Downrigging: Load IN

It usually starts @ ~8:00AM.  Head Road Guy will mark some points on the floor, our local Head Rigger will write the "heiroglyphics" indicating what steel to use to build the Points.  They may outline on the floor some basic obstructions upstairs.  

 Load in:

Arrive on time.

Sign in.   

At the beginning of the shift, expect some general directive from the Local Head Rigger.  Basic things will be reviewed, and might include things such as:

1)  Priority Points.  The points the road crew wants first.  

2)  Where large shackles will be used on 2-Ton Steel.

Help place road cases when they arrive.

Build steel until you are sent Up.  Check in with Head Rigger if you haven't been sent Up by the time everything is built.  

Go to the bathroom, grab your gear, go upstairs.  Empty everything out of your pockets.  Put on radio.

Harness up.  Put on your gloves if you wear them.  Make sure you have protraxion, an Industrial Daisy, and a 2' runner.  Flake your rope out over your shoulders.  Don't dawdle getting ready and out on a Beam.  The goal is always to be the first one to send in their rope, or as close to that as possible, have all the right gear, and be in the right place at the right time.  Remember your Prime directive, if given one.  Go to the appropriate access point.  

Go out onto the beam.

Tie up one end of rope to safety line.

Take rope off shoulders, hold both ends side, dump belly into non-working bay behind where you will be working.

Feed free end hand over hand In to floor.  Watch it to make sure it doesn't cause trouble.

Step on  heavy end of rope.

Set up protraxion if you have a pick point.

Untie free end of rope from safety line and place in protraxion so that the short end is poking out the teeth side.

Ask for a Knot or let Downriggers know you are ready for a "Tie-in" if appropriate.

Once tied in, float your point to the basket apex.  Wait for your Downrigger to look it over.  Float to Apex.  Wait for your buddie to do the same.  When you are sure both legs are floated to the Apex, your Downrigger has checked to make sure the Apex is clean, you can Go Out Together.  Watch your buddie, feel the tension of them pulling their leg Out (up towards the beam).  Pull at the same or a similar rate.  At first, it should be arm lengths.  When it gets heavy, you can switch to "Rowing".

Remove the burlap from the mix.  Set it on the beam in front of you.  

Make the basket and place it on the burlap.  Deadhangs need to be padded on the top two corners, Bridles need to be padded on the back two corners.  

Check your Buddy to make sure he is in a secure place.  If he has the pin out of his free shackle, wait a second.  When clear, smoothly break your protraxion and settle your Point.  Slide it into position

Call for a point check on the radio.

Make a show of hands that your fingers are free for your downrigger.  

Merge:

 What to expect

Downriggers must have the ability to read the floor with an eye toward which points go in which bay.  Within each bay, they need to send the points out in the order the uprigger needs them.  This is an art and a science.  The uprigger should communicate the order they prefer, but a good downrigger will also learn the building and have an idea of what order points need to fly out in, or know when to ask.  Having a laser is essential, and a good laser is worth the price.  Check this gear recommendations link...  

The downrigger must check each Point (Deadhang) or Leg (Bridle) as they tie in, to make sure the Steel was built correctly as it goes Out.  Markings need to be verified that they are correct on the floor, the point is oriented correctly, the right motor is attached, etc.  Attention needs to be paid to whether motors need "dumped", where "dead" cases are to be stored, and whether there are "pickles" or a road guy will use a pendant.  

Arrive on time

sign in

wait for steel to arrive

expect a meeting to discuss steel building particulars, priority points, or any other unique aspects of the rig.  

Build steel (from Upstage to Downstage unless told differently)

Put on a hard hat when/by the time the first rope comes In

Tie your (3' unless told differently) bowline into the free shackle on an Open Basket (one piece of steel makes the basket), or into the eye of the five on a Split Basket (two pieces of steel).  

Check that the longer basket goes on the side with the bigger beam (look up)

Check that the links are on the longer leg and that the point on the floor is farther away from the (guesstimated) midline on that side (if you can tell).  

Tuck the 10' steel into the bowline and put the burlap over it.  Check to make sure there is a free shackle and it is in the right place.  On the side with the Links (if there are any), make sure the free links are at the top and not trapped underneath the topmost "Working" one.   

As the Point goes Out, move the box directly under it if you can.  

When the baskets are made, Upriggers will either ask for a Point Check, or the Uprigger may communicate by eye contact and show that their fingers are free.  Put a laser at the EDGE of the beam if it is a Dead Hang, and on the Point if it is a Bridle.  Let the Point settle and check that the laser hits the Apex.