The Problem with "You Call. We Haul."

“You Call, We Haul” is a slang expression in the air medical industry.

A way of saying “If you need patient transport, call us, and we’ll do it.”  And when interpreted this way, it sounds at least a little bit helpful and professional.

The Problem is….

Nobody really interprets it this way.

“You Call, We Haul” is backwards to how the air medical industry wants and needs to represent itself.  The expression is damaging to individual flight programs and the air medical industry at large.  It’s just plain bad ju-ju.

You might be thinking, …..relax, it’s just an expression.

And you’re right.  It is just an expression.  One that unfortunately does immeasurable damage to an industry with an already fragile public image.

So in case it’s not obvious, here’s the Flight Safety Network list of reasons to ditch the “You Call, We Haul” motto:

Trashes Experience

Flight crew are highly trained and highly regarded in emergency medical services.  Many spend years (sometimes decades) waiting for the opportunity to fly.

In many cases ground Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and paramedics are also highly experienced.

“You Call, We Haul” cheapens emergency medical services for all of us.

The motto reinforces negative stereotypes we all work hard to get rid of.  We hear EMTs and paramedics grumble about being called “ambulance drivers.”  And we understand their frustration.  There’s a lot more to patient care than just driving the bus.

And that’s the whole problem with the motto.  It trashes our credibility and lessens our accomplishments.  It’s hard enough for EMS to get the respect it deserves.  Lets not make it any harder on ourselves.

Erodes Public Trust

A lot of people count on emergency medical services.

Our jobs are important.  But, lets be careful not to kid ourselves.  There is no emergency medical services without public trust.

Every time the public sees or hears unprofessional behavior or comments like “You call, We haul,” trust is damaged.

Over time it hurts all of us.  Everyone wants and expects professional care for their loved ones.  A callous comment at the wrong time can and does set our whole industry back.

Professionalism matters.

Compromises Safety

Safety is a culture.  Safety starts with attitude.  It’s a way of doing things that permeates entire organizations.

Successful safety programs are built from the operator level up.  Think of it like a house.  If your foundation is rotten, the rest of your house is unsafe too.

It might seem like a stretch, but it’s really not.  Comments from operators that damage our foundation, damage us all and make us less safe.

Lets raise the emergency medical services bar and do away with “You Call, We Haul.”

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Clear skies and tailwinds,

Fly-write