Ever wondered how the towing industry is adapting to the rise of electric vehicles and alternative fuels? Join us as we uncover the secrets behind a successful training session led by industry experts April and Wes Wilburn, alongside DJ Harrington. Hosted at the Fayetteville City Police Department’s advanced facility, this event drew 48 eager participants ready to learn the latest techniques and insights. Our heartfelt thanks go out to Phillips Towing for their unparalleled hospitality and to the Fayetteville City Police Department for their support during an action-packed weekend.
Delve into the world of industry consolidation with us, where strategic acquisitions are transforming towing operations across the nation. We bring you stories from leaders like Fred from Valor Fleet Services and Jose from Big Valley, as they share their strategies for growth and the positive impacts on employee conditions. Learn about JNI’s expansion through acquiring Bald Eagle Towing in Florida and Cantrell’s new ventures in Illinois, and get the scoop on the upcoming Florida show offering cutting-edge training opportunities.
Finally, tackle the critical issue of predatory towing practices with Gary Leach, president of the Towing and Recovery Association of Alberta, and Jeff Kasbrick from the Alberta Motor Association. Discover how these organizations are fighting back with education campaigns and proposed legislative changes to protect drivers in Alberta. From the introduction of Troy's Law in Kentucky to proposed tweaks in Alabama’s notification laws, we discuss the legislative efforts reshaping the industry for safer roads. Don’t miss out on these crucial conversations that are shaping the future of towing.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:05):
you're on the train to success with april and wes
wilburn.
I'm dj harrington, the co-host,better known as the toe doctor.
We're all on our way to thetown of proper towing and
recovery, along with ourproducer, chuck camp, in the
studio.
Don't go to the town of woulda,coulda, shoulda.
(00:25):
You coulda had done this.
You should have done that.
Listen every week tothought-provoking wisdom from
great guests.
So if you have Spotify, itunes,pandora, stitcher, iheartmedia
or the number one podcast, ormaybe Amazon or wherever you get
(00:50):
your podcasts, turn in onWednesday and be turned on all
week long.
If you are a state associationand want your announcements or
upcoming state association newsannouncements or upcoming state
association news or maybe aco-show that's coming up, let us
(01:10):
know.
Our podcast studio phone numberis 706-409-5603.
I'm proud to be part of a greatteam at the american dorm
recovery institute.
Let's make 2025 our best yearever.
I will turn it to April andless.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Well, thank you, dj.
I certainly appreciate, asalways, the kind words.
Happy to be here this week.
How you doing?
How's the weather down there?
Speaker 1 (01:37):
It is rainy ugly, overcast, the weather bad here
and in the studio where Chuck is.
It's really bad.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
What's going on there ?
I thought y'all livedrelatively close.
How's the weather so different?
Speaker 1 (01:55):
It's raining heavy.
Speaker 3 (01:59):
Yeah, and it's cold here, too Cold.
It's not raining right now, butwe've had cold, nasty weather
too.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Yeah, we had about a day and a half of 37 in rain,
and there's nothing moremiserable than that, that cold
rain, that's what's happened?
Speaker 1 (02:14):
We're wearing our overcoats and we're happy to be
doing the podcast with you,buddy.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Well, we're happy too , I tell you.
We lucked into a real goodweather day on Saturday.
It wasn't super warm, but itwasn't rainy or anything.
It was like 60-some degrees.
We started the first class ofthe training season.
This starts my 32nd year as atrainer.
This was my 951st class and youknow how sometimes you surprise
yourself, dj.
(02:41):
I surprised myself with acouple things this weekend.
Now, phillips Towing hosted theclass, which he's always been a
great host and personally thecompany and him personally have
been very good to me, helpingkeep me going in this quest to
provide training for the towingindustry.
So he's always been first classwhen he's done things with me.
(03:02):
And when we've hosted classesin the past we've done them at a
couple different firedepartments in the county and
that was years ago and thoserelationships were good.
One of the fire departments wedid it in the county, believe it
or not, got wiped out duringthe flooding of the hurricane a
couple years ago.
So choices were a little bitless.
(03:24):
So he agreed to do this classthat we had coming up and we're
going to do it in his facility,which he has a beautiful
facility.
And then, as the class got alittle bigger and a little
bigger.
He decided that we needed aprofessional meeting room, so he
made arrangements with theFayetteville City Police
Department, who's just a fewblocks away from them probably
(03:45):
10 or 12 blocks, just a littlebit further than someone like me
would want to walk, but they'rerelatively close and we used
this meeting room DJ in thepolice department.
That's one of the nicest,well-thought-out meeting rooms
that I've been in.
It wasn't the fanciest I'vekind of been in fancier ones but
this was the most practical.
They had 10 TVs at least 10 TVsall over.
(04:11):
They had a big screen up frontwith a small stage and a little
podium to work off of, and thenthey had TVs everywhere.
So no matter where you sat inthe room, you weren't more than
six or eight feet from the TV soyou could see the videos, hear
the sound.
It was just excellent.
I can't tell you how good itwas.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
Yeah, it was really state-of-the-art facility that
we were in.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
And we had 50 people.
So we rearranged the tables andmade a big U with a couple of
rows inside of the U, and itreally worked out well.
We had a rock and roll class 48, how many?
Speaker 3 (04:48):
48 attendees yep 48 attendees.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
So that was the first class of the year that,
emotionally, I tell you, givesyou a big charge.
We rearranged the class.
You know I've talked about thisbefore.
I struggle at the beginning ofeach year trying to make sure
I'm staying relevant.
Am I still relevant?
Is the question I asked myself.
So we rearranged it.
We made electric vehicle likeexcuse me, we made electric and
(05:13):
alternative vehicle fuelvehicles, of focus more, which
we've been teaching about themin every class for a couple
years.
But we made it more of a focusum kind of geared a lot of the
overheads and stuff to theYouTube generation and the short
attention span and the click,click, click on TikTok.
So we were able to cover a lotmore slides by doing it in that
(05:37):
format and that's what peopleseem to want.
Everybody's attention spanseems to be shortening up and
shortening up.
So with the new format,everybody was really happy with
it.
Attention span seems to beshortening up and shortening up.
So with the new format,everybody was really happy with
it.
We got good reviews, had a greatwell, first of all, the
hospitality Phillips provided,besides getting us a
(06:00):
state-of-the-art classroom.
And let me back up we need togive some shout-out to the
Fayetteville City PoliceDepartment.
It's like any other city policedepartment Resources are
limited and even though it's acity department, it's big.
For this part of the world it'snot a huge organization.
So some people came in onSaturday to make it happen.
(06:20):
They also had the Martin LutherKing parade that had been
postponed.
That's what it was right.
Speaker 3 (06:26):
MLK parade.
Yeah, they postponed that dueto weather.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Due to weather a couple weeks ago, so that was
running on the Saturday morningat the same time, which that
creates a big, huge footprint ofus.
You know that the FayettevilleCity Police have to look after
and help handle, so they gearedthemselves up to that, geared
themselves up to make sure theyhad staffing to accommodate us,
(06:51):
and they just couldn't havetreated us any better, could
they have?
Speaker 3 (06:54):
No, they couldn't have treated us any better.
And not only was that paradegoing on at the same time and
they would have had tofacilitate that but the
proximity it was right there.
That thing was right there atthe same time and they still
navigated and got through it andmade that spot for us made
(07:14):
arrangements where there's aparking lot.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
The people came in, tow trucks could park just to,
you know.
Basically across the streetit's just a short walk.
Everybody else in automobilesthe parking lot was right there
made Made sure they had a dooropen on the building where we
could get in and out, went outof their way to help us and it
was a great.
That part was great.
A couple of the officers sat inon most of the training.
(07:36):
Phillip, you know, if you'veever been around him at an event
, if you go away hungry, it'syour fault because they
definitely fed everybody well,they around him at an event.
If you go away hungry, it'syour fault, because they
definitely fed everybody well.
They had uh stuff in themorning drinks and some you know
knickknacks in the morning andthen a great lunch.
Had a cook over there cookingthe lunch, chicken and had rice
and salad nice, healthy option.
(07:58):
I really like seeing that.
Winnie there at phillipsknocked it out of the park on
that stuff.
Which winnie we got.
To give her credit.
She took care of every singledetail from every angle.
Speaker 3 (08:07):
She sure did.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
She was wonderful to work with.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
Not only did they have the healthy option of the
salad, but that pound cake theyhad oh my goodness.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
Well, that pound cake wasn't healthy.
Is that what you're?
Speaker 3 (08:17):
trying to tell me Well, the pound is butter.
That's the butter.
They just had everything.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
They.
That's the butter.
They just had everything.
They really did a great job.
Then for the hands on, we had apiece of street which doesn't
sound like much, but I wasn'tpointing on the ground, saying
guys, pretend the concretebarriers there and pretend the
highway lanes here.
We were working on and in thestreet with painted lanes, curb
and gutter.
So when we talked about takingup one lane of traffic, we could
visualize taking up one lane oftraffic.
We could visualize taking upone lane of traffic.
(08:47):
So that was awesome as well.
Speaker 3 (08:50):
That was almost a made-to-order kind of a training
day, wasn't it, Wes?
Speaker 2 (08:55):
It was, it really was and, like I say, phillip's
always been top-notch, but hewent out of his way.
Let me say went out of his wayto make this just first class.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
And then you also had Nick from New Jersey down to
help.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
We did, we did.
Nick came down and added a bigpart to it.
And you know one thing, that'sa little, and I don't want to
shortcut Nick because hedefinitely came down and added a
lot.
He always does.
He's stepping into the rolemore and more to help get these
classes done.
He does it from a place wherehe's not big-headed, he he does
it from a place where he's notbig-headed.
He's just there helping get theprogram done.
(09:25):
And without people like thatyou can't get these classes done
, because you get a bunch ofguys there.
If somebody isn't helping mekeep order, then we're burning
time not getting things done.
And we got every exercise wewanted to get done, plus one.
So I can't thank Nick enough.
He really appreciatedeverything he did, had Phillip
there with equipment, hadquality towing.
Speaker 4 (09:47):
Sumner.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
Yeah, how wide center truck.
We used that as well.
The class themselves, a lot ofstudents I've seen before Johnny
and his brother and a whole lotof people I shouldn't start
naming names because then youforget something but a whole lot
of people.
The Rockwells were there.
They came with the right.
But a whole lot of people, theRockwells were there, they came
(10:08):
with the right attitude.
A lot of information was shared, a lot of networking happened.
We presented them with a newcondensed kind of streamlined
version of the electric vehicle.
Most of the class actually tookpart in the electric vehicle
certification program that we'redoing now through the NTAC
program.
So we're excited about that,that we got some people involved
(10:30):
in that.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
So NTAC, just to let people who may not be familiar
with that, that stands forNational Tow Operator
Certification and that's anonline Zoom-like type test.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
That we offer.
I don't do a good job oftalking about things like that.
Thank you, April.
Also, I don't do a good job ofbragging on ourselves, but I
probably ought to do that alittle bit more.
As of today, our number for ourpodcast download 17,000, even
Exactly 17,000, as of today.
(11:05):
That's exciting, isn't it?
Dj?
It's excellent.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
It's excellent Anytime you tell somebody you're
over 10,000, everybody atiHeartMedia and so forth takes
notice.
When you're up to 17,000,everybody's watching.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
Well, we certainly appreciate you folks that have
made it happen.
Like and share and subscribe.
We appreciate that.
We're on YouTube we don't haveany kind of following yet on
that, but we're working on that.
Also, facebook, instagram, likeus, friend us, all that stuff.
Here's something exciting too.
(11:45):
The research team, dj, has beenhard at work on the app, the
electric slash alternate fuelapp that we have, ev Clever.
Ev Clever, yes, can be found inyour Google Apple store.
Number of cars this is year makemodel cars 2,948, almost 3,000.
(12:06):
Just over 2,000 heavy-dutyvehicles, buses and trucks, et
cetera.
And then also we have over1,500 scooters all the factory
information on them.
So this team here I'm going tobrag on them.
They've been working hard andwe appreciate it making things
happen.
So that's what's going on here.
(12:27):
Now here's an update from astory we covered last week on
Towing News.
Now A Douglas County, kansas,jury on Friday found a towing
company and its employee morethan 50% responsible for a
woman's death in a 2020 incidentand awarded more than $4
million in damages, although anattorney familiar with the case
(12:49):
said the amount the plaintiffcould ultimately receive would
likely be much lower than that.
The trial lasted about a weekand attorneys for the employee
and the towing company presentedtheir arguments about who was
responsible in the deadlyincident in which the car owner
(13:09):
was crushed under a car whilepreparing to have it towed.
The jury on Friday, after aboutseven hours of deliberation,
sided with the family,determining that the tow company
and the operator bore 51% ofthe responsibility for the
accident between them, vanettaand Hillcrat, and it assigned
different percentages 18% to theoperator, 33% to the company
(13:37):
and then the person that died.
They bore 49% of theresponsibility 49% of the
responsibility.
Speaker 3 (13:50):
So her mother was quoted as saying that they got
justice for Lindsay after theverdict was read.
As the Journal World hadreported, Vanetta had testified
that Rain's car was disabled andsitting on wooden blocks in
Rain's driveway.
When Vanetta arrived, Vanettasaid when she was getting her
truck into position, Rainstarted rocking the car and it
broke free and rolled down thedriveway and over Rain.
(14:11):
Now Vanetta says that she hadtold Rain to please, you know,
to remove herself from thesituation, and she did not do it
.
And in this situation, what doyou do?
Speaker 2 (14:25):
Yeah, you're on somebody's property.
They go over and start messingwith their car, racking it back
and forth.
You can tell them to stop, allyou want.
She's putting the truck inposition, so she's not right
there, but they're on theirproperty messing with it.
I just don't understand how theresponsibility was assigned
(14:46):
here.
It does not seem accurate andfair to me at all, Although my
father taught me at a very youngage life's not fair and
sometimes that's a lesson you'vegot to learn.
But I just don't think this isfair at all.
Speaker 3 (15:00):
Life is not fair.
Yeah, I don't know how theycame up with that math.
Speaker 2 (15:04):
You know they've got some other funny math here too
that you only have to convince10 out of the 12 jurors in a
civil suit in that state.
Speaker 3 (15:11):
So Also anybody who's listening and would like to
contact us or call us.
I would like to know, in thesesituations, what do you guys do?
In these situations, when theperson is assisting someone
staying with the car, how do youhandle it?
(15:33):
It's probably a case-by-casebasis, I'm sure.
Speaker 2 (15:37):
The jury award was $4.5 million and they broke down
all the percentages of themoney.
It also talks about a state lawthat caps one of the payments.
Speaker 3 (15:49):
Yeah, the one payment is supposed to be $3.8 million
in non-economic losses.
I don't know what that exactlymeans, but the state law in
Kansas caps that actual amountof non-economic damages to be
$250,000.
So they have to hash that outin a separate hearing, I guess.
Speaker 2 (16:10):
That's all from the newsroom.
Speaker 6 (16:13):
From Towing News.
Now here's our 2025 trainingschedule.
On March 7th, we have atwo-hour EV session at Opelika
Alabama, and on the 8th and 9thwe have a two-day heavy-duty
rotator in Opelika Alabama.
Speaker 3 (16:31):
And then just one thing to add with that, that's a
CP wrecker and that's also withGriffin Griffin Towing.
They're in conjunction withthat.
Speaker 6 (16:39):
Next in March on the 21st at Liberty Towing, we'll
have a two-hour EV in Morganton,north Carolina, and on the 22nd
23rd that's Saturday and Sundayat Liberty Towing, we will have
a two-day heavy duty withrotator.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
Now we're going to April.
On April the 4th we have atwo-hour EV course at All-County
Towing in Long Island, new York, and then on Friday, saturday
the 5th, also at all-countytowing, we have a one-day
advanced level light duty, andthen on the 6th we have a
one-day advanced level heavyduty course.
Speaker 6 (17:17):
Now, on April 10th through the 12th, it's the
Florida Tow Show in Orlando atthe Host Hotel in Hilton Orlando
.
To make a reservation, call855-757-7984 and use code REK.
On April 10th at the FloridaToll Show we'll have a full-day
(17:41):
heavy-duty recovery course andon the 11th is the Orlando
Florida Tunnels Tower event withDJ Harrington.
On April the 22nd to the 24ththat's a Tuesday, wednesday and
Thursday we'll have an EV class.
Speaker 3 (17:58):
So those are actually three one-day classes Wesley,
and then the cities will bedetermined, and as soon as we
get that information we willupdate that schedule.
Then in May, on May 16th, wehave a one-day light-duty course
at Cardinal Towing in St Louis,missouri, and then we have a
(18:21):
two-day heavy-duty rotator atCardinal Towing in St Louis.
Speaker 6 (18:37):
And then on the 19th and 20th, which is a Monday, and
Tuesday, we have a two-dayadvanced-level heavy-duty course
in St Louis at Cardinal Towing.
And June, from the 6th to the8th, it's the Astra Toll Show in
Lake George, New York.
On the 6th we'll be hosting alive auction for the toll show.
On the 20th we'll have a lightduty course one day at Star
24--hour Towing in Medford,Oregon.
On the 21st and 22nd in Medford, Oregon, we'll have a two-day
(19:02):
heavy duty whiff rotator course.
Speaker 3 (19:05):
And then in October October 3rd through the 5th
Friday, saturday and Sunday is athree-day heavy duty extreme
advanced level class in theBuffalo, niagara Falls area.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
Hope to see you at one of those cities.
Hang around real quick, we'llbe right back after the break.
Speaker 3 (19:24):
For electric and other alternative fuel vehicles.
We have developed an app thatgives you all the manufacturers
411 for when that 911 happens.
Whether you are a fire tow orpolice, we got you covered.
To find the EV Clever app, goto your Apple or Google Play
store for a 30-day free trial.
Speaker 6 (19:43):
We also offer the National Tow Operator
Certification an independentlysourced virtual testing program
covering light duty, heavy duty,electric and alternative fuel.
Speaker 7 (19:51):
Vehicle Information in this podcast is made possible
by generous sponsorship fromHenry's Record light duty, heavy
duty, electric and alternativefuel vehicle Information in this
podcast is made possible bygenerous sponsorship from
Henry's Wrecker, serving thecommunity with quality towing
and recovery for over 40 years.
Henryswreckercom.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
Welcome back listeners.
You know you're listening tothe number one towing podcast,
Towing News Channel, and this isreal important podcast, towing
News Channel, and this is realimportant.
This is season four, episodesix, and you're not going to
believe how well we're doing.
Thanks to all of you 17,000listeners.
Now I want to remind all of you.
(20:28):
We're available on Spotify,itunes, andorra, skature the
number one iHeartMedia, amazonor wherever you get your
podcasts.
So we have a new one for thisepisode.
It's called ConsolidationCorner and I'll pass it on over
(20:48):
to our number one guy, wesWilburn.
Speaker 2 (20:53):
Thank you, dj.
This is a new segment.
I can't say it will be weeklybecause it's going to be based
on when we have news of what'sgoing on with consolidation and
within the towing industry.
You know, consolidation is notjust only happening in towing,
it's happening in a lot ofindustries.
We've had a couple differentepisodes.
We've had what Fred fromHenry's on released twice
(21:15):
talking about consolidation.
Haven't we April?
Yeah and we've also had Josefrom Big Valley yeah, big Valley
First Line Road Solutions, ofcourse.
Fred is with Henry's Roadrunnerin Windsor, which is now Valor
Fleet Services.
Fred's been a huge supporter,been on the podcast several
(21:37):
times, talked in depth aboutwhat they're doing, talked about
kind of their blueprint of howthey do things.
Then we had Jose from BigValley a couple weeks ago
talking about what First LineRoad Solutions is doing.
So I think JT when he was here,of course JT Reisner who helps
(21:58):
me with training.
I think he talked a little bitabout what they're doing, but
we're going to have somebody onfrom their organization.
So Jay and I they're a greatgroup of folks who we're working
with training in that part ofthe country.
Not only is JT helping butthey're hosting.
We're doing a big event withthem in St Louis in May.
They have acquired Bald EagleTowing down in Naples, florida,
(22:22):
first out-of-state venture likethat, that far away from their
core.
But they're seriousconsolidators looking to do
things.
So we give them congratulationson that.
Also, a new organization.
I don't know that I've paidmuch attention or heard of them
(22:42):
before.
I believe this is a towingcompany using their own capital,
where some of these otherorganizations are using others'
capital you know equity capital,that kind of thing to grow.
But Cantrell Towing, out ofIllinois, they bought Quad City
Towing, which this is like theirthird or fourth expansion,
where they're expanding theirfootprint to increase their
(23:02):
service area, make things alittle bit better for their,
their client base.
So they required Quad City'sTowing.
One of the things they talkabout in their acquisition plans
is they're keeping thecompanies, the name the same,
the locations the same, justspreading out on their footprint
.
So we wish them the best ofluck as well.
(23:24):
We're going to definitely havesome more people on talking
about consolidation.
If you're a consolidatorlistening to this, we really
want to get you on here and haveyou come, talk about what
you're doing and introduceyourself.
There's a couple of y'all thatI kind of know that I'm going to
start trying to pester, I guess, a little bit to get you to
come on and talk to us.
(23:44):
So we hope to have moreinformation on this
consolidation corner in thefuture.
Speaker 3 (23:50):
So the one thing that I've observed about these
consolidators is that when theycome in and they buy something,
it seems like they're trying toimprove.
They're a bottom line,obviously, because everybody
wants to make a profit, but whenthey buy these businesses,
they're also trying to improvethe business.
So it's not like they're comingin and gutting out and just
(24:11):
making pure profit.
They're also improving thecircumstances of the employees.
That's what it seems like to me.
What do you think, wes?
Speaker 2 (24:19):
That's definitely one of the reasons I'm supportive
of most of them that I've seen.
They're looking at making itmore of a formalized career,
formalized business, and, aseverybody knows, I come from an
operator background that wasable to work their way up,
background that was able to worktheir way up.
But I think that's in the bestinterest of the industry, is to
(24:40):
create a more career-orientedpath, and that's one of the
things I like about JNI thatthey've done many things
internally in their organizationto do that.
Speaker 3 (24:51):
And you have to admit Wes the biggest competition of
jobs in the towing industry isthe trucking industry.
Speaker 2 (24:58):
That's right.
Speaker 3 (24:59):
And making a consolidated effort, like
they're trying to do, is givingbetter benefits and better pay
and better quality of life.
Speaker 2 (25:06):
Yeah, better hours, Absolutely, Absolutely.
So we wish Jay and I all thebest luck with their purchase of
Bald Eagle down in Naples.
Nice part of Florida it reallyis.
I think they'll do well downthere.
Also, while we're talking aboutFlorida, I don't want folks to
forget if you're coming to theFlorida show, come in on that
(25:28):
Thursday, or actually they haveto travel on the Wednesday.
What's the date of thatThursday?
Speaker 3 (25:32):
It's the 10th April, the 10th.
Speaker 2 (25:41):
April, the 10th, we'll be doing a free one-day
heavy-duty towing and recoveryseminar at Florida.
Most of it will be inside, be alittle bit of hands-on outside.
When I say hands-on it reallywon't even be hands-on, we'll be
a little bit of outsideactivity.
They're going to try to getsome alternative and or electric
heavy trucks for for us, busesetc for us to hook on to.
So we're going to try to focuson that type of stuff.
But it's a free one day oftraining.
(26:02):
There'll be a breakfast, alight continental breakfast
sponsored by purpose, and theclass itself is sponsored by us,
the american toe and recoveryInstitute, in partnership with
Professional Record Operators ofFlorida, who are the
organization that's hosting theshow.
It's the world's largest toeshow.
(26:22):
It used to be.
That's where all the newproducts were kind of exposed
for the year.
I don't know if they stick withthat as much or not, but
definitely if there's somethingnew that's come out over the
winter you'll see it there.
It's the best place because it'sthe first real event of the
year, the first big event of theyear that's right and and also
(26:43):
another reason it's, uh, verypopular is what's wrong with
being in april in april, right?
Speaker 3 (26:48):
in florida in april nothing except for spring breaks
that's a little bit of atraffic, but besides that it's a
good place to be.
Speaker 2 (26:54):
Yeah, that is a challenge.
That is a little bit of achallenge, but it is nice to be
there in that time of year.
We're looking forward to it.
We're thankful to theprofessional wrecker operators
of Florida, pwof, for thisopportunity to be there and work
with them and their commitmentto their members and attendees
(27:14):
to bring quality education forfree.
That's one of the things abouttheir show the events they'll
feed you, the evening eventwhere there's like a street
party, there's food and drinkand beverage and everything's
free.
Now, going to the gift shop orthe coffee shop in the hotel,
(27:37):
that's a little bit differentsituation.
You're talking about a HiltonHotel in a very pricey
neighborhood.
Is it on the grounds at Disneyor it's next?
Speaker 3 (27:46):
to the grounds.
It's next to Disney Springs.
Speaker 2 (27:48):
You could walk to.
Speaker 3 (27:49):
Disney Springs from that hotel.
Speaker 2 (27:51):
But you also catch a shuttle If you're going to
Disney and stuff, boy, I soundold, the Disney, yeah, if you're
going to Disney, there's a busthough that you can go right
there, yep.
And the host hotel we reallyrecommend because it's a
challenge to get on and off thatproperty during showtime.
Speaker 3 (28:11):
So the host hotel is the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista
Palace.
The number to call to make areservation is 855-757-4984.
And the code is R-E-K.
Speaker 2 (28:26):
Yeah, you can go to the as a matter of fact if you
want to take the class, and alsolinks to the hotel is going to
their website.
Pwoforg is the one that Iremember.
I think Florida Show also.
Speaker 3 (28:41):
So there's another one called FloridaToeShowcom.
Speaker 2 (28:44):
Yeah, FloridaToeShowcom.
Speaker 3 (28:46):
It can get more simple than that.
Speaker 2 (28:47):
Yeah, and PWOForg is another one that has a link to
take you to it.
Register for the show.
You don't want to be standingthere in the line getting get
that ID badge.
They do control entrance to theshow.
They're real nice and politeabout it, but you do have to
have a badge.
It's so simple to go in there,fill it out ahead of time.
(29:08):
The line to get those badgesseems to move a whole lot
quicker than the line to getbadges made.
Speaker 3 (29:17):
I've stood in that line to get the badges made.
It's a long line to be intobecause it's a very popular
event.
And then the process of gettingthe.
You know it's simple, here'syour information, but it still
takes some time.
Speaker 2 (29:30):
But if you want to attend that free day of training
, spend all day with us.
It'll be me and JT down there.
Depending on class size, wemight bring someone else.
Attend that free day oftraining.
Spend all day with us.
It'll be me and JT down there.
Depending on class size, wemight bring someone else.
But we'll be down there readyon Thursday.
You said April 11th.
Speaker 3 (29:43):
April the 10th.
The 11th is the Tunnels toTowers.
Speaker 2 (29:46):
That's right, so we're looking forward to that as
well.
We've got some greatinformation for you after the
break.
Just hang around, we'll beright back.
Speaker 7 (29:59):
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Speaker 1 (31:12):
Welcome back listeners.
You know you're listening tothe number one podcast, Towing
News Channel, and our biggestepisode, Towing News Now, and I
want to thank all of you.
Please remember to like, reviewand share everywhere, Just like
Wes said.
We can't thank you enough forgrowing this podcast so much.
(31:35):
If there's an expert or youbelong to an association that
wants your information on thispodcast, dial the studio's
number.
The studio number is706-409-5603.
706-409-5603.
706-409-5603.
(31:56):
Without further ado, back tothe number one program, Towing
News Channel, and Wes Wilburnand April Wilburn.
I'm passing it back over to you, my friend.
Speaker 2 (32:08):
Thanks, DJ.
Speaker 6 (32:10):
This is Wesley Wilburn at Towing News.
Now here's an update onKentucky's Troy's Law House Bill
115, which allows tow trucks touse blue lights.
This bill has been assigned tothe House Transportation
Committee as of now.
Speaker 9 (32:25):
And as that snow blanketed the region today, tow
truck operators no doubt rescueddozens of stranded motorists.
At the same time, our, gilMcClanahan says, kentucky
lawmakers are in Frankfurt.
They're considering a bill togive tow truck operators another
layer of protection while doingthis important job.
Speaker 10 (32:43):
Winter is a busy time for the towing industry.
With the increase in callscomes an increased chance of
being injured while on the job.
Imagine if you will trying toload a broken down vehicle only
a few feet from the interstatewhen a tractor trailer speeds by
a little too close for comfort.
Speaker 8 (33:03):
You're sitting at your desk at your office and a
car goes 75 to 80 miles an hourpast the front of your desk,
where you put your pens or yourpaper.
That's where we're working.
Speaker 10 (33:12):
Hospital 115 would allow tow trucks in Kentucky to
have blue lights similar tothese to alert motorists to slow
down.
This is merely a safety issue.
Speaker 11 (33:23):
Yes, sir, it sure is .
They feel like the blue lightswill give attention to the
drivers or they'll respect theblue lights.
Speaker 10 (33:33):
Representative Richard White of Moorhead is the
sponsor of the bill.
Speaker 11 (33:37):
They're not allowed to use the blue lights when
they're moving, only whenthey're stationary.
Speaker 8 (33:43):
I do feel that it would make us feel a little more
comfortable.
Speaker 10 (33:46):
The bill is called Troy's Law, named for Troy
Caldwell, a tow truck operatorwho died last September trying
to load a vehicle on I-64.
Speaker 8 (33:56):
Whenever Troy was hit in Bath County and killed, it
was a real eye-opener that thisdoesn't just happen in the big
city.
This is right down the street.
This is 50 miles from ouroffice.
Speaker 10 (34:12):
The bill has been assigned to the House
Transportation Committee inCarter County, Kentucky.
Gil McClanahan, Eyewitness News.
Speaker 6 (34:19):
With this winter weather causing high demand for
tow truck, we see the need forthis bill to be passed.
Speaker 2 (34:27):
We've got this story coming to us out of Alabama
about towing.
There's a state representativedown there that's proposed
legislation that's going torequire tow truck drivers to
ready dump, drum roll reportvehicles immediately after
towing them.
Currently, a person that is inpossession of an unclaimed
(34:51):
vehicle is required to reportthe vehicle to the Department of
Revenue's unclaimed vehicleportal within five calendar days
after the vehicle wasconsidered unclaimed.
According to the law's text soin other words, a vehicle that's
removed from private propertysituation the only reporting
requirement is five days.
(35:12):
I was a little surprised atthat.
Back in the day, when I workedin Virginia in the 80s, the
requirement was immediately.
I think they even clarify thatmore with a time restriction.
Nowadays I'm not there anymore,but I think the time
restriction is actually within30 minutes, but it used to be
(35:35):
immediately or something to thateffect.
Speaker 3 (35:37):
To me it's crazy that it would take you five days.
In today's modern technologyera that we live in, where
everything is instantaneous,it's amazing to me that you
would need five days.
And why wouldn't it be?
Within the hour Somebody'slooking for their car, even if
they didn't think it was stolen.
I know it was towed because Iparked it where I shouldn't park
it at.
You've got to call all thesetow companies to figure out
(35:59):
where your car is at.
Speaker 2 (36:04):
Of course, if you're doing this type of work and
you're doing it in a respectablemanner, there should be good
signage at the parking lot thatshould indicate how to get your
car.
But a lot of times people leavethat parking lot without their
car.
Don't see that sign, don't payattention to it.
I'm not making excuses, I'mjust reporting reality that it
(36:26):
does seem a little challengingthat in this day and age there
isn't a way to find that carquicker and whatnot.
Speaker 3 (36:37):
Well, everybody should do something.
They should know the sign, butthe company who towed the car
should report it much sooner.
Speaker 2 (36:46):
Yeah, one of the things that would concern me,
just from being a John Q Citizenstandpoint of it all how much
time is wasted by the policechasing stolen vehicle reports
that aren't actually stolen?
Uh, our officers in blue haveenough things to do, so there's
a requirement now that, uh, theuh, that reporting be done, and
(37:10):
I hope that happens.
I think that only makes commonsense.
The rest of the story gets intohow the company that's doing
most of the towing I guess whatit owns- so there's a parking
lot owned by, so in addition toPES, which is Parking
Enforcement System.
Speaker 3 (37:32):
So in addition to that, the suit names downtown
lot owner Robert Crook and hisbusiness group, CRC, contending
they violate the law due tohaving a monetary interest in
PES by owning the tow lotcompany.
Speaker 2 (37:48):
They're a lot, though they don't own the company,
right.
Yeah, so they're the landlordis how I read it.
Yeah, is that what it is there,aprilil, I'm trying to look for
it yeah, it says in addition tops.
Speaker 3 (37:59):
The suit names downtown lot owner robert crook
and his business group, zero c,contending they violate the law
due to having a monetaryinterest in ps by owning the tow
lot the company operates on.
Speaker 2 (38:14):
So they own real estate and what it appears is
they're renting that real estateto the tow company and the tow
company's storing cars thatthey're removing from their
property.
So that's a very gray area.
One of the issues will be thatthere's probably very few
choices who actually ownsproperty that you can do
something like.
That will be that there'sprobably very few choices who
actually owns property that youcan do something like that.
Speaker 3 (38:35):
All doubt would be removed if they mandated quicker
reporting times for when thecars picked up.
Speaker 2 (38:44):
Well, I think it's two separate issues actually.
Speaker 3 (38:46):
It is two separate, but we probably wouldn't know
about the second issue if therewasn't a first issue.
Speaker 2 (38:53):
Well, that's true, that is true.
Issue if there wasn't a firstissue?
Well, that's true, that is true, and the first issue is very
easily solved and sounds like itwill be.
While we're talking aboutprivate property type towing,
there's also something going onin Virginia that could slightly
(39:14):
help the towing industry.
It looks like it's a longoverdue rate increase.
Speaker 3 (39:22):
It says, this legislation preserves all
consumer protections and alllocal regulatory authority.
The measure also extends aprovision allowing towing
operators to charge a fuelsurcharge fee in areas where
local governments have setregulations.
If localities have not reviewedtheir towing fee structure by
(39:46):
December 31st, the legislationencourages them to do so.
Speaker 2 (39:50):
Yeah, it basically takes the state-allowed rate for
that type of towing the baserate.
Anyway, there's a coupleadd-ons as well, but it goes
from $135, $135 up to $210.
So that's a positive thing.
That sounds like a very longoverdue rate increase.
Speaker 3 (40:10):
Very overdue.
Speaker 2 (40:12):
So we're happy to see that as well.
Remember, folks, when you'redealing with private property
towing and whatnot the towcompany that people want to
blame for the problem is not theproblem.
It's the real estate developerszoning, et cetera that allow
the properties to be used wherethere's an overflow of parking
(40:33):
not an overflow, not enoughparking that causes an overflow
onto other people's property.
Property ownership rights isone of the foundations this
country is built on, and peoplethat own property have a right
to have it patrolled and towed.
Just if you're doing that, doit professionally.
(40:54):
And here's another story out ofVirginia about private property
telling this story comes out ofthe southeastern part of the
state instead of the northernpart of Virginia.
Speaker 13 (41:08):
I'm at the Walmart in Portsmouth off of Frederick
Boulevard.
You might remember I was heretwo months ago when folks were
complaining about towingpractices in the parking lot.
One of many frustrated disableddrivers, joanne Ramseyer, spoke
to me on the phone lastDecember.
Drivers.
Joanne Ramseyer spoke to me onthe phone last December.
She said Always Swift TowingCompany, which was contracted
(41:28):
with Walmart to work the lot,towed our car and wanted $300
cash.
Speaker 5 (41:32):
He said you didn't have a placard.
I said, no, I don't have aplacard, but I have handicapped
license plates.
And he said, oh, you wereparked in the fire zone.
I said no, I wasn't, I wasparked in the handicapped space.
I haven't heard anybody elsebeing towed except for senior
citizens.
Speaker 13 (41:49):
That's when I went by Always Swift Towing and
talked to a spokesperson whosaid they towed folks who parked
illegally.
She was over the line.
Speaker 2 (41:59):
She was crooked on our sideways, our foot.
Speaker 13 (42:02):
A Walmart spokesperson confirmed at the
time the store was working toend the towing contract.
Now I'm back at Always SwiftTowing's door to check in.
We're with Channel 3.
I think we talked to you guys afew months ago about towing out
of Walmart and we were justtrying to follow up and see if
you guys are still towing there.
No, you're not.
(42:22):
No, the contract appears to beup.
I'm waiting on a response fromWalmart to see if they're using
another towing company instead.
And now I'm hearing that someof those people who raised
concerns got their money back.
Walmart, according to Joanne'sdaughter, reimbursed some towing
fees, including theirs.
The outcome has been a relieffor some Walmart employees too,
(42:44):
who mentioned they've seen fewerpeople upset with them.
In the time I've been here Ihave not seen anyone getting
towed, but we have seen securitygoing up and down the aisles In
Fort Smith.
Erica Craven, wtkr, news 3.
Speaker 12 (43:00):
Good morning.
Welcome to Calgary, Close Upwhere every Saturday we take a
deeper dive into an issue makingnews in our city this past week
or in the week ahead.
And today we're focused on adecision that could impact what
happens at vehicle crash sitesin the future.
Here in Calgary On Thursday, acity committee approved changes
aimed at stopping predatory towtruck behavior.
(43:21):
The measure will now go beforecity council as a whole for
approval.
Behavior the measure will nowgo before city council as a
whole for approval.
If passed, tow truck operatorswill not be allowed within 200
meters of a crash scene untilthey are requested or invited.
Violators could face a fine of$10,000.
And the city says it's heard oftowing fees from predatory
operators that are 11 timeshigher than the industry average
(43:45):
.
Speaker 4 (43:46):
When you've been in an accident.
Your car's been either hit oryou're on the side of the road.
You're in a very vulnerableposition.
It's time to kind of turnaround and say I want somebody
to come help me.
Speaker 12 (43:56):
I don't want somebody to come rip me off
Makes sense to me.
Gary Leach is the president ofthe Towing and Recovery
Association of Alberta.
Jeff Kasbrick is the VP ofAdvocacy and Operations with the
Alberta Motor Association.
Thank you both for joining ustoday to talk more about these
proposed rule changes.
Speaker 4 (44:14):
Good morning.
Speaker 12 (44:16):
Good morning.
Thanks for having us, Gary.
I want to start with you,because a lot of us simply just
have not been in collisionslately or for some time.
What exactly is happening outthere right now that's prompted
all of this?
Speaker 14 (44:30):
What appears to be happening, Joel, is these
unscrupulous operators andcompanies are migrating to the
Alberta region from Ontario.
So this has been a longstandingproblem in Ontario that the
Ontario government cracked downon and basically has forced
(44:50):
these people out of the provincefor lack of a better term, and
so they've selected Alberta fortheir new hunting grounds.
They want to be in a largemetropolitan area where there's
a vehicle density that obviouslywill give them more volume to
(45:12):
select from, and Manitoba,Saskatchewan and BC are not
appropriate because they havegovernment insurance that
regulates very clearly that onlycontracted companies can remove
those vehicles.
So really, Alberta was the onlyplace they could go.
That's left with privateinsurance.
Going east, there's no reallarge metropolitan areas that
(45:34):
they could prey upon.
Speaker 12 (45:35):
So essentially are they just roaming around out
there, gary, and then showing upat these crash sites and saying
hey, okay, I'll take your car.
Speaker 14 (45:43):
I'll take your car right now, absolutely.
I'm not sure in calgary ifthey're doing it, but for
example, in edmonton theyactually are monitoring the
radio frequencies of theedmonton fire department.
They're actually staging theirtrucks outside or very near a
fire hall and they literallyfollow the fire apparatus to a
(46:05):
scene.
Wow, I personally with Ipersonally witnessed last summer
in edmonton um a crash thatoccurred and a fire truck rolled
up to the scene followed by atow truck that literally was
almost touching the back bumperof the fire truck that's, that's
.
Yeah, they're absolutelyobstructing first responders in
(46:28):
dealing with, you know theemergency situation and possible
casualties.
Speaker 12 (46:32):
Jeff, I want to ask you, because AMA launched Know
Before the Tow, a province-wideawareness campaign back in
December, was it hearing thesereports that prompted that?
Speaker 4 (46:43):
Yeah, absolutely, as Gary is referring to, you know,
we've really seen an increase inpredatory towing practices in
the province.
Really that came to a head in2024.
And to the point where we'reactually beginning to hear from
our members and from Albertansthat this is happening on a near
daily basis, that someone inthe province, particularly
(47:06):
within Edmonton or Calgary, areexperiencing some of these
practices.
And maybe, just to put a bit ofa point on what the actual
experience and the practices are, we are talking about
circumstances where thesepredatory towing operators,
which are really just individualoperators they are not
(47:27):
reputable companies by any meansapply the greatest amount of
pressure tactics, try and createthe greatest amount of urgency
that an Albertan who is brokendown on the side of the road or,
more likely, involved in acollision, must immediately
utilize their services.
And that's just simply not thecase.
And so we wanted to launch aneducation campaign to make
(47:48):
Albertans aware of their rightswhen it is that they find
themselves broken down on theside of the road or,
unfortunately, maybe in acollision, and to know those
rights before that actuallyoccurs, because that's a high
stress situation enough that wereally want to equip and empower
them with that informationbeforehand.
Speaker 12 (48:08):
Just got time for one, maybe one, jeff, one thing
that you found that maybeAlbertans didn't know, that they
need to know when it comes tothis.
Speaker 4 (48:16):
Well, I think, first and foremost, the core message
is you do not have to take thepressure tactics of a predatory
towing operator.
You are able to choose who itis that you want to tow your
vehicle, unless otherwisedirected by the police.
But of course, then you havethat trust in that situation and
so if you ever find that youhave those pressure tactics or
(48:38):
these unethical behaviors beinghoisted upon you, you can
actually push back as anAlbertan, and you're well within
your rights to do so.
Speaker 12 (48:46):
Okay, gary Leach from the Towing and Recovery
Association of Alberta and JeffKasbrick from the AMA Standby
when we come back in a littlebit.
I want to ask you about thisspecific bylaw and if you think
the changes are strong enough.
Hey, good morning.
Welcome to Calgary Close-Up,where every Saturday we take a
(49:10):
deeper dive into an issue thateither made news this past week
or will in the week ahead, andtoday we're focused on a
decision that could impact whathappens at vehicle crash sites
here in Calgary in the future.
On Thursday, a city committeeapproved changes aimed at
stopping predatory tow truckbehavior.
The measure will now go beforecity council, who will vote on
(49:30):
it as a whole for approval.
If passed, tow truck operatorswill not be allowed within 200
meters of a crash scene untilthey are requested or invited,
and violators could face a fineof $10,000.
It's all because city officialssay it's heard of towing fees
from predatory operators thatare 11 times higher than the
industry average.
Speaker 15 (49:51):
A lot of these tow truck drivers are showing up
where they haven't been asked tocome there, to try to get some
business for themselves, andsometimes they're pretty
aggressive get some business forthemselves and sometimes
they're pretty aggressive.
Speaker 12 (50:11):
Gary Leach, president of the Towing and
Recovery Association of Alberta,as well as Jeff Kasperick, the
VP of Advocacy and Operationswith the Alberta Motor
Association, are with us todayto talk more about this.
And I want to ask you, gary,about these proposed rule
changes that are going to citycouncil, so we have the
200-meter buffer zone, unlessthey've been invited in by a
police officer, firefighter orthe vehicle owner.
$10,000 fine for an offense.
(50:33):
Does this go far enough to stopthis sort of behavior on
Calgary streets?
Speaker 14 (50:41):
Well, joel, it may be too early to really determine
that, but what our associationrecommended at the Community
Development Committee meetingyesterday was that in addition
to the $10,000 fine, thatpossibly they could consider the
seizure of the vehicle involvedthe tow truck which in essence
would prevent a continuation ofthe offense.
(51:02):
A continuation of the offense,they indicated that that could
be step two.
If they had a repeat offender,perhaps maybe the second time
around the fine would stillapply, but then they would seize
the vehicle as well.
But in addition, the lawdepartment spoke that there is a
provision in the Calgary bylawsthat the fine actually could be
(51:27):
as much as $100,000.
I don't know that it would evergo to that extent, but that
certainly is a possibility.
Speaker 12 (51:36):
I'm curious because it sounds like you have been
working with either citycouncillors or city
administration on this.
How receptive have you foundthe city of calgary to be uh
gary when it comes to makingthese changes?
Speaker 14 (51:51):
extremely well regarded they.
They actually have been very,uh, very proactive in their
approach, um, although they'rereacting to what's going on, but
I applaud them for what they'vedone.
They're not going to let thispersist and carry on in their
city, and I think there'll be astrong enforcement from the
(52:15):
Calgary Police Service.
Speaker 12 (52:18):
Jeff, I know we spoke earlier about the AMA's
campaign to essentially knowbefore the toe and we talked
about maybe the main thing thatpeople need to know if they find
themselves in this situation.
Where do you see this campaigngoing in the weeks and months
ahead and do you think it'sgetting through to people?
Speaker 4 (52:37):
Well, we've actually seen extremely strong engagement
when we launched the campaignwe actually launched it just
before Christmas last year andsince that point in time,
there's been a lot of engagementfrom our membership and from
Albertans across the provincethat are seeing this message and
receiving it and perhaps even,in some circumstances, weren't
(52:59):
even aware that this was apractice, and so we're quite
pleased to see that kind ofresponse.
I think what's really criticaland where this whole
conversation goes, is educationis a really important component,
as well as legislation, and sowe actually applaud the city of
Calgary for taking the step thatthey are.
They're leaders right now inthe province in addressing
(53:22):
predatory towing.
In addressing predatory towing,our strong position and our
encouragement is that weactually see what's happening
within the city of Calgary scaleat a province-wide level, and
that there be that really strongdisincentive that's really
targeted to these individualloan operators that you know,
(53:42):
regardless of where it is thatyou are in the province, you can
ensure, as an Albertan, thatyou're protected and also
empowered with the rightinformation.
Speaker 12 (53:49):
Yeah, I wanted to ask you, Jeff, because a lot of
the focus is on Edmonton andCalgary.
This is a province-widecampaign.
Are you seeing this in otherjurisdictions or is this more of
a deterrent so it doesn'tspread elsewhere in Alberta?
Speaker 4 (54:01):
We need to get out in front of this.
As Gary sort of referred topreviously, this is something
that we had really seen spreadin Ontario.
It is, by and large,concentrated in the metropolitan
areas where there's strongpopulation centres for these
operators to potentially findthat opportunity to prey upon
those that find themselves in anunfortunate spot.
(54:24):
To prey upon those that findthemselves in an unfortunate
spot, but regardless of where itis that you are in the province
, we want to be making sure thatwe are as uninviting as
possible to these reallyunethical operators that are
doing harm to the hard-earnedreputation that Alberta's really
highly ethical towing operatorshave gained, as well as the
(54:45):
trust that Albertans should havewhen it is that they need to
access towing services.
Speaker 12 (54:49):
All right, Gary, last word to you.
How confident are you that CityCouncil as a whole will pass
these measures when they bringit up?
Speaker 14 (54:57):
I predict it'll be passed unanimously.
Speaker 12 (55:01):
All right.
Well, we wait and see if thatis the case.
Thank you both for being here.
Gary Leach, president of theTowing and Recovery Association
of Alberta.
Speaker 6 (55:10):
You're all caught up on the news.
This is Towing News Now.
Speaker 3 (55:16):
All right, everybody.
Thanks for joining us on thisepisode.
Season four, episode sixpodcast.
We've got another one underwraps.
What do you think Wes?
How do you think today went?
Speaker 2 (55:26):
Oh, it went great.
I appreciate everybody's effortto put it together and, dj, I
always appreciate you as well.
Speaker 1 (55:34):
Well, I appreciate you being in the industry 32
years as a painter and doingyour 951st class.
I think that's fantastic and Iagree with you Phillips is a
great company.
Speaker 2 (55:49):
They really did us right, so we were thankful to
them as well.
Until next time, listeners,thanks for listening.
Please be safe out there.
You.
you're on the train to success with april and wes
wilburn.
I'm dj harrington, the co-host,better known as the toe doctor.
We're all on our way to thetown of proper towing and
recovery, along with ourproducer, chuck camp, in the
studio.
Don't go to the town of woulda,coulda, shoulda.
(00:25):
You coulda had done this.
You should have done that.
Listen every week tothought-provoking wisdom from
great guests.
So if you have Spotify, itunes,pandora, stitcher, iheartmedia
or the number one podcast, ormaybe Amazon or wherever you get
(00:50):
your podcasts, turn in onWednesday and be turned on all
week long.
If you are a state associationand want your announcements or
upcoming state association newsannouncements or upcoming state
association news or maybe aco-show that's coming up, let us
(01:10):
know.
Our podcast studio phone numberis 706-409-5603.
I'm proud to be part of a greatteam at the american dorm
recovery institute.
Let's make 2025 our best yearever.
I will turn it to April andless.
Speaker 2 (01:26):
Well, thank you, dj.
I certainly appreciate, asalways, the kind words.
Happy to be here this week.
How you doing?
How's the weather down there?
Speaker 1 (01:37):
It is rainy ugly, overcast, the weather bad here
and in the studio where Chuck is.
It's really bad.
Speaker 2 (01:50):
What's going on there ?
I thought y'all livedrelatively close.
How's the weather so different?
Speaker 1 (01:55):
It's raining heavy.
Speaker 3 (01:59):
Yeah, and it's cold here, too Cold.
It's not raining right now, butwe've had cold, nasty weather
too.
Speaker 2 (02:05):
Yeah, we had about a day and a half of 37 in rain,
and there's nothing moremiserable than that, that cold
rain, that's what's happened?
Speaker 1 (02:14):
We're wearing our overcoats and we're happy to be
doing the podcast with you,buddy.
Speaker 2 (02:20):
Well, we're happy too , I tell you.
We lucked into a real goodweather day on Saturday.
It wasn't super warm, but itwasn't rainy or anything.
It was like 60-some degrees.
We started the first class ofthe training season.
This starts my 32nd year as atrainer.
This was my 951st class and youknow how sometimes you surprise
yourself, dj.
(02:41):
I surprised myself with acouple things this weekend.
Now, phillips Towing hosted theclass, which he's always been a
great host and personally thecompany and him personally have
been very good to me, helpingkeep me going in this quest to
provide training for the towingindustry.
So he's always been first classwhen he's done things with me.
(03:02):
And when we've hosted classesin the past we've done them at a
couple different firedepartments in the county and
that was years ago and thoserelationships were good.
One of the fire departments wedid it in the county, believe it
or not, got wiped out duringthe flooding of the hurricane a
couple years ago.
So choices were a little bitless.
(03:24):
So he agreed to do this classthat we had coming up and we're
going to do it in his facility,which he has a beautiful
facility.
And then, as the class got alittle bigger and a little
bigger.
He decided that we needed aprofessional meeting room, so he
made arrangements with theFayetteville City Police
Department, who's just a fewblocks away from them probably
(03:45):
10 or 12 blocks, just a littlebit further than someone like me
would want to walk, but they'rerelatively close and we used
this meeting room DJ in thepolice department.
That's one of the nicest,well-thought-out meeting rooms
that I've been in.
It wasn't the fanciest I'vekind of been in fancier ones but
this was the most practical.
They had 10 TVs at least 10 TVsall over.
(04:11):
They had a big screen up frontwith a small stage and a little
podium to work off of, and thenthey had TVs everywhere.
So no matter where you sat inthe room, you weren't more than
six or eight feet from the TV soyou could see the videos, hear
the sound.
It was just excellent.
I can't tell you how good itwas.
Speaker 3 (04:28):
Yeah, it was really state-of-the-art facility that
we were in.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
And we had 50 people.
So we rearranged the tables andmade a big U with a couple of
rows inside of the U, and itreally worked out well.
We had a rock and roll class 48, how many?
Speaker 3 (04:48):
48 attendees yep 48 attendees.
Speaker 2 (04:51):
So that was the first class of the year that,
emotionally, I tell you, givesyou a big charge.
We rearranged the class.
You know I've talked about thisbefore.
I struggle at the beginning ofeach year trying to make sure
I'm staying relevant.
Am I still relevant?
Is the question I asked myself.
So we rearranged it.
We made electric vehicle likeexcuse me, we made electric and
(05:13):
alternative vehicle fuelvehicles, of focus more, which
we've been teaching about themin every class for a couple
years.
But we made it more of a focusum kind of geared a lot of the
overheads and stuff to theYouTube generation and the short
attention span and the click,click, click on TikTok.
So we were able to cover a lotmore slides by doing it in that
(05:37):
format and that's what peopleseem to want.
Everybody's attention spanseems to be shortening up and
shortening up.
So with the new format,everybody was really happy with
it.
Attention span seems to beshortening up and shortening up.
So with the new format,everybody was really happy with
it.
We got good reviews, had a greatwell, first of all, the
hospitality Phillips provided,besides getting us a
(06:00):
state-of-the-art classroom.
And let me back up we need togive some shout-out to the
Fayetteville City PoliceDepartment.
It's like any other city policedepartment Resources are
limited and even though it's acity department, it's big.
For this part of the world it'snot a huge organization.
So some people came in onSaturday to make it happen.
(06:20):
They also had the Martin LutherKing parade that had been
postponed.
That's what it was right.
Speaker 3 (06:26):
MLK parade.
Yeah, they postponed that dueto weather.
Speaker 2 (06:31):
Due to weather a couple weeks ago, so that was
running on the Saturday morningat the same time, which that
creates a big, huge footprint ofus.
You know that the FayettevilleCity Police have to look after
and help handle, so they gearedthemselves up to that, geared
themselves up to make sure theyhad staffing to accommodate us,
(06:51):
and they just couldn't havetreated us any better, could
they have?
Speaker 3 (06:54):
No, they couldn't have treated us any better.
And not only was that paradegoing on at the same time and
they would have had tofacilitate that but the
proximity it was right there.
That thing was right there atthe same time and they still
navigated and got through it andmade that spot for us made
(07:14):
arrangements where there's aparking lot.
Speaker 2 (07:15):
The people came in, tow trucks could park just to,
you know.
Basically across the streetit's just a short walk.
Everybody else in automobilesthe parking lot was right there
made Made sure they had a dooropen on the building where we
could get in and out, went outof their way to help us and it
was a great.
That part was great.
A couple of the officers sat inon most of the training.
(07:36):
Phillip, you know, if you'veever been around him at an event
, if you go away hungry, it'syour fault because they
definitely fed everybody well,they around him at an event.
If you go away hungry, it'syour fault, because they
definitely fed everybody well.
They had uh stuff in themorning drinks and some you know
knickknacks in the morning andthen a great lunch.
Had a cook over there cookingthe lunch, chicken and had rice
and salad nice, healthy option.
(07:58):
I really like seeing that.
Winnie there at phillipsknocked it out of the park on
that stuff.
Which winnie we got.
To give her credit.
She took care of every singledetail from every angle.
Speaker 3 (08:07):
She sure did.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
She was wonderful to work with.
Speaker 3 (08:10):
Not only did they have the healthy option of the
salad, but that pound cake theyhad oh my goodness.
Speaker 2 (08:15):
Well, that pound cake wasn't healthy.
Is that what you're?
Speaker 3 (08:17):
trying to tell me Well, the pound is butter.
That's the butter.
They just had everything.
Speaker 2 (08:25):
They.
That's the butter.
They just had everything.
They really did a great job.
Then for the hands on, we had apiece of street which doesn't
sound like much, but I wasn'tpointing on the ground, saying
guys, pretend the concretebarriers there and pretend the
highway lanes here.
We were working on and in thestreet with painted lanes, curb
and gutter.
So when we talked about takingup one lane of traffic, we could
visualize taking up one lane oftraffic.
We could visualize taking upone lane of traffic.
(08:47):
So that was awesome as well.
Speaker 3 (08:50):
That was almost a made-to-order kind of a training
day, wasn't it, Wes?
Speaker 2 (08:55):
It was, it really was and, like I say, phillip's
always been top-notch, but hewent out of his way.
Let me say went out of his wayto make this just first class.
Speaker 3 (09:02):
And then you also had Nick from New Jersey down to
help.
Speaker 2 (09:04):
We did, we did.
Nick came down and added a bigpart to it.
And you know one thing, that'sa little, and I don't want to
shortcut Nick because hedefinitely came down and added a
lot.
He always does.
He's stepping into the rolemore and more to help get these
classes done.
He does it from a place wherehe's not big-headed, he he does
it from a place where he's notbig-headed.
He's just there helping get theprogram done.
(09:25):
And without people like thatyou can't get these classes done
, because you get a bunch ofguys there.
If somebody isn't helping mekeep order, then we're burning
time not getting things done.
And we got every exercise wewanted to get done, plus one.
So I can't thank Nick enough.
He really appreciatedeverything he did, had Phillip
there with equipment, hadquality towing.
Speaker 4 (09:47):
Sumner.
Speaker 2 (09:48):
Yeah, how wide center truck.
We used that as well.
The class themselves, a lot ofstudents I've seen before Johnny
and his brother and a whole lotof people I shouldn't start
naming names because then youforget something but a whole lot
of people.
The Rockwells were there.
They came with the right.
But a whole lot of people, theRockwells were there, they came
(10:08):
with the right attitude.
A lot of information was shared, a lot of networking happened.
We presented them with a newcondensed kind of streamlined
version of the electric vehicle.
Most of the class actually tookpart in the electric vehicle
certification program that we'redoing now through the NTAC
program.
So we're excited about that,that we got some people involved
(10:30):
in that.
Speaker 3 (10:31):
So NTAC, just to let people who may not be familiar
with that, that stands forNational Tow Operator
Certification and that's anonline Zoom-like type test.
Speaker 2 (10:43):
That we offer.
I don't do a good job oftalking about things like that.
Thank you, April.
Also, I don't do a good job ofbragging on ourselves, but I
probably ought to do that alittle bit more.
As of today, our number for ourpodcast download 17,000, even
Exactly 17,000, as of today.
(11:05):
That's exciting, isn't it?
Dj?
It's excellent.
Speaker 1 (11:10):
It's excellent Anytime you tell somebody you're
over 10,000, everybody atiHeartMedia and so forth takes
notice.
When you're up to 17,000,everybody's watching.
Speaker 2 (11:24):
Well, we certainly appreciate you folks that have
made it happen.
Like and share and subscribe.
We appreciate that.
We're on YouTube we don't haveany kind of following yet on
that, but we're working on that.
Also, facebook, instagram, likeus, friend us, all that stuff.
Here's something exciting too.
(11:45):
The research team, dj, has beenhard at work on the app, the
electric slash alternate fuelapp that we have, ev Clever.
Ev Clever, yes, can be found inyour Google Apple store.
Number of cars this is year makemodel cars 2,948, almost 3,000.
(12:06):
Just over 2,000 heavy-dutyvehicles, buses and trucks, et
cetera.
And then also we have over1,500 scooters all the factory
information on them.
So this team here I'm going tobrag on them.
They've been working hard andwe appreciate it making things
happen.
So that's what's going on here.
(12:27):
Now here's an update from astory we covered last week on
Towing News.
Now A Douglas County, kansas,jury on Friday found a towing
company and its employee morethan 50% responsible for a
woman's death in a 2020 incidentand awarded more than $4
million in damages, although anattorney familiar with the case
(12:49):
said the amount the plaintiffcould ultimately receive would
likely be much lower than that.
The trial lasted about a weekand attorneys for the employee
and the towing company presentedtheir arguments about who was
responsible in the deadlyincident in which the car owner
(13:09):
was crushed under a car whilepreparing to have it towed.
The jury on Friday, after aboutseven hours of deliberation,
sided with the family,determining that the tow company
and the operator bore 51% ofthe responsibility for the
accident between them, vanettaand Hillcrat, and it assigned
different percentages 18% to theoperator, 33% to the company
(13:37):
and then the person that died.
They bore 49% of theresponsibility 49% of the
responsibility.
Speaker 3 (13:50):
So her mother was quoted as saying that they got
justice for Lindsay after theverdict was read.
As the Journal World hadreported, Vanetta had testified
that Rain's car was disabled andsitting on wooden blocks in
Rain's driveway.
When Vanetta arrived, Vanettasaid when she was getting her
truck into position, Rainstarted rocking the car and it
broke free and rolled down thedriveway and over Rain.
(14:11):
Now Vanetta says that she hadtold Rain to please, you know,
to remove herself from thesituation, and she did not do it
.
And in this situation, what doyou do?
Speaker 2 (14:25):
Yeah, you're on somebody's property.
They go over and start messingwith their car, racking it back
and forth.
You can tell them to stop, allyou want.
She's putting the truck inposition, so she's not right
there, but they're on theirproperty messing with it.
I just don't understand how theresponsibility was assigned
(14:46):
here.
It does not seem accurate andfair to me at all, Although my
father taught me at a very youngage life's not fair and
sometimes that's a lesson you'vegot to learn.
But I just don't think this isfair at all.
Speaker 3 (15:00):
Life is not fair.
Yeah, I don't know how theycame up with that math.
Speaker 2 (15:04):
You know they've got some other funny math here too
that you only have to convince10 out of the 12 jurors in a
civil suit in that state.
Speaker 3 (15:11):
So Also anybody who's listening and would like to
contact us or call us.
I would like to know, in thesesituations, what do you guys do?
In these situations, when theperson is assisting someone
staying with the car, how do youhandle it?
(15:33):
It's probably a case-by-casebasis, I'm sure.
Speaker 2 (15:37):
The jury award was $4.5 million and they broke down
all the percentages of themoney.
It also talks about a state lawthat caps one of the payments.
Speaker 3 (15:49):
Yeah, the one payment is supposed to be $3.8 million
in non-economic losses.
I don't know what that exactlymeans, but the state law in
Kansas caps that actual amountof non-economic damages to be
$250,000.
So they have to hash that outin a separate hearing, I guess.
Speaker 2 (16:10):
That's all from the newsroom.
Speaker 6 (16:13):
From Towing News.
Now here's our 2025 trainingschedule.
On March 7th, we have atwo-hour EV session at Opelika
Alabama, and on the 8th and 9thwe have a two-day heavy-duty
rotator in Opelika Alabama.
Speaker 3 (16:31):
And then just one thing to add with that, that's a
CP wrecker and that's also withGriffin Griffin Towing.
They're in conjunction withthat.
Speaker 6 (16:39):
Next in March on the 21st at Liberty Towing, we'll
have a two-hour EV in Morganton,north Carolina, and on the 22nd
23rd that's Saturday and Sundayat Liberty Towing, we will have
a two-day heavy duty withrotator.
Speaker 3 (16:54):
Now we're going to April.
On April the 4th we have atwo-hour EV course at All-County
Towing in Long Island, new York, and then on Friday, saturday
the 5th, also at all-countytowing, we have a one-day
advanced level light duty, andthen on the 6th we have a
one-day advanced level heavyduty course.
Speaker 6 (17:17):
Now, on April 10th through the 12th, it's the
Florida Tow Show in Orlando atthe Host Hotel in Hilton Orlando
.
To make a reservation, call855-757-7984 and use code REK.
On April 10th at the FloridaToll Show we'll have a full-day
(17:41):
heavy-duty recovery course andon the 11th is the Orlando
Florida Tunnels Tower event withDJ Harrington.
On April the 22nd to the 24ththat's a Tuesday, wednesday and
Thursday we'll have an EV class.
Speaker 3 (17:58):
So those are actually three one-day classes Wesley,
and then the cities will bedetermined, and as soon as we
get that information we willupdate that schedule.
Then in May, on May 16th, wehave a one-day light-duty course
at Cardinal Towing in St Louis,missouri, and then we have a
(18:21):
two-day heavy-duty rotator atCardinal Towing in St Louis.
Speaker 6 (18:37):
And then on the 19th and 20th, which is a Monday, and
Tuesday, we have a two-dayadvanced-level heavy-duty course
in St Louis at Cardinal Towing.
And June, from the 6th to the8th, it's the Astra Toll Show in
Lake George, New York.
On the 6th we'll be hosting alive auction for the toll show.
On the 20th we'll have a lightduty course one day at Star
24--hour Towing in Medford,Oregon.
On the 21st and 22nd in Medford, Oregon, we'll have a two-day
(19:02):
heavy duty whiff rotator course.
Speaker 3 (19:05):
And then in October October 3rd through the 5th
Friday, saturday and Sunday is athree-day heavy duty extreme
advanced level class in theBuffalo, niagara Falls area.
Speaker 2 (19:16):
Hope to see you at one of those cities.
Hang around real quick, we'llbe right back after the break.
Speaker 3 (19:24):
For electric and other alternative fuel vehicles.
We have developed an app thatgives you all the manufacturers
411 for when that 911 happens.
Whether you are a fire tow orpolice, we got you covered.
To find the EV Clever app, goto your Apple or Google Play
store for a 30-day free trial.
Speaker 6 (19:43):
We also offer the National Tow Operator
Certification an independentlysourced virtual testing program
covering light duty, heavy duty,electric and alternative fuel.
Speaker 7 (19:51):
Vehicle Information in this podcast is made possible
by generous sponsorship fromHenry's Record light duty, heavy
duty, electric and alternativefuel vehicle Information in this
podcast is made possible bygenerous sponsorship from
Henry's Wrecker, serving thecommunity with quality towing
and recovery for over 40 years.
Henryswreckercom.
Speaker 1 (20:06):
Welcome back listeners.
You know you're listening tothe number one towing podcast,
Towing News Channel, and this isreal important podcast, towing
News Channel, and this is realimportant.
This is season four, episodesix, and you're not going to
believe how well we're doing.
Thanks to all of you 17,000listeners.
Now I want to remind all of you.
(20:28):
We're available on Spotify,itunes, andorra, skature the
number one iHeartMedia, amazonor wherever you get your
podcasts.
So we have a new one for thisepisode.
It's called ConsolidationCorner and I'll pass it on over
(20:48):
to our number one guy, wesWilburn.
Speaker 2 (20:53):
Thank you, dj.
This is a new segment.
I can't say it will be weeklybecause it's going to be based
on when we have news of what'sgoing on with consolidation and
within the towing industry.
You know, consolidation is notjust only happening in towing,
it's happening in a lot ofindustries.
We've had a couple differentepisodes.
We've had what Fred fromHenry's on released twice
(21:15):
talking about consolidation.
Haven't we April?
Yeah and we've also had Josefrom Big Valley yeah, big Valley
First Line Road Solutions, ofcourse.
Fred is with Henry's Roadrunnerin Windsor, which is now Valor
Fleet Services.
Fred's been a huge supporter,been on the podcast several
(21:37):
times, talked in depth aboutwhat they're doing, talked about
kind of their blueprint of howthey do things.
Then we had Jose from BigValley a couple weeks ago
talking about what First LineRoad Solutions is doing.
So I think JT when he was here,of course JT Reisner who helps
(21:58):
me with training.
I think he talked a little bitabout what they're doing, but
we're going to have somebody onfrom their organization.
So Jay and I they're a greatgroup of folks who we're working
with training in that part ofthe country.
Not only is JT helping butthey're hosting.
We're doing a big event withthem in St Louis in May.
They have acquired Bald EagleTowing down in Naples, florida,
(22:22):
first out-of-state venture likethat, that far away from their
core.
But they're seriousconsolidators looking to do
things.
So we give them congratulationson that.
Also, a new organization.
I don't know that I've paidmuch attention or heard of them
(22:42):
before.
I believe this is a towingcompany using their own capital,
where some of these otherorganizations are using others'
capital you know equity capital,that kind of thing to grow.
But Cantrell Towing, out ofIllinois, they bought Quad City
Towing, which this is like theirthird or fourth expansion,
where they're expanding theirfootprint to increase their
(23:02):
service area, make things alittle bit better for their,
their client base.
So they required Quad City'sTowing.
One of the things they talkabout in their acquisition plans
is they're keeping thecompanies, the name the same,
the locations the same, justspreading out on their footprint
.
So we wish them the best ofluck as well.
(23:24):
We're going to definitely havesome more people on talking
about consolidation.
If you're a consolidatorlistening to this, we really
want to get you on here and haveyou come, talk about what
you're doing and introduceyourself.
There's a couple of y'all thatI kind of know that I'm going to
start trying to pester, I guess, a little bit to get you to
come on and talk to us.
(23:44):
So we hope to have moreinformation on this
consolidation corner in thefuture.
Speaker 3 (23:50):
So the one thing that I've observed about these
consolidators is that when theycome in and they buy something,
it seems like they're trying toimprove.
They're a bottom line,obviously, because everybody
wants to make a profit, but whenthey buy these businesses,
they're also trying to improvethe business.
So it's not like they're comingin and gutting out and just
(24:11):
making pure profit.
They're also improving thecircumstances of the employees.
That's what it seems like to me.
What do you think, wes?
Speaker 2 (24:19):
That's definitely one of the reasons I'm supportive
of most of them that I've seen.
They're looking at making itmore of a formalized career,
formalized business, and, aseverybody knows, I come from an
operator background that wasable to work their way up,
background that was able to worktheir way up.
But I think that's in the bestinterest of the industry, is to
(24:40):
create a more career-orientedpath, and that's one of the
things I like about JNI thatthey've done many things
internally in their organizationto do that.
Speaker 3 (24:51):
And you have to admit Wes the biggest competition of
jobs in the towing industry isthe trucking industry.
Speaker 2 (24:58):
That's right.
Speaker 3 (24:59):
And making a consolidated effort, like
they're trying to do, is givingbetter benefits and better pay
and better quality of life.
Speaker 2 (25:06):
Yeah, better hours, Absolutely, Absolutely.
So we wish Jay and I all thebest luck with their purchase of
Bald Eagle down in Naples.
Nice part of Florida it reallyis.
I think they'll do well downthere.
Also, while we're talking aboutFlorida, I don't want folks to
forget if you're coming to theFlorida show, come in on that
(25:28):
Thursday, or actually they haveto travel on the Wednesday.
What's the date of thatThursday?
Speaker 3 (25:32):
It's the 10th April, the 10th.
Speaker 2 (25:41):
April, the 10th, we'll be doing a free one-day
heavy-duty towing and recoveryseminar at Florida.
Most of it will be inside, be alittle bit of hands-on outside.
When I say hands-on it reallywon't even be hands-on, we'll be
a little bit of outsideactivity.
They're going to try to getsome alternative and or electric
heavy trucks for for us, busesetc for us to hook on to.
So we're going to try to focuson that type of stuff.
But it's a free one day oftraining.
(26:02):
There'll be a breakfast, alight continental breakfast
sponsored by purpose, and theclass itself is sponsored by us,
the american toe and recoveryInstitute, in partnership with
Professional Record Operators ofFlorida, who are the
organization that's hosting theshow.
It's the world's largest toeshow.
(26:22):
It used to be.
That's where all the newproducts were kind of exposed
for the year.
I don't know if they stick withthat as much or not, but
definitely if there's somethingnew that's come out over the
winter you'll see it there.
It's the best place because it'sthe first real event of the
year, the first big event of theyear that's right and and also
(26:43):
another reason it's, uh, verypopular is what's wrong with
being in april in april, right?
Speaker 3 (26:48):
in florida in april nothing except for spring breaks
that's a little bit of atraffic, but besides that it's a
good place to be.
Speaker 2 (26:54):
Yeah, that is a challenge.
That is a little bit of achallenge, but it is nice to be
there in that time of year.
We're looking forward to it.
We're thankful to theprofessional wrecker operators
of Florida, pwof, for thisopportunity to be there and work
with them and their commitmentto their members and attendees
(27:14):
to bring quality education forfree.
That's one of the things abouttheir show the events they'll
feed you, the evening eventwhere there's like a street
party, there's food and drinkand beverage and everything's
free.
Now, going to the gift shop orthe coffee shop in the hotel,
(27:37):
that's a little bit differentsituation.
You're talking about a HiltonHotel in a very pricey
neighborhood.
Is it on the grounds at Disneyor it's next?
Speaker 3 (27:46):
to the grounds.
It's next to Disney Springs.
Speaker 2 (27:48):
You could walk to.
Speaker 3 (27:49):
Disney Springs from that hotel.
Speaker 2 (27:51):
But you also catch a shuttle If you're going to
Disney and stuff, boy, I soundold, the Disney, yeah, if you're
going to Disney, there's a busthough that you can go right
there, yep.
And the host hotel we reallyrecommend because it's a
challenge to get on and off thatproperty during showtime.
Speaker 3 (28:11):
So the host hotel is the Hilton Orlando Buena Vista
Palace.
The number to call to make areservation is 855-757-4984.
And the code is R-E-K.
Speaker 2 (28:26):
Yeah, you can go to the as a matter of fact if you
want to take the class, and alsolinks to the hotel is going to
their website.
Pwoforg is the one that Iremember.
I think Florida Show also.
Speaker 3 (28:41):
So there's another one called FloridaToeShowcom.
Speaker 2 (28:44):
Yeah, FloridaToeShowcom.
Speaker 3 (28:46):
It can get more simple than that.
Speaker 2 (28:47):
Yeah, and PWOForg is another one that has a link to
take you to it.
Register for the show.
You don't want to be standingthere in the line getting get
that ID badge.
They do control entrance to theshow.
They're real nice and politeabout it, but you do have to
have a badge.
It's so simple to go in there,fill it out ahead of time.
(29:08):
The line to get those badgesseems to move a whole lot
quicker than the line to getbadges made.
Speaker 3 (29:17):
I've stood in that line to get the badges made.
It's a long line to be intobecause it's a very popular
event.
And then the process of gettingthe.
You know it's simple, here'syour information, but it still
takes some time.
Speaker 2 (29:30):
But if you want to attend that free day of training
, spend all day with us.
It'll be me and JT down there.
Depending on class size, wemight bring someone else.
Attend that free day oftraining.
Spend all day with us.
It'll be me and JT down there.
Depending on class size, wemight bring someone else.
But we'll be down there readyon Thursday.
You said April 11th.
Speaker 3 (29:43):
April the 10th.
The 11th is the Tunnels toTowers.
Speaker 2 (29:46):
That's right, so we're looking forward to that as
well.
We've got some greatinformation for you after the
break.
Just hang around, we'll beright back.
Speaker 7 (29:59):
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Speaker 1 (31:12):
Welcome back listeners.
You know you're listening tothe number one podcast, Towing
News Channel, and our biggestepisode, Towing News Now, and I
want to thank all of you.
Please remember to like, reviewand share everywhere, Just like
Wes said.
We can't thank you enough forgrowing this podcast so much.
(31:35):
If there's an expert or youbelong to an association that
wants your information on thispodcast, dial the studio's
number.
The studio number is706-409-5603.
706-409-5603.
706-409-5603.
(31:56):
Without further ado, back tothe number one program, Towing
News Channel, and Wes Wilburnand April Wilburn.
I'm passing it back over to you, my friend.
Speaker 2 (32:08):
Thanks, DJ.
Speaker 6 (32:10):
This is Wesley Wilburn at Towing News.
Now here's an update onKentucky's Troy's Law House Bill
115, which allows tow trucks touse blue lights.
This bill has been assigned tothe House Transportation
Committee as of now.
Speaker 9 (32:25):
And as that snow blanketed the region today, tow
truck operators no doubt rescueddozens of stranded motorists.
At the same time, our, gilMcClanahan says, kentucky
lawmakers are in Frankfurt.
They're considering a bill togive tow truck operators another
layer of protection while doingthis important job.
Speaker 10 (32:43):
Winter is a busy time for the towing industry.
With the increase in callscomes an increased chance of
being injured while on the job.
Imagine if you will trying toload a broken down vehicle only
a few feet from the interstatewhen a tractor trailer speeds by
a little too close for comfort.
Speaker 8 (33:03):
You're sitting at your desk at your office and a
car goes 75 to 80 miles an hourpast the front of your desk,
where you put your pens or yourpaper.
That's where we're working.
Speaker 10 (33:12):
Hospital 115 would allow tow trucks in Kentucky to
have blue lights similar tothese to alert motorists to slow
down.
This is merely a safety issue.
Speaker 11 (33:23):
Yes, sir, it sure is .
They feel like the blue lightswill give attention to the
drivers or they'll respect theblue lights.
Speaker 10 (33:33):
Representative Richard White of Moorhead is the
sponsor of the bill.
Speaker 11 (33:37):
They're not allowed to use the blue lights when
they're moving, only whenthey're stationary.
Speaker 8 (33:43):
I do feel that it would make us feel a little more
comfortable.
Speaker 10 (33:46):
The bill is called Troy's Law, named for Troy
Caldwell, a tow truck operatorwho died last September trying
to load a vehicle on I-64.
Speaker 8 (33:56):
Whenever Troy was hit in Bath County and killed, it
was a real eye-opener that thisdoesn't just happen in the big
city.
This is right down the street.
This is 50 miles from ouroffice.
Speaker 10 (34:12):
The bill has been assigned to the House
Transportation Committee inCarter County, Kentucky.
Gil McClanahan, Eyewitness News.
Speaker 6 (34:19):
With this winter weather causing high demand for
tow truck, we see the need forthis bill to be passed.
Speaker 2 (34:27):
We've got this story coming to us out of Alabama
about towing.
There's a state representativedown there that's proposed
legislation that's going torequire tow truck drivers to
ready dump, drum roll reportvehicles immediately after
towing them.
Currently, a person that is inpossession of an unclaimed
(34:51):
vehicle is required to reportthe vehicle to the Department of
Revenue's unclaimed vehicleportal within five calendar days
after the vehicle wasconsidered unclaimed.
According to the law's text soin other words, a vehicle that's
removed from private propertysituation the only reporting
requirement is five days.
(35:12):
I was a little surprised atthat.
Back in the day, when I workedin Virginia in the 80s, the
requirement was immediately.
I think they even clarify thatmore with a time restriction.
Nowadays I'm not there anymore,but I think the time
restriction is actually within30 minutes, but it used to be
(35:35):
immediately or something to thateffect.
Speaker 3 (35:37):
To me it's crazy that it would take you five days.
In today's modern technologyera that we live in, where
everything is instantaneous,it's amazing to me that you
would need five days.
And why wouldn't it be?
Within the hour Somebody'slooking for their car, even if
they didn't think it was stolen.
I know it was towed because Iparked it where I shouldn't park
it at.
You've got to call all thesetow companies to figure out
(35:59):
where your car is at.
Speaker 2 (36:04):
Of course, if you're doing this type of work and
you're doing it in a respectablemanner, there should be good
signage at the parking lot thatshould indicate how to get your
car.
But a lot of times people leavethat parking lot without their
car.
Don't see that sign, don't payattention to it.
I'm not making excuses, I'mjust reporting reality that it
(36:26):
does seem a little challengingthat in this day and age there
isn't a way to find that carquicker and whatnot.
Speaker 3 (36:37):
Well, everybody should do something.
They should know the sign, butthe company who towed the car
should report it much sooner.
Speaker 2 (36:46):
Yeah, one of the things that would concern me,
just from being a John Q Citizenstandpoint of it all how much
time is wasted by the policechasing stolen vehicle reports
that aren't actually stolen?
Uh, our officers in blue haveenough things to do, so there's
a requirement now that, uh, theuh, that reporting be done, and
(37:10):
I hope that happens.
I think that only makes commonsense.
The rest of the story gets intohow the company that's doing
most of the towing I guess whatit owns- so there's a parking
lot owned by, so in addition toPES, which is Parking
Enforcement System.
Speaker 3 (37:32):
So in addition to that, the suit names downtown
lot owner Robert Crook and hisbusiness group, CRC, contending
they violate the law due tohaving a monetary interest in
PES by owning the tow lotcompany.
Speaker 2 (37:48):
They're a lot, though they don't own the company,
right.
Yeah, so they're the landlordis how I read it.
Yeah, is that what it is there,aprilil, I'm trying to look for
it yeah, it says in addition tops.
Speaker 3 (37:59):
The suit names downtown lot owner robert crook
and his business group, zero c,contending they violate the law
due to having a monetaryinterest in ps by owning the tow
lot the company operates on.
Speaker 2 (38:14):
So they own real estate and what it appears is
they're renting that real estateto the tow company and the tow
company's storing cars thatthey're removing from their
property.
So that's a very gray area.
One of the issues will be thatthere's probably very few
choices who actually ownsproperty that you can do
something like.
That will be that there'sprobably very few choices who
actually owns property that youcan do something like that.
Speaker 3 (38:35):
All doubt would be removed if they mandated quicker
reporting times for when thecars picked up.
Speaker 2 (38:44):
Well, I think it's two separate issues actually.
Speaker 3 (38:46):
It is two separate, but we probably wouldn't know
about the second issue if therewasn't a first issue.
Speaker 2 (38:53):
Well, that's true, that is true.
Issue if there wasn't a firstissue?
Well, that's true, that is true, and the first issue is very
easily solved and sounds like itwill be.
While we're talking aboutprivate property type towing,
there's also something going onin Virginia that could slightly
(39:14):
help the towing industry.
It looks like it's a longoverdue rate increase.
Speaker 3 (39:22):
It says, this legislation preserves all
consumer protections and alllocal regulatory authority.
The measure also extends aprovision allowing towing
operators to charge a fuelsurcharge fee in areas where
local governments have setregulations.
If localities have not reviewedtheir towing fee structure by
(39:46):
December 31st, the legislationencourages them to do so.
Speaker 2 (39:50):
Yeah, it basically takes the state-allowed rate for
that type of towing the baserate.
Anyway, there's a coupleadd-ons as well, but it goes
from $135, $135 up to $210.
So that's a positive thing.
That sounds like a very longoverdue rate increase.
Speaker 3 (40:10):
Very overdue.
Speaker 2 (40:12):
So we're happy to see that as well.
Remember, folks, when you'redealing with private property
towing and whatnot the towcompany that people want to
blame for the problem is not theproblem.
It's the real estate developerszoning, et cetera that allow
the properties to be used wherethere's an overflow of parking
(40:33):
not an overflow, not enoughparking that causes an overflow
onto other people's property.
Property ownership rights isone of the foundations this
country is built on, and peoplethat own property have a right
to have it patrolled and towed.
Just if you're doing that, doit professionally.
(40:54):
And here's another story out ofVirginia about private property
telling this story comes out ofthe southeastern part of the
state instead of the northernpart of Virginia.
Speaker 13 (41:08):
I'm at the Walmart in Portsmouth off of Frederick
Boulevard.
You might remember I was heretwo months ago when folks were
complaining about towingpractices in the parking lot.
One of many frustrated disableddrivers, joanne Ramseyer, spoke
to me on the phone lastDecember.
Drivers.
Joanne Ramseyer spoke to me onthe phone last December.
She said Always Swift TowingCompany, which was contracted
(41:28):
with Walmart to work the lot,towed our car and wanted $300
cash.
Speaker 5 (41:32):
He said you didn't have a placard.
I said, no, I don't have aplacard, but I have handicapped
license plates.
And he said, oh, you wereparked in the fire zone.
I said no, I wasn't, I wasparked in the handicapped space.
I haven't heard anybody elsebeing towed except for senior
citizens.
Speaker 13 (41:49):
That's when I went by Always Swift Towing and
talked to a spokesperson whosaid they towed folks who parked
illegally.
She was over the line.
Speaker 2 (41:59):
She was crooked on our sideways, our foot.
Speaker 13 (42:02):
A Walmart spokesperson confirmed at the
time the store was working toend the towing contract.
Now I'm back at Always SwiftTowing's door to check in.
We're with Channel 3.
I think we talked to you guys afew months ago about towing out
of Walmart and we were justtrying to follow up and see if
you guys are still towing there.
No, you're not.
(42:22):
No, the contract appears to beup.
I'm waiting on a response fromWalmart to see if they're using
another towing company instead.
And now I'm hearing that someof those people who raised
concerns got their money back.
Walmart, according to Joanne'sdaughter, reimbursed some towing
fees, including theirs.
The outcome has been a relieffor some Walmart employees too,
(42:44):
who mentioned they've seen fewerpeople upset with them.
In the time I've been here Ihave not seen anyone getting
towed, but we have seen securitygoing up and down the aisles In
Fort Smith.
Erica Craven, wtkr, news 3.
Speaker 12 (43:00):
Good morning.
Welcome to Calgary, Close Upwhere every Saturday we take a
deeper dive into an issue makingnews in our city this past week
or in the week ahead.
And today we're focused on adecision that could impact what
happens at vehicle crash sitesin the future.
Here in Calgary On Thursday, acity committee approved changes
aimed at stopping predatory towtruck behavior.
(43:21):
The measure will now go beforecity council as a whole for
approval.
Behavior the measure will nowgo before city council as a
whole for approval.
If passed, tow truck operatorswill not be allowed within 200
meters of a crash scene untilthey are requested or invited.
Violators could face a fine of$10,000.
And the city says it's heard oftowing fees from predatory
operators that are 11 timeshigher than the industry average
(43:45):
.
Speaker 4 (43:46):
When you've been in an accident.
Your car's been either hit oryou're on the side of the road.
You're in a very vulnerableposition.
It's time to kind of turnaround and say I want somebody
to come help me.
Speaker 12 (43:56):
I don't want somebody to come rip me off
Makes sense to me.
Gary Leach is the president ofthe Towing and Recovery
Association of Alberta.
Jeff Kasbrick is the VP ofAdvocacy and Operations with the
Alberta Motor Association.
Thank you both for joining ustoday to talk more about these
proposed rule changes.
Speaker 4 (44:14):
Good morning.
Speaker 12 (44:16):
Good morning.
Thanks for having us, Gary.
I want to start with you,because a lot of us simply just
have not been in collisionslately or for some time.
What exactly is happening outthere right now that's prompted
all of this?
Speaker 14 (44:30):
What appears to be happening, Joel, is these
unscrupulous operators andcompanies are migrating to the
Alberta region from Ontario.
So this has been a longstandingproblem in Ontario that the
Ontario government cracked downon and basically has forced
(44:50):
these people out of the provincefor lack of a better term, and
so they've selected Alberta fortheir new hunting grounds.
They want to be in a largemetropolitan area where there's
a vehicle density that obviouslywill give them more volume to
(45:12):
select from, and Manitoba,Saskatchewan and BC are not
appropriate because they havegovernment insurance that
regulates very clearly that onlycontracted companies can remove
those vehicles.
So really, Alberta was the onlyplace they could go.
That's left with privateinsurance.
Going east, there's no reallarge metropolitan areas that
(45:34):
they could prey upon.
Speaker 12 (45:35):
So essentially are they just roaming around out
there, gary, and then showing upat these crash sites and saying
hey, okay, I'll take your car.
Speaker 14 (45:43):
I'll take your car right now, absolutely.
I'm not sure in calgary ifthey're doing it, but for
example, in edmonton theyactually are monitoring the
radio frequencies of theedmonton fire department.
They're actually staging theirtrucks outside or very near a
fire hall and they literallyfollow the fire apparatus to a
(46:05):
scene.
Wow, I personally with Ipersonally witnessed last summer
in edmonton um a crash thatoccurred and a fire truck rolled
up to the scene followed by atow truck that literally was
almost touching the back bumperof the fire truck that's, that's
.
Yeah, they're absolutelyobstructing first responders in
(46:28):
dealing with, you know theemergency situation and possible
casualties.
Speaker 12 (46:32):
Jeff, I want to ask you, because AMA launched Know
Before the Tow, a province-wideawareness campaign back in
December, was it hearing thesereports that prompted that?
Speaker 4 (46:43):
Yeah, absolutely, as Gary is referring to, you know,
we've really seen an increase inpredatory towing practices in
the province.
Really that came to a head in2024.
And to the point where we'reactually beginning to hear from
our members and from Albertansthat this is happening on a near
daily basis, that someone inthe province, particularly
(47:06):
within Edmonton or Calgary, areexperiencing some of these
practices.
And maybe, just to put a bit ofa point on what the actual
experience and the practices are, we are talking about
circumstances where thesepredatory towing operators,
which are really just individualoperators they are not
(47:27):
reputable companies by any meansapply the greatest amount of
pressure tactics, try and createthe greatest amount of urgency
that an Albertan who is brokendown on the side of the road or,
more likely, involved in acollision, must immediately
utilize their services.
And that's just simply not thecase.
And so we wanted to launch aneducation campaign to make
(47:48):
Albertans aware of their rightswhen it is that they find
themselves broken down on theside of the road or,
unfortunately, maybe in acollision, and to know those
rights before that actuallyoccurs, because that's a high
stress situation enough that wereally want to equip and empower
them with that informationbeforehand.
Speaker 12 (48:08):
Just got time for one, maybe one, jeff, one thing
that you found that maybeAlbertans didn't know, that they
need to know when it comes tothis.
Speaker 4 (48:16):
Well, I think, first and foremost, the core message
is you do not have to take thepressure tactics of a predatory
towing operator.
You are able to choose who itis that you want to tow your
vehicle, unless otherwisedirected by the police.
But of course, then you havethat trust in that situation and
so if you ever find that youhave those pressure tactics or
(48:38):
these unethical behaviors beinghoisted upon you, you can
actually push back as anAlbertan, and you're well within
your rights to do so.
Speaker 12 (48:46):
Okay, gary Leach from the Towing and Recovery
Association of Alberta and JeffKasbrick from the AMA Standby
when we come back in a littlebit.
I want to ask you about thisspecific bylaw and if you think
the changes are strong enough.
Hey, good morning.
Welcome to Calgary Close-Up,where every Saturday we take a
(49:10):
deeper dive into an issue thateither made news this past week
or will in the week ahead, andtoday we're focused on a
decision that could impact whathappens at vehicle crash sites
here in Calgary in the future.
On Thursday, a city committeeapproved changes aimed at
stopping predatory tow truckbehavior.
The measure will now go beforecity council, who will vote on
(49:30):
it as a whole for approval.
If passed, tow truck operatorswill not be allowed within 200
meters of a crash scene untilthey are requested or invited,
and violators could face a fineof $10,000.
It's all because city officialssay it's heard of towing fees
from predatory operators thatare 11 times higher than the
industry average.
Speaker 15 (49:51):
A lot of these tow truck drivers are showing up
where they haven't been asked tocome there, to try to get some
business for themselves, andsometimes they're pretty
aggressive get some business forthemselves and sometimes
they're pretty aggressive.
Speaker 12 (50:11):
Gary Leach, president of the Towing and
Recovery Association of Alberta,as well as Jeff Kasperick, the
VP of Advocacy and Operationswith the Alberta Motor
Association, are with us todayto talk more about this.
And I want to ask you, gary,about these proposed rule
changes that are going to citycouncil, so we have the
200-meter buffer zone, unlessthey've been invited in by a
police officer, firefighter orthe vehicle owner.
$10,000 fine for an offense.
(50:33):
Does this go far enough to stopthis sort of behavior on
Calgary streets?
Speaker 14 (50:41):
Well, joel, it may be too early to really determine
that, but what our associationrecommended at the Community
Development Committee meetingyesterday was that in addition
to the $10,000 fine, thatpossibly they could consider the
seizure of the vehicle involvedthe tow truck which in essence
would prevent a continuation ofthe offense.
(51:02):
A continuation of the offense,they indicated that that could
be step two.
If they had a repeat offender,perhaps maybe the second time
around the fine would stillapply, but then they would seize
the vehicle as well.
But in addition, the lawdepartment spoke that there is a
provision in the Calgary bylawsthat the fine actually could be
(51:27):
as much as $100,000.
I don't know that it would evergo to that extent, but that
certainly is a possibility.
Speaker 12 (51:36):
I'm curious because it sounds like you have been
working with either citycouncillors or city
administration on this.
How receptive have you foundthe city of calgary to be uh
gary when it comes to makingthese changes?
Speaker 14 (51:51):
extremely well regarded they.
They actually have been very,uh, very proactive in their
approach, um, although they'rereacting to what's going on, but
I applaud them for what they'vedone.
They're not going to let thispersist and carry on in their
city, and I think there'll be astrong enforcement from the
(52:15):
Calgary Police Service.
Speaker 12 (52:18):
Jeff, I know we spoke earlier about the AMA's
campaign to essentially knowbefore the toe and we talked
about maybe the main thing thatpeople need to know if they find
themselves in this situation.
Where do you see this campaigngoing in the weeks and months
ahead and do you think it'sgetting through to people?
Speaker 4 (52:37):
Well, we've actually seen extremely strong engagement
when we launched the campaignwe actually launched it just
before Christmas last year andsince that point in time,
there's been a lot of engagementfrom our membership and from
Albertans across the provincethat are seeing this message and
receiving it and perhaps even,in some circumstances, weren't
(52:59):
even aware that this was apractice, and so we're quite
pleased to see that kind ofresponse.
I think what's really criticaland where this whole
conversation goes, is educationis a really important component,
as well as legislation, and sowe actually applaud the city of
Calgary for taking the step thatthey are.
They're leaders right now inthe province in addressing
(53:22):
predatory towing.
In addressing predatory towing,our strong position and our
encouragement is that weactually see what's happening
within the city of Calgary scaleat a province-wide level, and
that there be that really strongdisincentive that's really
targeted to these individualloan operators that you know,
(53:42):
regardless of where it is thatyou are in the province, you can
ensure, as an Albertan, thatyou're protected and also
empowered with the rightinformation.
Speaker 12 (53:49):
Yeah, I wanted to ask you, Jeff, because a lot of
the focus is on Edmonton andCalgary.
This is a province-widecampaign.
Are you seeing this in otherjurisdictions or is this more of
a deterrent so it doesn'tspread elsewhere in Alberta?
Speaker 4 (54:01):
We need to get out in front of this.
As Gary sort of referred topreviously, this is something
that we had really seen spreadin Ontario.
It is, by and large,concentrated in the metropolitan
areas where there's strongpopulation centres for these
operators to potentially findthat opportunity to prey upon
those that find themselves in anunfortunate spot.
(54:24):
To prey upon those that findthemselves in an unfortunate
spot, but regardless of where itis that you are in the province
, we want to be making sure thatwe are as uninviting as
possible to these reallyunethical operators that are
doing harm to the hard-earnedreputation that Alberta's really
highly ethical towing operatorshave gained, as well as the
(54:45):
trust that Albertans should havewhen it is that they need to
access towing services.
Speaker 12 (54:49):
All right, Gary, last word to you.
How confident are you that CityCouncil as a whole will pass
these measures when they bringit up?
Speaker 14 (54:57):
I predict it'll be passed unanimously.
Speaker 12 (55:01):
All right.
Well, we wait and see if thatis the case.
Thank you both for being here.
Gary Leach, president of theTowing and Recovery Association
of Alberta.
Speaker 6 (55:10):
You're all caught up on the news.
This is Towing News Now.
Speaker 3 (55:16):
All right, everybody.
Thanks for joining us on thisepisode.
Season four, episode sixpodcast.
We've got another one underwraps.
What do you think Wes?
How do you think today went?
Speaker 2 (55:26):
Oh, it went great.
I appreciate everybody's effortto put it together and, dj, I
always appreciate you as well.
Speaker 1 (55:34):
Well, I appreciate you being in the industry 32
years as a painter and doingyour 951st class.
I think that's fantastic and Iagree with you Phillips is a
great company.
Speaker 2 (55:49):
They really did us right, so we were thankful to
them as well.
Until next time, listeners,thanks for listening.
Please be safe out there.
You.
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Are You A Charlotte?
In 1997, actress Kristin Davis’ life was forever changed when she took on the role of Charlotte York in Sex and the City. As we watched Carrie, Samantha, Miranda and Charlotte navigate relationships in NYC, the show helped push once unacceptable conversation topics out of the shadows and altered the narrative around women and sex. We all saw ourselves in them as they searched for fulfillment in life, sex and friendships. Now, Kristin Davis wants to connect with you, the fans, and share untold stories and all the behind the scenes. Together, with Kristin and special guests, what will begin with Sex and the City will evolve into talks about themes that are still so relevant today. "Are you a Charlotte?" is much more than just rewatching this beloved show, it brings the past and the present together as we talk with heart, humor and of course some optimism.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com