Today was topo + tree survey for an urban lot we did the boundary of back in 2009.
Amazingly the control was still there, including a 3 year old hub & tack in the middle of a popular walking path.
Would have done it solo purely out of greed but I called a couple of recent graduates from The School. I'm not used to working un-solo. Turns out it slows me way down to explain what we're doing and how and why: A 4 hour job turned into an 8 hour job, but a couple of guys who were excellent students got to run the robot for their first time ever while I kept the notes and told them what buttons did what.
I don't know how anyone learns these days. I got started on robotics in 2003 with a guy who was among the first to adopt, late 1990s. He did everything solo unless he needed a helper, but the helper was usually just along so as to use the carpool lane -- didn't really get any instruction in surveying, just step-n-fetchit duties. A lot of helpers came and went, none of whom learned anything or stayed in surveying. That's what I want to avoid.
Coulda done it faster and kept more money doing the job solo. But that doesn't train anyone, or give back, or develop an efficient well-trained crew in the long run. My goal is that someday, people will beg to be on my crew because they want to learn, and having learned, they will be sought after by other surveyors and become surveyors themselves.
:good:
I like it this way!
chr.
I hear ya about the loss of mentorship. Major problem. But remember that for every solo, there are many PLS's who want nothing to do with running their own show. They like the security blanket gobment or corporate jobs provide. Solo isn't for everybody.
I'm guilty too. I bought my first robot in '96 and laid off 2 people. Had a bit of a learning curve on how to re-think the job set up procedures, but quickly realized that I gained productivity by at least 30-50%, plus. Then when I got brave enough to delve into GPS with 3 Locus static receivers ('99).... life became even better.
About the only time I use anybody now is for blue topping (which I do very little of), or major remoteness mostly for safety reasons.
Thats good to know...
It is refreshing to know there are still guys out there will to show new guys the ropes.
I had seriously planned to join a survey crew, and jump into the industry with both feet, but most guys either didnt have the work or didnt want to train a new guy.
Now I work in the GPS Machine Control industry...its nice but hope someday I can still find time to pursue my PLS.
Robots and GPS are not strictly for solo work. I have one full-time helper who is gaining efficiency at surveying. I send her on about half the jobs solo now and she will be pretty well trained if and when this economy turns around. Then I will probably hire another trainable person and split my time between crews.
Time management; use the time driving to the job to talk surveying. When your setting up the robot, explain the next steps and when you start taking shots, point out what to watch out for. When you break for lunch, recap what you've done and ask them if they have any questions.
When I started surveying I was always within 100 feet of the party chief. I could watch and learn. I was lucky enough to work for a good company and my first party chief was an LS. The company tended to put the new guy with him for the first few months and he was good at training.
With the advent of the EDM, you didn't need to do a lot of chaining and crews were cut back to 2-man. You were always a fair distance away from the boss and it was difficult to watch and learn. Now, with robots and GPS, you can do it all yourself. Kudos to you for taking someone along and showing them the ropes. I hope to be able to do the same, when business picks up.....
Radar
I believe the ultimate in efficiency involves a 2 man crew with a Robot.
