Ignorance of few affect the many

[nikki_dyann]

I am suprised that no one has mentioned the fact that we have some chasers out there that will drive in some farmers open field, not caring about the crop he has planted in that field, or take off tearing down someone's dirt drive way not knowing it was a drive way, tearing up yards and property.

I myself have been a target for such an incident long before I was into storms. Two guys in a jacked up chevy came roaring through the back pasture that sits behinde my hosue. There were no fences on this field because we didn't keep cattle on it so it was wide open. We had wheat planted and it was starting to come up really well and these two jackass' just decide "hey, theres no fence and the tornado is like right there so lets go through the field" Sorry dudes, but your big ol mud tires just tore up idk how many bussels of my money maker..... jerk offs.

Some chasers out there are just plain mean and hateful. Ive only recently gotten into the chaser/spotter scene, but I like to take pictures and video for myself while keeping everyone informed of what the storm is doing and this year..... man o man.... if i had a dime for every chaser or spotter that we have ran into this year who has been a complete dick id be able to afford some new equipment!!!

So just a word to the wise... dont tear stuff up and don't be mean to the newbies!!!

 

[Rob Wadsworth]

I am suprised that no one has mentioned the fact that we have some chasers out there that will drive in some farmers open field, not caring about the crop he has planted in that field, or take off tearing down someone's dirt drive way not knowing it was a drive way, tearing up yards and property.

I myself have been a target for such an incident long before I was into storms. Two guys in a jacked up Chevy came roaring through the back pasture that sits behind my house. There were no fences on this field because we didn't keep cattle on it so it was wide open. We had wheat planted and it was starting to come up really well and these two jackass' just decide "hey, there's no fence and the tornado is like right there so lets go through the field" Sorry dudes, but your big ol mud tires just tore up idk how many bushels of my money maker..... jerk offs.

Some chasers out there are just plain mean and hateful. Ive only recently gotten into the chaser/spotter scene, but I like to take pictures and video for myself while keeping everyone informed of what the storm is doing and this year..... man o man.... if i had a dime for every chaser or spotter that we have ran into this year who has been a complete dick id be able to afford some new equipment!!!

So just a word to the wise... don't tear stuff up and don't be mean to the newbies!!!

Uhhh....I believe you - but with some questions - if you don't mind.

This incident sounds more like local yahoo chasers than the behavior of any members of STORMTRACK that I am aware of.

Dr Doswell had more than a few things to say about chasers and chasing. An interesting read:
http://www.flame.org/~cdoswell/chasesums/Chase_safety.html

Yahoo chasers are far more responsible for messing with the reputation of chasers that I know. Is there a difference - one might ask? I am truly sorry for what Jim Bob and Bob Jim did to your field.

Q: If by chance that should ever happen again, please record their license plate numbers and report them?

That s what I would do. They had absolutely NO RIGHT to be on private property.

 

[Jeremy Den Hartog]

I'm a spotter as i call in reports to the nws about svr weather as i find it, but i also take pictures and videos of said svr weather, so do i get a ticket for chasing or am i ok because i'm spotting?

Thats a good question. Something the lawmakers would maybe have to address - not me. My point though is regulation COULD be done. Keep in mind though I'm not saying they would be 100% effective with regulating storm chasing and there would be loopholes to exploit (just like there are with many kinds of regulation). Overall it would probably make things safer though as it least it would hopefully help keep away the recently married brother and sister (nothin' says lovin') that would be like 'hot dang, look at all the storm chasers/spotters - lets follow them and see if we can find ourselves a turnader and drive into it like they do on tv - yeeehaw!' - in other words the people who are out there with NO intentions of calling in any storm reports or assisting people who may have been injured or trapped and are basically getting in the way only because 'that sum beach might have a turnader' and they want to drive into it or see it as close as they can.

 

[Rob Gardner]

Thats a good question. Something the lawmakers would maybe have to address - not me. My point though is regulation COULD be done. Keep in mind though I'm not saying they would be 100% effective with regulating storm chasing and there would be loopholes to exploit (just like there are with many kinds of regulation). Overall it would probably make things safer though as it least it would hopefully help keep away the recently married brother and sister (nothin' says lovin') that would be like 'hot dang, look at all the storm chasers/spotters - lets follow them and see if we can find ourselves a turnader and drive into it like they do on tv - yeeehaw!' - in other words the people who are out there with NO intentions of calling in any storm reports or assisting people who may have been injured or trapped and are basically getting in the way only because 'that sum beach might have a turnader' and they want to drive into it or see it as close as they can.

Over 8 million poker players have been trying for 3 years to get the regulations turned over on internet poker but the obama administration has been waaaaay too busy dealing with health care and other drama to pay attention. I have to think that "Tornado Chasing Regulation" is 1000 times further down the totem pole.....

 

[Jeremy Den Hartog]

Over 8 million poker players have been trying for 3 years to get the regulations turned over on internet poker but the obama administration has been waaaaay too busy dealing with health care and other drama to pay attention. I have to think that "Tornado Chasing Regulation" is 1000 times further down the totem pole.....

Your right but I'm not trying to say its going to get regulated today or tomorrow either. I'm saying it wouldn't surprise me if it was regulated in some way sometime in the relatively near future (like in the next 20 years). There are alot of people who feel it won't ever be regulated because it can't be regulated but I disagree and think it can be and probably will be some day. I guess only time will tell and for now we can all continue to chase without having to worry about it.

 

[joel ewing]

Over 8 million poker players have been trying for 3 years to get the regulations turned over on internet poker but the obama administration has been waaaaay too busy dealing with health care and other drama to pay attention. I have to think that "Tornado Chasing Regulation" is 1000 times further down the totem pole.....

It won't be the Obama administration that deals with storm chasing regulations, but LOCAL agencies.
I've been saying that regs are just around the corner for YEARS now. I pray that I'm proven wrong.

 

[David Schuttler]

Probably one of the best post in this thread!

We have all no doubt been in a "situation" that was caused by a poor decision. I think it boils down to how you handle said situation after the fact....I have no problem telling someone "hey, I messed up". For me, there should be no reason to lie about it and try to pass blame on to those around you for your poor decision... That was my point. I don't care if you have been in the game 20 years or even 40 years, are a "true" meteorologist or have seen 200 tornadoes. Take responsibility for YOUR OWN actions.
The big issue here was/is the fact that people were hurt by a poor decision which I am sure we can all agree could have been much worse.
That decison(s) has already affected the tour industry, at least a little. It has also affected the chasing community as a whole (read the latest story via weather.com)

I am Glad that Gregg responded, albeit with not much truth in the story, he did respond though.
As Glenn and others have noted, the only thing to do now is hope to learn from it. It is what it is.

Curious with all your safety concerns why Extreme Chase Tours would allow their own van driver to drive with one hand on the wheel and the other holding a video camera taping a tornado.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ODJNcQAXMc&feature=youtube_gdata

Check at about the 1:42 mark

 

[Jeremy Den Hartog]

Curious with all your safety concerns why Extreme Chase Tours would allow their own van driver to drive with one hand on the wheel and the other holding a video camera taping a tornado.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ODJNcQAXMc&feature=youtube_gdata

Check at about the 1:42 mark

I guess it just goes to show we pretty much all have made bad/risky decisions while chasing. Typically we get away with it unscathed but sooner or later it can bite us in the backside. Its really a matter of trying to learn when incidents or close calls do happen and doing what we can to prevent similar incidents or close calls from happening again and being as safe as we possibly can.

That said, I would guess most people would be lying if they claimed they were never distracted as a driver while chasing (by the storm, what was on radar, etc) or maybe pushed things a little further then they probably should have and/or spent a little to much time in the 'bear cage' or punching the core of a storm. We have all been there...

 

[Paul Hadfield]

Curse those indy chasers with their foolish inspiration and love for storms getting in the way of us commercial guys, chasing is a BUSINESS and unless you are putting food on the table, get out of OUR cage. In the meantime we'll just exploit National media to cast them in a negative light while protecting our own self interests :/

 

[rdale]

I've been saying that regs are just around the corner for YEARS now. I pray that I'm proven wrong.

You did it on your own... If it's been "around the corner" for "years now" then that's a freaking long corner.

 

[Paul Hadfield]

You did it on your own... If it's been "around the corner" for "years now" then that's a freaking long corner.

Well said Rob, I'm no important chaser, marginal at best but I've been around the wx community long enough that I have YET to see a piece of anti-chaser legislation be drafted let alone mentioned. The only one's who have to fear legislation (namely existing) is those with a commercial interest which I imagine the recent attention can't be doing much good for. Until such time that chasing is outlawed, be more afraid of the boogey man in your closet...

 

[Benjamin Smith]

What upsets me about this whole thing is that one tour operator called out another tour operator in a public section of this forum. And the reason it upsets me is that this could happen to ANYONE or ANY tour company, no matter how safe they are trying to be.

I have some close family friends who were looking into doing a storm chase tour next year, and I can guarantee you that Extreme Chase Tours will not be recommended by me (not that your company cares based upon the arrogance shown on multiple occasions). Try to show some tact. And I hope that some RANDOM act of nature doesn't come knocking on your door and injure any of your guests, because we all know that chasing is an exact science.

And if you are so worried about your image and safety, EXTREME sends the wrong message for a company name (in my opinion, and once again I know you don't care).

 

[Paul Hadfield]

What upsets me about this whole thing is that one tour operator called out another tour operator in a public section of this forum. And the reason it upsets me is that this could happen to ANYONE or ANY tour company, no matter how safe they are trying to be.

He would've done it anyways, it's a brave thing to start this dialogue on ST versus Facebook where it has exploded among everyone. To the contrary, you should choose a company with the nerve to speak out against unethical practices within the industry because at least then you don't run the risk of finding out on your own.

 

[Benjamin Smith]

He would've done it anyways, it's a brave thing to start this dialogue on ST versus Facebook where it has exploded among everyone. To the contrary, you should choose a company with the nerve to speak out against unethical practices within the industry because at least then you don't run the risk of finding out on your own.

I wholeheartedly agree with this statement, however I do not think that it applied in this case. Just my opinion...and I know that my opinion doesn't mean squat around here.

 

[Mike Hollingshead]

TWC's discussion about live video or recent pictures relating to storm structure - should be regulated. Just sayin.