What makes a "veteran" chaser.

[Wes Carter]

Well, here's the Webster's definition of veteran:

"Etymology: Latin veteranus, from veteranus, adjective, old, of long experience, from veter-, vetus old — more at wether"

It looks like two words came from that Latin root.

Edit: I just found the etymology of the word humorous. It was in NO way supposed to fan flames nor insult ANYONE. My apologies if it seemed so.

 

[Bob Hartig]

I want Mike D's credentials. The tumbleweed count alone is impressive as hell.

Me, I have yet to eat a single Alsup's burrito. Right there you can see I've got a long way to go before I reach veteran status.

 

[Eric Wolf]

Veteran chasers are the chasers who do not advertise that they are veterans, nor is it an issue. Everyone still has to pay the same amount for a cup of coffee when it comes down to it.

 

[Jeff Snyder]

I agree with the others in that there are no objective criteria for determining who is a "veteran" chaser. In the end, as many have noted, the label probably doesn't matter much, and anyone is certainly free to ignore these subjective descriptors. In my eyes, the "veterans" are those who have chased for an extended period of time (>10-12 years), with a significant number of chases per year, and have contributed positively to the chase community. When I hear of a "veteran" chaser, I think of chasers like Tim Marshall, Gene Rhoden, etc. I'm a fan of friendly, humble folks, so those who I consider as "veterans" don't include all of those who have chased for many years.

As a friendly reminder, considering the nature of some of the previous posts, anyone is free to ignore this particular topic if one feels it's loaded and/or is likely to flame out. As always, we appreciate positive and constructive forum participation (i.e. don't light matches or pick up a fan to spread flames).

 

[mikedeason]

I want Mike D's credentials. The tumbleweed count alone is impressive as hell.

Me, I have yet to eat a single Alsup's burrito. Right there you can see I've got a long way to go before I reach veteran status.

Of course I'm very modest. I actually started chasing before I was born (or even conceived) but I don't like to brag.

(BTW, because I know there's a few of you out there who do not understand or appreciate sarcasm, my sig is a bit tongue and cheek and ties in a bit with this thread's subject.)

 

[Jay McCoy]

I want Mike D's credentials. The tumbleweed count alone is impressive as hell.

Hell many of us got that tumbleweed score on the day of the "worldeater" near Clovis, NM. I didnt even know there were that many tumbleweeds in New Mexico!! Anybody who chased that day know what I am talking about.

 

[Jeremy Den Hartog]

Here is Webster's definition:

Veteran Chaser (noun) - A storm chaser who has previously served in the Military.

Ok sorry, couldn't help myself...IMO there really is no definition to this. Length of time doesn't matter because you could be 'chasing' storms for many years but if you only go out say 5 times a year then that number doesn't really represent the whole story. I guess 'experienced' chaser or even 'seasoned' chaser would be a better thing to call it then 'veteran' chaser IMO.

 

[Karen St John]

I'm a newbie to chasing (though not to spotting.) I'll shut up now.

 

[Robert Dewey]

What about if you chased with a Veteran chaser? Does that make you a 1/2 Veteran Chaser?

This is proportional to the number people in the vehicle. If there are 3, then you are now 33% of a veteran.

Personally, I think the definition Joey posted is correct. Technically, I've been a "chaser" since '02 when I got my license... but being pretty passive and only witnessing one tornado (and that was here in MI), I'd say I'm still a n00b a veteran chaser.

Also, just because someone is a "veteran" doesn't make them any more respectable to me. Dedication, attitude, and other attributes come into play to earn the "respectable" tag, which is far more important to me than tornado or hurricane count.

 

[Wesley Luginbyhl]

Hell many of us got that tumbleweed score on the day of the "worldeater" near Clovis, NM. I didnt even know there were that many tumbleweeds in New Mexico!! Anybody who chased that day know what I am talking about.

I am still finding tumbleweeds attached to my jeep from that day. I think I know where the tumbleweeds in the TX Panhandle come from now.

 

[Scott Weberpal]

I've derived an equation for determining whether someone is a veteran or not

((N+W)*(V+R)*(G+T)/B)+M = Veteran Rating

Where:
N = Number of years chasing (minimum of 10 chase days for a year to count)
W = Windshields replaced
V = Highlights videos produced
R = Roadkill hit while chasing
G = Total gas station burritos consumed
T = Years chased before internet readily available in field (we'll use the year 2000 for consistency)
B = Blown forecasts
M = Average miles driven per year

Oh boy, I don't even want to figure out ranking categories for this one!

 

[Joshua Nall]

When I hear that phrase "veteran chaser" I think of someone with a lot of experience. Some have indicated that to them it also has to do with personality, attitude.... but to me it all has to do with experience. There are folks on here that I would probably not feel comfortable chasing with, personalities would clash, but I value their input and greatly admire their experience....something which I do not have a lot of.

Josh

 

[Dustin Wilcox]

Veteran chasers are the chasers who do not advertise that they are veterans, nor is it an issue.

I disagree to an extent; it can be an "issue" and it can have some value. Veteran can be a "powerful" word, claiming to be a veteran may assist in marketing and catching the eye of potential customers; for example Joe Blow might be attracted to the fact that a Chaser Tour company claims to feature "veteran" chasers, similar scenario may unfold with potential stock footage customers. As far as other chasers are concerned, yeah it's a non-issue, and it may be true that it's an inaccurate value, but that doesn't mean the word can't be used as a valuable tool! I'd have no problem marketing myself as a "veteran" and see no problem with anyother seasoned chaser doing the same...

 

[Eric Wolf]

I disagree to an extent; it can be an "issue" and it can have some value. Veteran can be a "powerful" word, claiming to be a veteran may assist in marketing and catching the eye of potential customers; for example Joe Blow might be attracted to the fact that a Chaser Tour company claims to feature "veteran" chasers, similar scenario may unfold with potential stock footage customers. As far as other chasers are concerned, yeah it's a non-issue, and it may be true that it's an inaccurate value, but that doesn't mean the word can't be used as a valuable tool! I'd have no problem marketing myself as a "veteran" and see no problem with anyother seasoned chaser doing the same...

Okay, point made, although I really wasn't speaking from the standpoint of marketing a chase tour company. But then again, money changes everything doesn't it? I do have to diverge, though, that being a "professional" is not the same as being a "veteran". I'm not doubting that you could bill yourself as a veteran, but the words aren't interchangeable. Semantics perhaps, but that's just me. It's still just a buzzword.

 

[Dan Robinson]

If you've been chasing as long as the original group of 'vetern chasers' who were tagged with that title when you started chasing, it's probably reasonable to consider yourself a 'veteran'. Not that it makes any difference in any practical sense except to a potential tour client.

The term 'veteran' doesn't necessarliy mean "superhero chaser" or the "grand master of all chasers". Just means someone who's been doing it for a long time, 10-15 years IMO. I know of a few new chasers who developed excellent forecasting skills and track records over just a few seasons. The fact that they aren't a 'veteran' by strict definition doesn't diminish the recognition of their success.