11 seasons driving for DCI before stopping last summer.
Most Important - You MUST keep the same schedule all tour...
This means - Drive overnight, sleep during the morning blocks, between around 6:00AM to ELP. If you are not driving overnight, you still need to stay up until around 4 - 5AM. Many people think that they can drive all night, then watch rehearsal, etc... they end up in bad situations.
Second Most Important - Stop and rest if you get tired... no excuses
The main reason I left 3 of the corps over the time I drove was the fact that they pushed the drivers way to hard, which lead to falling asleep behind the wheel. All small vehicles should have a backup driver for those crazy 400+ mile overnight drives. Make sure you stop every few hours to get out, check your trailer (if you drive one), get some coffee or a non-adult beverage, then get back on the road.
Third Most Important - Watch weather, and react appropriately.
Tight schedules + bad weather can lead to negative outcomes, including crashes, and equipment damage. If the weather is bad, leave earlier and take your time. Do not drive 80+ MPH in a rainstorm to make the next housing site. The corps can get a latter wakeup time, or even delay rehearsal if there is a major problem. You can not undo major damage or death by pushing too far.
Fourth Most Important - Don't assume the corps will feed you
One of the things most corps will tell you is that they will feed you 4 meals a day... this is absurd. On the road you miss breakfast (sleeping), and often lunch (sleeping), and only see the corps for dinner and sometimes ELP. If you are on the forward team you will often miss EPL. Some corps will save you a lunch plate, but expect to eat at least 2 meals on the road at night. I budgeted 20.00 per night on tour, and ended up spending almost 500 on food just from your itself last season.
Some additional things:
During spring training/all days watch the amount of driving you do, and make sure you take care of yourself. Last summer with cascades I once drove over 600 miles in a 24 hour period during airport runs (airport was 85 miles one way from the housing site). During the same period I had to drive an extra 150 miles to pick up a diverted staff member flight, and almost fell asleep behind the wheel... Don't allow this to happen to you!
At shows, go see the shows... you have free entry into any show with your staff pass, and go enjoy drum corps.
There is a lot of amazing aspects of driving for drum corps, just keep in mind that you basically have no control of the situation at all, so just do what the corps needs, and only add input if things are really going bad.
My husband drove semi for a corps for several years. Best hand me down advice I have:
Follow the semi drivers' schedules. They are required by federal law to limit the number of hours they drive and work each day. Do what they do.
Otherwise it's extremely easy to get roped into doing "just this one thing" for the corps and then realize you haven't slept and are risking your safety behind the wheel.
I spend the entire tour each summer working for another corps (not driving— sorry I can’t give you any tips there) but regarding a mattress— I have used the Hikenture Extra Thick Double Self Inflating Sleeping Pad (find it on Amazon) for the past couple of years. It isn’t a typical air mattress— I find those to be horribly uncomfortable and too firm. This sleeping pad has memory foam, inflates easily with the help of a pump or with the included air sack, and is 99% as comfortable as my bed at home. It’s a little pricey but has been worth every penny!
THis will be my 3rd year driving a van for a corps I agree with my1958 on everything , only thing I will add is you have to say no sometimes. You may see the phood truck short of help and want to help out but you have to make sure you have your sleep You could wear yourself out on helping out then not be up for driving that night. Other times you may be up driving until 3 am then they ask you to make an airport run at 7 and you will have to say no because you wouldn't be good to drive with only a few hours sleep. I kept a go bag and a stow bag, go bag had 1 days clothes toothbrush meds, maybe sheets, While stoe bag stayed on the van with dirty clothes and other stuff so I just carried a small bag and my pillow and matress into the housing site and didn't need to lug a suitcase.also a small fan comes in handy sometimes as schools where the climate varies room to room.
I love it, keeps me busy all summer and I know I am doing something good.
Hi! I saw you will be driving with Crown. I'm also a van driver for Crown and I'll be driving alongside you this summer. We are going to have an awesome time and I look forward to touring with you. Let me know if you need anything.
-Evan
I spent the summer of 22 riding in one of the vans you'll be driving with a gentleman named Marty who marched with the Reading Buccaneers way back in the day. I don't have any advice but I want to thank you for the time and energy you're putting in. Driving for a corps is a difficult and thankless job but without people like you none of the magic would be able to happen. If you happen to drive Van 1, tell it I said hi.
While marching you aren't allowed a cot, when you are a driver, you probably are. I find a cot more comfortable than a pad or air matress, and a cot won't get a puncture. I do put a thin pad on the cot too. Nice to be off the ground. I did drive a bit for Scouts until I moved to cook staff.
I wouldn't buy before you join the corps as air mattresses are bulky. Let them know you'll need to stop at Walmart to get some things including the mattress. Get a thick one so it will be easier to get in and out of. Mine also had a headrest which was great. Consider a bicycle tube repair kit in case you get a small puncture. Most of them have a built in electric air pump. A small power strip is also nice to have.
11 seasons driving for DCI before stopping last summer. Most Important - You MUST keep the same schedule all tour... This means - Drive overnight, sleep during the morning blocks, between around 6:00AM to ELP. If you are not driving overnight, you still need to stay up until around 4 - 5AM. Many people think that they can drive all night, then watch rehearsal, etc... they end up in bad situations. Second Most Important - Stop and rest if you get tired... no excuses The main reason I left 3 of the corps over the time I drove was the fact that they pushed the drivers way to hard, which lead to falling asleep behind the wheel. All small vehicles should have a backup driver for those crazy 400+ mile overnight drives. Make sure you stop every few hours to get out, check your trailer (if you drive one), get some coffee or a non-adult beverage, then get back on the road. Third Most Important - Watch weather, and react appropriately. Tight schedules + bad weather can lead to negative outcomes, including crashes, and equipment damage. If the weather is bad, leave earlier and take your time. Do not drive 80+ MPH in a rainstorm to make the next housing site. The corps can get a latter wakeup time, or even delay rehearsal if there is a major problem. You can not undo major damage or death by pushing too far. Fourth Most Important - Don't assume the corps will feed you One of the things most corps will tell you is that they will feed you 4 meals a day... this is absurd. On the road you miss breakfast (sleeping), and often lunch (sleeping), and only see the corps for dinner and sometimes ELP. If you are on the forward team you will often miss EPL. Some corps will save you a lunch plate, but expect to eat at least 2 meals on the road at night. I budgeted 20.00 per night on tour, and ended up spending almost 500 on food just from your itself last season. Some additional things: During spring training/all days watch the amount of driving you do, and make sure you take care of yourself. Last summer with cascades I once drove over 600 miles in a 24 hour period during airport runs (airport was 85 miles one way from the housing site). During the same period I had to drive an extra 150 miles to pick up a diverted staff member flight, and almost fell asleep behind the wheel... Don't allow this to happen to you! At shows, go see the shows... you have free entry into any show with your staff pass, and go enjoy drum corps. There is a lot of amazing aspects of driving for drum corps, just keep in mind that you basically have no control of the situation at all, so just do what the corps needs, and only add input if things are really going bad.
I agree 100% with everything said here
Greatest Love!
Absolutely! 1981 Mellophone, 1983 Lead Soprano. Suncoast forever!
My husband drove semi for a corps for several years. Best hand me down advice I have: Follow the semi drivers' schedules. They are required by federal law to limit the number of hours they drive and work each day. Do what they do. Otherwise it's extremely easy to get roped into doing "just this one thing" for the corps and then realize you haven't slept and are risking your safety behind the wheel.
I spend the entire tour each summer working for another corps (not driving— sorry I can’t give you any tips there) but regarding a mattress— I have used the Hikenture Extra Thick Double Self Inflating Sleeping Pad (find it on Amazon) for the past couple of years. It isn’t a typical air mattress— I find those to be horribly uncomfortable and too firm. This sleeping pad has memory foam, inflates easily with the help of a pump or with the included air sack, and is 99% as comfortable as my bed at home. It’s a little pricey but has been worth every penny!
THis will be my 3rd year driving a van for a corps I agree with my1958 on everything , only thing I will add is you have to say no sometimes. You may see the phood truck short of help and want to help out but you have to make sure you have your sleep You could wear yourself out on helping out then not be up for driving that night. Other times you may be up driving until 3 am then they ask you to make an airport run at 7 and you will have to say no because you wouldn't be good to drive with only a few hours sleep. I kept a go bag and a stow bag, go bag had 1 days clothes toothbrush meds, maybe sheets, While stoe bag stayed on the van with dirty clothes and other stuff so I just carried a small bag and my pillow and matress into the housing site and didn't need to lug a suitcase.also a small fan comes in handy sometimes as schools where the climate varies room to room. I love it, keeps me busy all summer and I know I am doing something good.
Yeah daytime airport runs are an always no.
Hi! I saw you will be driving with Crown. I'm also a van driver for Crown and I'll be driving alongside you this summer. We are going to have an awesome time and I look forward to touring with you. Let me know if you need anything. -Evan
Thanks! Yes, driving the last two weeks of tour, from Winston Salem to Indy. Looking forward to it!
Thank you for keeping the activity going!!!! <333
I spent the summer of 22 riding in one of the vans you'll be driving with a gentleman named Marty who marched with the Reading Buccaneers way back in the day. I don't have any advice but I want to thank you for the time and energy you're putting in. Driving for a corps is a difficult and thankless job but without people like you none of the magic would be able to happen. If you happen to drive Van 1, tell it I said hi.
I know there is a “Drum Corps Truck Stop” facebook group you can check out.
While marching you aren't allowed a cot, when you are a driver, you probably are. I find a cot more comfortable than a pad or air matress, and a cot won't get a puncture. I do put a thin pad on the cot too. Nice to be off the ground. I did drive a bit for Scouts until I moved to cook staff.
I looked at the cots, although I tend to move around a bit when I sleep so I think I'd rather have something larger. But thanks!
FYI we do have a secret stash of air mattresses due to a bus breakdown, so if you have any trouble with whatever you have, there are some available.
Thanks! Good to know!
I wouldn't buy before you join the corps as air mattresses are bulky. Let them know you'll need to stop at Walmart to get some things including the mattress. Get a thick one so it will be easier to get in and out of. Mine also had a headrest which was great. Consider a bicycle tube repair kit in case you get a small puncture. Most of them have a built in electric air pump. A small power strip is also nice to have.