Yeah, I butchered those lyrics...
I know I'm still a new Driver and will be by every measure for a long time to come.
But I want to believe that I will always love my job and will always be happy at work.
I get those comments all the time:
"I'm really glad that you love your job, we can all tell."
"You're always smiling and happy, it's nice to start my day that way."
"You're the most pleasant Driver I've met."
Don't get the wrong impression, I'm not in it for the praise but thank you anyway.
The praise is a by product of doing the job YOU, the passenger expect of me.
I want every Driver to be worthy of that priase from y'all.
Take a moment and thank your Driver or better yet, offer help.
"Driver [Insert name here!] I love that you are always on time, could I ask you to hang on just a second while I find my seat before you pull out?"
That's training right there.
Your Driver will make a mental note of that and begin to apply that every time you board the bus.
We have a joke amoung Drivers:
Normal folks have GPS to guide them, we have PGS to guide us:
Passenger Guidance Systems.
I've had passengers offer to help me with directions on new routes.
Don't be afraid to "back seat driver" because that's helpful to us.
We can usually pick up a new route in a day or two but the help is appreciated.
Seriously appreciated.
I'd rather be corrected, "No, don't turn here, it's the next street...Where are you going? Turn left HERE!"
I'd rather be corrected BEFORE I make the mistake and get y'all to your destinations on time.
Your Driver sits behind the wheel of 33 tons of heavy metal thunder, stressing the traffic, stops and directions.
If he has the good sense to remember that all his efforts are for you, the passenger and he can still do it all with a smile on his face, a thank you and good morning on his lips...
Return the favour - you'll make his day as much as he made yours.
And as always, "Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!"
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Good Customers - Good Night!
I take it as a compliment that my regulars can sleep during their ride.
Both morning & night I have regulars who hop on and promptly pass out!
They know I know their stops and they know they won't miss their destinations.
They place their trust in me and that's an honour.
Thank you.
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
Both morning & night I have regulars who hop on and promptly pass out!
They know I know their stops and they know they won't miss their destinations.
They place their trust in me and that's an honour.
Thank you.
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
Union Scares....
Another Driver who is just a month or two newer than I just got a pretty good scare today.
He shares the same views as I do when it comes to Unions and the lower quality Drivers they provide.
When asked he shared this information with a senior Union member (co-worker).
That co-worker (a manager) said, "You'd better not let your Union Brothers hear you say that..."
Out right threatening.
So now I'm scared for not only my job but my personal vehicle, my family and my professional reputation.
All because I share his views and I don't want to hear those threats pointed at me!
You know how tough it is to know your co-workers feel this way about you, harbour this hate and loathing, this malice towards you simply because you are concerned with giving the customer the best product and service you can?
His coworker told him that the Union was responsible for the pay Drivers receive.
I'd like to think that good Drivers would earn that pay from both a gracious employer & customer.
Rather than extort that money and reward bad Drivers the same as the good.
But that's just my opinion and I'm scared for both my professional & physical life to express that and have my "Union Brothers" hear that.
My friend wants to quit now.
He's a great Driver and he's great with customers.
If I were a manager outside of RTD, I'd hire him in an instant because he works for the customers first.
That's the kind of Driver we (and YOU, the customer/passenger) want.
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
He shares the same views as I do when it comes to Unions and the lower quality Drivers they provide.
When asked he shared this information with a senior Union member (co-worker).
That co-worker (a manager) said, "You'd better not let your Union Brothers hear you say that..."
Out right threatening.
So now I'm scared for not only my job but my personal vehicle, my family and my professional reputation.
All because I share his views and I don't want to hear those threats pointed at me!
You know how tough it is to know your co-workers feel this way about you, harbour this hate and loathing, this malice towards you simply because you are concerned with giving the customer the best product and service you can?
His coworker told him that the Union was responsible for the pay Drivers receive.
I'd like to think that good Drivers would earn that pay from both a gracious employer & customer.
Rather than extort that money and reward bad Drivers the same as the good.
But that's just my opinion and I'm scared for both my professional & physical life to express that and have my "Union Brothers" hear that.
My friend wants to quit now.
He's a great Driver and he's great with customers.
If I were a manager outside of RTD, I'd hire him in an instant because he works for the customers first.
That's the kind of Driver we (and YOU, the customer/passenger) want.
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Lemons All That's Making Ya Bitter?
Trust me, I'm not making excuses for butthead Drivers or bad services.
I'm kinda making light of a bad situation...or trying to at least...
Ever wonder why many of your Drivers are bitter, like somebody spoiled their Wheaties in the morning?
I talk to many of the new and older, more senior Drivers in our "Driver's Lounge" type area.
It's like a big holding tank where we sit and wait to be abused!
Here's my understanding of what I hear:
New Drivers, those just starting to five years (ish): nobody likes or wants the Union.
Older Drivers, those from five to ten years: getting used to it but still don't like it - couldn't really care.
Senior Drivers: ten years & up - rely on the Union. They grew up in an age when mob tactics and the KKK were acceptable - beating up guys who crossed picket lines, setting cars and crosses on fire, etc.
Of course, this is just a generalization.
I've met a few Seniors who have the intelligence to see the truth behind these obsolete organizations.
The Union who extorts money from RTD & the Drivers is the reason why Unions were needed a century ago. The Union works against RTD by making RTD employ Drivers who are below expectations. Of course they lower the expectations and you, the customer/passenger know when you get one of those Drivers!
I could go on but suffice it to say, the Union is damaging to morale, to RTD and to YOU, the passenger.
You'd think the Union and it's supporters (the mostly older and soon to be retiring senior Drivers) would improve, would impress and would change and adapt to its younger Drivers/members.
After all, tick us off enough and once the supporters (old Drivers) retire and move on, all who will be left will vote out the Union.
With the Union gone, there will be no funds for those who retired and expected their entitlement funds!
With the Union gone, good Drivers would have to compete to keep their jobs.
RTD would have its pick of great Drivers, great customer service providers and not only would their product and service improve but YOU, the passenger/customer would reap the benefits.
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
I'm kinda making light of a bad situation...or trying to at least...
Ever wonder why many of your Drivers are bitter, like somebody spoiled their Wheaties in the morning?
I talk to many of the new and older, more senior Drivers in our "Driver's Lounge" type area.
It's like a big holding tank where we sit and wait to be abused!
Here's my understanding of what I hear:
New Drivers, those just starting to five years (ish): nobody likes or wants the Union.
Older Drivers, those from five to ten years: getting used to it but still don't like it - couldn't really care.
Senior Drivers: ten years & up - rely on the Union. They grew up in an age when mob tactics and the KKK were acceptable - beating up guys who crossed picket lines, setting cars and crosses on fire, etc.
Of course, this is just a generalization.
I've met a few Seniors who have the intelligence to see the truth behind these obsolete organizations.
The Union who extorts money from RTD & the Drivers is the reason why Unions were needed a century ago. The Union works against RTD by making RTD employ Drivers who are below expectations. Of course they lower the expectations and you, the customer/passenger know when you get one of those Drivers!
I could go on but suffice it to say, the Union is damaging to morale, to RTD and to YOU, the passenger.
You'd think the Union and it's supporters (the mostly older and soon to be retiring senior Drivers) would improve, would impress and would change and adapt to its younger Drivers/members.
After all, tick us off enough and once the supporters (old Drivers) retire and move on, all who will be left will vote out the Union.
With the Union gone, there will be no funds for those who retired and expected their entitlement funds!
With the Union gone, good Drivers would have to compete to keep their jobs.
RTD would have its pick of great Drivers, great customer service providers and not only would their product and service improve but YOU, the passenger/customer would reap the benefits.
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Hey Carl Lewis, This Ain't The Olympics!
I've mentioned this before but I need to say it again - DON'T CHASE THE BUS!
Please.
I go out of my way to make sure I don't see anybody chasing me, running to the stop, etc.
If you're walking along with your ear buds in and still can't hear this beast coming up on you, that still doesn't give you an excuse.
If you're trying to get my attention, do a quick run/skip step or two, wave at me, give me the finger, SOMETHING.
But I can't tell of you're just an average Joe or Jane walking down the road or a passenger looking for a ride.
I wave at people, slow down too often for folks who don't want the Ride, I wait at stops that extra few seconds....I go far and above what most other Drivers do.
I give everybody more than a fair chance to get on the bus.
But please, please please - if somehow I've missed you, please don't jump in front of the bus to stop me.
Please don't chase me and pound on the side of the bus.
PLEASE be safe and wait for the next bus.
Please?
I know you're going to be late because you missed the bus.
Sometimes it's because traffic or weather conditions or even passenger loads slow buses down.
Your bus arrives late and you miss a transfer.
Get angry, it's deserved but don't get hurt - that will ruin your day more than being late.
Chasing a bus can hurt you.
As a Driver it scares the pooh outta me when I first hear the pounding then it takes me seconds...
Literally seconds to see you in my mirrors.
Remember, that the Bus has more blind spots than visible ones.
I can mostly see where my tires meet the road.
And the last thing either of us want to see is a tire, the road and YOU.
So please please please, don't go pulling a Carl Lewis and setting a new world record for the 100 metre.
I want to see you tomorrow and I want to keep ALL my regulars.
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
Please.
I go out of my way to make sure I don't see anybody chasing me, running to the stop, etc.
If you're walking along with your ear buds in and still can't hear this beast coming up on you, that still doesn't give you an excuse.
If you're trying to get my attention, do a quick run/skip step or two, wave at me, give me the finger, SOMETHING.
But I can't tell of you're just an average Joe or Jane walking down the road or a passenger looking for a ride.
I wave at people, slow down too often for folks who don't want the Ride, I wait at stops that extra few seconds....I go far and above what most other Drivers do.
I give everybody more than a fair chance to get on the bus.
But please, please please - if somehow I've missed you, please don't jump in front of the bus to stop me.
Please don't chase me and pound on the side of the bus.
PLEASE be safe and wait for the next bus.
Please?
I know you're going to be late because you missed the bus.
Sometimes it's because traffic or weather conditions or even passenger loads slow buses down.
Your bus arrives late and you miss a transfer.
Get angry, it's deserved but don't get hurt - that will ruin your day more than being late.
Chasing a bus can hurt you.
As a Driver it scares the pooh outta me when I first hear the pounding then it takes me seconds...
Literally seconds to see you in my mirrors.
Remember, that the Bus has more blind spots than visible ones.
I can mostly see where my tires meet the road.
And the last thing either of us want to see is a tire, the road and YOU.
So please please please, don't go pulling a Carl Lewis and setting a new world record for the 100 metre.
I want to see you tomorrow and I want to keep ALL my regulars.
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Hurry Up & Slow Down!
Y'all have heard me say before that I like to run 30 seconds to a minute behind on my routes.
But I pointed out that when it comes to major intersections, where there are connecting routes and rails, I make every attempt to be dead on time.
It sounds much more difficult than it is, I crawl through the "pick up dense" stops then hit the speed limits when pick ups thin out.
Today, as I'd come to a Bus Stop I noticed a Regular wasn't there, so I crawled to the stop and looked around to find the guy running towards us. I pulled over and waited all of an extra 30 seconds for him.
Almost immediately I get heckled by a passenger, "Hey, Slow @$%& - can you pick it up a little bit? If this @$$ can't make it to the stop on time, it's his problem, not ours. You're making us late."
The guy yelling at me got hushed by several of the other passengers.
I wanted to (but didn't!) remind him that just ten minutes earlier, I'd crawled up to another stop, 30 seconds behind schedule only to find HIM running late to the stop.
LOL - right?
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
But I pointed out that when it comes to major intersections, where there are connecting routes and rails, I make every attempt to be dead on time.
It sounds much more difficult than it is, I crawl through the "pick up dense" stops then hit the speed limits when pick ups thin out.
Today, as I'd come to a Bus Stop I noticed a Regular wasn't there, so I crawled to the stop and looked around to find the guy running towards us. I pulled over and waited all of an extra 30 seconds for him.
Almost immediately I get heckled by a passenger, "Hey, Slow @$%& - can you pick it up a little bit? If this @$$ can't make it to the stop on time, it's his problem, not ours. You're making us late."
The guy yelling at me got hushed by several of the other passengers.
I wanted to (but didn't!) remind him that just ten minutes earlier, I'd crawled up to another stop, 30 seconds behind schedule only to find HIM running late to the stop.
LOL - right?
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
Truth In Advertising
It's "O'Dark Thirty" and I'm running a bus full of regulars down Federal Blvd.
At Speer there is a "24 Hour Food & Gas" store.
But it's closed.
o_O
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
At Speer there is a "24 Hour Food & Gas" store.
But it's closed.
o_O
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Humpty Dumpty Sat On The Wall....
Picture this:
It's a Friday afternoon.
It's hot, sticky - everybody is crammed into the bus all cozy like.
We all just want to get home and start the weekend.
Everybody is chatting, signing and there is a general buzz all about.
Suddenly the bus goes dead quiet and everybody can hear the Driver laughing his butt off for no apparent reason.
What the heck is going on?
Did he finally lose his mind in the downtown traffic?
Should we all be worried and bail off the bus?
LOL
What the passengers didn't see what that I was stopped at the red light.
Another bus pulled up next to me.
We exchanged waves, "Hello"
I played a joke and reached out my window and pretended to mess up his curbside mirror.
In retaliation, the other driver stuck his fingers in his nose and pretended to machine gun boogers at me.
I didn't see that coming and started laughing so hard I was crying.
A few seconds into my outburst I'd realized that the bus had gone deathly quiet and everybody was staring at me, most had gone pale white.
I am usually pretty quick with witty remarks but for the life of me, I was speechless and had nothing to say to break the moment and ease their minds.
So I just abruptly stopped laughing and continued on our route.
It stayed very quiet for the rest of the trip and when I announced last stop, nobody hesitated!
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
It's a Friday afternoon.
It's hot, sticky - everybody is crammed into the bus all cozy like.
We all just want to get home and start the weekend.
Everybody is chatting, signing and there is a general buzz all about.
Suddenly the bus goes dead quiet and everybody can hear the Driver laughing his butt off for no apparent reason.
What the heck is going on?
Did he finally lose his mind in the downtown traffic?
Should we all be worried and bail off the bus?
LOL
What the passengers didn't see what that I was stopped at the red light.
Another bus pulled up next to me.
We exchanged waves, "Hello"
I played a joke and reached out my window and pretended to mess up his curbside mirror.
In retaliation, the other driver stuck his fingers in his nose and pretended to machine gun boogers at me.
I didn't see that coming and started laughing so hard I was crying.
A few seconds into my outburst I'd realized that the bus had gone deathly quiet and everybody was staring at me, most had gone pale white.
I am usually pretty quick with witty remarks but for the life of me, I was speechless and had nothing to say to break the moment and ease their minds.
So I just abruptly stopped laughing and continued on our route.
It stayed very quiet for the rest of the trip and when I announced last stop, nobody hesitated!
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Letters To The Editor
I got a letter (email) last night suggesting that I was making fun of the passenger in the Mellow Yellow post.
Heck yeah I was!
What do you think, us Drivers are zombies up here in the front seat?.
No way, we get some very hilarious passengers and events.
We're human, we get to laugh our butts off too.
But I was also using him as an example of customer service.
I have been reading all over the net, all of the horror stories from passengers about their Drivers.
Personally, I believe this is because of the obsolete attitude instilled by "The Union"
We are run by a Union and it allows Drivers to completely screw up 9 times in a 12 month period, still be rewarded with raises, keep their jobs and be held in the same regard as Drivers who rocks the Customer Service world.
But never fear, I'm learning that that attitude is a dying breed.
Many many of us newer Drivers (and some of the older) are bringing onto the bus, the professionalism and service that our passengers deserve.
After all, we are not the "captains" of the bus, it's not ours.
We are simply the drivers for those on the bus.
We don't make rules, enforce them or police the bus.
We are all about safety and are tasked with doing what it takes to ensure we are all safe.
But customer service is our priority.
And good customer service is a relationship.
And like any successful relationship, communication is key.
I've said this before, I'm going to stress it again:
Contact us.
Tell us what we're doing well and what we're doing wrong.
That's how we improve.
That's also how we prune the bad apples!
Was making fun of the poor stoned passenger whose mellow was harshed, bad taste?
Maybe - but it was still incredibly funny.
And I did my best, from his feedback to accommodate him.
In good customer service form, I responded and made his mellow less harshed while he remained on The Ride!
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
Heck yeah I was!
What do you think, us Drivers are zombies up here in the front seat?.
No way, we get some very hilarious passengers and events.
We're human, we get to laugh our butts off too.
But I was also using him as an example of customer service.
I have been reading all over the net, all of the horror stories from passengers about their Drivers.
Personally, I believe this is because of the obsolete attitude instilled by "The Union"
We are run by a Union and it allows Drivers to completely screw up 9 times in a 12 month period, still be rewarded with raises, keep their jobs and be held in the same regard as Drivers who rocks the Customer Service world.
But never fear, I'm learning that that attitude is a dying breed.
Many many of us newer Drivers (and some of the older) are bringing onto the bus, the professionalism and service that our passengers deserve.
After all, we are not the "captains" of the bus, it's not ours.
We are simply the drivers for those on the bus.
We don't make rules, enforce them or police the bus.
We are all about safety and are tasked with doing what it takes to ensure we are all safe.
But customer service is our priority.
And good customer service is a relationship.
And like any successful relationship, communication is key.
I've said this before, I'm going to stress it again:
Contact us.
Tell us what we're doing well and what we're doing wrong.
That's how we improve.
That's also how we prune the bad apples!
Was making fun of the poor stoned passenger whose mellow was harshed, bad taste?
Maybe - but it was still incredibly funny.
And I did my best, from his feedback to accommodate him.
In good customer service form, I responded and made his mellow less harshed while he remained on The Ride!
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
Monday, June 21, 2010
They Call Me Mellow Yellow.....
I had a passenger (not a regular!) come up to the front of the bus and tell me I'm harshing his mellow!
I know, right?
Yeah, I had to give him a good laugh out loud too - before I caught myself and explained why I was harshing his mellow.
I call out the streets, not all of the streets but just the main cross streets, the streets onto which I'm turning and the streets I've learned are stops for Regulars.
I do this...well because it's required.
But also in case we have a passanger who can't read, who can't see, who can't stay awake and needs to subconsciously hear where he is so he snaps awake in time....etc.
Me on the overhead calling out the streets downtown was harshing this passenger's mellow.
No, I wasn't in downtown Boulder!
LOL
I was in Denver and I really don't know what kinda mellow this passenger was on.
So I asked him where he was heading, waiting for him to find his way off the bus just a few stops later and continued taking care of the rest of the passengers.
Just call me Mellow Yellow.
I call out the streeeets...
Just call me Mellow Yellow.
You can hear me from your seats....
Just call me Mellow Yellow.
Ok - that's enough!
:D
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
I know, right?
Yeah, I had to give him a good laugh out loud too - before I caught myself and explained why I was harshing his mellow.
I call out the streets, not all of the streets but just the main cross streets, the streets onto which I'm turning and the streets I've learned are stops for Regulars.
I do this...well because it's required.
But also in case we have a passanger who can't read, who can't see, who can't stay awake and needs to subconsciously hear where he is so he snaps awake in time....etc.
Me on the overhead calling out the streets downtown was harshing this passenger's mellow.
No, I wasn't in downtown Boulder!
LOL
I was in Denver and I really don't know what kinda mellow this passenger was on.
So I asked him where he was heading, waiting for him to find his way off the bus just a few stops later and continued taking care of the rest of the passengers.
Just call me Mellow Yellow.
I call out the streeeets...
Just call me Mellow Yellow.
You can hear me from your seats....
Just call me Mellow Yellow.
Ok - that's enough!
:D
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
Saturday, June 19, 2010
It's Not You, It's Me!
I've said before that I keep an eye out for "regulars"
A regular is a passenger who is at the same stop, the same time every day or every week.
Somebody I count on and who counts on me.
If I arrive at a regular's stop and there is no regular...
I'll hang around for a few extra seconds.
I'll make sure I twist this way and that in my seat to check all around to see if the regular is running late and running for the bus.
My fear each time I drive away without a regular is that the regular is a hair late, saw me stop and is running for the bus.
Only to have me pull away at the last minute just as the regular shows up, out of breath but having just enough breath to swear!
LOL
Seriously, I count on the regulars.
I even ask questions each morning; questions aside from how are you.
I ask how far you're going to get to know your stops.
If I only see you two days a week I'll ask about the other days.
I ask about work, trips, vacations, family, etc.
That way when you're not at a stop I don't wait too long, making the other regulars late.
Then I know you're on vacation, or have the day off.
Thankfully I'm a Driver or y'all would think I'm some creepy stalker!
But I see it as a benefit to all my passengers.
I know when and where to wait for you, making sure you get to work or get home on time.
And for each one of YOU there are 100 more "yous" on the bus with you for whom I extend the same love & courtesy.
As you can see, I'm not just a driver but a customer service hero.
I take pride in and personal responsibility for my passengers and my job.
I get invested and I produce results in a business that would otherwise just be a cold bus ride.
All that said, I have been missing a regular the last two weeks.
One day, I fear I've missed you.
Two days I start to hope you didn't get fired.
Three days I start to assume you're on vacation.
A week, I wish you well and welcome you back when I see you on Monday.
Two weeks and I assume you've moved, gotten fired or bought a car!
LOL
But on Monday of the third week I was heading in one direction to the station where I turn around and come back in the other direction.
I saw the bus ahead of me in the rotation pick up my missing regular.
I felt like I'd lost a loved one.
My regular had been cheating on me with another Driver!
I hear the more senior Drivers, like a religious mantra chant, "If you're late you should have taken an earlier bus!"
It has a little merit but it's cold, unfriendly, lacks compassion and is total BS but we can get to that later.
Point is, my regular had found the earlier stop and was getting to work on time.
Good for the regular.
But I still felt a tiny stab in the back!
LOL - I'm kidding y'all.
Ok, maybe I'm just a little serious.
:D
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
A regular is a passenger who is at the same stop, the same time every day or every week.
Somebody I count on and who counts on me.
If I arrive at a regular's stop and there is no regular...
I'll hang around for a few extra seconds.
I'll make sure I twist this way and that in my seat to check all around to see if the regular is running late and running for the bus.
My fear each time I drive away without a regular is that the regular is a hair late, saw me stop and is running for the bus.
Only to have me pull away at the last minute just as the regular shows up, out of breath but having just enough breath to swear!
LOL
Seriously, I count on the regulars.
I even ask questions each morning; questions aside from how are you.
I ask how far you're going to get to know your stops.
If I only see you two days a week I'll ask about the other days.
I ask about work, trips, vacations, family, etc.
That way when you're not at a stop I don't wait too long, making the other regulars late.
Then I know you're on vacation, or have the day off.
Thankfully I'm a Driver or y'all would think I'm some creepy stalker!
But I see it as a benefit to all my passengers.
I know when and where to wait for you, making sure you get to work or get home on time.
And for each one of YOU there are 100 more "yous" on the bus with you for whom I extend the same love & courtesy.
As you can see, I'm not just a driver but a customer service hero.
I take pride in and personal responsibility for my passengers and my job.
I get invested and I produce results in a business that would otherwise just be a cold bus ride.
All that said, I have been missing a regular the last two weeks.
One day, I fear I've missed you.
Two days I start to hope you didn't get fired.
Three days I start to assume you're on vacation.
A week, I wish you well and welcome you back when I see you on Monday.
Two weeks and I assume you've moved, gotten fired or bought a car!
LOL
But on Monday of the third week I was heading in one direction to the station where I turn around and come back in the other direction.
I saw the bus ahead of me in the rotation pick up my missing regular.
I felt like I'd lost a loved one.
My regular had been cheating on me with another Driver!
I hear the more senior Drivers, like a religious mantra chant, "If you're late you should have taken an earlier bus!"
It has a little merit but it's cold, unfriendly, lacks compassion and is total BS but we can get to that later.
Point is, my regular had found the earlier stop and was getting to work on time.
Good for the regular.
But I still felt a tiny stab in the back!
LOL - I'm kidding y'all.
Ok, maybe I'm just a little serious.
:D
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Make Way - Coming Through!
Today was murder out there.
I don't know if it is because all the kids are out of school or if parents are taking vacations and are on the roads but the traffic today was evening rush hour all day long!
As a Driver, I have to not only check all the stops for passengers to pick up, and drop off; not only keep an eye out for kiddos, pets, random people running out or crossing the street; not only look out for bicyclists, trains and weather....
But I also have to keep a safe distance between the cars around me, keep "exit strategies" updated every few seconds, watch traffic lights and flows and do all this while keeping on schedule, SAFELY.
On top of all this, I'm driving a 22 to 33 ton missile.
Not counting the passengers, the buses range from 43 feet to 60 some odd feet and from 22 to 33 tons.
And we're a bit hard to miss cruising down the road.
At speed, it takes me at least a football field to come to a stop.
I maintain a safe distance between the car in front of me and the bus to accommodate this stopping distance.
So now y'all have a good idea of about 40% of what is going through the mind of a driver at any given second that he's behind the wheel.
Another thought he's having is that he's not going to slam on the brakes because he's the only person wearing a seat belt.
Slam on the brakes in a bus and you'll get 100 of your closest friends to join you up against the windshield.
All cozy and snuggly like.
Other than attracking all my friends, slamming on the brakes is still pretty usless as the bus still needs nearly two hundred feet to come to a stop from just 35 miles an hour.
All this to say:
WHAT ARE YOU THINKING CUTTING ME OFF THEN SLAMMING ON YOUR BRAKES IN TRAFFIC?
LOL
Did you not see the big white 33 ton missile barreling down the road on top of you?
Hitting you in the tail end would scratch the front of my bus and get me fired.
Hitting you in the tail end would seriously ruin your day, week, year and maybe your life.
Is that extra second you earned before you parked in front of me at the same red light, is it really worth it?
Can you see my 100 closest friends all crammed up at the front of the bus with me, all giving you the "You're Number One" hand signs?
Of course I can't say this when I'm driving or on the clock.
But c'mon, really?
Have you not been watching the news?
Going toe to toe with the bus is a no win situation.
Please Please PLEASE - don't cut me off.
If I did that to you, you'd be on the phone with my boss in a second, telling him what a jerk driver I am.
And I agree, if I did that to you I'd be a jerk.
So what's that say about the guy doing it to me?
Please?
I'm asking you, help me be safe.
Help us all be safe.
We all want to make it to work and back home again.
Just look for the big white street whale and make way, I'm coming through!
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
I don't know if it is because all the kids are out of school or if parents are taking vacations and are on the roads but the traffic today was evening rush hour all day long!
As a Driver, I have to not only check all the stops for passengers to pick up, and drop off; not only keep an eye out for kiddos, pets, random people running out or crossing the street; not only look out for bicyclists, trains and weather....
But I also have to keep a safe distance between the cars around me, keep "exit strategies" updated every few seconds, watch traffic lights and flows and do all this while keeping on schedule, SAFELY.
On top of all this, I'm driving a 22 to 33 ton missile.
Not counting the passengers, the buses range from 43 feet to 60 some odd feet and from 22 to 33 tons.
And we're a bit hard to miss cruising down the road.
At speed, it takes me at least a football field to come to a stop.
I maintain a safe distance between the car in front of me and the bus to accommodate this stopping distance.
So now y'all have a good idea of about 40% of what is going through the mind of a driver at any given second that he's behind the wheel.
Another thought he's having is that he's not going to slam on the brakes because he's the only person wearing a seat belt.
Slam on the brakes in a bus and you'll get 100 of your closest friends to join you up against the windshield.
All cozy and snuggly like.
Other than attracking all my friends, slamming on the brakes is still pretty usless as the bus still needs nearly two hundred feet to come to a stop from just 35 miles an hour.
All this to say:
WHAT ARE YOU THINKING CUTTING ME OFF THEN SLAMMING ON YOUR BRAKES IN TRAFFIC?
LOL
Did you not see the big white 33 ton missile barreling down the road on top of you?
Hitting you in the tail end would scratch the front of my bus and get me fired.
Hitting you in the tail end would seriously ruin your day, week, year and maybe your life.
Is that extra second you earned before you parked in front of me at the same red light, is it really worth it?
Can you see my 100 closest friends all crammed up at the front of the bus with me, all giving you the "You're Number One" hand signs?
Of course I can't say this when I'm driving or on the clock.
But c'mon, really?
Have you not been watching the news?
Going toe to toe with the bus is a no win situation.
Please Please PLEASE - don't cut me off.
If I did that to you, you'd be on the phone with my boss in a second, telling him what a jerk driver I am.
And I agree, if I did that to you I'd be a jerk.
So what's that say about the guy doing it to me?
Please?
I'm asking you, help me be safe.
Help us all be safe.
We all want to make it to work and back home again.
Just look for the big white street whale and make way, I'm coming through!
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Take A Number
Somebody asked me, "What are these slips of papers with numbers on them for?"
I hadn't considered that y'all don't know.
When you get on the bus, if you have time, take a number.
You'll see the slips right behind the driver.
The numbers match the Bus, y'all have seen the numbers on the buses.
9000, 2000, 5000, 1900, 1600, 2700, 2800, and so on.
Every time a Driver goes out, he's assigned a bus with that number.
If you want to call RTD and compliment or complaint, use that number and what time you were on.
That tells RTD who, what, where & when and they can make good or bad with your call.
Seriously, the only way to improve the system is to call and tell us.
Good complimentary calls reinforce good behaviour in Drivers.
Bad complaint calls get bad drivers removed from service (eventually)
And those numbers, are all RTD.
If you see a number with a letter after it like 2109X, that's not RTD that's a contractor.
But if you're numbers are just the four numbers, that's ME!
I'm RTD, I'm one of the good guys.
So seriously folks, take a number.
Call in and tell us what we're doing right/well and what we're doing wrong that needs correcting.
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
I hadn't considered that y'all don't know.
When you get on the bus, if you have time, take a number.
You'll see the slips right behind the driver.
The numbers match the Bus, y'all have seen the numbers on the buses.
9000, 2000, 5000, 1900, 1600, 2700, 2800, and so on.
Every time a Driver goes out, he's assigned a bus with that number.
If you want to call RTD and compliment or complaint, use that number and what time you were on.
That tells RTD who, what, where & when and they can make good or bad with your call.
Seriously, the only way to improve the system is to call and tell us.
Good complimentary calls reinforce good behaviour in Drivers.
Bad complaint calls get bad drivers removed from service (eventually)
And those numbers, are all RTD.
If you see a number with a letter after it like 2109X, that's not RTD that's a contractor.
But if you're numbers are just the four numbers, that's ME!
I'm RTD, I'm one of the good guys.
So seriously folks, take a number.
Call in and tell us what we're doing right/well and what we're doing wrong that needs correcting.
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
Monday, June 14, 2010
No Soup For YOU!
I'm doing a run (route) that has mostly "regulars" in the am.
I see the same folks every morning, they all sit in the same seats, next to the same people.
As I've mentioned before, that's good for both of us - I know to wait for you if you're a minute late.
But don't be late!
LOL
So we stop at a stop that's usually empty and a Young Lady gets on the already full bus.
She opens her purse to pull out wads of cash, all large bills.
Puts some loose change in the farebox ($1.32) and tells me, "That's all I have, will that be enough?"
I asked her how far she was going and she told me that she was going to the other end of the route, across town.
I said, "That's not enough to pay for the gas to get you to the end of the block!"
Her jaw dropped.
After about three seconds of silence the front rows of the bus broke out laughing and once the Young Lady realized it was a joke, she started laughing too.
I explained that I couldn't give her a transfer or a free ride as I pointed to the sign above my head.
She grabbed a seat and we all started our morning in a good mood.
The regulars know I'm super polite and formal/proper and that I was joking because it was completely out of character for me.
Drivers work for YOU, the passenger.
We're not fare nazis, we educate (tell you how much) and accommodate by giving you a lift to where you need to go.
That doesn't mean we're allowed or supposed to give out a bus full of free rides.
And I've already experienced my first ticket.
A guy snuck in through the back door and I tried talking to him but he pulled his hoodie over his head and ignored me.
I'm not to engage or berate passengers, just to educate (Hey Sir, that's $2, please) and accommodate (You can make it up next time...) so I got back in the driver's seat, recorded the fare skip (we have buttons on our radios to document fare dodgers) and I went about the route.
A guy sitting behind me stood up, opened his coat and showed his badge to the guy in the back, asked me to pull over and wrote the passenger a ticket for $100.
OH SNAP!
I hadn't even known there was a fare inspector on my bus.
So no, I'm not a fare nazi.
You won't hear me saying, "NO RIDE FOR YOU!"
But you do ride without paying at your own risk.
And that's not just something I'm taught to say, I've seen the risk of not paying.
And that Young Lady earlier in this story?
She got back on the bus a week later and paid twice as much as she needed to.
That's pretty cool if you ask me.
She's now a regular.
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
I see the same folks every morning, they all sit in the same seats, next to the same people.
As I've mentioned before, that's good for both of us - I know to wait for you if you're a minute late.
But don't be late!
LOL
So we stop at a stop that's usually empty and a Young Lady gets on the already full bus.
She opens her purse to pull out wads of cash, all large bills.
Puts some loose change in the farebox ($1.32) and tells me, "That's all I have, will that be enough?"
I asked her how far she was going and she told me that she was going to the other end of the route, across town.
I said, "That's not enough to pay for the gas to get you to the end of the block!"
Her jaw dropped.
After about three seconds of silence the front rows of the bus broke out laughing and once the Young Lady realized it was a joke, she started laughing too.
I explained that I couldn't give her a transfer or a free ride as I pointed to the sign above my head.
She grabbed a seat and we all started our morning in a good mood.
The regulars know I'm super polite and formal/proper and that I was joking because it was completely out of character for me.
Drivers work for YOU, the passenger.
We're not fare nazis, we educate (tell you how much) and accommodate by giving you a lift to where you need to go.
That doesn't mean we're allowed or supposed to give out a bus full of free rides.
And I've already experienced my first ticket.
A guy snuck in through the back door and I tried talking to him but he pulled his hoodie over his head and ignored me.
I'm not to engage or berate passengers, just to educate (Hey Sir, that's $2, please) and accommodate (You can make it up next time...) so I got back in the driver's seat, recorded the fare skip (we have buttons on our radios to document fare dodgers) and I went about the route.
A guy sitting behind me stood up, opened his coat and showed his badge to the guy in the back, asked me to pull over and wrote the passenger a ticket for $100.
OH SNAP!
I hadn't even known there was a fare inspector on my bus.
So no, I'm not a fare nazi.
You won't hear me saying, "NO RIDE FOR YOU!"
But you do ride without paying at your own risk.
And that's not just something I'm taught to say, I've seen the risk of not paying.
And that Young Lady earlier in this story?
She got back on the bus a week later and paid twice as much as she needed to.
That's pretty cool if you ask me.
She's now a regular.
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Ewwww, That Smell...
Hello Folks!
I got an email asking me for "stories"; happenings on the Bus that I've experienced so far.
I've had a few "events" in my few short months but she asked for something out of the ordinary.
I can relate at least one for y'all.
(P.S. thanks for the email, Ma'am.)
So I'm really close to being new to RTD, still getting used to the city, the traffic and the flow of people in and out during rush hours.
The new folks always get the 9000's - those are the super long "accordian" buses y'all see cruising around.
I love em, they handle like a dream and they are super easy to drive.
So picture me, first quarter of 2010, in my big old 9000 with a bus FULL - I mean standing room only - full of people coming INTO town.
It's a Friday evening, rush hour, people are trying to get home and folks are also coming INTO town to celebrate the shut out at the Rockies Home Opener.
The city is a parking lot - I'm parked in traffic on Park Avenue (go figure, right?) and I can see 7 buses in traffic ahead of me.
We've been in traffic close to an hour, on Park Ave. and folks are starting - just starting - to get restless.
But everybody can see we're not moving quickly and as we get closer, more folks try to cram onto the bus from various and sundry places on the street and sidewalks - not a bus stop in sight!
Out of nowhere, a Lady sneaks up behind me and whispers in my ear,
"A man just urinated in the back of the bus.."
Like it happens every day - ha.
I look in my mirror and can see the guy in the corner on the back, still doing his thing and a circle of passengers backing away from him.
I hit the button on our radio to request a call from HeadQuarters for advice and help.
Then I "park" the bus in place and stand up to ask how I can help.
The gentleman, deep in the "party zone" must be very numb and comfortable because he sits right back down in the seat he just soaked and hollers back up to the front at me, "Nope, I'm good, thank you."
It got really quiet on the bus.
I'm not a small guy, I know I can put the fear of God in a man's eye just by walking up to him.
And I also know I can pick this guy up and toss him off the bus.
I can tell that was what the rest of the bus thought I was about to do.
But in my line of work (The Bus Driver) it's not my job to enforce any laws, rules or order.
I'm just the driver, we have rules that instruct me to call somebody who can pick him up and give him the ol' heave ho for us.
I had already hit that button requesting help so I moved to the next step - taking care of the rest of the passengers.
I opened all the doors (we were at the curb already) and I asked if anybody would like fresh air, and held up some tranfers in case anybody felt they needed an alternate bus.
But I was looking the relieved gentleman in the eye when I'd asked this and he understood my question and took a transfer and decided the fresh air would do him some good.
Nobody else left, all the windows started flying open and somehow, there became enough room on the bus to allow for a two seat "cushion" between them and the aromic occurence.
When we'd finally gotten into town and folks started filing off the bus, I got a ton of "thank yous"s and "nice job"s - but I really don't know what I'd done.
o_O
Later that evening, about two hours after the fact I parked the bus in the garage.
Headquarters still had not responded to the request for help; the button push.
I wrote it up but because dispatch wasn't involved, the manager on duty crumpled up the report and suggested I forget about the whole ordeal.
LOL - fine with me.
That was my introduction to the Rockies and their enthusiastic fans.
Needless to say (but I'm going to anyway) I won't be volunteering for any Rockies Rides this year.
I think I've gotten my fair share of "The Experience" when it comes to home games in Denver.
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
I got an email asking me for "stories"; happenings on the Bus that I've experienced so far.
I've had a few "events" in my few short months but she asked for something out of the ordinary.
I can relate at least one for y'all.
(P.S. thanks for the email, Ma'am.)
So I'm really close to being new to RTD, still getting used to the city, the traffic and the flow of people in and out during rush hours.
The new folks always get the 9000's - those are the super long "accordian" buses y'all see cruising around.
I love em, they handle like a dream and they are super easy to drive.
So picture me, first quarter of 2010, in my big old 9000 with a bus FULL - I mean standing room only - full of people coming INTO town.
It's a Friday evening, rush hour, people are trying to get home and folks are also coming INTO town to celebrate the shut out at the Rockies Home Opener.
The city is a parking lot - I'm parked in traffic on Park Avenue (go figure, right?) and I can see 7 buses in traffic ahead of me.
We've been in traffic close to an hour, on Park Ave. and folks are starting - just starting - to get restless.
But everybody can see we're not moving quickly and as we get closer, more folks try to cram onto the bus from various and sundry places on the street and sidewalks - not a bus stop in sight!
Out of nowhere, a Lady sneaks up behind me and whispers in my ear,
"A man just urinated in the back of the bus.."
Like it happens every day - ha.
I look in my mirror and can see the guy in the corner on the back, still doing his thing and a circle of passengers backing away from him.
I hit the button on our radio to request a call from HeadQuarters for advice and help.
Then I "park" the bus in place and stand up to ask how I can help.
The gentleman, deep in the "party zone" must be very numb and comfortable because he sits right back down in the seat he just soaked and hollers back up to the front at me, "Nope, I'm good, thank you."
It got really quiet on the bus.
I'm not a small guy, I know I can put the fear of God in a man's eye just by walking up to him.
And I also know I can pick this guy up and toss him off the bus.
I can tell that was what the rest of the bus thought I was about to do.
But in my line of work (The Bus Driver) it's not my job to enforce any laws, rules or order.
I'm just the driver, we have rules that instruct me to call somebody who can pick him up and give him the ol' heave ho for us.
I had already hit that button requesting help so I moved to the next step - taking care of the rest of the passengers.
I opened all the doors (we were at the curb already) and I asked if anybody would like fresh air, and held up some tranfers in case anybody felt they needed an alternate bus.
But I was looking the relieved gentleman in the eye when I'd asked this and he understood my question and took a transfer and decided the fresh air would do him some good.
Nobody else left, all the windows started flying open and somehow, there became enough room on the bus to allow for a two seat "cushion" between them and the aromic occurence.
When we'd finally gotten into town and folks started filing off the bus, I got a ton of "thank yous"s and "nice job"s - but I really don't know what I'd done.
o_O
Later that evening, about two hours after the fact I parked the bus in the garage.
Headquarters still had not responded to the request for help; the button push.
I wrote it up but because dispatch wasn't involved, the manager on duty crumpled up the report and suggested I forget about the whole ordeal.
LOL - fine with me.
That was my introduction to the Rockies and their enthusiastic fans.
Needless to say (but I'm going to anyway) I won't be volunteering for any Rockies Rides this year.
I think I've gotten my fair share of "The Experience" when it comes to home games in Denver.
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
Friday, June 11, 2010
Please Fasten Your Seatblets & Return Your Seats To The Upright....
I've said before that I like to run a hair late to my stops to make certain everybody has a chance to get to the stops and not be missed.
So you can assume we're already at least 30 to 60 seconds behind.
So when you get on the bus...
Please, sit down would ya?
LOL
But seriously, the number one rule we have at RTD is "Safety First."
Safety First.
Why do you care?
Well, when I leave a stop, I have to first check my rearviews to make sure that there are no late arriving passengers or passengers who just departed getting close to the bus and risking slipping and falling underneath.
Then I have to check to guage trafic and our ability to re-enter traffic safely.
So I'm looking in front, side to side then back to the front then side to side, etc.
But first and foremost, before I even begin to move the bus...
I need to make sure you've safely found your seat.
When I say that, most of us think of the obvious examples such as:
The Elderly
Mothers with their families
Passengers with disabilities
But there are far more frequent and glaring examples such as:
The young man with his pants down around his ankles with one hand in his pocket and the other fist bumping with friends already on the bus
If I gun it from a stop and take off, the bus will lurch forward and he lands in the laps of his buddies.
That's gotta be embarassing!
Or the young Ladies who come on in the morning with coffee in one hand and their phones in the other.
They're not holding any rails either and if I lurch forward, they could break a heel, spill that coffee, etc.
The gentleman who gets on with his arms full of coffee, papers, computers, etc, goes to sit in his seat just as we lurch forward and his chin smacks into the back of the seat in front of him.
So in a world of "Safety First", when it comes to the choice of being another minute late to the next stop or allowing y'all the opportunities to injur yourselves - I'd rather be safe than sorry.
Now on that note - take your time.
Do your pimp walk, shake hands and say hello to everybody on your way to your seat.
I'm paid by the minute and seriously, I really do have ALL DAY.
The rest of the folks on the bus, on the other hand may not have all day and they may not appreciate you holding up their time tables.
They know I'm waiting and being safe, I did it for them when they got on.
Now it's their turn to eye ball you sideways to get you to step just a bit more quickly!
All joking aside, folks - please, be safe.
That's my job, to make sure you're safe.
While being safe, I need to get you to your destinations in a timely manner.
That's why I'm paid by the minute.
Each and every minute needs to be safe.
Welcome aboard, find your seats (Quickly) - Let's Roll!
So you can assume we're already at least 30 to 60 seconds behind.
So when you get on the bus...
Please, sit down would ya?
LOL
But seriously, the number one rule we have at RTD is "Safety First."
Safety First.
Why do you care?
Well, when I leave a stop, I have to first check my rearviews to make sure that there are no late arriving passengers or passengers who just departed getting close to the bus and risking slipping and falling underneath.
Then I have to check to guage trafic and our ability to re-enter traffic safely.
So I'm looking in front, side to side then back to the front then side to side, etc.
But first and foremost, before I even begin to move the bus...
I need to make sure you've safely found your seat.
When I say that, most of us think of the obvious examples such as:
The Elderly
Mothers with their families
Passengers with disabilities
But there are far more frequent and glaring examples such as:
The young man with his pants down around his ankles with one hand in his pocket and the other fist bumping with friends already on the bus
If I gun it from a stop and take off, the bus will lurch forward and he lands in the laps of his buddies.
That's gotta be embarassing!
Or the young Ladies who come on in the morning with coffee in one hand and their phones in the other.
They're not holding any rails either and if I lurch forward, they could break a heel, spill that coffee, etc.
The gentleman who gets on with his arms full of coffee, papers, computers, etc, goes to sit in his seat just as we lurch forward and his chin smacks into the back of the seat in front of him.
So in a world of "Safety First", when it comes to the choice of being another minute late to the next stop or allowing y'all the opportunities to injur yourselves - I'd rather be safe than sorry.
Now on that note - take your time.
Do your pimp walk, shake hands and say hello to everybody on your way to your seat.
I'm paid by the minute and seriously, I really do have ALL DAY.
The rest of the folks on the bus, on the other hand may not have all day and they may not appreciate you holding up their time tables.
They know I'm waiting and being safe, I did it for them when they got on.
Now it's their turn to eye ball you sideways to get you to step just a bit more quickly!
All joking aside, folks - please, be safe.
That's my job, to make sure you're safe.
While being safe, I need to get you to your destinations in a timely manner.
That's why I'm paid by the minute.
Each and every minute needs to be safe.
Welcome aboard, find your seats (Quickly) - Let's Roll!
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Stops - In the Name Of Love!
I can't speak for the other drivers but me personally, I fudge my time tables a little bit.
How do I do this you ask?
Well I purposefully try to be 30 to 60 seconds late to all of my stops.
I know that everybody needs to make their connections and get to their stops on time and I try to make the major stops on time but I want to NEVER miss anybody.
Whether it's morning, noon or night, I assume everybody needs to get to work, an appointment or just get home and I don't want anybody to miss the bus getting there.
Some of y'all are wise & experienced and y'all get to your stops early enough to wait for the bus.
I usually creep down the road and up to the stops, giving everybody time to get there.
When you're a "regular" and I don't see you at the stop, I tend to look around a bit more and wait at the stop for a second longer - just in case.
I'm always looking up and down side streets to catch runners who play it to the last second to make it to the stop.
And even when I run a minute late, y'all know you are still running to your stops at the last second.
Nothing is scarier for me (and for the passenger) than to hear a pounding in the back end of the bus, to look in my mirror and see somebody chasing the bus - risking that slip and fall under a wheel that would land us both on the evening news.
Please don't chase the bus, please arrive a few minutes early and please be safe.
We'll get you to your destination, as long as we're both safe and keeping an eye out for one another.
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
How do I do this you ask?
Well I purposefully try to be 30 to 60 seconds late to all of my stops.
I know that everybody needs to make their connections and get to their stops on time and I try to make the major stops on time but I want to NEVER miss anybody.
Whether it's morning, noon or night, I assume everybody needs to get to work, an appointment or just get home and I don't want anybody to miss the bus getting there.
Some of y'all are wise & experienced and y'all get to your stops early enough to wait for the bus.
I usually creep down the road and up to the stops, giving everybody time to get there.
When you're a "regular" and I don't see you at the stop, I tend to look around a bit more and wait at the stop for a second longer - just in case.
I'm always looking up and down side streets to catch runners who play it to the last second to make it to the stop.
And even when I run a minute late, y'all know you are still running to your stops at the last second.
Nothing is scarier for me (and for the passenger) than to hear a pounding in the back end of the bus, to look in my mirror and see somebody chasing the bus - risking that slip and fall under a wheel that would land us both on the evening news.
Please don't chase the bus, please arrive a few minutes early and please be safe.
We'll get you to your destination, as long as we're both safe and keeping an eye out for one another.
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Strangers In The Night...
Passengers don't think about this and really, why should they?
But driving a 33 ton tank in the dark is just a bit different than driving my car.
Driving my car, I check a miror now and again but for the most part - if I stay in my lane, a lane which is way wider than my car, if I stay in that lane I just need to make sure I'm not rear ending anybody or running any red lights and all is well.
But not in this bus.
This beast has more blind spots than not.
I have to check each mirror AT LEAST every 3-5 seconds.
That means I get 3-5 seconds to look in front of me and glance at the road blocks & blocks ahead, look for traffic signs, signals, pedestrians, other vehicles, traffic patterns, road hazzards, weather, and see if there are folks at the next stop waiting to be picked up.
And in that glance, everything I saw needs to be processed and reactions have to be made.
And I have to still check the side mirrors and react to the same information from those mirrors.
And I have to answer questions from passengers inside the bus.
All that, no problem - that's what I get paid for.
But add onto all of this - THE NIGHT.
(cue spooky music)
ha ha ha
But seriously, if I have all that to do during the day, it's compounded by the dark.
Speed goes way down and visibility is reduced to what the moon, street lamps and the wimpy headlights on the bus that only illuminate the bumper on the car in front of me.
Most of you have noticed, as has been my experience so far that most of our stops are dark.
No street lamps, no lights - nada.
The stops that have those ads in them are usually off at night which makes it even harder to see anybody sitting down inside.
And all the lights inside of the bus are reflecting off the windshield - the end product is that I can better see what somebody is doing in the back of the bus than I can see the road in front of me.
It's my number one pet peeve: to drive by a passenger, only to see him jump outta the shadows at exactly the moment I'm driving by.
At that time of morning or night, I'm usually the only bus for another hour and that means somebody is left in an unsafe situation and will probably be late for work.
That means I failed at my one and only job - to get the passenger where he needs to go, when he needs to get there; safely.
One trick I've seen some regulars do is the mini flashlight.
They know I can't see them so they start flashing when they see me.
Eventually I get used to picking them up at that spot but until they've become a "regular" I don't know they are there.
I know it's easy to see me, I'm the big beast all lighted up at night; markers, flashers, inside and outside lights.
Just stay safe, is my biggest advice.
If you're at a dark bus stop, stand out under the sign.
Stand on the curb until you see me turn towards you and hit my blinkers - an indicator that I've seen you and am coming for you.
Don't stand in the shadows, it's not safe for you and I can't see you.
I want to see you, I want to pick you up and get you to where you want to go.
That makes us both happy.
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
But driving a 33 ton tank in the dark is just a bit different than driving my car.
Driving my car, I check a miror now and again but for the most part - if I stay in my lane, a lane which is way wider than my car, if I stay in that lane I just need to make sure I'm not rear ending anybody or running any red lights and all is well.
But not in this bus.
This beast has more blind spots than not.
I have to check each mirror AT LEAST every 3-5 seconds.
That means I get 3-5 seconds to look in front of me and glance at the road blocks & blocks ahead, look for traffic signs, signals, pedestrians, other vehicles, traffic patterns, road hazzards, weather, and see if there are folks at the next stop waiting to be picked up.
And in that glance, everything I saw needs to be processed and reactions have to be made.
And I have to still check the side mirrors and react to the same information from those mirrors.
And I have to answer questions from passengers inside the bus.
All that, no problem - that's what I get paid for.
But add onto all of this - THE NIGHT.
(cue spooky music)
ha ha ha
But seriously, if I have all that to do during the day, it's compounded by the dark.
Speed goes way down and visibility is reduced to what the moon, street lamps and the wimpy headlights on the bus that only illuminate the bumper on the car in front of me.
Most of you have noticed, as has been my experience so far that most of our stops are dark.
No street lamps, no lights - nada.
The stops that have those ads in them are usually off at night which makes it even harder to see anybody sitting down inside.
And all the lights inside of the bus are reflecting off the windshield - the end product is that I can better see what somebody is doing in the back of the bus than I can see the road in front of me.
It's my number one pet peeve: to drive by a passenger, only to see him jump outta the shadows at exactly the moment I'm driving by.
At that time of morning or night, I'm usually the only bus for another hour and that means somebody is left in an unsafe situation and will probably be late for work.
That means I failed at my one and only job - to get the passenger where he needs to go, when he needs to get there; safely.
One trick I've seen some regulars do is the mini flashlight.
They know I can't see them so they start flashing when they see me.
Eventually I get used to picking them up at that spot but until they've become a "regular" I don't know they are there.
I know it's easy to see me, I'm the big beast all lighted up at night; markers, flashers, inside and outside lights.
Just stay safe, is my biggest advice.
If you're at a dark bus stop, stand out under the sign.
Stand on the curb until you see me turn towards you and hit my blinkers - an indicator that I've seen you and am coming for you.
Don't stand in the shadows, it's not safe for you and I can't see you.
I want to see you, I want to pick you up and get you to where you want to go.
That makes us both happy.
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
Saturday, June 5, 2010
Welcome Aboard
Welcome aboard, Folks.
I'm a new driver.
I was only just struck yesterday with the idea to start keeping this log book.
I should have started the day I started.
I've only been a driver for a couple of months so I'm still fresh and new.
I still see the job as fun, exciting and each day, each route as an adventure.
Yesterday was my first "Hot" day on the job.
Temps here in Denver were over 90° so it got HOT.
As the saying goes, "At least it's a dry heat" but I've never understood that cuz it's still hot!
As the temps get warmer, HQ starts sending out radio alerts telling us drivers how to keep the vehicle cool.
With instructions about turning off the AC, turning off the retarder (engine brakes), idling at 1/3 higher for 3 minutes to kick in the fans to cool down the vehicle, etc etc etc.
So yesterday I had to run with no AC, windows open (which just blows hot air around!) and retarder off - which makes braking a 33 ton vehicle really fun.
Having no AC makes for a stinky and sticky drive but it's only 5 or 6 hours behind the wheel.
Not many if any bathrooms or breaks along the route so no way I'm drinking while on the road or I'll have to stop every few minutes.
Nice thing about not drinking on the job is that you tend to stop sweating.
One last note on this, my first entry into my Driver's Log Book:
If you're a passenger, please don't write in to compliment your driver.
I know that sounds backwards and really, we do appreciate the kind words but...
This is a "Union" job, which means the slackers are treated the same as the over achievers.
The slackers can have poor attendance, can have a really bad "record" and still get the same raises as somebody who's worked hard, has a perfect record, has commendations from passengers, who is an overall model employee.
But the slacker sees the driver who takes care of his passengers as a threat; sees him as somebody who makes the slacker look bad.
I was in the Driver's room (a place where we get our assignments, where we relax before and after runs, etc) while I was punching my transfers and I overheard two senior drivers talking and one gal said the other:
"I can't believe I got written up for that again."
"Didn't you just get a commendation?"
(Commendations are compliments from passengers - our names are publicly posted by mgmt when we get those letters from y'all)
"Yeah but it seems like every time I get a commendation, the next day I'm getting written up for something else."
"So call in and complain about him and get him written up to."
"I've did that last time but I think somebody else is doing that to me now."
So as a new guy, I'm scared to death of getting that target posted on my back.
Of catching the attention of other union employees, having them sabotage my job.
Ugh, I'm sure you'll hear all the things I've heard in that driver's room.
I'm scared enough just listening to the comments in there.
I'm sure it's not the rule but I rarely hear nice things, polite things, uplifting stories, etc.
I tend to not want to get anybody's attention: out of sight out of mind, right?
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
I'm a new driver.
I was only just struck yesterday with the idea to start keeping this log book.
I should have started the day I started.
I've only been a driver for a couple of months so I'm still fresh and new.
I still see the job as fun, exciting and each day, each route as an adventure.
Yesterday was my first "Hot" day on the job.
Temps here in Denver were over 90° so it got HOT.
As the saying goes, "At least it's a dry heat" but I've never understood that cuz it's still hot!
As the temps get warmer, HQ starts sending out radio alerts telling us drivers how to keep the vehicle cool.
With instructions about turning off the AC, turning off the retarder (engine brakes), idling at 1/3 higher for 3 minutes to kick in the fans to cool down the vehicle, etc etc etc.
So yesterday I had to run with no AC, windows open (which just blows hot air around!) and retarder off - which makes braking a 33 ton vehicle really fun.
Having no AC makes for a stinky and sticky drive but it's only 5 or 6 hours behind the wheel.
Not many if any bathrooms or breaks along the route so no way I'm drinking while on the road or I'll have to stop every few minutes.
Nice thing about not drinking on the job is that you tend to stop sweating.
One last note on this, my first entry into my Driver's Log Book:
If you're a passenger, please don't write in to compliment your driver.
I know that sounds backwards and really, we do appreciate the kind words but...
This is a "Union" job, which means the slackers are treated the same as the over achievers.
The slackers can have poor attendance, can have a really bad "record" and still get the same raises as somebody who's worked hard, has a perfect record, has commendations from passengers, who is an overall model employee.
But the slacker sees the driver who takes care of his passengers as a threat; sees him as somebody who makes the slacker look bad.
I was in the Driver's room (a place where we get our assignments, where we relax before and after runs, etc) while I was punching my transfers and I overheard two senior drivers talking and one gal said the other:
"I can't believe I got written up for that again."
"Didn't you just get a commendation?"
(Commendations are compliments from passengers - our names are publicly posted by mgmt when we get those letters from y'all)
"Yeah but it seems like every time I get a commendation, the next day I'm getting written up for something else."
"So call in and complain about him and get him written up to."
"I've did that last time but I think somebody else is doing that to me now."
So as a new guy, I'm scared to death of getting that target posted on my back.
Of catching the attention of other union employees, having them sabotage my job.
Ugh, I'm sure you'll hear all the things I've heard in that driver's room.
I'm scared enough just listening to the comments in there.
I'm sure it's not the rule but I rarely hear nice things, polite things, uplifting stories, etc.
I tend to not want to get anybody's attention: out of sight out of mind, right?
Welcome aboard, find your seats - Let's Roll!
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