Chaser for a day

[Scott Nelson]

Hmmm. Wasn't really thinking that a specific "LICENSE" was in order here. That would be silly and WAYYYY to PC. Maybe a simple Stormtrack "chaser" sticker or another form of "vehicle I.D." that informs the local law enforcement and other chaser that you're normally responsible and aware of the issues that have been mentioned here. That said, I have read where some chasers are running lights and speeding to save their own skin. That is a Topic that no one can judge someone on until they are in that life or death position themself. My original slant on this was more specifically about dangerous road side parking and blocking traffic during a viewing. That issue seems like an easy fix if enough people get on board with the same thinking.

I do appreciate those who have answered me. I understand that a difficult topic beated to death with no outcome can get tiresome for those who have been around a while. When I first joined some of the threads talked about lurkers and people were NOT contibuting. It's impossible to come up with a topic that you guys haven't dealth with at some point over the years though. So just remember, if you want new members to get involved, some of the stuff might be rehashed to you.

 

[Jerry Prsha]

Maybe a simple Stormtrack "chaser" sticker or another form of "vehicle I.D." that informs the local law enforcement and other chaser that you're normally responsible and aware of the issues that have been mentioned here.

I'm in agreement with this. It's not a "get out of jail free" card but more of a "Give me a bigger break than normal" sticker. There's some real jerks out there that chase and do things to make the rest of us look bad.. I don't think that will ever change. And clearly by the "in your face" responses from some people thumbing their nose at laws, conscientious chasers and those in authority because "I'm chasing!", some just have to feel more important than others.

But local authorities might consider letting some people by or not stopping them if they have some sort of identification that they actually sort of know that they're doing. The problem is getting the word out about the stickers and what it means.

 

[Jason Boggs]

I don't agree. Can't write much here as I'm about to go to work. The cops aren't worried about anything on your car besides your license plate. They could give a rats *ss about a chase sticker saying "I'm responsible". Putting a sticker on your car won't make you responsible...you have to decide that yourself.

 

[Shane Adams]

Maybe this whole subject should be dropped once again? This is what I find funny. Next year someone will bring up exactly the same subject. We will all discuss this subject to death with the same resolution. There really is nothing to discuss.

Hence 90% of this forum's activity outside March-June. There's only so much you can say about chasing. Probably why there's a B&G section.

 

[Laura Duchesne]

Although interesting ideas, I can't see it happening. Put it to you this way, I've seen people who have the "How's my driving? phone number" stickers on and they still drove poorly. Just drive with common sense, and chase safely then everything should be fine. A chaser sticker might even just make matters worse by getting a few wannabes to follow you close by in behind since they would know you're a chaser.

 

[Joe Dorn]

Storms move. Spotters don't.

The spotters in our group cover about ten counties in the southern portion of the FTW CWA, most of it rural. Ten or more of us have APRS trackers and can be followed on the SN. At least five of us have streaming video capabilities that will be put to use for the first time this season. All of us have amaterur radio capabilities with echolink connectivity directly to the FTW severe weather group, and guess what, this stuff is mounted in automobiles as in things that move.

My SKYWARN list has about 150 names on it that increase coverage to an additional 7 or so counties in Central Texas, all capabile of direct contact with FTW through our wide area repeater.

Very few storms can move in our coverage area without us being able to see and report it.

Some of our spotters are dedicated chasers also...

 

[Shane Adams]

My point was in regards to people saying chaser presence is a bad thing; I'm not trying to say spotters just sit and watch as it all goes by and then go home.

But the long-accepted basic difference between chasing and spotting is movement. I used that in "blanket statement" form just to make my point in the "chasers: good or bad?" debate.

 

[Adam Lucio]

The only thing you can do is worry about your own image. There is allot more respect for chasers and spotters than there is disrespect. Some people think were all isnane...others brave and helpfull...whatever their opinion is, its not going to stop me from being the best chaser I can be...if someone wants to have a negative opinion thats their own problem.

Im sure most of us do our best to abide by the law and make smart decisions, sometimes we slip up. IT HAPPENS! If you do something unlawful and get caught then you should accept the consequence, even though you may feel it is an injustice because you are out trying to help.

One of the risks of the game is being held accountable for everything you do, good or bad.

The stickers arent a bad idea in theory, but in the end it will just create more controversy in the sense of "how come joe shmoe gets a sticket and I dont" etc etc...

FYI I have SKYWARN and a STORMCHASER sticker on my vehicle. If it gets me out of a speeding ticket then hey cool life is awesome...but do I expect it to...no. I mainy have it there because Im proud of what I do and want myself to be known for doing such. People in hunting and fishing clubs put emblems on their cars too. Same concept [at least for me]

 

[Benjamin Rock]

I too have SKYWARN and STORM CHASER stickers on my car plus throw on signs for when I'm working with the county which just helps ID us from the other bone heads. When I am chasing out west though, I dont usually put the signs on the car. The stickers are on the back which is good enough for out there. It also keeps the signs(which get expensive) from getting sand blasted and destroyed. One time I had a Klingon foolow our caravan during a chase. They called some of their friends and said, "Hey, there are some chasers out here. Let's follow them and see what's up." When we stopped, they followed right along. I asked them if they were chasers or spotters and they said no. So I asked them to please not follow or tag along with us. They were cool about it and stayed back a few car links, but they still followed and when we stopped they stopped. I couldnt stop them from following as they have every right, but the courtesy among chasers and spotters is that if you are asked not to tag along, you dont do it. These people must have followed us the whole day, but they did not apporach us or ask any questions about what was going on or what our plans were. That's the difference between chasers,spotters, and the general public bonehead. Chasers and spotters will ask others their thoughts and most people in the Chase community welcome you in and share those thoughts. The bonehead is one of the reasons chasers and spotters get frowned upon by locals. We know our limits and if someone more experienced says KEEP BACK, you know to listen and not keep following. Ive khnow Ive learned to listen to the elder chasers and spotters out there. Ive been chasing for 16 years and if someone says, "Please dont follow us." I dont.

Geez. What a long winded answer eh? I could have just said yeah, there's signs out there to buy for your car and dont follow if told not to. Signs dont make you safer and anyone can buy them.. Okay, I'll shut up now...

 

[Lisa Post]

Quote:
Originally Posted by John Wetter
To answer Scott's question, yes, I think a good deal of the really bone-headed things are actually done by locals out for a ride and to see a tornado. Most chasers are pretty well behaved. Sometimes you get bad ones, but over-all most of the issues I've seen are with locals who think they have a 'right' to be there.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jason Boggs
Actually the locals have just as much of a right to be there as you and me. It's when the locals inexperience and stupidity becomes a problem for the rest of us.


I have to agree w/ Jason on this one...the locals actually, in all honesty, could be argued to have almost MORE of a right to be there than the storm chasers do. It is THEIR homes and THEIR property that are in the path of danger when a storm goes through THEIR area. Just because somebody doesn't have umpteen years of meteorological training or a billion antennas on their vehicle doesn't mean that they aren't capable of safely chasing/monitoring the storms that come through their area. Most Skywarn classes are free to the public, and as long as the locals educate themselves a bit, they shouldn't pose a problem for anybody who is out chasing. Overall though, nobody has more of a right to do it than anybody else, and I wish that those who think they are entitled to it more than others, because of whatever reason, would open their eyes and realize the skies are free baby, and nobody has the right to restrict anybody else's freedoms. There will always be an occasional idiot out and about, be they a trained, seasoned chaser or a slow-driving, in-your-way local. The best thing all of us can do is to look out for ourselves, and help educate others so that they are more prepared when they need to be.

 

[J. Kyle Brown]

I used to be a Local "hanger-on" when I was first introduced to spotting way back when. I think my biggest difference is that I wanted to learn, and I did ask questions. Only on one occasion was I asked to leave an area, and that was more than likely due to me being an obnoxious teenager back then. (I got better.) I had been out a few times during the last season, and most of the time when I came across locals, it was in a parking lot or gas station. They would politely ask me a few questions, and then be on their way. I do have SKYWARN Magnets for my chase vehicle, and that has prompted a few conversations with locals and law enforcement, but I've never used them for or expected them to let me break the law/get away with anything. And finally, remember anyone can by these things to stick all over their cars, and they'll give just about any idiot a credit card nowadays (including me.)

 

[Karen St John]

I used to be a Local "hanger-on" when I was first introduced to spotting way back when. I think my biggest difference is that I wanted to learn, and I did ask questions. Only on one occasion was I asked to leave an area, and that was more than likely due to me being an obnoxious teenager back then. (I got better.) I had been out a few times during the last season, and most of the time when I came across locals, it was in a parking lot or gas station. They would politely ask me a few questions, and then be on their way. I do have SKYWARN Magnets for my chase vehicle, and that has prompted a few conversations with locals and law enforcement, but I've never used them for or expected them to let me break the law/get away with anything. And finally, remember anyone can by these things to stick all over their cars, and they'll give just about any idiot a credit card nowadays (including me.)

You know what has gotten me out of tickets? Being a girl. I'm not suggesting anything, but if it is really important to you to not get tickets...

 

[jcooper]

well,to put in my two cents worth here,I have wondered the same thing for a long time about some kind of license or I.D. not only for the road but so we can i.d. people who say they are chasers but are not(e.g. Meg Gould)but thats a diff. subject all together.lol.

But as much as we think we should have chaser i.d.'s it could never be done.There are too many,and what would be the criteria?I think this is a thing that the responsable chasers will have to put up with.I mean there are people in every sport/hobby that act stupid,you just have to forget about it and move on,keep doing what you love to do!I also think that the chaser community is tight knit enough that if someone is really acting really irresponsable then other chasers will let them know that don't approve either through ST or FB.

 

[Tim Shriver]

But the long-accepted basic difference between chasing and spotting is movement.

Hmm,,not for me..

Chaser - Sells video/images to media points. Travels
out of state/cross country.

Spotter - Does not sell storm images to media points.
Travels in a smaller area, county or portion of state.

We have mobile spotters and static spotters. Always have.

Tim

 

[Jason Foster]

Chaser - Sells video/images to media points. Travels
out of state/cross country.

Spotter - Does not sell storm images to media points.
Travels in a smaller area, county or portion of state.
Tim

Associating chasing with money making is not accurate. While some do it, it's still a minority.

Shane is right...the difference is movement. Not the minute you start moving...but....well this is all been discussed in a different thread.