Friday, September 17, 2010
Local Motor Coach Driver Honored 
Press release
The Tennessee Motor Coach Association, Drivers' Rodeo and Summer Meeting was held August 31 and Sept 1 in Greeneville, TN.
Commercial motorcoach (Tour Bus) drivers from 
across the State of Tennessee competed for the honor of top motorcoach driver.This event is based on two areas of expertise- general knowledge and driving skills.
The drivers were given written test covering Federal rules and regulations, hour of service and road safety on Tuesday afternoon at the General Morgan Inn and Conference Center. On Wednesday morning the drivers showed off their abilities to handle a 45 foot luxury coach on a skills course that was set up at the Tennessee DOT, Greene County Scale facility located on Interstate 81.
Each driver took their turn maneuvering through a 
very tight course of orange cones and barrels. Two Tennessee Highway Patrol Officers was aboard the bus to observe and time each driver.
The course consists of 7 skills that each driver would normally encounter in the daily operation of a tour bus.
The 1st place driver was Phil Casteel who drives for Greene Coach Company located in Greeneville, TN.
Steve Carter with First Class Charter located in 
Lawrenceburg, TN took second place and two more drivers representing Greene Coach Company placed 3rd & 4th, which were Billy Casteel and Ronnie Holt and the 5th place driver was Shelton Lewis from J & L Enterprise of Cleveland, TN. 
Placing 6th was Bill Rogers with All Board USA located in Chattanooga, TN.
The seventh place driver was Junior Little with Wise Coaches located in Hermitage, TN and the eighth place driver was David Whedbee with 20th Century Coach from Kingsport, TN.
Finishing up our top 10 was Robert Marlow from 
Premier Transportation, Knoxville, TN and David Harris with Wise Coaches, Hermitage, TN.
The awards luncheon and trophy presentation was held at the General Morgan Inn. The top five drivers receive monetary prizes, with the top prize being $500, plus each driver that participated received gift packages from TMCA vendors with an estimated value of over $250.
The Tennessee Motor Coach Association was established in June of 1995 when a group of concerned motorcoach owners were called together at the urging of the North Carolina Bus Association.
Having experienced the many benefits of an active association, NCBA members convinced attendees that a state association would have a major impact on the travel industry not only in Tennessee, but throughout the nation as well.
The TMCA ultimate goal is to promote the advantages of group travel by motorcoach and broaden the spectrum of destinations throughout Tennessee and America. To do this the association made a commitment to enlist operator members that were willing to join in a "team effort" to educate and inform the traveling public of what our unique industry is all about and how we can serve them better.
As a result, the association has grown to include 30 motorcoach operator members in the state of Tennessee and 18 affiliated operators from the 8 bordering states to Tennessee. Plus, 4 travel professional companies as members.
In just a short period of time members realized the tremendous advantages of working together in unity. Although competition is still a major part of our everyday business, operators now are able to compete in a healthier market due to knowledge gained and shared through cooperative efforts of our membership.
Through social events, regular meetings, and specially designed training and seminars members have managed to stay on the leading edge of today's ever changing industry.
Issues such as State and Federal legislation, safety, public relations, tourism and travel related programs are constantly monitored by the association in order that its members maintain the highest standards possible and enhance the image of the motorcoach industry.
Associate membership has grown to include more than 300 companies and organizations that represent industry related vendors from all across the U.S. and Canada. Tour and Travel associates include: representatives of the hotel-motel industry, attractions, restaurants, visitor bureaus and receptive tour operator's just to mention a few.
While Service related associates include: motorcoach and parts manufacturers, tire and lubricant suppliers, insurance agencies and maintenance products. TMCA values the insight and expertise of associate members and encourage their views and comments for a successful association.
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