The Bottleneck

On this episode of the AmCon Daily Brief, Thom Rigsby unpacks what happens when highways turn into holding pens during mass evacuations—and how smart planning keeps you moving. Learn why alternate routes matter, why fuel is freedom, and how calm leadership inside the car can make all the difference. Plus, take today’s challenge to scout two alternate routes before you need them.

Episode Transcript

(03:22):
Okay, I want you to picture this. You've loaded up the car, families buckled
in, and you've joined the flow of traffic heading out of town.
At first, it feels like progress. You're moving, wheels are turning.
But then brake lights start glowing red as far as you can see.
Cars are stacked shoulder to shoulder, creeping forward by inches.
If you've ever seen office space, you know what I'm talking about.

(03:45):
At the gas station, lines are already forming. Some of the pumps are dry.
Family step out of cars stretching their legs and frustration is building.
Kids are getting restless, the parents get short, and tempers flare between drivers.
What started out as a routine, maybe orderly evacuation is quickly turning into

(04:07):
a bottleneck, a highway holding pen.
And in that moment, you realize something.
This is where your plan gets tested.
Evacuations mean movement. but real preparedness means planning for the points where movement stops.
At Amcon, we say plan routes before the crisis, not during.

(04:28):
That means knowing at least, at least two alternate routes that avoid major
choke points like interstates, tunnels, or bridges.
Even if those alternates add time on a normal day in a crisis,
they may be the only way to keep moving.
Next is fuel. Fuel is freedom. Let's face it.

(04:50):
If you wait until the evacuation order hits to top off your tank, it's too late.
You'll be fighting for a spot at the same crowded gas stations that everybody else is.
Top off early. Keep a reserve.
And when you're stuck in creeping traffic, don't let idling burn through your
autonomy. Conserve whatever you can.

(05:10):
Finally, leadership on the move isn't just about maps and miles.
It's about managing morale.
A family or a team that's calm and steady will handle delays far better than
one that's restless and panicked.
That means planning breaks, packing snacks, and keeping communications going.
A calm tone in the car may not clear the traffic, but it will keep your most

(05:34):
important resources, your team, your family, steady and ready for the miles ahead.
So here's your action step for today.
I want you to identify two alternate evacuation routes from your home.
Write them down. Don't just look at them. Don't commit them to memory. Write them down.
Print out a map if you need to and highlight them and make sure those routes

(05:58):
don't rely on the same major highway.
Once you have them, drive at least part of each route this week,
at night, in the daytime, even at rush hour.
Get a feel for what traffic might look like and where the choke points are.
Familiarity now is confidence later. Because when the bottleneck comes,

(06:18):
and it will, I promise you, preparedness isn't about who can wait the longest in line.
It's about who already knows another way forward.
Tomorrow the road takes us somewhere unplanned when your first stop isn't an
option and preparedness means making the next best choice.

(06:40):
As always, I thank you for listening to the AMCON Daily Brief.
I appreciate it. If you're already a member, make sure to check out the updates
and resources on your members-only platform. And if you're not a member yet, it's really easy.
Just head over to AmericanContingency.com and check out the network to start
building your resilience today. My name is Tom Rigsby.

(07:02):
Stay alert, stay ready, and I will talk to you again tomorrow.