TRAFFIC.COM

[little1]

Not only can they recite the streets and freeways and accident scenes (which anyone can do, as it's often provided by some governmental agency's website or map,) but the LOCAL reporter knows the alternate routes, how many lanes there are on a given freeway, where construction hotspots are, etc.

But are any of those things actually important? Look at what some of the 'experts' say should be in a traffic report. and how many lanes 635 has at a certain point wasn't listed. And do you really think you know alternate routes better than the people who actually know where they live? Youir idea of an alternate route may put me miles further away from my destination.

2. Little1, the words I have for you violate the TOS, but you can use your imagination. Your personal grudge against me that started many aliases ago is appalling and disgusting and pathetic. I guess you don't perceive any value in Monty Cook or Dick Siegel's or Laura Houston's interaction with Hal Jay in the mornings on WBAP for the last 28 years to have been of any ratings value.

Np aliases, just the same one I've been using.
That's just it, we don't KNOW if there's any value. Maybe people tuned into to hear minimal input from a traffic reporter. And maybe they tuned into listen to Hal. let's see, am I going to tune in for someone who talks most of the hour (Jay) or someone who contributes maybe a couple of minutes per hour?

..it's me that you can't stand getting any personal satisfaction out of a job I did well for six years. It may be small potatoes in your book, but it served me well, it provided me plenty of stability, and I did OK with the salary. (Have I ever said I expected $500K a year for my contributions? Have I ever compared my value to a DJ? Just doing my job and expecting to be paid fairly for it, and I was.) Your two cents and continued effort to run me down and run down the occupation is irrelevant. Find another target for your bitter venom, and feel free to use your own name here sometime and quit hiding behind yet another alias. It sure devalues your "facts" when you won't own up to them with your own name. If you're such a pivotal figure at your company, surely there's no one above you that could justifiably have any issue with it.

I'm on record as saying at least 2, probably more, of our stations suck. I'd really rather not have my bosses find out just how bad I think they're doing...

4. One more visit to Little1's concerns on the subject:

If there was a market for higher paid traffic reporters, there would BE higher paid traffic reporters.

So why would Justin Frazell be paid $80,000 a year by Susquehanna, and briefly by Cumulus, to do his traffic schtick on the air for 8 years? That was an estimate given to me by the late John McCarty, who provided the traffic info for Justin to use on KPLX, and provided Justin a seat in the traffic chopper...so I'd guess it's pretty reliable information.

And why do you think Justin isn't making 80K a year any more? Because markets work. And as I said in the Russ thread, you can justify high salaries when you're #1 in your demo, top 3 in the market, etc. Much harder to justify 80K a year for a traffic reporter when your ratings are in the toilet.

And you think Monty and Laura do this for free? (well, Monty may NOW with Metro.) Monty, Laura, KSCS's Michael Scott and Justin (before) are more like traffic "personalities" who are (were) paid handsomely for their contributions. Little1, if it's an issue of being afraid of having to lump me in with those likes and having to admit that there's some value to traffic, well, don't worry. I wasn't a "personality," just a reporter. No need to beat me down further. I'm in my place right now, thank you.

 

[oldmanradio]

Question: If you were not in radio, would you listen to traffic reports?

Well, if you are in radio, do you listen to traffic reports?

Frankly, in the 1980's, when I worked downtown at Southwestern Bell, I just don't recall listening specifically for traffic reports.

Tony
Tony Lyndell Williams

 

[MikeShannon914]

Question: If you were not in radio, would you listen to traffic reports?

YES! I used to transport rental cars around town for Hertz back in the mid-80s, and depended heavily on John BACARDI's reports. (Later, of course, I figured out it was really "McCarty.") So I was well-acquainted with his work long before I ever approached him for a job!

Tony, it just really depends. If you're on a dedicated route to and from work day in and day out, and congestion is the usual deal, maybe you don't care. Maybe in this day and age, where the term "local radio" is a paradox, and folks use their iPods more than anything, perhaps they don't care as much. But measuring the amount of daily traffic tipline callers, there are commuters that DO count on the info, and were always more than happy to help out with accident details (or to let us have it when we missed something.)

 

[thunderradio]

As Usual Little 1 amuses me. RJ dismisses those who do not work in the sales dept,and no regard for talent ,except those who can further his comission. Looking the "two other stations " presumably KSCS and Platinum they may suck to him because they are outside the disposable income of the 18-35 demo,hence his comission money tree.Plantinum wouldprobably move up A LOT if it had a better signal and thus more advertisers then RJ would be happy. He fails to understand there are plenty of listeners, PLENTY of listeners who only tune in for traffic reports during drive times,then its back to the ipod /cd. The rest of the so called shows only exist for maybe 15 min. the rest is all spots.Why stay tuned in for that? They know what time to expect the reports or the latest weather report if the sky has dark clouds gathering. So yeah traffic reporters do matter and Laura and Monty are personality traffic reporters who deserve the bucks, but so do the other anchors because rush hour in DFW never seems to end or begin. Its not the the 6-8 or 4-6 block anymore. Knowing your local streets does matter,not some talking head from Washington DC mispronouncing Bexar rd. or Grauwyler. So Little 1 thou speaks from the desk and cell,not the studio.

TrafficChief You state you care about your employees. If you do a livable wage paid to them would show that. Only 2 employees make your 14.25 an hr, the rest are $11.00 and only 4 work 25 hours or more to qualify for your high insurance and benefits. So in that small minority number of employees maybe you do care,but you certainly do not for the majority.

Mike: Way to go!!! You certainly nailed it on the head beautifully.

 

[traffic chief]

Thunder

I do not know who you are getting your info from regarding our employees pay....in short you are dead wrong. If you wish to dispute this please name the employees...because I do not know who you are talking about and have no idea where you get your info....thanks

 

[oldmanradio]

Chief,

If you don't mind answering, do you think management will eventually reinstate matching for the 401K?

Many companies obviously have no intention of restoring matching and have used the recession as an excuse to end it.

And regarding the matching, do you agree that managment made an agreement with many employees when they started and now, Metro has broken that promise?

Finally, by breaking that promise, haven't you effectively reduced their long-term compensation ... and possibly have jeopardized some employees?

Thanks.

Tony
Tony Lyndell Williams

 

[traffic chief]

First let me state that ending the 401K match was not something I was or am in favor of, I do not know if they plan to start the match again....but if I have a chance to voice my opinion to the board I would be in favor of it.

As far as breaking a covenant with employees...our employee handbook states that the match may be stopped for any reason at any time. So knowing that going in seems to cover "the broken promise"

None of us liked our pay being cut, or having our 401K match dropped but everyone including myself have a choice....continue working or work someplace else.

 

[thunderradio]

"Thunder

I do not know who you are getting your info from regarding our employees pay....in short you are dead wrong. If you wish to dispute this please name the employees...because I do not know who you are talking about and have no idea where you get your info....thanks"

TrafficChief: I hoped you realize that request was a little silly. To give up employees names on a public board, so you can asked them if they are supplying information outsdie of the company? Please, you can't be serious? If such a thing happened ( and it won't) do you truly expect them to answer you honestly or would you :1)fire them 2) threaten them with a written repremand and a shift that will force them to quit and be denied unemployment compensation? See how that request is not logical? It goes to show that it doesn't take much to manage a traffic reporting service. Just keep the pay cheap and below a livable wage, fire the pros,hire the kids ,so the year end bonus is a guarantee for you and not the working staff . Traffic Chief for the sake of the employees there, your request is declined.

 

[traffic chief]

Thunder

In case you are unaware employees talking about what they make is perfectly legal and not grounds for termination at any company.

If people want to tell other people what they make, then they can, enough said, Laws protect employees from being terminated for revealing their pay.

You are the one making all the statements about pay, I know the answers and have revealed them, unless your willing to reveal them it is all just talk on your part....oh, by the way....your still wong. I stand by my original statement.

 

[thunderradio]

Traffic Chief:

Let's take your last post piece by piece here:

Thunder

In case you are unaware employees talking about what they make is perfectly legal and not grounds for termination at any company.
In the real world ,you are correct,however you or any management type would bring pressure upon the employee for doing so,and would find ways to punish the employee including looking for fault to terminate,not necessarily related to pay disclosure. It's been done and continues to this day.

If people want to tell other people what they make, then they can, enough said, Laws protect employees from being terminated for revealing their pay.
See the above answer. You are are caught up in PR and Image,not the reality of the given situation.

You are the one making all the statements about pay, I know the answers and have revealed them, unless your willing to reveal them it is all just talk on your part....oh, by the way....your still wong. I stand by my original statement.

I was merely one of several who have mentioned pay on this thread(again your are skirting factual information). Your answers were calculated,expected, and towing the line for your position with the company. Again let me drive home this point,by revealing my sources wouldplace then in your cross hairs for possible termination or unjustified pressure on your part so they will quit. I will not go by what you desirre. You are far from being corect,but that is subjective. If a managerial suit type read your response,they would agree,an employee who actually works to make you look good, no they would not. Step out of the office once and awhile,put the conference call phone on hold,learn to accept you can be wrong without HUFFING (Tom), andactually go out and smile ,thank your employees and we are not talking supervisors here. You may want to even buy them breakfast beyond Mcdonald's if you really truly care about them.

 

[WheredidMergeGo]

Um - given how hit or miss radio and shows and music are now a days...

yea - when I am tired of the CD or am curious about traffic - I DO pick a station based on a traffic report. It could be the frequency of the report or the accuracy but yea.

do I remember any other them...no. but do they impact my station choice - yup!

 

[oldmanradio]

Slowly now ... listen up!

This afternoon, I heard that some lanes on a freeway were "blocked up".

Drop the "up." Simply say the lanes are blocked.

Up is a spatial relationship. Up ... and down ... like an elevator.

Also, over and over and over again, things were "rolling slow" according to the reporter.

Slowly now ... the word is "slowly" not "slow".

Yes, I know. I guess I am being picky. But children may be listening. We don't want to lead them astray.

Do we?

Tony
Tony Lyndell Williams

 

[scrtr84]

Sure we do! ;D

Actually I agree. Though it's interesting that the term "backed up" works. Blocked up sounds like.. well, I can't bring myself to say it. Especially after that "rolling slowly" description.

 

[oldmanradio]

"Blocked up" ...

Sure we do! ;D

Actually I agree. Though it's interesting that the term "backed up" works. Blocked up sounds like.. well, I can't bring myself to say it. Especially after that "rolling slowly" description.

Yep, blocked up is what you hear on an infomercial on radio at 4 a.m. on a weekend. All about John Wayne and his colon and ...

Well, the infomercial lied. Surprise!

http://www.snopes.com/horrors/gruesome/fecalcolon.asp

Tony
Tony Lyndell Williams

 

[scrtr84]

Re: "Blocked up" ...

Sure we do! ;D

Actually I agree. Though it's interesting that the term "backed up" works. Blocked up sounds like.. well, I can't bring myself to say it. Especially after that "rolling slowly" description.

Yep, blocked up is what you hear on an infomercial on radio at 4 a.m. on a weekend. All about John Wayne and his colon and ...

Well, the infomercial lied. Surprise!

http://www.snopes.com/horrors/gruesome/fecalcolon.asp

Tony
Tony Lyndell Williams

OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Tony, that was BRILLIANT!!!!!!!!!!!! I have not laughed so hard in quite awhile.

Man....

 

[oldmanradio]

John Wayne

Just hope you were not eating, man.

Tony
Tony Lyndell Williams

 

[oldmanradio]

Who is the best traffic reporter ... radio or television ... in the DFW area?

The best I ever heard was Bruce Wayne on KFI in Los Angeles ... "KFI ... in the sky."

http://articles.latimes.com/1986-06-12/news/mn-10205_1_bruce-wayne

 

[Doctor_Wu]

Re: Traffic reporting

Years ago, Jack Hines, then news director of KRLD, insisted that traffic on that station always be given in this order: Accident location ... direction ... and side street.

For example, 635 LBJ eastbound at Preston. Not eastbound LBJ at Preston.

At first, I thought what the heck difference does it make. But it makes a big difference.

First, you give the street or highway for a particular accident. The listener can quickly and easily determine if that will affect his or her driving.

Next, the direction. In the above example, traffic should not be as big a problem if you are westbound, except for some onlooker delays.

I was new to the scene in those days. And I went to some Jack Hines meetings where the KRLD formula was laid down for all to follow. It was very exacting. And it made me a better traffic reporter. There were times where I envied the ease and casual manner of people on other stations... but I got that chance later on, and found I often reverted to a loose approximation of the KRLD format for clarity's sake. It made a lot of sense.

I can't remember if KRLD also made you move in one direction too... like Dallas through the mid cities to FW, or if I developed that on my own.

 

[oldmanradio]

What changes would you make to traffic reports so that information would be more useful, easier to understand, etc., to commuters?

Tony
Tony Lyndell Williams

 

[midnight-rambler]

Re: Slowly now ... listen up!

This afternoon, I heard that some lanes on a freeway were "blocked up".

Drop the "up." Simply say the lanes are blocked.

Up is a spatial relationship. Up ... and down ... like an elevator.

Also, over and over and over again, things were "rolling slow" according to the reporter.

Slowly now ... the word is "slowly" not "slow".

How about an accident happening "prior to" a certain freeway exit ... "prior" is a time reference, not space.