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We’ve been driving a 27ft hot dog car across the country for the past 3 months and we’ve seen some crazy stuff. AUA.
Hey Reddit – Cokie & Amanda here! We're the "hotdoggers" who have been driving the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile across the US for the past 3 months. We've taken some great photos along the way.
We're here to answer your questions!
PROOF:
https://twitter.com/oscarmayer/status/383249635881390080
Edit: Lunch break! Be back at 3PM EST to answer more questions.
Edit #2: Back for round 2! Ask us anything.
Edit #3: Thanks all for the great questions! There are pictures to take and whistles to hand out. Gotta get back to work. Ketchup with ya another time.
IAmAHotdogger56 karma
I wouldn't call it a "close call"... but I once had to drive in Times Square following the other five Wienermobiles. I'm glad the Wienermobile is sound proof because strong sentence enhancers were used that day.
IAmAHotdogger30 karma
Cokie: Bellefonte, Pa!! I stayed in a Victorian B&B that included a comfy queen size bed and a soaker tub! It was a nice break from hotels.
Amanda: Denver, Colorado was my absolute favorite. The mountain views and fresh air was amazing.
willseeya19 karma
How does one go about getting an awesome job like driving a Weinermobile across the country?
IAmAHotdogger28 karma
They recruit at college campuses around the country. Check out Hotdoggerblog.com if you're interested.
IAmAHotdogger25 karma
It's comparable to any job right out of college except you don't have to pay rent!
IAmAHotdogger22 karma
We get paid! I get to travel the country. I get to meet different people from all walks of life. I absolutely love my job.
JediMasterbater2 karma
Good to hear that. When you said it was similar to other jobs right out if college, I assumed you meant "nothing"... Half joking, half serious!
But do you get all you can eat free hot dogs?
IAmAHotdogger4 karma
Believe me this is an awesome job to travel, see the country, and save money!
IAmAHotdogger20 karma
The keys belong to Oscar Mayer, but you can email [email protected] if you would like us to come to your next event!
IAmAHotdogger30 karma
You'd be surprised how often we get pulled over just for a whistle and a pic
IAmAHotdogger19 karma
IAmAHotdogger20 karma
I ran out of Wiener Whistles at an event... THE worst day on the road. Running out of whistles is like running out of oxygen! People really do love their whistles.
efox12 karma
What's inside the back of truck? Are there beds or anything? I picture it basically like a wiener-shaped RV.
IAmAHotdogger24 karma
It's no Weeniebago! haha There are 6 captains seats inside the Wienermobile. The rest of the back is storage since we travel all over the country all year long.
IAmAHotdogger22 karma
People love the wienermobile! No matter where I've been from NY to California it puts a smile on their face. Can you blame them?
pulledoutthe3rdleg10 karma
Just a few questions off the top of my head. How hard is it to handle the wiener? Does it do well around curves? How about climbing and descending? How slippery does the surface have to be for the wiener to hydroplane? Does the wiener get bouncy on grated surfaces? I have more...
perezidentt10 karma
I guess the child of my neighbor did this too because about 8 years ago they had it parked in the driveway a couple houses down from me for a couple of months. That seems odd since you guys seem to travel a lot.
What would be the reason for having it stay in one spot in a neighborhood for so long?
IAmAHotdogger10 karma
We recruit new Hotdoggers every year. No two days are alike in this job, but we usually stay in cities at about a week at a time. it all depends on what kind of event requests we get rolling in.
cdaiscool9 karma
What sort of special driving training did you have to drive a vehicle like that around?
IAmAHotdogger64 karma
40 Hours of driver's training just for us to learn how to maneuver our buns
IAmAHotdogger11 karma
My favorite was when I visited a 12-yr-old aspiring Hotdogger who submitted a cover letter for when he graduates from college in 8 YEARS! His cover letter might have been better than mine. True story.
IAmAHotdogger17 karma
People are intrigued by the Wienermobile. They like touching and knocking on to see what it is made of, but nobody wants to harm it.
CarmenTS7 karma
All of a sudden really sad that I've never seen the Weinermobile in person :(
IAmAHotdogger7 karma
Don't be sad! We never want to see a sad face! You never know where we will be next.
IndustryGiant6 karma
I guess driving a giant hot dog you would stick to the backroads rather than the Interstates? Do you feel like thats a better way to see America? Or do you roll up on the Interstate? How fast does that thing reasonably go?
IAmAHotdogger12 karma
We actually drive on interstates all across the country. They've wind tunnel tested it at over 90MPH, but we always go the speed limit. :)
loukitch5 karma
Amanda, how would you life be different if your parents named you Christine?
IAmAHotdogger6 karma
Well, my hotdogger name is Spicy Mustard Mandy... not sure what it would've been if my name was Christine! Any ideas anyone?
SnipeyMcSnipe5 karma
Where were you guys on the fourth of July? I remember seeing one of these in my hometown parade. How many hot dog cars are out there?
IAmAHotdogger11 karma
All six Wienermobiles are spread out across the country. I was in Coralville, Iowa at their Fourth of July Parade. I actually got to pop out the BUN roof and wave, while my partner drove.
LaMadrina5 karma
Holy shit - amanda we went to college together...
Participated in the Latino community together. Glad to see you're doing your thing and this AMA.
SkyysThaLimit5 karma
Were you just in Dallas? I saw you guys for the first time in my life last week!
IAmAHotdogger5 karma
Oh, I wish I were! I'm from Waco. Our South team had events in Dallas.
IAmAHotdogger7 karma
Haha, yeah that was me, Amanda, that stopped in Butler. I was on my way to NY, but had to make a quick stop at Penn State on the way. WE ARE!
kobester19854 karma
It's been one of my wishes to see one of the weinermobiles in person since I was a kid. Hope to see one soon!
IAmAHotdogger4 karma
What state do you live in? Check out hotdoggerblog.com. There, you can see what part of the country the Wienermobiles are in under the 'Where We Are' tab.
IAmAHotdogger4 karma
Mine was a back to school event in Denver at the Denver Coliseum. We ended the summer playing corn hole with all the kids right before they headed back to school. What's cooler than a Wiener Whistle and a Wienermobile sticker to show all of your friends?
jfoust24 karma
At a thrift shop, I recently purchased a nice red polo shirt with an embroidered Weinermobile on it. What's it worth? Should I eBay it?
khodges8193 karma
Hey Hotdoggers! It's Ketchup Kylie from Class 24 :) Please tell Ed, Rachel and Becky I say hi! Also- how was the Wienermobile run? Do y'all know the winner yet?! Happy fall staff!
IAmAHotdogger2 karma
Ketchup Kylie!!! Can't wait to get back to LA with Kate to KETCHUP! I'll say hi to everyone for you. Check in September 30th for the Wienermobile Run winner announcement.
themackerman3 karma
Has the Mobile ever travelled abroad? And are there Tamalemobiles, Bratwurstmobiles and/or Potstickermobiles that you could meet up with if/when you do?
IAmAHotdogger4 karma
The Wienermobile has been to all 50 states... yup, even Alaska and Hawaii. We've even done a special trip to Europe and even have our 1988 Wienermobiles living in Mexico!
InfamousBLT3 karma
Hah! I used to make frequent (once or twice a month) trips from Cleveland to Chicago, and then also from Chicago to Detroit.
I've seen the Weinermobile at least 5 times on one of those trips, either on 80/90 or 94. It always makes me laugh.
Also thank you for not being awful drivers. That gigantic vehicle could definitely cause problems on the road but I've never seen you folks do anything other than smile and wave at people.
IAmAHotdogger7 karma
Wow! That's a lot of traveling! Thanks for the compliment! I'm going to screen shot your comment and send it to my boss. ;-)
rastacola3 karma
Are you familiar with the episode of Rocko's Modern Life, "Road Rash," where Rocko and Heffer go on a road trip and Rocko destroys their motorcycle and win a wienermobile?
placebo_button3 karma
Is it hard to keep that wiener on the road when it's super windy outside? Any close calls with a low bridge or overpass when driving around?
I just want to add that you guys are awesome! I was filling up my car a few years ago in Severna Park, MD and one of the wienermobiles pulled up next to me to get gas too. Probably the last vehicle I would expect to see in that part. I said hi and they gave me a whistle and let me get a picture with the wiener while it was filling up :)
IAmAHotdogger2 karma
The Wienermobile is super aerodynamic! People tell us it looks like a spaceship all of the time. Regarding close calls... we like to say when in doubt, GET OUT! Glad you got your Whistle and picture taken!
cronikkk3 karma
It could have been you guys, but I was driving on a frontage road in Waukesha Wisconsin and saw a similar hot dog on the freeway to my right. Needless to say I had to call my friends and tell them I saw a giant ass hot dog.
IAmAHotdogger2 karma
It wasn't Cokie or me, but we do have a Wienermobile based in the midwest so it was probably them... Shout out to Alex and Stephen.
PoopSavage2 karma
Do they hire all new people every year? Are there opportunities to keep working for Oscar Mayer?
IAmAHotdogger3 karma
A new class of Hotdoggers starts every June. There have been past Hotdoggers that go on to work for Kraft.
roygbiff2 karma
Have you noticed anyone following you?
Let me be clearer -- anytime I see the Wienermobile, I follow it until it stops. By that point, I've usually calmed down and gotten all of the photos I needed. Last time, you just stopped at a house in the middle of LA, got out, and pretended I wasn't following you.
conqueso241 karma
Hey, Cokie and Amanda! Caileigh con Queso from Class XXIV here--I hope you two are loving life on the road. How are your tan lines coming? ;) And when are those big buns coming to Seattle?!
IAmAHotdogger1 karma
Hi Caileigh! I'm still working on evening out my foot tan! I know Mike and Hannah from our Northwest team are hoping to get to Seattle soon. I'll let them know you're waiting for them.
greggosmith1 karma
Were you in Secaucus, NJ about a week ago? I saw the Weinermobile in the parking lot outside my job and took a picture.
IAmAHotdogger2 karma
Yup! Our South team of Hotdoggers, Kacee and Stephanie, took a detour to Secaucus, NJ last week. Show us your picture!
Illbjammin1 karma
My mom said she use to get whistles from the Oscar Mayer Weiner mobile 55 years ago.She would like a new whistle:)
IAmAHotdogger2 karma
We still have the whistles! Follow our travels through our @Wienermobile tweets so you can KETCHUP with us and get that whistle.
TheCreativePage1 karma
Do you guys get any free food from your employment, such as free hotdogs, and if so what are you tired of eating?
IAmAHotdogger2 karma
Oscar Mayer gives us a meal allowance, but Hotdoggers get tired of eating out. We love when we get the chance to have a home cooked meal.
IAmAHotdogger2 karma
Tascana Soup!! I've cooked it numerous times on the road! There is something about the combination of kale and potatoes that makes my mouth water!
frojoe1 karma
Why does Oscar Mayer do this? It's very enjoyable to see these vehicles ~ but it just dawned upon me to exactly what do you guys actually do?
IAmAHotdogger2 karma
We travel all around the country doing promotional events-- so everything from parades, to festivals, retail events, and military bases. We want to bring the Wienermobile to you and make memories you will have forever!
IAmAHotdogger3 karma
I applied in my last semester of college. After two rounds of interviews, I ended up cutting the mustard.
DirtyAnus1 karma
I think you passed through my hometown once... Did pass through Taft, CA?
IAmAHotdogger1 karma
I've driven a bunch through Calfornia, but never Taft. Could've been another group of Hotdoggers.
srijankiller1 karma
What is that one question you guys have in mind that you have prepared for to answer? (Just curious)
IAmAHotdogger1 karma
If I'm reading your question right, we did not do any AMA prep. We are doing this on the fly!
IAmAHotdogger7 karma
Best advice? Huummm... When your driving a giant hot dog, you can't take yourself too seriously.
JamesRenner73 karma
Did you giggle every time you went through a tunnel?
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