kneeler: pneumatic pistons installed at the front door of a coach that can lower the steps for those needing assistance in placing a load or themselves on to the first step lift: another device located below the front steps of a bus that extends from the bus and on to the sidewalk to allow for …
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The Dao of Doug: Finding Zen in San Francisco Transit: A Bus Driver’s Perspective (Dao 1)
Glossary 1 paddle: our timetable or schedule that we pick up in the receiver’s office that comes with our defect card and books of transfers. This entire bundle is called an outfit. pre-op: usually done on a track in the bus barn and is a term for checking mirrors, lights, radio, horn, doors, wheelchair lift, …
Behind the Yellow Line
“Please move back. I need you to step back behind the yellow line while the coach is in motion.” I state, when the coach is full: Or, if someone does not have their fare ready and they are looking in their pockets or hand bag for change, I say, “I can’t see my mirrors.” The …
Afghanistan Banana Stand
The US and the UK now have lagging world currencies with real interest rates below inflation – and have money that has lost more value against gold than any other BRICS nation. Mirror, mirror, on the wall, who [has] the fairest [currency] of them all? c1937 Disney Pictures, from Grimm Faierie tales, Snow White and …
Sakude!
Sakude su sombrilla de aqua afuera! Please shake the water off your umbrella before entering the coach! A friend and coworker who experienced his first major rainfall wondered if I had any tips to keep the windscreen and mirrors clear. Baby heat in the coach climate control, and baby heat for the cab climate, are …
The Sisters of Charity
Some groups of non-SFMTA employees get to ride for free. Police, patrol special police, auxiliary police reserve, peace officers, and firefighters may ride for free if in full uniform after showing proper identification. The key phrase being, showing proper identification. I guess bus drivers, bartenders or bouncers are best versed in excuses offered as to …
Bai Lan – Tang Ping
Mandarin Chinese for Let It Rot – Lie Flat Boomers in the US have workplace stories to tell about newly hired Millennials losing interest at their job after just a few months. Many ad hoc committee groups or emergency overtime requests at work go unheeded by younger employees as if there is no expectation or …
Rent Control or No Rent Control: A Tale of Two Cities–San Francisco and Honolulu
-or- “What do I complain about most?” Word Press generates great starters for writers, and the one up today is, “What do I complain about most?” and I’d have to say it’s the rent. I’m sure I’m on solid ground with this one after looking at the national charts of rent and housing in major …
Continue reading “Rent Control or No Rent Control: A Tale of Two Cities–San Francisco and Honolulu”
Culture Shock
My favorite blogger is the Hello from Hawaii channel on YouTube. He talks in a general way that is liked by most people who watch his show. I’ve learned a lot listening to him. I didn’t catch his name, even when I crossed paths in real life. Here are some of the facts I learned …
What’s life like in Honolulu?
If you like the changing of the seasons, you probably won’t want to live in Hawaii. Not everyone likes a tropical climate. If that be the case, stop reading, go into the garage, and enjoy inspecting your snow shovel blade and handle, or snow blower’s moving parts and lube schedule. Clearing the driveway makes for …
The Dao of Doug: A Bus Driver's Perspective 