MovieChat Forums > Storm Chasers (2007) Discussion > Reed Timmer: More ***** Than Brains

Reed Timmer: More ***** Than Brains

posted 13 years ago by Fidel_Sarcastro
6 replies | jump to latest

I can understand his ambition and excitement when on the hunt, I get it that his business relies on intercepting tornados, capturing video and collecting scientific data BUT that same gung ho attitude almost bought him, Joel and the radar guy (and discovery camera guy) the farm on that last chase. Joel kept telling him that the tornado was too strong (a solid F4) and the Dominator wasn't made for tornados that strong but Reed's excitement clouded his judgement, all he could thing of is interception and deployment but not of the risks. Joel as he usually does caved in and took em closer to the tornado to deploy. As evident from the video they got too close, when your car starts to slide when fully lowered and with the breaks pressed to the ground you are too close. If that tornado would have pushed em 5 feet over to the side of the road there was a ditch and if the dominator would have leaned into the ditch exposing one side of the undercarriage to the tornado in those winds they would have been flipped, luckily the winds spun them just the right way. Luck was the only thing that stopped that incident from being a full blown catastrophe. Sure if they had a hulking behemoth like TIV II then it probably would have been okay but the dominator just isn't built for those sort of winds. I get that risks are part of the job but those risks should be calculated risks, that is why I respect Tim's Twistex team, they care about saving lives and collecting scientific data but they put safety first, passing on many great tornados because chasing them in those situation would put them in unnessisery danger.

Between Tim and Reed if I had a choice to chase with one or the other I would choose Tim hands down, sure I would never have a chance to punch the core of a tornado but I would be more likely to live longer and in the process be able to chase more tornados in the long run.

[–] DYouKnowWhatIMean 13 years ago

The way I see it is if your willing to put your life on the line then go for it because you only live once. Yes you run the risk of getting seriously injured or even killed but that chance is small with something like the Dominator and the TIV. If the Dominator rolled they would have gotten some bumps and bruises and maybe broken bones, but I dont think any of them would have died.
Tim isn't looking to directly intercept tornadoes. If he had the funding to do so though I think he might consider it. He would probably build a vehicle to with stand EF-5 winds and would only use it on EF-3 and lower for his own safety logic.
I respect the entire passion of storm chasing because you have to be a little risky to do it period. Reed does let he emotions get the best of him but as you can see, that allows him to get the best shots. Throughout history you will see that the best work that is produced with any kind of danger involved is usually due to taking the job to the extreme. Danger is the key to success. Which is why overall I respect TIV and Dominator over Tim.

Jack Shephard "You disrespect his memory by wearing his face but you're nothing like him."

[–] Holkospinner 13 years ago

The point is that he puts other people's lives on the line as well who obviously are not really as willing to risk their wellbeing for the next tornado adrenaline fix as he is.

[–] Fidel_Sarcastro 13 years ago

Exactly, that radar guy definitely had that "I didn't sign on for this ****" look on his face, they all knew when they were in the thick of it that they were in over their heads. during previous interceptions you could see excitement in Reed and Joel's face, this time I saw concern and fear (while the radar guy looked like he was soiling himself).

[–] goatcheeseme 13 years ago

You should really read Reed (haha) Timmer's book Into the Storm. It is a great comprehensive look into the mind of Reed Timmer, starting from when he was younger, mostly going through college and into his early career, and includes moments he regrets during intercepts. The "radar guy" (I believe you're referring to Chris Chittick) is only a few that have had the "I didn't sign up for this" moment, and after reading this book, you'll appreciate Chris and Joel a lot more as well (many bailed on Reed as soon as things got too scary).

It's an easy read, very edge-of-your-seat kinda book yet still biographical. It's good!

[–] robjla 13 years ago

Is the book in ALL CAPS?

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[–] Dasboba 13 years ago

Haha, well played!