Hahahaha...noooo...I have never (touch wood) lost control of my bladder....neither on the ground nor 900ft up in the air thank the gods.
A Doggie is aptly named after man's best friend...(not Beer nor Bourbon) but the faithful 4 legged pal who runs around after the crane driver safely hooking up his loads and then jumping on the load ( like a dog on the back of a fully loaded hay trailer) before riding it to where ever.
Am I afraid of heights???...Oh YEAH....not whilst riding a load or in the riding sling...but you will never catch me close to the edge of a building and looking over the side...THAT freaks me out bigtime. I am much safer standing on a load or in my trusty tailor made Dunlop rubber covered 1/2" 6/47 steel wire Riding Sling.
In the 10 yrs I was a Doggy in Sydney during the 1970s..the only fatality for a dogman was when he was walking down to the crib room and a rigger somewhere 37 floors up dropped a podger which struck the helmeted Doggy in the head and killed him on the spot. He wasn't even riding a load.
As for calling it a 'distinction' to have been a FRD...I personally don't know of many who can say they've done what I have. To be honest...it was the most exciting and fulfilling job I have ever had...bar none. It is a pity it was banned by ridiculous OH&S laws and we became a dying breed.
Oh...and don't let those jumped up self involved 'Crane Chasers' ( who cannot then nor will ever ride a load) try to convince you that they're full riding dogmen...aint no such thing anymore...anywhere in the world.
FRD rode loads back then...Crane Chasers are Earth bound by law.
Ding Ding
(that's the signal for UP)
Gazza
Last edited by OlderFart54; 03/02/17 12:26 AM.
