TRAFFIC.COM

[gbsncmtr]

Monty and Laura were on WBAP this morning . . . but no Mike Shannon. What's going on here?

 

[Marty Funkhauser]

Monty and Laura are employed by WBAP, not a Traffic Company

 

[salemjedi54]

So did Cumulus switch traffic services?

 

[johnsummers]

Good luck, Mike. I hope you land safely, and soon.

 

[realthang]

Monty and Laura are employed by WBAP, not a Traffic Company

BUZZZZZZ! YOU ARE NOT CORRECT!

 

[Marty Funkhauser]

Bet your house on it.

 

[MikeShannon914]

Thanks once again for the nice words, all. I'm already going through Traffic Withdrawal. Hope that's covered by COBRA.

Laura is, and always has been, an employee of WBAP, so she'll go wherever the account goes. Monty is employed by the traffic service, so is now working for Metro. Michael Scott, longtime Dorsey Gang member, is concurrently doing airborne traffic for WBAP, which puts Randy Fuller in the booth instead of the plane. I believe that rounds out everyone who went to Metro from Traffic.com.

I hesitate to give a review of the new folks working our old shifts. Great to hear Ben Laurie, though, as he covered most of the weekend traffic. Scott Killian, the former Scott K of KLAK, is doing a fine job on weekend mornings. I'm sure he's on other shifts as well. Others, well...For example, there was a reason Alan Barnes did overnights...he knew how to communicate with the trucker audience, he had scads of resources across the state and beyond to extract roadway conditions from (and developed seven years of relations with those police agencies) and got the word out as quickly and understandably as possible to an appreciative audience (as determined by a stable of regular traffic tipline callers from across the US.) Handling issues from a 42-state listening audience IS an awesome responsibility.

But I'm not trying to make this bitter...I miss it, I'll probably always miss it, I'm sorry that Metro puts a different value on their reporters than Traffic.com did, etc. We weren't perfect by any means, but I think the listeners could tell we all cared, and that we knew our craft. It was not about liner card monotones and quantity-over-quality and what-will-the-stockholders-think.

Then again, anyone out there who's ever poured their heart and soul into an airshift on a radio station for any length of time, then got laid off, shares the same kind of sentiments, I'm sure. What can you do?

 

[oldmanradio]

Man, you would lose your home.

Quit compulsive gambling

Only Laura works for WBAP. When Metro had WBAP's account, Monty was a Metro employee. When Traffic.com snagged the account, Monty moved.

Now that Metro has WBAP again, Monty is again at Metro.

Just a guess, but if John McCarty were still alive, Traffic.com would still be doing business with Traffic.com.

Furthermore, the first poster who described the working conditions at Traffic.com was exactly on the mark from my experience there.

Any morning or midday traffic reporters who have worked there in recent years also know that the female producer on duty at Traffic.com failed to perform her duties. It was a standing joke.

Tony
Tony Lyndell Williams

 

[Lemmiwinks]

Who does Cumulus contract with? I'm sure I could do better than Barb Smith and I've never done traffic. Possibly even an untrained monkey could.

 

[oldmanradio]

Who does Cumulus contract with? I'm sure I could do better than Barb Smith and I've never done traffic. Possibly even an untrained monkey could.

Among primates, only humans speak.

However, if you are a research monkey and wish to try traffic, go ahead and apply.

Don't say I didn't warn you, though, Lemmiwinks.

Tony
Tony Lyndell Williams

 

[board monkey]

I'm sure I could do better than Barb Smith and I've never done traffic. Possibly even an untrained monkey could.

Traffic reporting is harder then it sounds.

 

[MissyRadio]

Since my friend is no longer in the traffic game, I am bit confused. Didn't sandpaper Nancy Johnson take over for big John? Does she have a daughter that does traffic? Is moral that bad over there? (Dumb question I guess) Did Clear Channel Traffic try to get WBAP? From what I remember, Monty and Laura both worked for Metro at one time after Metro bought Traffic Patrol but eventually Horsetalk 820 took over her salary. Does Metro get Channel 8? If not, does this mean no more Laura cut-ins on Daybreak? Could I ask any more questions? Why would anyone stay in radio anymore?

 

[idiggraves]

Since my friend is no longer in the traffic game, I am bit confused. Didn't sandpaper Nancy Johnson take over for big John? Does she have a daughter that does traffic? Is moral that bad over there? (Dumb question I guess) Did Clear Channel Traffic try to get WBAP? From what I remember, Monty and Laura both worked for Metro at one time after Metro bought Traffic Patrol but eventually Horsetalk 820 took over her salary. Does Metro get Channel 8? If not, does this mean no more Laura cut-ins on Daybreak? Could I ask any more questions? Why would anyone stay in radio anymore?

haha. Ease up on the caffeine.

Why would anyone stay in radio? Not even ye ole answer "because I love it!" works anymore...

 

[scrtr84]

Since my friend is no longer in the traffic game, I am bit confused. Didn't sandpaper Nancy Johnson take over for big John? Does she have a daughter that does traffic? Is moral that bad over there? (Dumb question I guess) Did Clear Channel Traffic try to get WBAP? From what I remember, Monty and Laura both worked for Metro at one time after Metro bought Traffic Patrol but eventually Horsetalk 820 took over her salary. Does Metro get Channel 8? If not, does this mean no more Laura cut-ins on Daybreak? Could I ask any more questions? Why would anyone stay in radio anymore?

haha. Ease up on the caffeine.

Why would anyone stay in radio? Not even ye ole answer "because I love it!" works anymore...

Actually that answer still works, it's just that people who have that passion, are fewer and far inbetween.

 

[MikeShannon914]

Since my friend is no longer in the traffic game, I am bit confused. Didn't sandpaper Nancy Johnson take over for big John? Does she have a daughter that does traffic? Is moral that bad over there? (Dumb question I guess) Did Clear Channel Traffic try to get WBAP? From what I remember, Monty and Laura both worked for Metro at one time after Metro bought Traffic Patrol but eventually Horsetalk 820 took over her salary. Does Metro get Channel 8? If not, does this mean no more Laura cut-ins on Daybreak? Could I ask any more questions? Why would anyone stay in radio anymore?

1. Nancy took over for John in June, 2008.
2. She has a daughter that is a producer and editor, and supervises the afternoon shift.
3. Morale...that's pretty subjective. Depends on who you talk to. For me, I made peace long ago with things I couldn't change, and went on and did the best job I could. I don't regret a thing, and wouldn't have missed out on it for anything. You simply rise above the problems and worry about your OWN duties and not everyone else's. Yeah, sure, everyone's got a complaint about something or heard a rumor about so-and-so, but that's part of working that closely all the time.
4. All I've heard is that both Metro and Traffic.com made bids for the Citadel account. Another consortium was apparently in the running, but it was nothing to do with Clear Channel.
5. I don't know what Laura's status was before she was on WBAP's payroll, although your logic makes sense. I know I've heard her do traffic for other stations in the early 1990s (KJMZ was one, I believe.)
6. Channel 8 is still handled by Traffic.com.
7. No, however, there are no more cut-ins on Channel 8 mornings by Laura OR Michael Scott. WFAA quit using Traffic.com's aerial shots several months ago. Anything you see now comes from their own chopper.
8. Yes, you may ask more questions, but please take a DEEP breath first.
9. Why would anyone stay in radio?
A. It's a form of fame that doesn't require good looks and a trim body.
B. It's ego-boosting and makes one feel important or relevant.
C. It's a way to communicate, albeit old fashioned when compared to modern technology.
D. It's fun, it's rewarding (in terms of personal satisfaction, not money) and it's a hoot to see what reactions one
gets to what one is doing, be it talk, music or whatever else.
E. It's better than the unemployment line (unless you're considering working for Metro. ¢¢¢¢)
F. It's a form of self destruction that keeps one from staying in the same place very long, staying married very
long, keeping a good credit score, and requires you to give everything you've got inside yourself to an audience
that may not even care, or is even listening.
G. You hate stability.
H. You love people, just not in person.

 

[BossJock1947]

Since my friend is no longer in the traffic game, I am bit confused. Didn't sandpaper Nancy Johnson take over for big John? Does she have a daughter that does traffic? Is moral that bad over there? (Dumb question I guess) Did Clear Channel Traffic try to get WBAP? From what I remember, Monty and Laura both worked for Metro at one time after Metro bought Traffic Patrol but eventually Horsetalk 820 took over her salary. Does Metro get Channel 8? If not, does this mean no more Laura cut-ins on Daybreak? Could I ask any more questions? Why would anyone stay in radio anymore?

1. Nancy took over for John in June, 2008.
2. She has a daughter that is a producer and editor, and supervises the afternoon shift.
3. Morale...that's pretty subjective. Depends on who you talk to. For me, I made peace long ago with things I couldn't change, and went on and did the best job I could. I don't regret a thing, and wouldn't have missed out on it for anything. You simply rise above the problems and worry about your OWN duties and not everyone else's. Yeah, sure, everyone's got a complaint about something or heard a rumor about so-and-so, but that's part of working that closely all the time.
4. All I've heard is that both Metro and Traffic.com made bids for the Citadel account. Another consortium was apparently in the running, but it was nothing to do with Clear Channel.
5. I don't know what Laura's status was before she was on WBAP's payroll, although your logic makes sense. I know I've heard her do traffic for other stations in the early 1990s (KJMZ was one, I believe.)
6. Channel 8 is still handled by Traffic.com.
7. No, however, there are no more cut-ins on Channel 8 mornings by Laura OR Michael Scott. WFAA quit using Traffic.com's aerial shots several months ago. Anything you see now comes from their own chopper.
8. Yes, you may ask more questions, but please take a DEEP breath first.
9. Why would anyone stay in radio?
A. It's a form of fame that doesn't require good looks and a trim body.
B. It's ego-boosting and makes one feel important or relevant.
C. It's a way to communicate, albeit old fashioned when compared to modern technology.
D. It's fun, it's rewarding (in terms of personal satisfaction, not money) and it's a hoot to see what reactions one
gets to what one is doing, be it talk, music or whatever else.
E. It's better than the unemployment line (unless you're considering working for Metro. ¢¢¢¢)
F. It's a form of self destruction that keeps one from staying in the same place very long, staying married very
long, keeping a good credit score, and requires you to give everything you've got inside yourself to an audience
that may not even care, or is even listening.
G. You hate stability.
H. You love people, just not in person.

Mike,

I have been in radio 45 years. My credit score is 800 and i've always had perfect credit. I've been married 40 years to the same woman and most of my jobs the audience was HUGE.

Self destruction? Not me. Radio has been good.

 

[board monkey]

9. Why would anyone stay in radio?
A. It's a form of fame that doesn't require good looks and a trim body.
B. It's ego-boosting and makes one feel important or relevant.
C. It's a way to communicate, albeit old fashioned when compared to modern technology.
D. It's fun, it's rewarding (in terms of personal satisfaction, not money) and it's a hoot to see what reactions one
gets to what one is doing, be it talk, music or whatever else.
E. It's better than the unemployment line (unless you're considering working for Metro. ¢¢¢¢)
F. It's a form of self destruction that keeps one from staying in the same place very long, staying married very
long, keeping a good credit score, and requires you to give everything you've got inside yourself to an audience
that may not even care, or is even listening.
G. You hate stability.
H. You love people, just not in person.

While all of these are true, "H" is the one I identify with the most.

 

[rbrucecarter5]

The person in question believes she is still a small child. She lives to follow disney movies, Hansen, and Harry potter. SHE IS IN HER 20'S as far as I know.

I have to speak up here. I don't think that somebody who prefers clean, family entertainment necessarily believes they are still a small child. I am 54, and so sick of the filth on network TV that I pretty much watch Disney Channel and Nickelodeon sitcoms and movies. Good clean family sitcoms of the sort I saw growing up in the 60's, I never thought I would see quality family entertainment like that in my lifetime. Much superior to the usual fare on networks: who is breeding with whom this week, whose lives are completely disfunctional, who is strung out on drugs - and these are supposed to be COMEDYs. I'm not laughing - they are filth and sickness right out of the sewer. Even animated shows like "Family Guy" are full of filth and worse - anti Christian bigotry. As for Hanson - they were done in the 90's, but I enjoy the Jonas Brothers. Harry Potter is excellent, an allegorical tale of Christ saving the world. Lest anybody think I am a "child" for wanting clean entertainment - when there are repeats on I'm on History Channel, Science Channel, National Geographic, etc.

Bringing this back to metro traffic - the woman's work ethic sucks. She may get away with it because of nepotism, but I guarantee that co-worker morale and lack of performance will catch up with her, expecially if mom retires or she changes jobs. She will be in for a rude shock and once sloppy work habits are ingrained, they are hard to change.

I noticed some changes at traffic.com - a lot of people had nice widgets and gadgets working around them, some of them quit working. They had a nice ad based business model, and free information is really important. If they shut off that free access, they risk becoming as irrelevant as 100000Watts.com.

 

[BBontheRadio]

Thanks once again for the nice words, all.

Sorry for your misfortune, Mike. You and I haven't always gotten along, but you deserve better. Here's hoping you land on your feet and find something great.

-Ben

 

[MikeShannon914]

I have been in radio 45 years. My credit score is 800 and i've always had perfect credit. I've been married 40 years to the same woman and most of my jobs the audience was HUGE. Self destruction? Not me. Radio has been good.

A-HA! Wish that you were the RULE and not the EXCEPTION. What'd I give to have been in the biz that early, and to see and feel what it USED to be like. I understand it was a lot of fun, it was challenging, the competition was fierce and made you try even harder to be the best, your job and your role and your station actually MEANT SOMETHING, you could "grow" with your station and progress in your career (and it really was a career,) etc etc etc. I've started reading Gordon McLendon's biography recently ("Gordon McLendon: Maverick of Radio," Garay, 1992,) and also found a copy of Don Keyes' audio book about his time in the McLendon organization. Boy, did I miss out.

Really, I'm talking more about today's radioheads who are doing the best they can under the current rules, trying to establish stability and upward mobility in the post-1996 Telecom Act era.

Sorry for your misfortune, Mike. You and I haven't always gotten along, but you deserve better. Here's hoping you land on your feet and find something great.

Thanks, pal...I appreciate that very much. Hopefully the tide will turn soon!

I noticed some changes at traffic.com - a lot of people had nice widgets and gadgets working around them, some of them quit working.

Don't know on that...If anything, those widgets should be improving dramatically.