A carbon copy version of the original is for sale on Craigslist and according to the original post, the owner bought it several years ago and uses it daily for transportation to work. It has the ability to drive on highways at speed limits, so its size doesn't limit how fast it can go, but it doesn't have any rearview mirror or window, which is why Hotdoggers often practice driving with vehicles wrapped in newspaper in the back to get used to this difference during their training. And that reaction might just be the best part of being inside the vehicle itself. Visit INSIDER's homepage for more stories. As for Ricci, he was riding in the passenger’s seat of the legendary Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. These Wienermobiles were piloted by "Little Oscar" (portrayed by George Molchan) who would visit stores, schools, orphanages, and children's hospitals and participate in parades and festivals. “The craziest thing about that is you meet up with someone who you have never met before, and it’s like meeting an old friend for breakfast or lunch,” he said. Fuel rationing kept it off the streets during World War II, but various Wienermobiles have been on the road ever since. Oscar Mayer fittingly announced the Wienermobile news on Wednesday, which falls on National Hot Dog Day. You can apply to be the next Wienermobile driver, too. As for Ricci, he was riding in the passenger’s seat of the legendary Oscar Mayer Wienermobile. Recruiting for each year's new Hotdogger cadre involves current Hotdoggers and Oscar Mayer recruiters visiting college campuses across the country. Each listing is priced at $136 per night and booking requests will roll out throughout the day. I got paid in smiles.”. Traveling and spending so much time on the road can really shape a person. Bluehost - Top rated web hosting provider - Free 1 click installs For blogs, shopping carts, and more. (Dominic Ricci). The opportunity to be a Hotdogger is competitive, with more people having been to space than have ever driven the Wienermobile itself, but landing the job comes with a range of perks. Here’s our take. Instead, Hotdoggers stay in hotels, and Ricci and Elise had a special penchant for choosing bed and breakfasts. The Hotdogger was issued a warning. When they were in Orange Beach, Alabama, Ricci and Elise went to the beach, hung out, and got dinner with a former Hotdogger. From the Blatz BeerMobile to the WienerMobile, and every awesome ad-mobile in between. Just be in the right place, at the right time, with the right story. [3], There are six Wienermobiles operating throughout the United States. Canine Styles: a lifestyle for dogs! “It’s always surprising to see how open people are…you don’t even know them but because you’re driving the Wienermobile, they’ll come up to you and talk about their entire life story, and that’s a really cool part of it,” Pepper said. Tuesdays and Wednesdays are typically off-days for Hotdoggers, chances for them to do something other than stand around the Wienermobile handing out whistles and stickers. Since our humble beginning more than a century ago, we’ve used the yellow band to signify our promise of the quality we put into everything we make. I saw this for myself as we drove through New York City, spotting smiles emerge on onlookers' faces once the Wienermobile would turn the corner, while others would be in their cars hoking with joy. Your job is basically to make people smile. It actually only has six seats, a TV set, and a small closet in the back where they keep their suitcases, cleaning supplies, and Wienermobile merch. ", Read more: We tried 5 different hot dog brands and the winner was a classic, The Wienermobile includes a mini fridge stocked with Chicago-style hot dog essentials Habanero Hayley might even forget she’s behind the wheel of a giant Oscar Mayer hot dog, because it’s “the only thing I really drive for a year.” But it’s hard to find a parking spot! Mariah Tyler. In a way, it still is, but since 1988, when the Hotdogger program started, it’s also served as a unique first job opportunity for recent college grads. Ricci’s boss told him that one former Hotdogger deferred dental school for a year in order to do the program. “You have to be an extrovert,” he said. The Wienermobile on the road. Oscar Mayer is looking for 12 people to drive the Wienermobile cross country", "Be A Hotdogger - Recruitment Brochure for Wienermobile Spokesperson - Hotdogger - Official Job Description Handout", "Cop pulls over Wienermobile as stolen!! [6] Like what you see here? I was sitting at the desk in my apartment wrapped up in a fleece blanket. Travel + Leisure may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. "While traveling the hot dog highways we've seen some franktastic places and met some bunderful people. “No one was ever mad to see us,” Ricci said. Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the Wienermobile — from what it looks like inside to where people sleep — is answered below. Click the link to Confirm Subscription. DomainMarket.com sells premium domain names to entrepreneurs, businesses, and nonprofits that want to dominate their online marketplaces and perpetually control great brands. During the summer, while they were posting up with the Wienermobile at an outdoor shopping mall in South Carolina, someone bought them milkshakes from Wendy’s because it was so hot outside. Puns range from "miles of smiles" (a phrase Hotdoggers will commonly say through the Wienermobile's speakers) to "relishing" the experience and putting on your "meat belts". Pictured here is the current fleet of Wienermobile vehicles touring the country. "You don't realize how many people you pass who go home and say 'guess what I saw today'," Pepper said. Each year, thousands of applicants vie for one of the 12 Hotdogger positions. He’s also pretty sure that no Wienermobiles have been stolen or broken into. The greatest islands, cities, hotels, cruise lines, airports, and more — as voted by you. Because you’re always on-the-go as a Hotdogger, you also have to be cool with “living out of a suitcase for a year.”, Ricci remembers seeing the Wienermobile as a child, and so do many other people. From the guy who made printing your face on M&M’s a thing. What To Do With All The Beanie Babies You Have in Storage, Driving Around the U.S. Travel + Leisure is part of the Travel + Leisure Group. They were right. He considered her more of a “best friend” and that’s where their relationship stopped. Credit: Instead of a sunroof, each Wienermobile has a “bunroof.”. Seeking.com has seen a surge in membership in the last 5 weeks from those looking for new ways to make money. Habanero Hayley can’t resist an Oscar Mayer dog with Heinz ketchup—and she’s had roughly 48½ hot dogs over the past 10 months. Open the email in your inbox from OK Whatever. “That was so cool to see how appreciative and generous everyone was,” Ricci said. "Everyday feels like you're in a parade, you see jaws drop as people point and take pictures," Pepper said of touring the country in the hot-dog-shaped ride. He wouldn’t reveal how much he made other than saying “it’s competitive for an entry level marketing job.” Not that he cared about the money that much anyways. Credit: My 10th photo to 200 views, July 13, 2008. “They’re really the only other people that know what you're going through right now.”, Ricci was pretty sure that no one in his Hotdogger class had hooked up.