Chasing: The Dirty Side of Towing

Chasing: The Dirty Side of Towing

Over the past 6 months I have focused most of my blog posts on the positive sides of towing. The brotherhood, the passion, and the legacy some have left behind. Today I want to focus on the part of towing most do not speak about to the general public. Chasing; The dirty side of towing! Chasing is truly a misunderstood and misused part of towing. Just like anything there is a right and wrong way to chase.

First, for those that do not know, chasing is actively engaging in police, ambulance, and fire department communication monitoring, this is done in order to know the location of a Motor Vehicle Collision (MVA) and to be the first tow truck on scene in order to secure the job. Chasing can be a very bad business practice if not done for the right reasons. A lot of operators who engage in chasing do it for one reason only, MONEY. A MVA generally pays more money than any other towing related jobs, what this means is more money in an operators pocket the more successful he is at chasing. This is a very dangerous practice when operators who only care about the money are involved.

When only money is involved, operators tend to disregard the safety of themselves as well as the general public. This is done by excessive speeding in order to be the first on scene. It also leads to bullying or deceiving a customer into many situations not necessarily in their favour (E.g. Towing a vehicle that does not need a tow, or choosing a body shop that may not be the most convenient for the customer) These things are done in order to financially benefit the operator, not to serve the customer. We are the professionals when it comes to dealing with accidents, so why wouldn't a customer trust us right? This is a sad practice that needs to be abolished in order for “TOW OPERATORS” to be truly seen as the professionals that we are.

Now, all that being said there is a proper beneficial method of chasing. In some cases tow trucks may have a shorter response time than emergency crews (while staying within reasonable speeds). This can prove to be helpful for situations such as, traffic control when a vehicle is located in a dangerous place, weather conditions where people are left stranded or that vehicles are disabled and quicker clean up times when emergency crews are finished with their job. A tow truck may even become a vital part of a rescue (E.g. Stabilizing a vehicle to remove a patient)

Chasing can be a black mark on our industry or it can be a added tool for emergency crews and customers. This all depends on the OPERATOR. We as an industry must stand together and remember that when the day is over and the dollars are counted we need to be able to look ourselves in the mirror. Will you be proud of the work you did today, or will you be part of the dirty side of towing?

Shawn Michaud

WM140989 

Leaving our mark!

LEAVING OUR MARK!

Every tow operator, just like every, customer is different. We are a unique bunch of people without a doubt. In my 3 years of towing I've come across many different type of operators, some I looked up to and others who made me want to run the other way. I will be the first to admit that I have broken the cardinal rule of towing: “Never speak badly about another tow operator, they are doing the best they can with what they have.” Although I am not proud of this, I can own up to it.

After much thought and many conversations with those close to me, I have decided to change my ways and focus on making a big mark I want to leave on this industry. Do I want to be remembered as the guy who bickered with this operator, or spoke badly about that operator? Not a chance. We have a short time in this world and life is about making the most of it, and leaving it better than how we found it.
The towing industry has enough problems without us fighting amongst ourselves. Competition can drive us to do and say some pretty silly things, “Did you see the way that operator tied down that car” or “what an idiot, he stole my call.” We have all been there before. What we need to keep in mind is that everything we say or do has an effect on not only our self-image but also that of the towing industry, from bickering with competition on the scene of an accident, to the language and manner in which we communicate with customers. This industry has taken many bad hits over the years and it’s up to us operators, the front line of towing, to change this.

So brothers and sisters of towing I ask you. What mark will you leave on the industry? Will you help elevate us to a new level of respect by educating instead of mocking, working together as opposed to fighting? Or let the public’s perception of us become a reality. I know how I will leave my mark, I hope you do to.

Shawn Michaud
WM140989

One to Remember

As tow operators we encounter many situations that have a negative effect on our physical, mental and emotional health. Getting a call out to a motor vehicle collision and not knowing the condition of the passengers can carry a heavy toll on our hearts. All too often we are left cleaning up the pieces of other people's mistakes. It can sometimes make us question our line of work and ultimately our passion for doing it. 

Then comes a situation like the one a team very close to me experienced.

The call comes in from our local police dispatch center. Vehicle roll over into a creek, driver pinned inside, fire department unable to extricate. Hearts start pounding with adrenaline and fear all in the same beat. Trucks become mobile in the blink of an eye. Once on scene the pressure and tension begins to build, working side by side with first responders to get the vehicle rigged and ready to lift. Everyone manages to stay extremely calm on the outside although clearly the fear of the drivers condition is running circles in the back of their minds.

Once the lift is done it's the fire departments time to shine. They work with precision to safely remove the driver, load him into the ambulance and send him away to the hospital. Without knowing the driver's condition, the job of removing the vehicle continues on... although you can see the distraction in everyone's eyes.

Then finally the news we have been waiting for comes: the driver is in non life-threatening, non life-altering condition. Hallelujah! At that point, I don't think there was a person onscene without a smile on their face. The tension and pressure has been lifted, and the faith in why we do what we do, is renewed.

We go through many bad days and experience many bad situations, but all that dissapears on days where you make a difference, a day that a team saves a life.

I am happy to report the driver is making a complete recovery and was even present at the scene the next day to witness the completion of the job.

Shawn Michaud
WM140989

Dispatching.... More than meets the eye!

Winter has arrived in eastern Ontario, and has it ever made its presence felt. With temperatures dropping to -26°C, call volume has no doubt increased for everybody in the area. I experienced a great lesson today that I want to share with other operators.

Today is about the dispatcher. This past week I had the opportunity to man the phones for an entire shift, which happened to be our busiest day so far this winter. Was it ever an eye opening experience! I've formed an all around new respect for what it means to be a dispatcher. As an operator, we normally only see the calls we are dispatched and don't realize the concentration and talent it takes to manage 3, 4 or even 5+ operators at the same time, while keeping ETA's down and driver efficiency up! Planning driver routes that are constantly changing with new calls appearing rapidly, phones never stop ringing. Not only is the amount of income rising - but so is the stress level. I cannot even begin to fully explain what our dispatchers face on a daily basis, but what I can tell you is that the work they do deserves the utmost respect!

Today was an great experience... remember boys and girls your dispatcher might not have it as nice as you think sitting at that desk all day. That being said, thank god my computer mouse was wireless or I might have tried to strangle myself with it a couple times. Hats off to all of you with the honour of calling yourselves a DISPATCHER! I think I'm going to stick to doing the actual calls. 

SHAWN MICHAUD
CORNWALL, ONTARIO
WM140989

Life After The Hook!

In past posts I have mentioned Life After The Hook, and this past week a close friend and once teacher of mine decided to hang up the hooks after 9 years. Now to some 9 years may be a short time in comparison to their career. But in my opinion this man still deserves his fair respect as he wanders away from an industry that was such a passion to him!

Jeff Derouchie from Cornwall, Ontario was the first supervisor I ever worked for. He always had a passion for the industry, a knack for chasing and a perfection in recovery. I truly owe alot of what i have learned over the years to Jeff.

Here are his words after 9 years behind the hook:

My Journey, 9 years later

What most people don't know about me was all my life I wanted to be a police officer, the thought of helping others is all I ever wanted to do ... Unfortunately that was not in the cards, life had other plans in life I guess. In October 2006 I started my journey towing! A job or I guess lifestyle I quickly fell in love with working right along side the police officers I once wanted to be. This story I've always wondered how it would go, would I write about the negative? 9 years later not making 2 pennies more then day 1 or all the broken promises like incentive bonuses, partnerships? Trips? All the hopes and dreams crushed ... But instead I take a deep breath and let it out with a sigh, I will focus on 9 years of greatness, I've worked for them all.... If anyone has seen things it's me, here's a few facts over the years and yes I'm about to blow my own horn.... Every tow show I've taken my truck too (4) but no ones counting this boy has taken 1st place at each show in the beauty contest and lights! When I attended my Wreckmaster course with 29 other guys, I was the only one to ace the test 100%! I have towed for Formula1,Indy car, NASCAR! Rolex series, Ferrari series, and everything that races on dirt.

For those who are not familiar with towing it is like you see on TV well most of it lol ... in Cornwall it is very competitive, you don't just sit around and wait for the phone to ring lol... We all have police scanners, when we here an accident on the scanner it's like dropping the green flag at Daytona! The race is on ... We try our hardest to arrive on scene first to secure the job! With that said, it also means that sometimes (actually most times) a tow truck is the first on scene! Think about that .... Most of my 9 years I ruled this industry, on scene way before emergency personnel, but this means it's often time to jump into action to try save someone's life! I'm proud to say because of us Tow Operators getting there quick I've saved 3 lives over the years, CPR is the best investment anyone can have!

Towing ... An industry that never sleeps, there's no 8 to 5 here, when your desperately trying to get off the roads cause there glare ice, we're gearing up to go out on them! The towing biz never closes it goes 24/7 .... All to make enough money to just get by!

I will definitely post another story some day as right now things are still a lil sour, but for now I'll say goodnight as I prepare for tomorrow's final ride, I will suit up one more time, one more day till I say Goodbye.

"See you in the ditch"
071028

This man has put his time into the industry, and I personally 
would like to wish him all the best in whatever journey comes next! Thank you Jeff Derouchie for all you have done!

10-39 buddy!

Shawn Michaud
Cornwall, Ontario
WM 140989

Towing: The Relationship Killer

Being a tow operator can create havoc on many parts of your life. Today I want to talk about the toll this industry takes on our relationships. After talking to many operators from many parts of the country, it amazes me how many of us have lost someone we cared about because of the job.

Over years companies have figured out mathematically the effect on a truck we have with each call. The wear and tear that equipment goes through, but has anyone ever thought of the wear and tear each call puts on our relationships???

This industry is not for the faint of heart. You need to be mentally strong and physically prepared to endure the long days you will encounter, but the loved one by your side must be equally as strong.
How many times has that phone rang at 2am, you crawl out of bed fire up the truck and head out to help that stranded motorist?


To us its business as usual, but to that loved one we left in bed its another sleepless night.
How many times has diner gone cold on the table because your "last call" turned into a 3 hour round trip tow?

How many times has "date night" turned into a ride along cause that phone won't stop ringing?

The answer is: too many times to count. We as true operators are a rare breed there is no doubt. But what is more rare is to find a partner that will stand by our side and support us through this crazy thing we call our passion.

If you find one of those rare people in the world you make sure you spoil them every chance you get and not let them get away. Although this is a passion we must prepare for life after the hook. And he or she will be there when the day is done.

To all my brothers and sister of towing I leave you with the wise words of a friend.

Lie, cheat and steal!
Lie with the ones you love at night,
Cheat death and injury.
And steal time away from this industry before it consumes you.

To all the better halves of my tow brothers and sisters I leave you some advice as well.
"Be home in 5 minutes" truly means. I want to be with you as soon as this damn phone stops ringing.



Sincerely
Shawn Michaud
WM 140989

Wreckmaster (What it meant to me)

WRECKMASTER AND WHAT IT MEANT TO ME

BY: SHAWN MICHAUD

In September of this year, I got the pleasure and honor of attending a Wreckmaster 2-3 course with Jeff Martin as my instructor. Today I want to go over what Wreckmaster is and what it meant to me. Being a still a ROOKIE in this industry, about 2 ½ years, I had heard little about Wreckmaster. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine what a Eye-Opening experience it would be. The great mix of in-class as well as hands-on training that they have managed to jam into a 2-day course is phenomenal.  Seeing a range of different ages, experience level, and gender within the class was inspiring.

In-class: Although going into the weekend I had presumed that the in-class portion of the training would be long and boring with a monotone instructor trying to force feed you as much information as possible. Let me tell you, I was wrong. Mr. Martin an Experienced operator from the GTA region was a great instructor, His passion for the industry could be felt in every word. Covering everything from basic resistances to working load limits was a huge eye opener! The information was not just something you wanted to know to pass the test, but rather something you wanted to embrace to make yourself a better operator. Any operator that has been in the industry for some time can tell you they have winched many cars, and knew about how much they weighed. But did they know how much load they had on their wire? Or how much anchorability they needed? I can tell you I didn’t.

Hands-on: The hands on part of the course was something going into the weekend I was excited for, after all who doesn’t like playing in the yard? Some of the new techniques Wreckmaster teaches you are well thought out and field tested, from the single lane recovery with a stiff leg, to proper tie down methods. The only problem is as we all know 10 different operators have 10 different ways of doing things. This was a bit of a problem when it came to a group effort of rigging a casualty. All and all the hands-on part of the training did not disappoint.

Overall Wreckmaster is not a text book course, it is a brotherhood of operators and instructors who want to better themselves as well as better the industry. The joking and laughing that was had by all demonstrated that even though we are competition, we are all here for the same reason. I truly encourage any operator no matter age or experience to take at least one wreckmaster course and tell me im wrong……

Cya in the Ditch!

“Lie, Cheat and Steal. Lie with the ones you love at night, Cheat death and injury, And steal time away from this industry every now and then before it consumes you.” – Jeff Martin