http://thegazette.com/subject/news/business/land-surveying-transforms-along-with-technology-20150307
Now Jim Lichty is hopefully a kind and great person and does exemplary work but,
the:
“Two-person crews were once the surveying norm — these days they would be the exception. With this technology, a one-person crew can handle most jobs,” Lichty explained."
only leaves me with a concern that he is blessed with all his work environment in Cedar Rapids being indoors without any environmental/topographical/terrestrial/vegetative or OHSA challenges and there must be no overhanging 'things' to shut down the use of GPS.
Today, I just finished two separate topos 25 miles apart and one Surveyor's Real Property Report around the corner,(A SRPR is tying in new house to boundaries and verifying top of foundation and 'ruff cut' elevation) starting at 8:00 and finishing @ 4:00 ish.
If I was solo I'd still be doing the first topo.
This is due to the fact that we are parading about in 2 to 3 feet of snow with 1/2" ice crust (and 4 feet of ice and snow in snow plowed roadside situations in two of the above.
But, we have a three person party.
Today the streets were shining with Spring melt, being the first day in months to get above 32F !
I've seen too many single bodies out there in 2-3 feet of snow trying to find evidence or tie in structures.
The final product is not my favourite example of professional results.
A two person crew is OK in some rare 'flatland' surveying situations.
But the 'pack horse' mentality of SPS (single person surveying) is one that I've not yet appreciated in my 55 + years at this game.
Is quality important ?
With respect, IMVHO the quality is best maintained with experienced 3 person crews.
YOS
DGG
> “Two-person crews were once the surveying norm — these days they would be the exception. With this technology, a one-person crew can handle most jobs,” Lichty explained."
...after electronic distance measurement came along, maybe. Try chaining a goodly ways, on line, with a 2 man crew and tell me how that works out for you. But, each to his own. Do it like you like.
Now, I'm so old I can remember four and five butt crews. We had huge heavy contraptions called carry-alls that burned copious amounts of fuel and had room for equipment and a crew of seven. Crews were large enough to split into two teams at lunch for football, baseball or basketball. That all depended on what kind of ball you found in the grass where you were surveying before lunch.
I run two and three man crews still, even though some tasks may be executed with only one man. I have a phobia of my fat butt slipping down a ravine and breaking my neck. I would rather not do that alone...I want someone there that can wave and holler at the medi-vac. :-/
I've seen some of these younger guys doing 1 man layout with robots these days. Carrying around the prism rod with data collector attached to it, a bucket full of hubs, paint, hammer and marker pounding hubs and grading them while trying not to lose lock... I always ask them that since they are doing the work of two man crew, are they also getting paid to be the PC and Rodman? Sometimes they pause and think about that one...
1 man crews will eventually cause us to lose most of our work.
..and our future surveyors when there is nobody there to mentor.
