Rob, I want to echo Ken's remarks about back health. I'm a year older than him, have had those days when I cannot move, and I can testify that once you get into your forties, even the extended warranty on your body has run out. Stretching and strengthening all of your major muscles should help. Chiropractic and acupuncture (from the right people, of course--just like piano work) have also been very helpful for me. About job description, under my predecessor (22 years ago), facilities had a man injured on a piano move. His workmans compensation claim led the VP of Administration to change the policy so that outside piano movers must be hired for all grands. I have dutifully reminded that VP's successors of this and kept the practice going as a matter of official decree. (File that one under good coming from bad, I guess.) Having to plan well in advance and find budget for each grand move keeps such requests from getting out of hand, or becoming an added burden for the piano tech. at the will of faculty and students. Judging from the responses you have received so far, I would think it is not unreasonable to tell your superiors that it is common practice among music schools and conservatories to insist on on outside, professional piano movers for moving grands--and see if they can be persuaded to get with the program. Good luck, Alan Eder
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC