When Worlds Collide

It wasn’t until I looked through my old journals that I finally found an answer I had been looking for about why I was on the black list of an important street operations inspector who has dogged me for many years. And I have been replaying in my mind, what I could have done differently to have saved the job of an inspector that was volunteering his time for the good of the order during a power failure along the Mission line.

There had been a power failure on Mission somewhere probably due to wires down, or a short or heat sensor going off and tripping the breaker to turn off power to the wires along Mission near downtown where Mission parallels Market Street, and perhaps to about 25th Street in the heart of the Mission. I had made it to the inbound terminal at Ferry Plaza and waited for 45 minutes until power was restored. I was amazed at the sense of humor I had as I told the inspector this trip was going to be one for the history books. No coaches in front of me from downtown to Van Ness, and all I had was a small coach. And little did I know what was in store for me at the 11th Street stop near Van Ness. I was packed, stacked and racked, and was ready to pass up the large crowd waiting at the stop. I had no intention of stopping to pick anyone up because I was completely full from picking up all stops from downtown.

And to my horror, I saw an inspector herding like a shepherd, seniors off of the curb towards my bus in the traffic lane. I had intentionally stayed away from the zone to pass up those waiting, but was stopped in traffic waiting for the light. Big mistake. I have since never got caught waiting for a light after a pass up. I learned early on where and when not to get in a stall if a pass up was necessary.

So here were passengers being guided towards my front door with no room at the inn.

“I can’t take any more people, this coach is full,” I said to the inspector. “Make room. Ask people to get off to make room for these seniors.” And a mutinous roar went up in the bus, “Hell, no.” “Make them wait.” I shut the door and moved ahead with traffic that was f lowing after the light went green. I better cover myself on this one. I pushed the button to call Operations Central Control. After run, line, and direction, I asked the question, “Is this coach full?” I held the mouthpiece up to the aisle. “Yes!” responded the entire group crammed in the bus.” Whew. I had an alibi. As long as the passengers were on my side, I knew I would be okay and not get in to trouble. But I definitely want to stay out of controversy, and obey my general orders.*

*the views herein may not reflect those of the SFMTA or its employees.