Overheard a site foreman say drones are killing real surveying skills

I was on a job in Austin last month and this old-timer foreman said drones make guys lazy, they can't read a transit anymore. Then the young surveyor shot back that drones save 3 hours per lot and catch errors you'd miss with a rod. Which side is right for a crew of five on a tight deadline?

2 comments

2 Comments

avery_walker3014d ago

A buddy of mine runs a five man crew in San Antonio and he told me his crew nearly missed a drainage problem on a big lot last year because the rod guy was rushing to beat the sun. His drone guy caught it from above in about 15 minutes flat and saved them a redo that would have cost half a day. So both tools matter, but when the deadline is tight that bird is worth its weight in batteries.

foster.ruby14d ago

That drone saved them half a day for sure, but I think relying on it too much is a shortcut that catches up with you later. Rod work keeps guys honest and makes them understand the ground instead of just looking at a screen. A drone can spot a drainage problem from above but it won't tell you the soil type or how deep the pipe sits. If that drone battery dies or the signal drops out, you're stuck guessing while the rod guy keeps working. I've seen crews get lazy with the basics because they trust the bird too much. Both tools are good, but the rod should still lead the way every time.