My first trip with Clark Transfer, bobtailing (driving with no trailer) almost 1100 miles, pickup a trailer, take it to the theater in Minneapolis, load it. Drive to Detroit, unload, drop trailer, do something else.
Being associated with Broadway shows is kind of cool, kind of like delivering to a cool tradeshow or the time we delivered generators to the Superbowl. I know who and what I’m carrying, but I don’t have the time or even the ability to see what I delivered when it’s all setup. All I see is crates, boxes and equipment.
I’m one of several trucks loading out and going to Detroit. I don’t know how many and I’m pretty sure we don’t convoy to Detroit because everyone has different time schedules. The trailer probably won’t have graphics, partly for the expense, but partly to keep people from messing with them when they are sitting empty in some trailer yard.
From what we were told at orientation, because of how a show is disassembled and reassembled, the first truck out is the last truck in and the last truck out is the first truck to be unloaded.
The offices in the headquarters are filled with posters of Broadway shows, some signed and some with pictures of the custom painted trailers.
Unless I’m actually on tour with the show, I’m only associated with the show momentarily, but it’s still cool. It doesn’t matter what show I have from now on, everything I have will be on time no matter what.
Wayne,
Does Clark pull any of the Cirque de Soleil shows? We saw one in Austin this weekend and it was really cool. It’s amazing the things the gymnists, contortionists, and actors can do (and all to cool music).
Ok Wayne, this is your big opportunity, it’s staring you right in the kisser – forget the computer school’n get out those tap shoes. Follow in the shoes of the great George M. Cohan – “Give ma regards to Broadway.” Start those singing lessons. Learn to read music. U never know. One day u’ll be deliver’n for Clark and the star of the show will get sick – the understudy nowhere to be found – and they’ll be desperate. In steps the Greeeeaaat WW – that’s you kiddo – Broadway Wayne – your name in lights! Sardies – are they still in business? – whatever – no more Petro’s for you kiddo – no – park the truck and slap on the greasepaint – hit the lights! – here’s Waynnnnneeeee. Oh by the way, sorry, I forgot, you gotta ditch the last name – u need something flashier – more Broadway – let me see – um – ah ha – Newton – no you’re right – that’s taken – em – CLARK! It was right in front of me – Wayne Clark – perfect! Ladies and gents – now starring in Rent, Wicked and Camelot – the great Wayne Clark. Good luck buddy.
Trust me, I have a better chance at making money trucking than Broadway.
I don’t know about Cirque de Soleil.
17 trucks/trailers to move Wicked.
Just curious – if the turnover is so low at Clark, were you the only one in the orientation? And – do you stay with Wicked on their national tour, or do you move from show to show based on what they dispatch you on?
I was one of three at orientation and there was only two of us after the first day. Long story, but they gave the guy some fuel money just to help him out a little and get him on his way.
There are two payscales, one for tours and the other for spot moves. Because Wicked stayed so long in each city, no one was really on tour with it. When it’s time to move shows like that, everyone gets dispatched, usually bobtail or empty to the show.
The show is loaded and moved to the next city, unloaded and everyone goes and does something else. Most of the trailers stay with the show. There is a lot of bobtailing. I bobtailed 1100 miles from Harrisburg to Minneapolis, loaded to Detroit, now bobtailing again to Boston. Bobtail miles are paid. They’re less then loaded and even less then empty, a flat rate plus fsg, and tolls.
There are tours available that you actually stay with that show city to city. The shortest tour can be two weeks or as long as several months.
It’s a weird setup.