EightWheels Across America

Barry Howell, from Minnesota Coaches, Inc., Minneapolis, Minnesota, joins me today in Episode #25 for a discussion of the epic motorcoach rally, “Motorcoaches Rolling for Awareness,” in Washington, DC this past Wednesday, May 13, 2020. Barry was in a sleeping berth in his coach on the way home to Minnesota, and I was in my home studio in Pennsylvania — it’s podcast history — my first “bunk-cast”! Join us for a discussion about the rally and what happens next.

This past Wednesday, May 13, 2020, was a day most of us will never forget. Approximately 1,000 motorcoaches from over 400 companies representing all 50 of the United States converged on Washington, DC, for the “Motorcoaches Rolling for Awareness” rally organized by the ABA — the American Bus Association, and the UMA — the United Motorcoach Association. Episode #24 includes an overview of the day and, most especially, commentary from both the organizers and the participants. There are brief interviews with the heads of both the American Bus Association and the United Motorcoach Association, various motorcoach operators, and a tour operator. It concludes with Viewer Voicemail. Please listen!

Surviving in an uncertain world … motorcoach operators are suddenly, virtually without warning, navigating in a new world — and not from the driver’s seat. In episode #23 of the EightWheels Across America podcast, Sean O’Meara and I discuss the new reality and what the future might look like from this viewpoint. But first, several drivers post their messages of encouragement for other motorcoach operators. Be optimistic, hang in there!

Professionalism includes a variety of personal qualities and behaviors that demonstrate a commitment to effective performance in a given job. Commitment and confidence, responsibility and dependability, honesty and ethics, and appearance and professional presence are central professional characteristics. Join me with Barry Howell of Minnesota Coaches for a discussion of how this applies to us as motorcoach operators.

Episode #21 — Joining me today from his home in New York City is Mr. Bill Vila. Bill is a long-time motorcoach operator who has spent most of his driving life in and around New York City, driving everything from black limos to transit buses to motorcoaches. Here is our fascinating conversation about driving in New York City. Listen in …

Episode #20 — Collecting model buses is a passion for many motorcoach drivers. I recently had the privilege of talking to one driver, Theodore Campbell from Sumpter, South Carolina, who not only collects and modifies coaches, but also builds sets on which to display and photograph them, not unlike a model railroader, but with buses. Listen in on our phone call.

Links mentioned in the podcast:

Awesome Diecast

Facebook groups for bus collectors:

Friends Who Like Bus Photography

Toy Bus Lovers!

Model Bus Fans

Episode #19 of the EightWheels Across America podcast is a conversation with Sean O'Meara, a motorcoach operator based near Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. We discuss protecting your health (includes an update on my fall in September), to building a new motorcoach company and more. Happy Holidays! 

Episode #18 of the EightWheels Across America podcast features an interview with Mr. Brian Smith, Director of Operations at Oleta Coach Lines in Williamsburg, Virginia, and founder and administrator of the largest and most active group of motorcoach operators on Facebook, the Motorcoach Operators group. 

There are numerous networking opportunities for motorcoach operators on Facebook. Episode #17 gives you an overview of groups just for motorcoach operators and includes an interview with Frank Tomko of Klein Transportation in Douglassville, PA. Frank runs one of the most active groups for motorcoach operators, the MCI J4500 Drivers Group. 

Episode #16 contains a collection of tips and advice gathered over many years from both my own experience and shared by many other motorcoach operators (drivers). Even experienced drivers may find some value here in reviewing some of the principles discussed.