All these jobs in utility are asking for so much long line time? It’s not rocket science. It doesn’t take 2,000 hrs to get good at it? What am I missing?

It’s said it takes 10,000 hours to become a master of a skill.  But I think what those employers are saying is that they don’t want to train some one inexperienced. 

You’re missing the 2,000 hrs of long line time, as well as an attitude adjustment. Slinging a bucket is different than setting ladders with people on them.

It's all practice just like any other skill, that's why Army dorks can do it with 500 hours total time

I think you’re misinformed.  The military folks are doing non precision sling loads, with a crew chief looking down at the load telling the pilot what’s up.   I think even someone like you could figure that out pretty quickly.   

Then there is the direct vertical reference with a long line stuff which is what takes a lot of practice.  However you can easily crush people, and drive up huge insurance bills when you mess that stuff up. There is also a ton of on the job learning about rigging, working with energized power lines, and hanging people under a helicopter that comes with experience.  Some people don’t pick this type of flying up, and aren’t cut out for that type of responsibility.    

There is a progression to follow to get into this line of work.  It almost always requires a low paying job with a terrible schedule and a good attitude in the beginning. Everyone pays their dues one way or another.  

anyone would go through a bunch of bs to pay your dues for such a crappy job

Except that those same 500 hour wonders in the Army are slinging buckets and doing HEC work too.

Mrs. Informed is spot on.  Why anyone would like to do it ?? Because life is a challenge .  Logging was one of the most satisfying and enjoyable jobs I had and you did have to be cut out for it.

Those 500 hour military "pilots" are not doing anything like precision utility flying and because they have an ego so large that it takes a Black Hawk to lift it they never will.

A true long line pilot is a master of a craft.  They understand the whole environment they are operating in and how they play a key role in the safe and efficient completion of whatever project they are working on.  Oh and typically the really really good ones know they are really really good and don't have to tell anyone how good they are because their reputation precedes them thus they can fly just about any helicopter because they have no ego.

Why would you do it you ask?  Because it's hard.  Because you can always do better. Because the satisfaction of a perfect hook shot or set is a reward all it's own.  Because skillful execution and experience makes the crew on the ground safer.  Because it's fun (if you have the right attitude).  

If your attitude is it's not that hard and why would someone want a certain skill or experience level as an entry gate might I suggest you not pursue this career path as I can tell you that you will not enjoy it and in the end just create a bad name for yourself in a tiny industry.

The really really good ones, are known….they each are respected for their skill with a line. Game recognizes Game.

lol wut are you seven bro

I started working a long line when I had around 4000 hours.  Up until then, I thought I was a gift to aviation.

Using a 100' line to place a concrete block into a 55 gallon drum humbled me very quickly in the early learning process.  

In my experience it really has not much to do with who the owner is vs how hard someone is willing to work at it and what their attitude is.  I'm pretty sure that you could point to many really good pilots that were not "born into it" and some real sketchy ones that were....

Does someone have to be willing to "put up with mistakes?"  Sure but that's a lot more likely to happen if you have a learning attitude and a willingness to admit mistakes.  Something that in my experience is very hard for a lot of pilots to do.

Why? Well maybe because pilots have a tendency to fight gravity.  It's part of their nature.

Who talk all this big talk, have tons of ems hour or something, then they try it and realize all the years they’ve been spouting off, that it’s a skill they just can’t do.

It's a skill anyone can do with the right mindset and practice. For higher time pilots the right mindset is likely the hard part because it's tough for some to humble themselves and suck for a few hours while practicing.

Seen many people who cannot do it no matter how much practice they have, sometimes there are skills you just cannot grasp.

There is no 500 hr wonder army guy doing HEC.