I would be interested to see how others would get my pack on and I mean that in all humility. I can't really see many alternatives that look or sound good to me.

I detest the thought of someone helping me and I can't quite see setting the pack on something (other than the tailgate of my truck ;) ) and getting in. Setting it on my knee?!?! I dunno. None of it has the right ring to my ear.

Mu buddy who is bigger and stronger than me can't muscle my pack on the way I do it so I guess I must have some sort of strategy in place that seems to work.

I should bring my stuff over to your place ST and see how you would do it. (I'll buy you a hamburger ;) ). Marlin sounds like he has it going on to but the last time I weighed my pack it came in at just a hair shy of 80lbs and setting it on my knee first sounds counter intuitive. Seems to me a little momentum is required although holding it out to the side with a forearm can be a bit awkward sometimes but I get it on 9 out of 10 times on the first try.