What makes a "veteran" chaser.

[Adam Lucio]

I'm a veteran chaser. I can prove it. From 6-6-07:

Once you get a similar pic you can submit it to the ST approval committee along with a written essay. It usually takes about a week to be approved. Although I won't lie, my life really hasn't changed since then.

 

[Jason Foster]

Bottom line for me on this:

You don't call yourself a 'veteran'. It is a term bestowed on those who have earned the right amongst their peers. In some cases longevity too, but it had better be a long time and consistent years.

Even though I started chasing in 1997, I'm far from a veteran. I have not earned the right, nor have I chased enough total years to earn the title. Of course...when I do, I don't want to be called a veteran anything...last thing I need is a title that says how old I am...LOL.

I'm still waiting for someone to say they have a PhD in Storm Chasing......Doctor Storm Chaser.....now that's funny!

 

[rdale]

Holcomb is still using his Skywarn spotter number as his "Master's of Storm Chasing" certification.

 

[Robert Dewey]

The chasers who don't have to ask "what makes a veteran chaser?" are the veterans.

I'll update my comment to reflect this.

 

[Steve Miller]

I just remembered, there actually is criteria for being a "Veteran"... If you're a member of the CFDG forum, you are a Veteran. Something like that.

 

[Robert Dewey]

I just remembered, there actually is criteria for being a "Veteran"... If you're a member of the CFDG forum, you are a Veteran. Something like that.

You've just received 6 light bar points for that one.

 

[Matt Gingery]

1. Really, really knowing what the heck you're doing.
2. Many years of experience doing it.
3. Plenty of successes and plenty of failures to show for it.

My opinion as a non-veteran chaser.

Well Put By A Very Very Very Modest Chaser I Am Sure!!

LOOK AT ALL THE VETERANS THAT HAVE PARTICIPATED IN THIS THREAD!! TRULY AMAZING!!

 

[Ben Holcomb]

Holcomb is still using his Skywarn spotter number as his "Master's of Storm Chasing" certification.

You bet! You mean you don't?

 

[Dennis Sherrod]

(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.)
__________________
Mike Deason
Director, W.A.S.W.A.T.A.D.A.R.: 35 years chasing, 1.57 million miles driven, 7,857 tornadoes, and 2,172 tumbleweeds hit.

I know Mike is not really kidding.
He has all those letters and title plastered all over his truck. He even has an electronic sign in the back window flashing that information.

 

[Matt Gingery]

I know Mike is not really kidding.
He has all those letters and title plastered all over his truck. He even has an electronic sign in the back window flashing that information.

Yeah, I think I seen him in that Nova Tornado special. Wasn't he in the back seat of the white caprice station wagon when Bluestein was on the phone to SPC Kansas City for a radar update? That Toto sure looked heavy. . .

 

[Larry J. Kosch]

Rookie Status?

I got a "tongue in cheek" idea! Why not make all of those who are in their first year of storm chasing wear shirts/jackets that have day-glow orange stripes on the back? And have a red reflective stripe put on the back bumper of their chase vehicles?

Kinda like what NASCAR does for their rookie drivers. They put a stripe on their spoilers to show veteran drivers who the newbies are. And the day-glow orange shirts/jackets would help other storm chaser drivers be aware of the newbies when they mistakenly step out of their vehicles in chase traffic.

Personally, I would think one year/season of storm chasing would help the newbies shed their rookie status. And it does not matter whether you bag one or ten tornadoes in a season, the next one always seems to make you feel like a dumb rookie. Ask Timmer Reed!!

I'm a non-chaser myself. Hopefully I will be able to hook up with someone to do a chase in 2010!!

EDIT: This cracks me up! Just when I posted this, there was a Google ad for reflective wear: http://www.reflectiveapparel.com/ on the same page!!

 

[Stephen Barabas]

Definitely a lot of great opinions on this subject. I'm pleased someone asked it. Vis-a-vis, I must agree; who really cares what your title is? I'll have plenty of respect for people who are kind and easy to get along with. People who help one another out and show a great deal of generosity. That's all which matters to me, though some people enjoy having a well built ego and a title to uphold a status. Storm chasing is a hobby, and for some it's more focused toward research. People do it for all kinds of reasons. If you have a specific reason to do it, good for you. I honestly do not feel experience has much to do with it. Experienced people can bust, while someone inexperienced intercepts a large, respectable tornado. I'm not saying that if you know what you're doing it won't help you, but I'm saying it's a probability roll. Frankly I'll be storm chasing for research and to put into affect my ability to forecast ahead and real time. I'm hoping it will be a fun experience and that's all I really want it to be. Making friends who have the same passion as I do is all I need.

 

[Karen St John]

I got a "tongue in cheek" idea! Why not make all of those who are in their first year of storm chasing wear shirts/jackets that have day-glow orange stripes on the back? And have a red reflective stripe put on the back bumper of their chase vehicles?

Kinda like what NASCAR does for their rookie drivers. They put a stripe on their spoilers to show veteran drivers who the newbies are. And the day-glow orange shirts/jackets would help other storm chaser drivers be aware of the newbies when they mistakenly step out of their vehicles in chase traffic.

And they (...um, I) sing..."I'm a little twister, short and stout...here is my RFD, and here is my spout...

Personally, I would think one year/season of storm chasing would help the newbies shed their rookie status. And it does not matter whether you bag one or ten tornadoes in a season, the next one always seems to make you feel like a dumb rookie. Ask Timmer Reed!!

I'm a non-chaser myself. Hopefully I will be able to hook up with someone to do a chase in 2010!!

EDIT: This cracks me up! Just when I posted this, there was a Google ad for reflective wear: http://www.reflectiveapparel.com/ on the same page!!

They've got hardhats, too, to protect me from hail!

 

[Chris Allington]

My opinion is pretty similiar to what makes a pro athlete a 'veteran', consistent results that are above most peoples expectations. I believe Shane Adams said on a different topic that for most 'popular' chasers sucess breeds attention or fame. Most 'veteran' chasers have captured a number of top notch events consistently.

 

[Mark Blue]

To define a veteran storm chaser is a subjective task at best. I think throwing out a few names will provide you with a mental image of those I consider to be veterans:

David Hoadley, Tim Marshall, Howie Bluestein, Roger Hill, Rich Thompson, Roger Edwards, Tim Samaras, Josh Wurman, Gene Moore and Warren Faidley.

I believe longevity and persistence are two of the key ingredients in this recipe and the list is by no means all inclusive as there are many, many, other veteran storm chasers who deserve credit and recognition. If you are familiar with any of these chasers they (IMHO) represent the moniker with class.

On a lighter note, I'm glad to see the tone of the thread change as the first several posts played out like a scene from the movie, "Grumpy Old Men".