Crane Operator: Mike Beatson

Mike had no idea that I, Doyle Peeks, was in the area, though a little late for some good photo shots. Mike came from the Fort Meyers yard to Port Charlotte to hoist a worker in a personnel basket to the top of a flagpole at Perkins Restaurant. Mike used the test weights and did it by the book. Good job Mike. Keep doing it by the book. Old habits die hard. As I was driving onto the parking lot where the crane was working, I caught myself looking for power lines, a good habit all crane operators should practice religiously. Note: I would have taken more pictures, but I didn't have a camera with me and had to go buy a throwaway. By the time I got back it was all but over. One never knows when someone is out there taking pictures. The operator on the following linked page got caught doing it wrong and received a Dummy Award. --Doyle Peeks