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. 

A few of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania's most popular motorcoach destinations, including Shady Maple Smorgasbord, Sight & Sound Millennium Theater, American Music Theater, and outlet shopping at Rockvale and Tanger outlet malls. Includes Meet the Driver with Patrick Moore of Checker Transport in Marquette, Michigan.

Episode #14 of the EightWheels Across America podcast features an interview with Sean O'Meara, a young Canadian motorcoach operator many will know from his activity in the Motorcoach Operators group on Facebook. Sean's optimistic attitude and enthusiasm about the motorcoach industry is contagious and a breath of fresh air.  This week's "Meet the Driver" is John Maguire of Hagey Coach, Inc., Souderton, Pennsylvania. 

This is an overview of my weekly/daily workflow from the time I receive my trip assignments for the week, and setting up my coach, until I pull out of the yard on today's trip. More technology and prep than most drivers, I think, but I find it helpful and beneficial. Meet the Driver this week: Thomas A. DeAngelo, Newhurst Bus Company. 

Episode #012 Show Notes Links for more information about the US Highway System and the Interstate Highway System: * [FHA’s National System of Interstate and Defense Highways](https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/interstate_highway_system/routefinder/index.cfm) * [FHA’s Interstate System Design](http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/programadmin/interstate.cfm) * [FHA’s National Highway System](https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/planning/national_highway_system/index.cfm) * [Wikipedia’s Interstate Highway System](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_Highway_System) This page on the EightWheelsAcrossAmerica.com website outlines some of the products I use on a daily basis as a motorcoach operator. Help support the podcast and this website by using the affiliate links to purchase products on Amazon: * [Resources for Motorcoach Operators](https://eightwheelsacrossamerica.com/eaa/resources/)

Episode #11 of the EightWheels Across America podcast features tips for tour guides who conduct tours on motorcoaches. The info should also be useful for motorcoach operators who supplement some of their trips with commentary of their own. Also included is this week's "Meet the Driver" with Tom Castello of Bloom Charters in Taunton, Massachusettes. 

Episode #10 of EightWheels Across America features an overview of the streets of Washington, DC, especially from the motorcoach operator's point of view. There is a method to the madness! And it's easy when you understand the patterns. Also included is this week's "Meet the Driver" with Jermaine Roller from Youngstown, Ohio.

EightWheels Across America, Podcast #009, features the story of the Japanese cherry trees in Washington, DC (Bob's version!). Information on the 2019 Cherry Blossom Festival is also included. Also included is this week's "Meet the Driver," with Jeff Taylor of Blue Grass Tours in Lexington, Kentucky. 

EightWheels Across America, Podcast Episode #008, features a discussion on driving motorcoaches in New York City. Participants are Jeff Reed, Courtland Gee, and EAA host Bob Bergey, all motorcoach operators for Hagey Coach, Inc., of Souderton, Pennsylvania. Also included is this week's "Meet the Driver" -- meet Courtland Gee, one of this week's discussion participants. Follow me on Twitter to automatically be notified about new episodes of the podcast, or about changes on the website. Of course, if you're subscribed to the podcast, you'll also be notified of new episodes through your podcast app. 

EightWheels Across America, Podcast Episode #007, features an interview with Bob Nolen, Fleet Manager for Hagey Coach, Inc., of Souderton, PA. Bob manages more than 200 vehicles including motorcoaches, school buses, passenger vans, and more, and shares lots of good information of interest to motorcoach operators and others in the motorcoach industry.  Also included is this week's "Meet the Driver" -- meet Gregory Pratt, from Leprechaun Lines, of Newburg, NY. Plus we have some notes about what's new on the EAA website -- EightWheelsAcrossAmerica.com.  Follow me on Twitter to automatically be notified about new episodes of the podcast, or about changes on the website. Of course, if you're subscribed to the podcast, you'll also be notified of new episodes through your podcast app. 

Episode 006 of the EightWheels Across America podcast includes an interview with Brent Kelly, owner of Innovative Coach in Harrisburg, PA, and Meet the Driver with Dan Yoder from Perkiomen Tours in Pennsburg, PA.  

EightWheels Across America, Episode #5 is Part 2 about the apps I use on my mobile devices -- this time it's apps I use frequently but not necessarily every day. Also this episode includes the first of our "Meet the Driver" segments -- meet Dee Stoltzfus from Innovative Coach in Harrisburg, PA!

EightWheels Across America, Episode 004 features an interview with motorcoach dispatcher Blake Hagey, Hagey Coach, Inc., Souderton, PA.

This week's podcast includes a summary of the eight most important apps I use on my iPhone and iPad as a motorcoach operator.

The second episode of EightWheels Across America features an interview with Bruce Shaffer, a motorcoach operator for more than 40 years, and a good friend. Bruce recalls his first motorcoach and early trips, and much more. 

EightWheels Across America is a weekly podcast for motorcoach operators, tour bus drivers, tour guides, and group leaders across the United States and Canada. Episodes will include news and information especially for drivers, interviews with drivers and others from the motorcoach industry.