I can work in my hooks better than most.
I worked backlot most of my life due to the heavy crews always got layed off too much. I spent five years every day in my tools for so long that when I was nervous running a pistol grip. I am the same age, 48. But I still school people in working the hooks. What I notice is new journeyman rig.like they are out of the bucket all the time and you can see they dont know how to work with a handline and short rig themselves.to death. You can tell if a lineman works the tools a lot by his hammer. If he has a 24 inch claw hammer, he works the tools. If he has a 3 pound maul, he is a bucket guy. With a long hammer you take off and slide out your rigging. I noticed that over the years. When I work with apprentices in my hooks, I see that they will have those short mauls. After a day with me they buy a claw a next day. Just a heavy ass tool you can do nothing with but drive lags.