Now that I have read it's a good tip because I thought it was designed to have a foot in there and I'll bet it's a misconception on alot of peoples parts that it was for that.I still think that I am right in what I said starting it from the far side reaching over top putting yourself over top of the bar but just wasn't what they wanted to hear.
We instruct our members to start all of our saws by kneeing one knee on the back of the motor housing, holding the handle w/ one hand, and then pulling the cord w/ the other hand. We also advise them to start the saws on the ground first to ensure they are working, shut them off, carry them up to the roof, and then start them again.