My main job as traffic reporter for WSB-TV and WSB Radio is a pretty unique, high visibility occupation. As such, I’m often asked questions about my job and what it entails. Below are the most common questions that I am asked. If you have any questions about my job, please email me: Mark.Arum@wsbtv.com
What is the weather going to be like?
Because traffic and weather often go hand in hand on TV and radio people often mistake me for a meteorologist. Most of the time I have a general idea of what the weather is doing (because of its huge impact on traffic) but since I am not a weatherman I can’t give people a full forecast.
When do you sleep?
I usually try to sleep between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. When I finish with traffic during the morning drive I go home and sleep and then I wake up, grab a bite to eat then head back to the station to get ready for my radio talk show (10 p.m. to midnight). It isn’t an ideal schedule, but I try to make it work.
Do you fly in the chopper?
Not very often. In years past I would fly about eight weeks in the chopper covering for Captain Herb Emory when he was on vacation or needed another set of eyes over the roads. In recent years my job has shifted and I rarely get to fly. While I enjoyed doing it, I don’t think I could do it every day. It can be very stressful. I applaud Doug Turnbull, Mark McKay and Jason Durden for their great job in the helicopter.
How did you become a traffic reporter?
Totally by accident. I had a background in sports writing for newspapers before I moved to Georgia. When I came to Atlanta I applied for a sports reporter position at WSB Radio. Even though I had no previous radio experience, the assistant program director hired me, but told me I’d have to do traffic for a couple of weeks before I moved to sports. That was in 1997 and I’m still doing traffic.
Since you are not from Georgia, how did you learn the roads?
When I was hired, Captain Herb told me to buy a map book (this was long before Google Maps) and to drive all around North Georgia. He would often quiz me on exit numbers, what counties certain cities were located and possible alternate routes to road closures. I never would have made it in this business without his help.
Do you wear makeup on TV?
Yes I do. I use Covergirl “Soft Honey” and MAC powder.
Have you ever sworn on the air?
Once on radio totally by accident. I wanted to say “all you folks stuck on I-75” but the “folks” didn’t come out as folks. It came out as another word that started with “F.”
What is the toughest part of your job?
The hours, definitely the hours. Even though I’ve been working morning drive for almost 19 years now, your body never really adjusts to waking up that early. It is tough to be sleeping when the rest of the world is out doing things. But, on the plus side, because of my weird schedule I actually never have to sit in bad traffic. Which is nice.
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