Mark Six and SASless,
Yep, granted. I can't say that I've bent my body sideways in the cockpit often looking down... I doff my hat to you.
I'm sure PPRUNErs can accede that communication by written form can always be misinterpreted. Just harken back to your CRM course or look at the arguments on these forums to see examples of how something written is easily mistaken.
What I MEANT to say was that the skills in placing a load on the ground at the end of an extended strop, ie anticipating load swing, ensuring proper ROD, etc are similar. I fully acknowledge that the job is markedly easier with crewmen assisting the pilot and that the actual 'poling' skills when doing it without that assistance of crewmen is different and more difficult.
As for my other assertions; that longlining is more prevalent in places with significantly higher and denser obstacles such as tall trees/jungle remains the same. I saw more longlining in PNG than I do in Oz, but I do know of some companies here that do it quite regularly.
Cheers