If they are going to give you 1500 hrs towards your apprenticeship that is pretty good. Alot of ape that come from non-union only get 1000. It is a 7000 hour apprenticeship which 2500 has to be hot time and you should start that at your 3rd step. The climbing school is really not as bad as some people put it 10 to 12 days which most of it your on your hooks and rest class room. Virgil Melton is not as bad as some people make him out to be, he just doesnt put up with any B.S. . The NJATC is the best apprenticship I believe you can go through. And the benifits you have being in the union is great the contractor who you work for pays for everything, family ins. and your retirements.