Robert Edmonds
EF5
This year I noticed that many (large and well known) storm chasing tour operators were using passenger vehicles that could seat more than 8 passengers (i.e. the # of restraints including the driver). These vehicles are considered commercial motor vehicles (CMVs). Since all storm chasing tours (that I know) are crossing state lines, this means these tours are interstate tour operators of CMVs.
This text is copied from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), further defining a commercial motor vehicle:
Note even if you remove a seat, if the vehicle could originally seat > 8 ppl, it is still considered a CMV.
The FMCSA requires interstate passenger carriers to provide proper identification of their vehicles. I have noted that the tours that operate these CMVs do not have the proper ID on their vehicles. Below is an example of an interstate passenger carrier with appropriate ID (left), and a vehicle operated by a (well known) storm chasing tour company (right) that has no identification on their vehicle (I counted 11 restraints).
This lack of simple identification, which is required by the FMCSA, suggests to me that some tours are not operating legally (and this simple identification also is usually required by states if the operators are not using commercial motor vehicles for-hire). If this is the case, we should expect more from these tour operators who are largely representing the storm chasing community. This suspicion is even further amplified by noticing only two tours even appear when conducting a USDOT search.
So, I believe that if you have evidence that a tour is not operating lawfully (for example not even having appropriate operating authority, or just lacking identification), I would suggest reporting the business to the appropriate transportation authorities.
For complaints about interstate tour operators (this usually applies to operators of vehicles with seating capacities > 8 ppl, i.e. total # of restraints) you should file a complaint by mail to the state usdot division office for where the company is based.
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/about/contact/offices/displayfieldroster.aspx
File a complaint to the link above if you have (1) seen a tour operating a van with no identification or no USDOT or MC # AND (2) that van can carry more than 8 ppl (i.e. the # of restraints).
For complaints about tour operators (usually with seating capacities <= 8 ppl) you should file a complaint with your appropriate state agencies. For example in NM, I would be reporting those to the NM Public Regulation Commission.
Why do I bring this up now? For those operators that operate illegally, when you have an accident (and one of you eventually will) it will make the rest of the storm chasing tour industry look bad. For an example, look at the recent crack down on the tour bus industry in NY (and that was with tour operators that largely have authority to operate). Second, it also produces a pricing advantage against those who operate legally (the commercial for-hire insurance is several thousand per year, only just part of what you need to have to operate legally). Third, (like it or not) the regulations are in place to ensure to the public that you are operating maintained vehicles with safe drivers, and with the appropriate amount of financial responsibility (i.e. insurance). I’m sure this post will cause me some flack, and I’m sure it looks like this is something done out of personal gain, however it is time as a community we demand that tour operators operate legally. Therefore, I urge others to direct complaints to the appropriate authorities as well. Note, I like and have met many of the tour operators before, I hope that this post will motivate these tours to correct these issues.
P.S. If you feel I am incorrect about my assessment that some tours are operating illegitimately, I would be happy to be informed why I am incorrect. Also, to the detractors of this post, I feel this thread is legitimate as any other copyright infringement post.
This text is copied from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), further defining a commercial motor vehicle:
Commercial motor vehicle means any self-propelled or towed motor vehicle used on a highway in interstate commerce to transport passengers or property when the vehicle:
Has a gross vehicle weight rating or gross combination weight rating, or gross vehicle weight or gross combination weight, of 4,536 kg (10,001 pounds) or more, whichever is greater; or
Is designed or used to transport more than 8 passengers (including the driver) for compensation; or
Is designed or used to transport more than 15 passengers, including the driver, and is not used to transport passengers for compensation; or
Is used in transporting material found by the Secretary of Transportation to be hazardous under 49 U.S.C. 5103 and transported in a quantity requiring placarding under regulations prescribed by the Secretary under 49 CFR, subtitle B, chapter I, subchapter C.
Note even if you remove a seat, if the vehicle could originally seat > 8 ppl, it is still considered a CMV.
The FMCSA requires interstate passenger carriers to provide proper identification of their vehicles. I have noted that the tours that operate these CMVs do not have the proper ID on their vehicles. Below is an example of an interstate passenger carrier with appropriate ID (left), and a vehicle operated by a (well known) storm chasing tour company (right) that has no identification on their vehicle (I counted 11 restraints).
![example2xr.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fimg13.imageshack.us%2Fimg13%2F3853%2Fexample2xr.jpg&hash=690ab26c5faf34fae6e06f5837924fc1)
![example1a.jpg](/proxy.php?image=http%3A%2F%2Fimg98.imageshack.us%2Fimg98%2F4199%2Fexample1a.jpg&hash=ab408820f201d7f70ad285ab36a554ed)
This lack of simple identification, which is required by the FMCSA, suggests to me that some tours are not operating legally (and this simple identification also is usually required by states if the operators are not using commercial motor vehicles for-hire). If this is the case, we should expect more from these tour operators who are largely representing the storm chasing community. This suspicion is even further amplified by noticing only two tours even appear when conducting a USDOT search.
So, I believe that if you have evidence that a tour is not operating lawfully (for example not even having appropriate operating authority, or just lacking identification), I would suggest reporting the business to the appropriate transportation authorities.
For complaints about interstate tour operators (this usually applies to operators of vehicles with seating capacities > 8 ppl, i.e. total # of restraints) you should file a complaint by mail to the state usdot division office for where the company is based.
http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/about/contact/offices/displayfieldroster.aspx
File a complaint to the link above if you have (1) seen a tour operating a van with no identification or no USDOT or MC # AND (2) that van can carry more than 8 ppl (i.e. the # of restraints).
For complaints about tour operators (usually with seating capacities <= 8 ppl) you should file a complaint with your appropriate state agencies. For example in NM, I would be reporting those to the NM Public Regulation Commission.
Why do I bring this up now? For those operators that operate illegally, when you have an accident (and one of you eventually will) it will make the rest of the storm chasing tour industry look bad. For an example, look at the recent crack down on the tour bus industry in NY (and that was with tour operators that largely have authority to operate). Second, it also produces a pricing advantage against those who operate legally (the commercial for-hire insurance is several thousand per year, only just part of what you need to have to operate legally). Third, (like it or not) the regulations are in place to ensure to the public that you are operating maintained vehicles with safe drivers, and with the appropriate amount of financial responsibility (i.e. insurance). I’m sure this post will cause me some flack, and I’m sure it looks like this is something done out of personal gain, however it is time as a community we demand that tour operators operate legally. Therefore, I urge others to direct complaints to the appropriate authorities as well. Note, I like and have met many of the tour operators before, I hope that this post will motivate these tours to correct these issues.
P.S. If you feel I am incorrect about my assessment that some tours are operating illegitimately, I would be happy to be informed why I am incorrect. Also, to the detractors of this post, I feel this thread is legitimate as any other copyright infringement post.
Last edited by a moderator: