CK, when longlining you have to always keep the tm running...no exceptions. That would be very hard to do operating a foot controlled tm. In order for you to longline you would need someone in your boat to run the poles while you ran the tm. You also need a way of monitoring your speed and keeping the speed constant. People longline out of the front and back of their boats pulling lines from front holders off the sides of their boats and from holders off the back of their boats. Usually shorter rods are used in the back while longer rods are used off the front. Turns would have to be a bit wider when longlining out of the front of the boat. IMO, with a foot controlled tm spider rigging would be a better choice.
Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing.