EightWheels Across America

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.

Motorcoaches Rolling for Awareness, Part 2 05/16/2020

Motorcoaches Rolling for Awareness, Part 2 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. /episode/index/show/eightwheels/id/14447696

Motorcoaches Rolling for Awareness, Part 1 05/15/2020

Motorcoaches Rolling for Awareness, Part 1 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 and the UMA. Episode #24 includes interviews with drivers as well as the presidents of the sponsoring organizations. /episode/index/show/eightwheels/id/14439326

An Uncertain Future for Motorcoach Operators 03/31/2020

An Uncertain Future for Motorcoach Operators 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! /episode/index/show/eightwheels/id/13781750

What Is a Professional Motorcoach Operator? 03/12/2020

What Is a Professional Motorcoach Operator? 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/index/show/eightwheels/id/13520234

Driving in New York City 02/10/2020

Driving in New York City 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/index/show/eightwheels/id/13098356

Model Bus Collecting 02/06/2020

Model Bus Collecting 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. /episode/index/show/eightwheels/id/13044785

Protecting Your Health, Growing Your Business 12/17/2019

Protecting Your Health, Growing Your Business 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/index/show/eightwheels/id/12429998

Interview: Brian Smith, Founder/Administrator of Motorcoach Operators Group on Facebook 11/07/2019

Interview: Brian Smith, Founder/Administrator of Motorcoach Operators Group on Facebook 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. /episode/index/show/eightwheels/id/11952146

Networking on Facebook 10/24/2019

Networking 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. /episode/index/show/eightwheels/id/11774411

Tips for New Motorcoach Operators 09/07/2019

Tips for New Motorcoach Operators 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. /episode/index/show/eightwheels/id/11161190

Popular Lancaster County PA Destinations 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/index/show/eightwheels/id/10710329

Interview: Sean O'Meara 07/03/2019

Interview: Sean O'Meara 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. /episode/index/show/eightwheels/id/10381736

My Workflow for Motorcoach Charter Trips 06/11/2019

My Workflow for Motorcoach Charter Trips 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/index/show/eightwheels/id/10124503

Never Lost 05/27/2019

Never Lost Episode #012 Show Notes /episode/index/show/eightwheels/id/9930407

Tips for Tour Guides on Motorcoach Tours 04/30/2019

Tips for Tour Guides on Motorcoach Tours 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/index/show/eightwheels/id/9596933

Streets of Washington, DC 04/15/2019

Streets of Washington, DC 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. /episode/index/show/eightwheels/id/9394352

Cherry Blossom Time in Washington, DC 04/06/2019

Cherry Blossom Time in Washington, DC 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. /episode/index/show/eightwheels/id/9290846

Discussion: Driving Motorcoaches in New York City 03/27/2019

Discussion: Driving Motorcoaches in New York City 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, PA. /episode/index/show/eightwheels/id/9158501

Interview with Bob Nolen, Fleet Manager with Hagey Coach, Inc. 03/19/2019

Interview with Bob Nolen, Fleet Manager with Hagey Coach, Inc. 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. /episode/index/show/eightwheels/id/9059549

Interview with Brent Kelly, Innovative Coach 03/10/2019

Interview with Brent Kelly, Innovative Coach 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. /episode/index/show/eightwheels/id/8944448

The Apps I Use, Part 2 03/05/2019

The Apps I Use, Part 2 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. /episode/index/show/eightwheels/id/8879036

Interview with Dispatcher Blake Hagey 02/20/2019

Interview with Dispatcher Blake Hagey EightWheels Across America, Episode 004 features an interview with motorcoach dispatcher Blake Hagey, Hagey Coach, Inc., Souderton, PA. /episode/index/show/eightwheels/id/8713649

The 8 Most Important Apps I Use as a Motorcoach Operator 02/14/2019

The 8 Most Important Apps I Use as a Motorcoach Operator This week's podcast includes a summary of the eight most important apps I use on my iPhone and iPad as a motorcoach operator. /episode/index/show/eightwheels/id/8648738

Interview: Bruce Shaffer, Motorcoach Operator 02/07/2019

Interview: Bruce Shaffer, 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. /episode/index/show/eightwheels/id/8563178

EightWheels Across America Podcast Episode 001 02/06/2019

EightWheels Across America Podcast Episode 001 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. /episode/index/show/eightwheels/id/8548070

EightWheels Across America

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