Oops.

"Alfalfa" (alfalfa-romeo)
12/16/2014 at 10:29 • Filed to: keeping up with the jalopibros

Apparently Travis ruffled a few feathers.

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!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! for those of you who don't FP.

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DISCUSSION (40)

Party-vi > Alfalfa
12/16/2014 at 10:31

I mean, yeah.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Alfalfa
12/16/2014 at 10:32

They should do a monthly update on the industry until all Jalopnik writers are banned.

BeaterGT > Alfalfa
12/16/2014 at 10:32

Travis' Travesty

waymoe > Alfalfa
12/16/2014 at 10:33

"I betrayed a group of my peers and colleagues for a non-story. Better act indifferent about it."

Kate's Dirty Sister > Alfalfa
12/16/2014 at 10:34

It's funny because he did the same thing to me (and others) on the FP for very similar reasons.

Is he really complaining ?

Alfalfa > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
12/16/2014 at 10:34

They probably should have known better to have not invited them in the first place. Is Doug on there? I feel like he could have a field day making fun of them.

macanamera > Alfalfa
12/16/2014 at 10:34

I have to assume he expected something liek this.

Alfalfa > macanamera
12/16/2014 at 10:34

Well, yes.

Alfalfa > Kate's Dirty Sister
12/16/2014 at 10:35

I don't think he's complaining. He didn't seem to like them in the first place.

Raphmoe > Party-vi
12/16/2014 at 10:36

I wonder how long until he regrets burning literally every bridge in the industry with that post. Probably within 3 months.

Raphmoe > Alfalfa
12/16/2014 at 10:37

If he didn't care about it he wouldn't keep posting about it.

Alfalfa > Raphmoe
12/16/2014 at 10:50

If he cared, he probably wouldn't have ousted about a dozen autojournos from a screen grab in a private group.

Raphmoe > Alfalfa
12/16/2014 at 10:52

He didn't "oust" anyone; he took private conversations out of context trying to "make a story" about nothing. Meanwhile, burning bridges with colleagues around the world. It's petty and stupid, but created controversy. Trust me, he'll regret it in the long run.

"Hey, aren't you the guy that doesn't know what a private conversation is? Yeah, well, you're not hired"

and 100 more > Alfalfa
12/16/2014 at 10:57

For a time, I wanted to be an auto reviewer. It sounds like a badass job! And now I find out, their plane tickets are paid for by the mfgr? Sweet! And they even sometimes get free stuff?!?!

Seriously, I was on-board when I thought I'd be flying/driving myself to the shows and test events. I knew it was a fun job, I didn't realize quite how kush it was as well.

Why the fuck didn't i go to college for journalism again?

Travis, much respect for what you did. You're the insider's outsider now, but nobody can question your commitment to your work.

Party-vi > Raphmoe
12/16/2014 at 11:00

He won't have any friends left at the events except the manufacturers. Also, I liked Alex Law's comment about that thread being a great source for any "muckraker" that wanted a column about ethics in auto journalism. Makes me think someone else tipped Okulski off to it.

MonkeePuzzle > Alfalfa
12/16/2014 at 11:02

well, kinda had to expect it. It was an invite only group and he poo poo'd it. you come to my invite only party and say it sucks, I may just remove you also

Raphmoe > Party-vi
12/16/2014 at 11:02

Ray Wert's girlfriend tipped him off:

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Kinja'd!!!

450X_FTW > Alfalfa
12/16/2014 at 11:15

That's because Jalop writers don't use bullshit buzzwords like the rest of the journalists do. Can't imagine any writer on here saying something like "this car has loads of soothing synergy that emulates the nappa leather seats"

Travis Okulski > Raphmoe
12/16/2014 at 11:30

Yeah...

I've received more compliments from readers, PR people, and fellow writers than those complaining. It's a group that has 1,000+ members, which isn't what I'd call a "private" group.

No regrets.

Travis Okulski > Kate's Dirty Sister
12/16/2014 at 11:30

I did? I must have been in a mood. You're back.

Travis Okulski > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
12/16/2014 at 11:30

We all have been banned.

Travis Okulski > MonkeePuzzle
12/16/2014 at 11:32

Of course. I'm amazed it took this long.

Travis Okulski > macanamera
12/16/2014 at 11:32

Totally did.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > 450X_FTW
12/16/2014 at 11:33

That's because they write their own articles instead of cutting and pasting the document given to them by the manufacturer.

MonkeePuzzle > Travis Okulski
12/16/2014 at 11:33

there was likely internal debate about how kicking you out of the party would make them look, and whether it would be more fodder for articles. potentially a coin flip was involved.

macanamera > Travis Okulski
12/16/2014 at 11:33

I respect you for it, plus that shit must have been entirely useless anyways.

Travis Okulski > Party-vi
12/16/2014 at 11:36

I was in the group, I saw it when it went up. And like I said below, I've gotten far more positive responses than negative from those in all parts of our industry. I think I'll be ok.

Travis Okulski > Alfalfa
12/16/2014 at 11:42

Yeah, I didn't "oust" anyone. I did get all Jalopnik writers banned from the group, but that's to be expected.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Raphmoe
12/16/2014 at 11:43

Talented young woman!

http://www.mallorymcmorrow.com/road-track-gra…

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Travis Okulski
12/16/2014 at 11:48

Not surprising. Did you get all the other guys' okay before posting? I assume you are all on the same page about all this, and have enough connections otherwise to make membership to that group pretty much worthless.

Party-vi > Travis Okulski
12/16/2014 at 11:52

Can't you just let me live out my conspiracy theory a bit more?

On another note, am I correct in assuming the article won't cause issues with manufacturers?

Travis Okulski > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
12/16/2014 at 11:58

We don't just act autonomously. Matt and I talked about it, it had been in my craw overnight, and I went for it. This is what happens, and it's not a big deal. Funnier than anything else, really.

Travis Okulski > Party-vi
12/16/2014 at 12:01

Sure. Conspiratize all you want!

I think, if a manufacturer has an issue with someone coming out against asking for extra souvenirs and gifts to make a business trip memorable, then they have their priorities backwards. We'll be just fine.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Travis Okulski
12/16/2014 at 12:11

I know you don't really care and it didn't factor into your decision, but I hope it ends up being a net positive for you, career-wise, in the long run. Hopefully the people that matter in the industry value this kind of integrity and willingness to speak the truth, regardless of the consequences. And the ones that "black list" you because of this? You probably wouldn't want to work with them, anyway.

Travis Okulski > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
12/16/2014 at 12:17

I don't like to write about the inner-workings of this industry unless I feel it's important. This struck a nerve. I know people who hate these sort of articles (and this one specifically) who still agree with the sentiment I presented. It's not refuting the industry, it's refuting a small portion that feel they deserve more and more.

I literally have no leg to stand on to be a moral authority (nobody does), we all get gifts at these events, but I do know when a line is crossed. Asking for a better gift? That crosses a line.

I think this'll work out just peachy keen in the long run.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Travis Okulski
12/16/2014 at 12:27

I think every journalist who desires to maintain some semblance of integrity has to go out of their way to keep some boundaries in place. I've always respected Edmunds (and others) for actually buying the cars they use for their long-term tests. There's a guy in tech (Leo Laporte) who also never take loaners to test. Clearly, this is only an option for outfits that are making ample profit in order to take this step, but it does go a long way showing readers/listeners that they take all this seriously.

Kate's Dirty Sister > Travis Okulski
12/16/2014 at 13:41

Tks, but I'm still grey

http://jalopnik.com/could-be-worse…

Travis Okulski > Kate's Dirty Sister
12/16/2014 at 15:34

Weird. Should be fixed now.

Kate's Dirty Sister > Travis Okulski
12/16/2014 at 16:14

thanks, it work !

The Compromiser > Alfalfa
12/16/2014 at 17:48

What is a Facebook? Should I get one? Whose face is in the book? Is it made of real faces? Is it a real book?

I have The Twatter, is it the same thing as The Facebook?