My Experience Visiting O'Hare Towing Chicago IL

I just got back from Chicago, what an awesome city! I was truly impressed by the O'Hare operation, and am very grateful for the hospitality of everyone there.

What impressed me the most was how friendly and down to earth EVERYONE employed at O'Hare is- truly not like a typical tow company! It also seems like everyone at O'Hare is truly dedicated to the company and the job. Also, at some point, you could tell everyone really loves Marci and Bill-seems even though they are bosses that the employees are one big family and truly have respect for their bosses. Out of a lot of different operations I have visited, I've never really seen anything like it.

Another thing that impressed me- even though the trucks are well maintained- is that you can tell the trucks earn their living and even though they are beautiful they are primarily functional and very well designed for the tasks they need to do.

I'd like to thanks Jane and everyone else that I met for showing me around and helping me to get some really nice photos despite the not-so-nice weather. What a great experience and I wish I had some more time to spend there.

Another thanks is for all O'Hare does for the towing industry that goes beyond "Wrecked", and I can now visualize how dangerous and tricky being a tow operator in Chicago can be- and O'Hare really is the best at it.

Here are some photos from my visit:
http://www.x635photos.com/thumbnails-383.html

O'Hare Towing

Many of you know how much I love the "Wrecked" show, but I really admire the O'Hare organization more. The article linked below is a great and really highlights how selfless and dedicated the Gratzianna's are, and how much they care utmost about safety and their employees, at times apparently more then themselves. There are a lot of great quotes from Bill and Marci, and some great insight in why they do what they do. Just great people, and the towing industry is lucky to have them. Just like Bill's father made a major impact that revolutionized the towing industry, his sons and daughter-in-law and O'Hare Towing are making another yet revolutionary impact. Anyway, I'll let this great article explain more about what I've said...

http://www.newhamptontribune.com/news/business/x1549046198/Zip-s-going-on-Speed

Being In The Right Place At The Right Time

Talk about being in the right place at the right time! I was just in shock when I had the oppurtunity to take this photo! To be in the end zone of one of the greatest college football teams in the nation, the University Of Texas Longhorns, on the turf in the endzone the day before 95,000 fans will fill the stadium to watch the UT Vs. Colorado matchup tommorow.This was my vantage point.....only shows a quarter of the stadium though....

Ford To Halt Production Of The Crown Vic/Police Interceptor

Police Worry About Demise of Crown Vic
Ford to halt production after 2011
Tuesday, September 29, 2009

BY REX HALL JR
Kalamazoo Gazette (Michigan)

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- For police agencies, the Ford Crown Victoria has been like an old friend -- dependable, always there.

So news that Ford Motor Co. plans to halt production of the sedan after 2011 worries local law enforcement leaders, who say they are worried about finding a suitable successor and about the potential costs of replacing equipment that has fit the "Crown Vic" year after year.

http://www.officer.com/online/article.jsp?siteSection=1&id=48610

Austin FD's New Engines Sporting AFD's New Logo

Austin FD placed the new Engines 9,11,12, and 16 into service today. All are 2009 Pierce Contenders, and sport the department's new logo on the front doors.

Round Rock FD's New Quint 4

City Of Round Rock, Texas Fire Department
Quint 4
2009 Pierce Velocity
Job # 21832
2000GPM/500 Tank/CAFS/75' Aluminum aerial

New Firefighter Game For Nintendo Wii

Seems very cool!

Be part of a squad as your fellow firefighters work with you to make sure everyone makes it out alive
Use full-motion swings to hack down doors with your axe and pry apart crushed metal with the hydraulic spreader, taking full advantage of the Wii's motion sensing controllers
Thinking Fire technology delivers a cunning and dangerous enemy unlike any that has been seen before as the flames have a mind of their own
Phenomenal Hollywood voice cast including James Marsters, Jack McGee, Michael Jace, Jamie Kennedy, and Jenette Goldstein

http://www.amazon.com/Real-Heroes-Firefighter-Nintendo-Wii/dp/B0027WNRFE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1253128686&sr=8-1

Wrecked - get ready for a 12 episode marathon of Wrecked, Sunday on Speed!!

Wrecked - get ready for a 12 episode marathon of Wrecked, Sunday on Speed!! More info @ http://www.speedtv.com/schedule/filter/date/2009-9-20

Wrecked Season 2 Finale: My Thoughts

Season 2 Finale:My Thoughts

The last two episodes of season 2 were basically clip shows, a retrospective of footage we've already seen. Boring and dissapointing. We already knew how they felt, as the show does a great job of explaining each recovery, while the camera documents the crews emotions. Nothing new was really shown.

I would have liked to see more action, like more use of the new Speed Crane for recoveries, or maybe a visit to Miller Industries to see 317 being built. Bill talks a lot about safety, but they should really show all the progressive things O'Hare has and does to keep it's operators safe. Show more of the Northlake facility and what it really takes to keep the trucks on the road. There are so many possibilities for this show then tractor trailer rollovers and winch outs. Hopefully, there will be a Season 3, and we'll delve more into the operation of one of the best towing and recovery operations in the world.

I've already sent my email to North-South productions and SPEED with my thoughts.........

The New jetBlue Terminal 5 At JFK

As many readers of this blog know, I love the airline jetBlue since day 1 and have awaiting the new Terminal 5 for years.

This past weekend, I had the oppurtunity to check out Terminal 5 as both an arriving and departing passenger.

Arriving, the terminal seemed very nice but I didn't have time to stop and check it out....not what I want to do after getting off a flight.

Departing, however, the terminal was an absolute madhouse, and I had to wait in the security line for 1/2 hour. The whole "fast security lanes" they promote is not correct, because most of the lanes were closed...and talking to a TSA agent, Monday morning is the busiest time. The jetBlue staff also herded us and treated us like cattle when we were lined up.

Terminal 5 is very nice, and has some cool features.......but looking around, it is a complete cheap ripoff of Austin's airport design and features. (Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has a BEAUTIFUL terminal, with much more attention to detail and community) I miss the old terminal 4...I thought the modern new terminal would be cool, but in retrospect, and with exception of the satellite terminal, the old terminal was great and I miss it.