" I am up prob 5 a month dropping teleco and CATV svc drops (both companies in town have given me preforms, splices, ect because they know and trust me working with their svc drops). spur length is also a factor here as most utility guys are wearing 3/4 pole hooks, and I'm sticking mine in 2x that far at least."
-Ralph
IMHO, that is nothing to brag about. In fact, I would be embarresed if I had that record. If you can't drop it in a safe place between wires, then you should learn to. I'm not trying to diss you, just think it's bad to be taking out lines like that.
When I use a ladder, I use an very long pole pruner to set my rope in a crotch high up, tie in using the split tail with fair lead, as climbing the ladder I keep the line taught, I've also used a pantin while doing this with mixed results. After I'm a ways up I also lanyard into a safe crotch or branch.
Once I'm at the top of the ladder. I'll use the pantin for quick ascention, always roped in with my lifeline or lanyard, using the ALT with a split tail and lanyard.
Climbing spikes or gaffs for me, seem to be the most dangerous. I use the "gecko" brand, and like the angle you can set into the tree. Still, it may be my technique, but I always have problems with slipping and dropping out with spikes. That's just me.
As I get older, ladders are a energy saving device. Most of the time though, I just use a pantin from the ground with my safety line high in the tree and walk up the butt log, and of course using the lanyard. Just my technique.