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.

EightWheels Across America

Motorcoaches Rolling for Awareness, Part 2

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!

Motorcoaches Rolling for Awareness, Part 1

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!

An Uncertain Future for Motorcoach Operators

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.

What Is a Professional Motorcoach Operator?

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 …

Driving in New York City

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

Model Bus Collecting

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! 

Protecting Your Health, Growing Your Business

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. 

Interview: Brian Smith, Founder/Administrator of Motorcoach Operators Group on Facebook

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. 

Networking on Facebook

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. 

Tips for New Motorcoach Operators

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.

Popular Lancaster County PA Destinations

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. 

Interview: Sean O'Meara

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. 

My Workflow for Motorcoach Charter Trips

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/)

Never Lost

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. 

Tips for Tour Guides on Motorcoach Tours

EightWheels Across America is a weekly podcast primarily for motorcoach operators and tour bus drivers, also for 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. 

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