Tony Martinez, Dean of Traffic ReportersSubmitted by LynnS on Mon, 12/18/2006 - 2:11pm.
Today's TV Spy also points to yesterday's Columbian, which features an interview with KPTV/KXL traffic reporter Tony Martinez. How long has Tony been doing traffic? This long:
I'm not sure what the occasion is, but there you go. What's less primitive? Filing timely reports from out on the streets via payphone... or from a chopper sitting on the ground miles from the nearest roadway affected. That's the stupidest use of a chopper I've ever seen. Only in Portland would viewers be impressed by a live shot from a grounded aircraft. The viewers who are awake enough to know what's going are aware the traffic report is being done by someone who hasn't a clue what's going on and is sitting on the ground in a chopper. There is a safety factor here that no one should ignore. Tony will sit in Air 12 on "flight standby" each weekday morning. If they can fly, they will. If they can't, he sits on the ground. On several occasions I have noticed that KPTV clearly intended to have Tony flying in Air 12. But... weather conditions wouldn't allow it. If the chopper can't fly, he's stuck there because his traffic hits are too frequent and too important to take him out of the show during the time it would take for him to move locations. And, in disagreement to the previous poster, Tony has nothing to be embarrassed about. His presence on GDO is a major selling point for that broadcast. He's an asset whether he's on the ground or in the air. Even sitting in a grounded chopper, he's by far the best traffic reporter on TV in town, without question. Add-in his chemistry with the rest of the GDO crew, and he's on a pedestal that no one else can reach. (Can you tell I'm a Tony fan???) One of the best things about this blog is reading entries from people who truly know nothing about how TV news works. They're like those truly ignorant people you come across at a party. You know them. They're the one's who spout off like they know everything about how something works while someone who does know stands by their side usually in silent embarassment. That's what's so entertaining for newsies. Thank goodness for the internet. For the record, Tony is not just a traffic reporter, he is a reporter that is able to access any story from the air before anyone else shows up. Any aerial crew can be grounded for weather and safety concerns, and I certainly don't think ANY station in town would be stupid enough to risk a crews safety or their lives for the sake of a stupid shot of the freeway. N'est pas? a group of nay-sayers who don't work in the business. I guess listening to a reporter 'grounded' in a radio studio, or the traffic control center works for you... same traffic cams, same info, different level of credibility???? I'll go with the guy who has been doing it for a couple of decades! He is a true gent! (so is Daryl) Make fun of the helicopter shots , but make sure you let me know when the other helicopters lands at the studios at 2, 6 or 8 to pick up their traffic reporters. Or better yet have them show me a wreck, fire or police chase from Lake Oswego, Tualatin, Vancouver, Gresham, Beaverton, Oregon City, Portland . . . oh wait, ODOT doesn't have a camera there, so we will just tell you about it. He is the best in Portland, even sitting in the helicopter on the ground. Another Tony Fan Who cares if Air 12 is grounded half the time at Hillsboro airport? What the critics seem to forget is that the other half of the time it's FLYING. Even having him on standby in Hillsboro allows for quick breaking news coverage, if needed. I don't even work there, and I'll admit, it's a good system. KGW once fired their pilot because he refused to fly more hours than the station wanted. The station wante him to violate FAA rules. KGW might have been Kim Ragnoni(sp), there was an issue there but don't remember the details. I also believe there was a pilot for either KOMO or KIRO that refused to fly because of long hours and was let go... story went national (I remember reading it) and I think the pilot was re-hired. Those of us who remember Ragnone at KGW know the REAL story of his departure had nothing to do with long hours. It's much more interesting than that! He ain't doin' his job. What is the real problem down at KGW? They are on their 5th pilot in the last 8 years. Anyone got answers for that? Seems a bit odd for that to be going on, most seem to stay for years at other stations but not at KGW. WHY??? Ask the KGW pilot and the KGW morning traffic photog and you will get the straight shot.... hot shot! or maybe even Kaluza or Rose. Tonight is Tim Becker's last night on air at KPTV after 10 years of service - I'm a big fan, and they've taught ME a thing or two. Tony & Daryl are GREAT peeps with a lot of clout! If you've seen what Daryl works with up there, and know how quick Tony is to spot things off 3 miles away, with nothing more than his retinas, then you'd know just how great a team they truly are. Bla-doww! Hey Lynn, why didn't you post the comments on this Blog. I know there were some. Because it very quickly devolved into libel of another pilot. Don't even start here. ----- Post new comment |
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For those who have never met him, Tony's cool and Darryl his chopper photog is THE MAN.