A system for facilitating the connection of a first tubular to a second tubular used in the oil and gas exploration and extraction industries includes a tubular handling device having a body having a profile shaped to accept a first tubular into a throat area and opposing scissor plates with overlapping tips. The system further includes a tubular engagement apparatus to engage and raise a tubular to a vertical position, and a spider apparatus including a plurality of slip assemblies. The slip assemblies include a slip back with an inclined load bearing surface, and a slip with a load bearing surface in sliding abutment with the inclined load bearing surface of the slip back.