Are you referring to the idea that the ladder might be slightly shorter in height in an open state on the floor due to its angle vs the manner in which he is holding it?
I would grant that as a rule it is feasible that this angle could put something just out of reach. The amount of reduction in height would be generally trivial for a step ladder but feasible. Certainly not the scenario here as he is holding the ladder relatively low.
That's why I said "perhaps".
My guess is he simply fell victim to sunk cost fallacy. They probably called him out to retrieve the item with his ladder, he was already carrying it and thought “Instead of setting this thing up and climbing up it, I bet I can just bat that thing down”. Things didnt work out well but he was already in that position so he just continued at it
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