Part of testing a new operator in being qualified by a state inspector is coach securement. As this book is written by a trolley operator, the added requirement of coach securement is in cradling the poles by the hooks near the harp at the back of the coach. Many a day goes by where a coach is taken out of service on the line and the operator fails to secure the coach in a timely fashion. Of course, there could be a lot of argument about what qualifies as timely fashion, but the bottom line is no coach can stay on the wires from behind an unsecured trolley with its poles still on the overhead wires.
Hell No!
When my leader goes out of service with a full coach on my time, I am glad I remember the one block spacing rule and not get too close. I can drop my poles and go around: Nothing worse than double headway and a full load. Hell no! I am not going to continue for the rest of the trip with angry intending passengers waiting at the curb and have a full bus with no room. Hell no! means I can pass by the coach and continue on to the next stop without missing a beat. My follower can take all of his people, and I can pick up all of my leader’s people still waiting at the next bus stops. This causes minimal disruption to the line and keeps buses spaced properly.
This is against the rules which state pass ups are only after an unusual delay and another bus with the same destination is one block behind. I will roll past an out of service bus as an unusual delay, and pass up those passengers so I don’t drag down the line and make the gap even bigger. This is a violation of the letter of the law, but the letters don’t account for the emotional tension that comes on board a few stops later when I am full and cannot pick up. I choose the path of least resistance.
Show how it’s done.
When there is no bus behind me I have an obligation to pick up those stranded by the bus that went out of service. It is these times I get my swerve on and take care of business. As long as I have no one in front of me, I have a clear shot to move up and put an end to the dragging coach. As I don’t work with my hands like a construction worker, it is harder to get a sense of satisfaction in seeing a finished project. The day is a great one if I can get to a terminal before my leaving time: Just a ‘thank you’ as the last person departs! Just the hope of a thank you from the last passenger getting off at the end of the line. “Step down here for a great walk along the waterfront of Aquatic Park and check out the swimmers in the bay. Alcatraz views are plenty so make sure your camera is handy. Ghirardelli hot fudge sundaes are also only two blocks away!” These statements of gratitude are the only ‘things’ I get to ‘make.’
If and when we get help and the shop or an inspector on the scene, there actually is a friendly pat on the back!. The shop or inspector taps our rear below the last window to let us know our poles are placed back on the wires and we are clear to use the power pedal and continue on our way on the wires. “Nice day.”
The Dao of Doug: A Bus Driver's Perspective 