Archive for the ‘Featured’ Category
An Apology
Folks…I want to apologize for the errors on this site. I am aware of them and have been for several weeks. Unfortunately I am technically incapable of correcting them, and my web designer is busy with a new and exciting business venture which is taking all of her time right now. I will resume writing [...]
It Takes Money to MAKE Money In This Business!
There are those people who will tell you that the pilot car industry is an easy way to make money. Don’t believe it! Oh, there ARE people who slap on a Wal Mart winky light, handwrite a sign and duct tape it to the door, and use a $39 CB radio and POOF! they are [...]
Do You REALLY Want To Be a PILOT CAR OPERATOR?
Quite often, people considering our business post on the various groups, or call some of us, or email some of us, wanting to know about the pilot car business. Of course they have all sorts of questions: can you make money at it? How much does it cost to get into it? What do I [...]
Paper Route Surveys Can Get You into Trouble
Today I was thinking about a colleague within the region. He called me a couple of times last week to “pick my brain” about some oversize routes through New Mexico. After the second call, I realized that this fellow was writng a paper (or “book”) survey. In my opinion, that in itself is foolish…but the [...]
Use GLO GLOVES for traffic control
In our business, a key element is VISIBILITY! If a motorist cannot see us, they cannot avoid us, or follow our directions. I have found GLO GLOVES to be an excellent tool in controlling traffic. When I first got into this business, I tried to figure out ways to get the attention of oncoming traffic [...]
The Tragic Death of a Colleague
Tonight I learned of the death of a friend and colleague this week. Karen Aleman (or possibly Alleman) died Tuesday evening in a rollover accident while returning from escorting an oversize load to Colorado. I do not have any specific information about the funeral, other than it probably will be in Lafayette, LA. Apparently, Karen [...]
Route Survey Lottery
For those of you who have done route surveys, you will understand the use of the word lottery. Sometimes, it is just the luck of the draw on which route will work out. Today I completed one route survey and began another one. My second survey of the day is for the exact same load [...]
Who is teaching kids manners?
I know it is normal for us more “seasoned” folks to point out how different our childhoods were. I hated it when I was young (a lifetime ago) and the old folks talked about how young people just aren’t taught the way they were. Today, however, I experienced a glaring example of how differently we [...]
Happy Memorial Day
I wonder if that is an appropriate greeting, considering the basis for Memorial Day. Memorial Day was established to honor those soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen (men AND women) who gave their lives for the defense of this country and/or its values. So, I question whether the greeting “Happy Memorial Day” should be used. Maybe [...]
TRY COLLAPSIBLE CONES TO GAIN MORE SPACE
As professional pilot car operators, we try to carry all the required equipment and lots of good-to-have items to help us help our load get to its destination safely and efficiently. It takes up a lot of space! One of the biggest space users is our safety cones. Three eighteen inch cones occupy 1.54 cubic [...]