rafregtgunner

I shall do! looking forward to the course, should be a good 5 days.

Thanks, I shall get reading!

Lucky me! My work has just put me through my medium fells this week. Next week I start a five day dismantling course. Does anyone have any tips for the course?

Tree work is as close as it gets me thinks! Well in the real world! Not including close protection work abroad etc. I think the only other job is the police. Other than that the adrenaline and excitment gets packed away and you bimble along in your 9-5 job. That's why lads get cold feet about leaving the forces. I know a few who left without gaining their free resettlement course (serving over 5 years) and now hop from job to job as they can't find anything they enjoy.

The regt are coming out of the woodwork now! I left feb 08 after 7 1/2 years. I'd wanted to leave for a while but couldn't decide on a career so hung in there. Knew a couple of lads who had left and loved the tree work so I looked into it. Haven't looked back since! Two sqn hey, I know one lad, nickname OB. Can't remember his first. He's round the suffolk area working so it may have been him. The regt is fairly small so you tend to hear from friends etc when people move into the tree world. I think the only bad point I have found so far is the money isn't the same as the RAF. But there again there were too many bad points which outwayed the good so that's why I left! Yeah the 2 sqn lads like it to be written properly, so for all of them it's II sqn. lol.

Good spot mpb! Also the bog standard first field dressings are great, i think they can be picked up pretty cheap and are designed for bullet wounds etc. They come in individually wrapped pouches and include a bandage. I carry one in my bottom right pocket in the old trusty hiflex trousers.

24hr rations. As issued to the forces. Cold burger in beans followed by cold fruit dumplings. mmmmmmm I miss the food "they" used to feed me!

I think alot of lads try to find a job that is active, fun and physical. It's hard to find a job that offers the same excitment etc as the forces but this is a good in-between. More lads are looking towards tree work and with Kingswood providing training using the resettlement grant, you get fully trained for free! Bonus!

Hey Jason where and who did you meet from the RAF Regiment? I recently left the regt so i'll probably know them!

Cheers Steve, i'll get my grubby mits on one!

I've the same pulley without the new rating markings. Tried searching the internet for the 'new' one and I can't find anyone selling it yet. Anyone found them anywhere?

Yeah the new forces torniquet is good, also the clotting powder if you can get hold of it. We only used to get it when you arrived in Iraq or Afghan. As a trained battlefield medic it makes me wonder sometimes why we only carry your average first aid kit in the land rovers. A plaster and a small bandage isn't much good on a chainsaw wound!

Does the pulley wheel still move, or does the tail from the blakes hitch stop it?

Cool, thanks i'll check it out.

I'm climbing with a split tail and micro pulley at the moment. What difference with a hitch climber provide?

Well I tried to give a professional reason why she should climb in a bikini but she was having none of it. I might go the opposite way next time and get her to climb in large jacket. That might change her mind!

Well another day with the girlfriend swinging in the trees while I watch! Next thing she'll be sitting her assesments and taking my job! Didn't realise she'd get so into it, have to get her working for me!

With the weather being good i'm getting dragged out to take her up another tree!

Just wondered if anyone else has got their girlfriend/ boyfriend up into a tree yet (safely) My girlfriend is addicted now (if only she felt the same way about me as climbing!) I pre installed the rope then using a foot ascender, up she went.

I use a tom tom 220 with speed cameras etc. I transfer the marked spots on the maps given to us by the utility company onto the tom tom by browsing the map. Takes me straight to the sites no problem!

Just checked out that insurance link and they say "LI017 Damage to Property Within the Radius of the Height of Trees Excluded – applicable to the Liability Section We will not indemnify You in respect of Damage to property within the radius of the height of any tree being worked on by You" Kinda defeats the object of having the insurance!

I did the course with Kingswood training. I can highly recommend it! I am now employed by a utility company and enjoying the work!!! Only thing i'd say is if you can oush to take your climbing exams straight after the training. Rather than going back months later to take it.

I spent 7 1/2 years in the RAF. Left 3 months ago and i'm now working for a utility company. I'm on £7.90 an hour which is a start for someone with no experience. However my overtime rate is paid by units cut so that really bumps my wage up!

Cheers for all the advice so far.... keep it coming guys! So best route is a tipper van then get a box built cheaply for it. Noticed the ones with boxes already on go for a fair bit more. What about working by yourself, any rules against this in the insurance?? Gonna shop around for some quotes this weekend. Do most of you have a mate to help out as and when?

Great tips thanks! I've all my advertising etc ready to, I was going to go round all my local farms this weekend to try and find somewhere to take the wood chip etc. The farms we use at work are too far away, trying to keep it all local and low costs! Been looking at a few tippers, i can either wait for one to come up with a chipper box on already or pay about £1200 to have one custom built. Obviously i'm wanting to keep costs down as my only outgoing will be on the van each month. Hoping to pick one up for about £2-3k. Anyone any ideas on what i'm gonna look at paying on insurance, doesn't need to be 10m cos i'm not looking at contracts etc. My business is going to be purely part time for a few years, hopefully able to get 4 jobs a month for the weekends. Is it worth registering like a good boy as a sole trader even though it's only part time. Would prefer not to be paying the taxman anymore than I have to. Not looking at being VAT registered either. Last thing, whats the best day rate for a chipper? Best iv'e found so far is £65 a day for a premier 220