Chaser courtesy reminder!

[rdale]

The chaser claimed to the cop that he was spotting for a certain NWS office. The spokesperson for that office, did not back the story up and tossed the guy right under the bus.

I guess my perspective is different

The next line sounds like the NWS rep did acknowledge his work on the storm:

"Guerrero confirmed that Barnes was calling the National Weather Service in San Angelo, which was relaying the information about a Crane County tornado to the Midland branch."

And let's say that these anti-chaser laws are enacted... Remember how many chasers are out there. Odds are VERY low that you are going to be the one. They can't have 6 cop cars stationed on the side of the road waiting for chasers like they do for seat-belt enforcement.

It's okay.

 

[Adam Lucio]

I hate how the reason for these laws is always "for your own safety."

Im not 2 years old. By the time we reach the age of 10 we know whats dangerous and whats not.

I know the risks involved in chasing, I choose to put myelf out there. If i get knocked into a coma by a softball size hailstone or tossed into a propane tank by a rain wrapped tornado its my own fault. The same goes for joe shmoe who blows his face off playing with M-80s or johnny rock star who breaks his legs and arms for trying to skateboard off a 3 story building and land on a tiny guard rail.

Im sick of the media and other outlets always looking for someone to blame for accidents.

I also think it would be impossible to station LEOs at every road and every intersection when a storm, let alone multiple storms are in the area, unless they start deputizing cows...there isnt enough man power to cover an entire threat area most of the time. Further more, theyre putting more people at risk by removing the officers, what happens if a store gets robbed or theres a serious car accident....OOPS! Im sorry, were too busy arresting people for taking pictures of clouds!

end rant.

 

[Chris Sokol]

What we should do to cut down on the traffic is to appoint one person from each NWS Office region to chase, and they can stream on Severe Studios. You can then take photos of the stream and claim them as your own. Everybody who submits a photo or chase report based on the stream has to pay the actual chaser $10 to cover gas and expenses...

 

[Dennis Sherrod]

Boo frickin who! Lets just get out there and chase. Yall sound like a bunch of highschool girls bathroom conversation makes me want to puke. Look at this guy hanging out his window...well did you see this guy blah blah seriously lets just make sure we take care of ourselves. Try this for once YOU worry about you, and I will worry about me ! Oh and let the softballs fall

Michael, your comments and reactions to serious problems are what makes things potentially more dangerous and serious when we are all out there.
If you are serious about not worrying about anything other than yourself, than it is apparent you don't care what danger or peril you put others in by your actions. If everyone cared a little about how their own actions may affect others, we probably would not need a thread like this to try and remind people to be a little more respectful.
And by your own comment above.... Do you really hang around high school little girl's restrooms to hear what they are talking about? That is pretty strange.

 

[Jason Foster]

Teach, don't criticize

I figure that I just try to avoid the spots where people tend to gather. I mean it is the great plains, and it isn't that hard to spread out. Besides, for me, I want to get a shot that no one else has. What's the point of getting the same video or photos of the same storm

We, on this thread, just by the nature of being aware of the situation tend to not create it. It usually are those that do not stay informed. The real point here should be that we should make an effort to kindly remind those who create the problem how they can fix it, and be pleasant and respectful when you do. Giving a finger and running over tripods, etc. doesn't help the problem, it makes it worse, because then all they want to do is get revenge. As chasers we need to be the better person, to help, assist, teach. That's the way to avoid these situation. If you need to yell, scream, and more, try to do it inside your chase vehicle (because we all need to vent when we see it), but then try to kindly make the suggestion to the offender.

One last thought. I don't have any problem with the guy outside the the vehicle. I have done this a few times, to get a good creative shot (see picture below). It really applies to him only, and doesn't affect anyone else, and to me not really relavent to the thread (which is about courtesy to others and "rules of the road").

Good Luck, and stay safe out there....because what you do does affect us all.

caption: Wow, I was really hanging out the side of the truck to get this shot. But it worked, and I got a really neat shot.

 

[Michael Ratliff]

Michael, your comments and reactions to serious problems are what makes things potentially more dangerous and serious when we are all out there.
If you are serious about not worrying about anything other than yourself, than it is apparent you don't care what danger or peril you put others in by your actions. If everyone cared a little about how their own actions may affect others, we probably would not need a thread like this to try and remind people to be a little more respectful.
And by your own comment above.... Do you really hang around high school little girl's restrooms to hear what they are talking about? That is pretty strange.

THATS FUNNY! No dont hang out in girls bathrooms but have 6 sisters I have heard my share of gossip over the years. And so If I am worring about myself and my actions than how am I putting others in peril and danger ???? I am right there with everybody else when it comes to people and there stupid tripods on the road or excessive speeding or cutting people off. So to clarify Safety is number one in my book!

Its obvious being on tv alot this past year has gone to his head. Next time David get a good picture of it to post on here so we can all laugh at him. Even better..get some live streaming of it...along with all the other stupid stuff they do....lol

Lets stick to the thread of CHASER COURTESY REMINDER !

I just want to clarify, it was NOT Reed Timmer that flew me a bird. I got several PMs asking that. LOL We met he and his group a little while back for the first time the day of the big Kansas bust, and they were nothing but genuinely nice guys.

Who cares if it was Reed were yall going to give the finger back to him if it was him ?

Gossip case and point.

P.s. Watch for flying tripods !

 

[Brandon Goforth]

I hate how the reason for these laws is always "for your own safety."

I agree and I don't like it either. I'm not a fan of excessive government law and regulation, after all, this is a free country and I don't want to ever see it become communist. If you know anything about storms and severe weather, chasing really isn't that dangerous as long as you use your head, and look out for yourself and others. The odds of a stormchaser being killed by a tornado is very, very slim IMO. I'm really only worried about lightning when I'm out there, and in May, I'm slightly worried about wreckless individuals out there making the roads dangerous...and passing people at 90 mph on wet, beat up, narrow county roads is adding unnecessary risk.

 

[Brandon Goforth]

Boo frickin who! Lets just get out there and chase. Yall sound like a bunch of highschool girls bathroom conversation makes me want to puke. Look at this guy hanging out his window...well did you see this guy blah blah seriously lets just make sure we take care of ourselves. Try this for once YOU worry about you, and I will worry about me ! Oh and let the softballs fall

I would agree with you Michael, but unfortunately you're missing your own main key point. People ARE NOT looking out for themselves and that's why threads like this are started every year now. Whenever it becomes common this time of year that I'm driving over a hill doing the speed limit and I have to suddenly hit the brakes and swerve to miss a dozen chasers scattered in the middle of the road (and they make no attempt to even get out of the way), that is not everyone looking out for themselves, that's ME looking out for ME AND EVERYONE ELSE!!! So your point really doesn't hold up too much after the fact. As far as the guy hanging out the window, that doesn't bother me. He looks retarded and he may be putting himself in danger, but he's not putting other people in danger by doing that. I'm mainly referring to people who block roadways, sit in the middle of main roads/highways with tripods, and drive wrecklessly because that not only makes navigation frustrating, it puts everyone on that stretch of road at risk. And that's why we hear about trouble with law enforcement in the first place.

 

[David Drummond]

It's amazing. I understand the guy hanging out the window isn't going to hurt anyone but himself (unless you happen to be the driver behind him if he falls out), but just last year, during the massive chaser convergence in Briscoe County, TX, where Jason Boggs and a few other chasers were harassed by the deputy there, another picture surfaced of another chaser doing that exact same thing... hanging out the window to take the picture.
Everyone here on ST then was of course all upset about it because that was just one of the bonehead maneuvers that were going on that day that potentially got that cop all upset at the chasers in the first place. People all saying stuff like "that kind of behavior is going to get us regulated, etc etc etc.

Now this season, it's apparently alright to do that. I'm sorry, I guess I didn't get the memo about what was OK to do this season vs last season. It's hard to keep up with this stuff.

 

[Nathan Edwards]

I had the same thing happen to me a few weeks, going over a blind hill and seeing 2 chase cars on either side of the road with 1 chaser stood between in the middle. I slammed the brakes on and slid through between the cars on full lock, and the chaser got the hell out of the way in time luckily. The road was gravel and wet, I was doing about 50mph which whilst not speeding, may have been a little excessive given the conditions I admit, but I did not expect cars to be parked half in the roadway just over the brow of a steep hill. The guys were lucky more than anything else that my car stayed fairly straight with all 4 wheels locked. Any rut or camber in that part of the road could have pitched me into their cars. As it was I had a couple of feet clearance on both sides. I have to admit that I don't know if they were chasers or just locals but either way it was an incredibly dangerous place to stop.

It also taught me to take more care in driving because even if the road is straight, and there are no junctions, you never know what's over the next hill. I slowed way down after that when on gravel regardless of speed limits. It could just as easily been a cow in the middle of the road, and I wouldn't have avoided that!

 

[Martin Kucera]

If you must hang out of the vehicle window like the guy in the picture (most of your body) to get a decent shot then you are a moron in my book. Behavior such as that DOES affect all of us chasers. It promotes quite a negative image... couple of vans make it obvious this guy is a "chaser" first of all... and whether an observer of these irrisponsible actions is a cop or a regular midwest citizen does not matter - most will come to a conclusion it is act of stupidity, recklessness and will label most of us as such.
What's happening so important that one can not pull over and take a picture ? People like these could care less about storm chasing community as a whole and future generations to come. They come to the plains, all these small towns and communities, act like clowns to get their "shot" thinking of being first ones to post it on youtube and become famous or something and leave the plains the same day thinking nobody will notice their acting stupid among large number of other chasers out there.

 

[Chris Nuttall]

This was the story:
http://www.oaoa.com/news/barnes_16842___article.html/weather_crane.html

I guess it depends on your perspective...

>>
Hector Guerrero, meteorologist for the National Weather Service in San Angelo, said Barnes is not affiliated with the weather service but does report storms.
"We have normal spotters, but sometimes the storm chasers will provide storm reports for us," Guerrero said. "Our spotters are firemen and law enforcement."
<<

What I took from it...storm chasers are too busy getting their thrill, that they forget to report what they are seeing and therefore fail to do the number thing they always use as their number one defense - help protect the public. Then there is the point Guerrero made that he defined their spotters as local emergency officials - not the chasers who no tons more about what is going on than the typical fireman or LOE.

You're reading too much into it.

This "being affiliated with NWS" is probably just talking about being trained by NWS on how and what to spot. Every year, WFOs hold spotter training classes across their CWAs. Some are open to the general public, but most of these are given to local LEOs, fire depts., Dept. of Transportation, etc.

90% of the chasers I know have never come anywhere close to going to a spotter training class. Nothing is wrong with that. WFOs work very closely with local officials for weather reports. Thus, they have be trained in knowing what to report. As rural as West Texas is, most of the time your "spotters" are going to be LEOs and fire depts.

 

[Shane Adams]

If you must hang out of the vehicle window like the guy in the picture (most of your body) to get a decent shot then you are a moron in my book.

Fair enough, we're all entitled to our opinions...and in mine, you're a judgemental pr*ck

Behavior such as that DOES affect all of us chasers. It promotes quite a negative image...

I'm still waiting on the emails from my two "moron" incidents of April 15, 1998 and May 5, 2002...I'm actually quite surprised nobody's sent me anything yet, since it's been over a decade now since I first tarnished the image of all chasers. Damn me to hell.

What's happening so important that one can not pull over and take a picture

Do you chase? There are situations where you take the shot Nature gives you. You can't ask a tornado "Could you please hold that pose until we can get pulled over and stopped please? Thanks." Storms don't cater to chaser needs, you take what they give you. Anyone with any level of experience knows this, whether they take the shot or choose to miss it so they aren't 'ruining" chaser images.

People like these could care less about storm chasing community as a whole and future generations to come.

Man, you sure must be tired from swinging that 10-foot-wide, self-righteous paint brush around. Not to mention your overall blanketed statements regarding all chasers, based on a single photo that you have no clue what the situation was. So you're telling me I don't care about storm chasing or its future? I'd suggest a little research on your subjects before you go mouthing off about things you have no hint of a clue about.

They come to the plains, all these small towns and communities, act like clowns to get their "shot" thinking of being first ones to post it on youtube and become famous or something and leave the plains the same day thinking nobody will notice their acting stupid among large number of other chasers out there.

First of all - it's called a "run-on sentence", and it's annoying as hell to sift through. Secondly - TRANSPLANT - I live on the Plains. Your assumption that "they come to the plains" suggests you think all chasers are vacationers, when in fact many of us were born here and have lived here our entire lives. So from my point of view, you're a tourist who comes to MY part of the world and you're sitting here trashing me because I sat on a few windows to get a shot? Cry me a river.

Third, all chasers aren't living and breathing to be on youtube. IMO that's the biggest waste of time and energy on the planet. And I don't feel the need to compete with or "best" or "one up" other chasers with my video. I'm capable enough to get my own good shots; I could care less what others are getting. I'm too busy doing my own thing, minding my own business (you should try it sometime).

And finally, anything I do out there, I judge to be "ok" by my standards. If I was worried that my actions would cause some kind of rip in the chasing space/time continuum, I wouldn't do it. So me hanging out a window at 70mph on a lonely stretch of highway is perfectly acceptable to me. Not that I owe anyone an explanation of what I do out there. I'm no more blind than any of you; I see plenty of stupid crap out there, and I could hang out 100 windows and I still wouldn't be as dangerous as many out there.

And for all the haters who think I'm too angry and emotionally-retarded, whatdya expect? Poke a snake with a stick, you're gonna get bitten

 

[Jim Saueressig]

I would think that just knowing how some chasers and country folks drive in general would keep most people out of the middle of the road. Blocking the road in any way shape or form would be illegal in any place and is plain disrespectful.

I could care less if someone is hanging out of their window as long as they are not causing a scene for the public. Flipping off other chasers just for the benefits of the camera crews would cause more of an anti chaser stir than hanging out the window, it makes chasers look rude and anal.

 

[Martin Kucera]

To answer some of your points, S. Adams...

YES, I do chase, thanks for asking. But never felt the need to sit in the window of a moving vehicle to get the shot. But we are all different, right ? Which in this case you do fit the bill - caring just for yourself. You also imply that your level of experience dictates you to be reckless to get the shot... interesting. The inexperienced ones will pull over I guess. I say it again - actions like these do harm image of storm chasing.

I've been out to plains enough to know what kind of circus it is becoming. Seems like you just can not take other person's opinion because you happened to be one of those sitting in the vehicle window a while back...

I don't need to know what the situation was with the guy hanging out, I am also quite sure a cop would not care what the situation was...

My statements were not regarding ALL chasers like you suggested, just the ones with moronic behaviour. Thought it would be easy to grasp.

So you live on the plains, huh... what I was saying is that it would be great if people visiting could behave themselves accordingly. Again, I thought it was easy to understand. I never suggested all chasers were vacationers. And yes, I do come to your part of the world but act with outmost respect. Perhaps with more respect than some of the folks born there.

Fair enough, we're all entitled to our opinions...and in mine, you're a judgemental pr*ck




I'm still waiting on the emails from my two "moron" incidents of April 15, 1998 and May 5, 2002...I'm actually quite surprised nobody's sent me anything yet, since it's been over a decade now since I first tarnished the image of all chasers. Damn me to hell.




Do you chase? There are situations where you take the shot Nature gives you. You can't ask a tornado "Could you please hold that pose until we can get pulled over and stopped please? Thanks." Storms don't cater to chaser needs, you take what they give you. Anyone with any level of experience knows this, whether they take the shot or choose to miss it so they aren't 'ruining" chaser images.




Man, you sure must be tired from swinging that 10-foot-wide, self-righteous paint brush around. Not to mention your overall blanketed statements regarding all chasers, based on a single photo that you have no clue what the situation was. So you're telling me I don't care about storm chasing or its future? I'd suggest a little research on your subjects before you go mouthing off about things you have no hint of a clue about.




First of all - it's called a "run-on sentence", and it's annoying as hell to sift through. Secondly - TRANSPLANT - I live on the Plains. Your assumption that "they come to the plains" suggests you think all chasers are vacationers, when in fact many of us were born here and have lived here our entire lives. So from my point of view, you're a tourist who comes to MY part of the world and you're sitting here trashing me because I sat on a few windows to get a shot? Cry me a river.

Third, all chasers aren't living and breathing to be on youtube. IMO that's the biggest waste of time and energy on the planet. And I don't feel the need to compete with or "best" or "one up" other chasers with my video. I'm capable enough to get my own good shots; I could care less what others are getting. I'm too busy doing my own thing, minding my own business (you should try it sometime).

And finally, anything I do out there, I judge to be "ok" by my standards. If I was worried that my actions would cause some kind of rip in the chasing space/time continuum, I wouldn't do it. So me hanging out a window at 70mph on a lonely stretch of highway is perfectly acceptable to me. Not that I owe anyone an explanation of what I do out there. I'm no more blind than any of you; I see plenty of stupid crap out there, and I could hang out 100 windows and I still wouldn't be as dangerous as many out there.

And for all the haters who think I'm too angry and emotionally-retarded, whatdya expect? Poke a snake with a stick, you're gonna get bitten