Passage on a Tow

Hi, Bruce. Speaking for any company I ever had anything to do with, the answer is "no". Most towboats have guest rooms aboard, but they are for company officials, customers, an extra crew member, etc.

I know that there have been instances when a company allows a guest aboard for several days, but this is usually a writer who is writing a newspaper or magazine article. I know ACBL has done this in the past, but I have never heard of any inland towing company in the U.S. allowing a passenger just for the heck of it, because they wanted to ride a towboat. Not to say that it could not be done somehow, but I would bet against it. Sorry.

Alter and Co. in Bettendorf used to take passengers on the UMR, but I don't know if they still do. Probably not in our litigous sp? society...

As someone who currently works as a pilot on towboat I can tell you with certainty that the answer is no. I don't know of any company that ever has. Besides life towboat is very different than what you all see on the steamboats. Towboaters can very ruff neck sometime depending on the boat and the company. Also if you were just riding it would get so boring!!

As I previously posted, Alter and Co. based in Bettendorf used to take a couple of passengers at a time. Whether they still do or not, I know not. However it is a fact that this towing company DID take passengers.

I have a friend who was a pilot for Alter and he doesn't remember any people ever riding. As of now NO ONE allows people on their boats. Some boats still guest rooms but they are usually for extra crew or office people, rarely does that happen. Alot of boats that had guest rooms have turned them in exercise rooms. The closest you will ever come to riding a towboat is the River Explorer, and that is not really the same.

Passengers on Alter Co. towboats

I just talked to the Alter Co. home office in Bettendorf. Yes they indeed did carry passengers, and in fact still do - but in a bit different format. They participate in local fundraisers and offer a trip for two on one of their UMR towboats as a prize. This is quite a popular item. So there's the definitive word on Alter Barge Line and passengers, from the headquarters.

Baer, ya must be a young fella........... If ya want to know, ya just ask Judy !!!!!!

This is not about me. First off I am not a "young fella". I've been a licensed pilot for over 15 years!! Also, your comment "If ya want to know, ya just ask Judy !!!!!!"
Let me tell you something I have watched this site for a long time and I can tell Judy doesn't know half as much as she thinks she does. I've passed more bouys than Judy has passed lampposts. I've forgotten more than she will ever know!

Sorry you feel that way, to each his own regarding his knowledge and that of others...by the way, several months ago you posted your plans and schedule for the MAGNOLIA BELLE running out of Paducah. How is that venture doing?

JLee Baer, the thing about Judy is that she knows so much more about this stuff than just about all of us, combined. She is a source. A source that I have trusted through Steamboats.org forum #1 and forum #2, and she has taught me a lot. Matter of fact, I believe my first posting to this board was as a reply to one of Judy's posts, I had to know more.

Now if you know more than Judy, I welcome and look forward to more of your wisdom through your postings to this board.

Until that, Judy will remain one of my main sources....

Yea, Judy knows so much. I'm sorry. So Judy what boat did you deck on? Where are working as pilot? What kind of license do you hold? So where you posted? Oh that's right she's not a pilot, but I am!

Alright let's get this straight. Bruno, you and Judy are not towboaters. Judy doesn't know everything, and she is not a towboater.

I am not saying anymore about this. I know who the real river people are here on this site.

P.S. My boat is doing just fine.

So by your logic, Mr. Baer, only towboaters are the real river people...and thanks for pointing out to me that I'm not a towboater, that clears up the confusion in my head.

Quite the message to send to all the people looking at this website, me and my wife included, wondering if they would like riding the Magnolia Belle!

Its an interesting choice of a word, real...I'm pretty sure who the real river people are that post on this forum, also.

The webmaster of this site is not a towboater, the man that allows you to post your bilge for free, and I dare you to tell he and his family that they are not real river people.

Thank you Bruno. I was going to stay out of this fray since I have not posted anything for a long time. But I still read almost every message every day. I will not stand back and let someone attack Judy just because she is more knowledgeable than they are. I have known Judy for at least 30 years and she has never pushed her knowledge or her experience on anyone. She knows what she knows because she has experienced it or has taken the time to research it. She does not rely on word of mouth facts. Just because “a friend told me” is never a good basis for attacking someone else’s knowledge. A pilot’s license does not make someone an expert on anything or everything even if it is river related. There are plenty of people out here that know and love the rivers and the boating industry that have never set foot on a boat. That does not mean they are completely ignorant of what goes on now or in the past. Maybe some pilots should concentrate on keeping their head out of the mud!

J Lee Baer has changed the original subject. J Lee, please back off for a little while. It is the best way for you to save face.

Annie Blum