An apparatus for optionally gripping and releasing a tube (34), said apparatus having an elevator (12) with a set of slips (30) for optionally gripping and releasing a tube (34) and a spider (18) with a set of slips (30) for optionally gripping and releasing the other end of said tube (34), said elevator and spider slips (30) being in communication one to the other by pressurized conduits, said conduits forming a pressure circuit to supply pressure to release one set of slips (30) only when the other set of slips is gripping said tube (34), wherein said apparatus has improved response time, said spider (12) may be hydraulically or pneumatically actuated and said elevator (18) may be pneumatically operated, and wherein said spider (12) may be flush mounted; and methods.