Al leaves his car at home and takes the MAX during the snow and ice days.

A Candid Chat With Jason on the 54

Reprinted from the Oregonion commentary section by Steve Dunn

Because I bused to work on Wednesday, relieving me of the ice snow storm angst, I was reminded of how essential TriMet is in the worst of times.  So I kept riding, looking for a guy who was willing to talk about the drivers who never get a snow day.

I wasn't expecting total, unapologetic candor. I wasn't expecting "I really enjoy my job. My only issue is with management.  Our management in the garage are complete and utter morons."

I wasn't expecting: "People have a real issue being behind a bus.  They'll do just about anything to get in front of the bus, and even if that means turning right in front of hyou and cutting you off.  For whatever stupid reason, it's against the law to run them over.  You weed a few of them out and you won't have to pay for it later.

I wasn't expecting Jason on the 54.

A former bouncer, born and raised in Hillsboro, Jason drives out of TriMet's Merlo garage.  I caught him inbound from the Beaverton transit center on a shift that began at 4:28am Wednesday and would keep him moving with overtime, until 7pm.

He wasn't complaining. "My job is extremely stressful," says Jason, who was cool with the quotes as long as I didn't use a last name.  "You're face to face with your customers.  You're dealing with people who don't know what they're doing behind the wheel of a car.  The stress level is amazing . . . but I wouldn't trade this for anything.   I don't have to swing a hammer.  I'm not mucking concrete.  I'm not strapped behind a desk.  I'm outside, sheltered from the weather, and the views are amazing."

Well, most of 'em, anyway.  His view on management?

"They've been behind a desk for far too long.  They don't get it. They can't understand the aggression we face. There are drivers, literally, who never check to see if passengers are paying.  Most are afraid to deal with the aggression.  Quite frankly, they're afraid of being assulted.  I don't blame them"

His view on fare jumping?

"It's happening more and more on MAX than on the bus.  On the bus, you have to face someone.  If I get a person who does it on a regular basis, I'll stop the bus, point that person out, and let everyone know we're not leaving until that person gets off or pays their fare. Usually, it doesn't take very long for the passenger to take care of the problem for me."

On fare inspectors?

"A figmentation of the imagination.  There are 500 busses on the road and four fare inspectors dedicated to busses.  I've seen them twice in four years."

On passenger expectations and his role in anger management:  "They have a high expectation level.  They expect you to be on time, no and's, if's or but's.  I'm the person they see.  I'm the complaint department.  I'm a sounding board for someone to vent on.

"Sometimes, people just want someone to yell at. You have to let things roll off your back. Maybe they just broke up with a girlfriend. They had a fight with their wife. More than likely, it's not about you."

And the snow? the ice? The freezing rain? The dark of night?  Cake Driving Jason said, is a lot easier on the days when the snow is coming down and Oregonians (like me) are running scared: My chains bust right through the snow and ice.  I don't have to worry about the schedule as much."

And the first time human contact ---- increases exponentially.  

"I greet everyone who gets on the bus, and nine times out of 10 you get no acknowledgement whatsoever" Jason said.  "On days like this there are a lot more thank-yous."

Als Day of Snow

This is another Al's first day of snow driving.

Al Got His Socks Wet

Al got his socks wet and now is drying them with the hand dryer in the bathroom!

Been a Good Night

Sideways, but still a good night

Service Animal

My Opinion of the Oregonian News, Metro Section Oct 29, 2008

My opinion of Oregonian News, Metro Section, Oct 29

Let me start off with whether or not the paper has the correct information.  In the referenced paper, one article “Just What Is A Service Dog” states the little pommerian was bleeding to death on the woman’s lap, the other article “Dog Owner Sorry” states the dog was on the a leash at the woman’s feet.  Just where was the dog anyway. And with this conflict, what else is not accurately posted?

This next one references the article “Dog Owner Sorry”. The paragraph where Ms LaPoint states that “drivers are required to ask anyone who enters a bus or train with an animal whether it is a service dog, but they cant ask what kind  of service animal it is”.  Hmmm, first off, drivers are told they can ask (not required to ask) if the animal is a service animal, but basically are told don’t ask.  I asked several other operators who all said they were told not to ask, its against ADA.  Even two supervisors I asked said we are NOT required to ask.  

Next if a anyone enters the bus or train with a animal, were suppost to ask if it is a service DOG?  We are going to look pretty stupid with a person who has a cat (or other animal) asking if it is a service dog. Who proof read these articles anyway???? 

TriMet needs to have some guidelines and rules to prevent this sort of activity from happening again.  Some options which are relatively inexpensive are (see samples above):

The customer carries a card showing the picture of the animal stating they are a service animal when boarding;

Put on their Honored Citizen card a “S” for service animal in a color different from the “A” for attendant;

The animal has a tag showing it as a service animal.

The Dishwasher's First Use

I bought a countertop dishwasher to do the dishes for me. After hooking it up, along with altering parts for proper fit with my spray faucet, I decided to try it out using regular dish soap. I figured that if I used just a little it would be ok. Well, I won't be doing that again. Guess I better get off my happy arse and get some "real" dishwasher soap!