Why is
TRADD's tour
price so low
compared to
other tour
companies?
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Well, we want everybody who has dreamed
about stormchasing to be able to afford it.
Most of the other tour companies make a
LARGE profit off your tour fee and it goes
straight into their pockets. At TRADD, we
reduce our fee to be able to cover expenses
and have enough left over to buy the latest
equipment and to offer tours again next year.
The lower price certainly does not mean you
are getting less than if you paid another tour's
higher price. We offer everything the other
guys do plus a lot of extras! We are a real
VALUE when it comes to storm chasing. Shop
around, you will see how we compare.
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Is storm chasing
really safe?
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Absolutely, if done with chasers who have years
of experience! Somebody who has never chased
before who sets out to see a tornado is probably
in for quite a dangerous time. Actually, the
greatest dangers in chasing are other vehicles on
the road, heavy downpours, and large hail. The
team at TRADD always strives for safety when
chasing. We never chase in the dark. We also
avoid bad roads which may dead end or turn to
mud. Our experience allows us to avoid the most
dangerous parts of the storm while still allowing a
good view of the storm and to catch any
tornadoes that form. Safe viewing for tornadoes
is anywhere from 1/2 to 1 mile away depending
on terrain and road conditions.You are ALWAYS
kept at a safe distance from any danger.
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What type of
lodging can
I expect to
stay in during
the week?
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Our home base in Dallas, Tx. is the nice
Quality Inn & Suites hotel. This hotel is only
about 10 minutes from the airport. Each room
is nicely appointed and acomplimentary
continental breakfast is served each morning.
Free shuttle to and from the airport! During
your chase week, we will find similar motels
and hotels that meet our higher standards of
lodging. We never stay in run down motels.
Only national chain type motels/hotels will be
chosen such as Red Roof Inn, Motel 6,
Super 8, and La Quinta Inns & Suites.
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Do you choose
lodging in the
path of nighttime
severe storms?
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ABSOLUTELY NOT! This is a very dangerous
practice. Our competitors actually tell you
upfront that they choose lodging in the path of
tornadic storms. We -do not- due to risk of injury
and death because of nighttime tornadoes.
Nearly 35% of all tornadoes occur after dark. We
always find lodging out of the way of tornadic
severe storms so you can get a safe and good
nights sleep. We have heard stories of other tour
groups waking their guests in the middle of the
night to quickly evacuate the motel due to a
tornado warning issued for their county. Simply
said, we would never put you in harms way.
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What is a
typical days
schedule like?
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We generally start our day about 9am.
Everybody in the group meets in the hotel
lobby already packed and ready to hit the
road for a discussion of the days storm
potential and target areas. Targets areas are
usually picked out the night before, but they
often change by mid-morning. IF we have a
lot of driving that day, we will leave as soon
as possible in order to arrive at the target area
by late afternoon. Some days we drive a good
distance to see storm activity. Other days,
activity is very close by. Afternoons on good
target days are spent driving to the target
area. Prime time viewing for storm activity is
anywhere from 3pm to about 9pm. After 9pm,
we wrap things up and decide where to stay
the night. Sometimes a little more driving is
involved to reach a suitable hotel. We always
choose clean, safe, and national chain type
hotels. Some days during the season will
bring NO severe weather. So on those "bust"
days, we sightsee and do fun stuff. Hopefully
the next day brings us stormy weather.
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Will I get to eat a
normal breakfast,
lunch, and
dinner each day?
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If you are expecting a sit down meal three times
a day on stormy weather days, that probably will
not happen. Some meals on chase days are
eaten on the run. Where we stop and for how
long depends on how far we must drive that
day. Breakfast is generally a continental type
usually served at the hotel. Lunch is most likely
the meal we will find a sit down restaurant. Since
dinner is during prime time storm hours, we
suggest you have a larger lunch to hold you over
until after 9pm. We try to stop for some kind
of late supper after each day of chasing, but
most always after 9pm. On "bust" days, meal
times are more normal. If a medical condition
requires more frequent food stops, we can
accommodate your needs.
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What do I
need to
pack for the
trip?
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Well, a change of clothes for 5-6 days. You
can pack lighter if you want since most hotels
have laundry facilities. The weather can vary
in the plains during tornado season. Most of
the time, it is warm, so pack appropriately. We
prefer one medium bag or suitcase per
person. Luggage space in the van can be
tight with a full tour! Some days when the
cold front passes, it can drop 20 degrees.
Long pants and a light jacket and/or water
repellent jacket are recommended also. As
far as other items, of course, bring a camera.
Most people bring either a camera and/or
video camera. If you don't have one, you
can buy those disposable ones at the drug
stores. Since storm chasing can involve
ALOT of driving - bring books, magazines, a
IPOD and other small entertainment
items. Make sure you pack all important
medicines or other personal items that can't
be found on the road. A comfortable pair of
shoes is good also. We allow ONE bag per
person to help conserve luggage space and
ONE backpack or purse next to you in the van.
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What kind of
transportation
can I expect
during the week?
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All tours have brand new 12-15 passenger vans
complete with air conditioning and large
windows. A typical tour has about 6 people, plus
1 or 2 drivers. Everyone who signs up will get a
window seat! Since we might be traveling many
miles per day, your comfort is important to us.
We try to stop for stretch, food, and restroom
breaks as needed. There is NO smoking or
alcoholic beverages allowed IN the van at
all times.
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What are the
restrictions
to chase with
TRADD?
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We only have 2. All chasers must be at least
18 years old. We recommend all chasers be
age 18 or over due to the patience involved
with long drives and our insurance demands.
If a parent/family member/guardian/ or friend
wants to bring somebody younger than 18,
then we do allow younger guests - 12 and
over. We can't be held responsible for any
person under 18. Secondly, you must be
physically able to get IN and OUT of the van
in a timely manner in case heavy rain or
large hail impacts our viewing spot. Contact
us before you sign up if you have any special
needs or concerns.
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What if I need to
go home during
the chase week?
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If you choose to leave the tour, either for your
own personal reasons or for an emergency, we
will take you to the closest airport to catch a
flight back home. We make no guarantees as to
which airport we can take you to. It depends on
where we are located. You are responsible for all
transportation costs back home. If you have an
unexpected emergency, we can give you partial
credit for the remaining days of your chase week
to other available chase weeks or next season.
We will make every effort to accommodate your
needs but the other paying tour guests have
their rights also to see storms and not miss a
weather event.
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