I don't know how to quote part of a post,
"The angle and length of the stubs are for strength", that is 45 year old mis conception, proven wrong by The Late Dr Alex Shigo.
In reallity the stubs invite core rot because the differential tissue of the branch collar will not be able to grow callas tissue over the branch coller ,which if properly pruned would eventually seal the wound. The forth and final wall of codit. The stub will not allow this and the decay will go to the core of the branch union, eventually causing a hollow, and an extreemly weaked section of a now non tapering stem.
At Aspen Tree PPE is required when you get out of the truck, 3 chances: 1st verbal, 2nd written, and 3rd grounds for termination, but I can almost garrentee you if OSHA fined them for you not wearing it, it would be 123, all at once. Climbing is great but knowing what, how, and why, to cut is as important. a good climber is worth what they safely produce, with out damage to the tree,property, team, or equipment. If they get up there and cause 30 years future damage then what are they worth, every cut (wound) matters. and safety matters most, you have to do it with the team tommorow again. like Beastmaster said strive to learn and better yourself and you will do well. but it does kind of suck if we were journyman line splicers, or xray welders, or plumbers we would be making 30-40 per hour, I will bump up to 20 at Aspen if I get my cdl, work for myself in the winter and early spring though.
Paul