their chip truck for 6 hours, only to eventually chip about 3 square yards of brush.

 

[easyphloem]

You're on the right path already. Changing that ironic username is step one.

Unfortunately, you have no choice but to leave the Muni-job, or admit that you will lead an unhappy, unfulfilled life.

But I hear Minnesota is beautiful country. So you got that going for you.

SZ

 

[40isthenew50]

But the benefits are awesome!!!! But my blood pressure is boiling!!! And to top it off I'm a crew lead so I have to sit back for the most part and watch all this. Union job so can't really do nothing about it.

 

[40isthenew50]

What's a guy to do, gonna be 45 soon, so I don't feel like starting over. Plus I got a family to support. I think Prozac is a viable option??!!

 

[easyphloem]

Have you tried Angry Birds? That could occupy a whole month to master all the various free games they offer.

Or, try making memes.

I taught my son how, he's only 6.

Check out his work.
SZ

 

[Crimsonking]

What other skills have you acquired during your time there that could transfer to upper level positions in tree care? Operations management, sales, public relations, etc.

 

[40isthenew50]

I have a pretty good knowledge, there's always room for growth. But I think that's my problem. The farther up the chain you climb(no pun intended) the less hands on I get.

 

[RopeShield]

Transfer over to cemetaries. It's quite, nice people, more respectful surroundings, off the road. Bosses never leave the basement.
Save the tree work for days off.

 

[Crimsonking]

That is definitely the tough part. We have a training officer that gets field time in addition to office time, but he is the first I've seen land a spot like that without being owner.

 

[40isthenew50]

Transfer over to cemetaries. It's quite, nice people, more respectful surroundings, off the road. Bosses never leave the basement.
Save the tree work for days off.

We've cleaned up some cemeteries back in the day. Trees go on and on and on...

 

[treebilly]

This could help ?

 

[Mangoes]

I watched some City of Toronto sub contractors sit in their chip truck for 6 hours, only to eventually chip about 3 square yards of brush.

Heard it said - "hide and seek for a grand a week"
(numerous times, from core staff AND contractor employees)

....... T.O. Contractors? Only 4 colours to choose from, no?
- light green
- dark green
- white
- orange

 

[Boomslang]

Hydro employee checking in. I'm in a similar boat. We make city workers look productive, mutilate trees so badly we make your local hack seem like a pro, and waste more government money on useless shit than most politicians.....but the pay and benefits are gold. There's really not much room for advancement in my department (you basically have to wait until the guy ahead of you retires) so I've already decided I'm just going to milk it for a few years and then move on. To what I'm not sure yet, but I have a few years to figure that out.

45 is not too old to change careers or move on. Do you really want to be miserable for the next 20-25 years when you retire? That's not healthy man.

I watched some City of Toronto sub contractors sit in their chip truck for 6 hours, only to eventually chip about 3 square yards of brush.

We had a few service restoration days (storm cleanup) at the end of December. One of the days we sat in the trucks for 14 hours, leaving only to take advantage of our complimentary three meals and the necessary bathroom breaks. This was all on double time too. No small wonder power bills are so high.

 

[40isthenew50]

Hydro employee checking in. I'm in a similar boat. We make city workers look productive, mutilate trees so badly we make your local hack seem like a pro, and waste more government money on useless shit than most politicians.....but the pay and benefits are gold. There's really not much room for advancement in my department (you basically have to wait until the guy ahead of you retires) so I've already decided I'm just going to milk it for a few years and then move on. To what I'm not sure yet, but I have a few years to figure that out.

45 is not too old to change careers or move on. Do you really want to be miserable for the next 20-25 years when you retire? That's not healthy man.



We had a few service restoration days (storm cleanup) at the end of December. One of the days we sat in the trucks for 14 hours, leaving only to take advantage of our complimentary three meals and the necessary bathroom breaks. This was all on double time too. No small wonder power bills are so high.

My eyes are always searching the horizon for the next opportunity. Just haven't found it yet,like yourself.

 

[ctree]

I was a self-employed arborist for 18 years until 2 years ago when I took a job for a municipality. At first it was a tough adjustment but now I really enjoy it. We do plenty of tree work including planting, fertilizing, and air-spade work. Of course within a union you get people who become "institutionalized" but you cant let them get you down. I find a project every day and go home satisfied the majority of the time. Life is what you make of it. I guess I am lucky and work for a progressive city.

 

[40isthenew50]

45 and still don't know what I wanna be when I grow

I was a self-employed arborist for 18 years until 2 years ago when I took a job for a municipality. At first it was a tough adjustment but now I really enjoy it. We do plenty of tree work including planting, fertilizing, and air-spade work. Of course within a union you get people who become "institutionalized" but you cant let them get you down. I find a project every day and go home satisfied the majority of the time. Life is what you make of it. I guess I am lucky and work for a progressive city.

Would love to continue working the "city job" but think some major changes need to be considered which is tougher than parting the ocean. At least at my city. Maybe need to find a city that actually has a forestry/good tree operation.

 

[wyatt spruck]

@40isthenew50 an old coworker- friend of mine left the tree care company I currently work at and started a career at the city of St. Paul in the forestry division. He loves it there. Awesome benefits, they do tree work year round (includes a crane removals and large tree pruning). Not much climbing. Bucket work majority of the time. They have good equipment, clam trucks, buckets, loaders/skid steers and similar machines. Pay starts around 25$ an hour.
There's hope out there bro!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[40isthenew50]

@40isthenew50 an old coworker- friend of mine left the tree care company I currently work at and started a career at the city of St. Paul in the forestry division. He loves it there. Awesome benefits, they do tree work year round (includes a crane removals and large tree pruning). Not much climbing. Bucket work majority of the time. They have good equipment, clam trucks, buckets, loaders/skid steers and similar machines. Pay starts around 25$ an hour.
There's hope out there bro!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yep, that's what I'm looking for. I'll keep looking for an opening somewhere. Hopefully sooner than later.

 

[welltree]

Heard it said - "hide and seek for a grand a week"
(numerous times, from core staff AND contractor employees)

....... T.O. Contractors? Only 4 colours to choose from, no?
- light green
- dark green
- white
- orange

I've seen plenty of guys in blue trucks staring at clouds as well so I wouldn't paint everyone