Totally agree. I know a senior driver who makes $75k with the TTC--for driving a bus! Given that nice little womb, the price might be that you can't strike.papasmerf said:
What is your take on the TTC situation??
- Thread starter Brookstone
- Start date
no nopapasmerf said:
what I meant was "rules are rules" as in the public has to abide by TTC rules.. pay your fares etc .. everyone should abid by the rules...
so the TTC employees should also abid by their contracts ,,,
the public are the pawns (as we all know) .. ridership is up , the unions now have an even bigger stick ..
As far as the safety issues for TTC personnel goes, better security measures would be welcomed by most. However, the union seems to be beating their chest over this issue to show management and the public who has the REAL power. This isn't a new issue - the union brought it up out of the blue and is now using it to get attention for a problem that has existed for years. Here's a novel concept - You're in a union - how about bargaining with your employer over working conditions, not holding the public hostage because of the perceived need for a power play.
As for the 14 year old girl, the drivers need to exercise some discretion and weigh the situation. Being a hard ass all the time alienates the public and drives away business.
As for the 14 year old girl, the drivers need to exercise some discretion and weigh the situation. Being a hard ass all the time alienates the public and drives away business.
Advice and getting from the Airport
I’m going to be arriving at Pearson Airport on Thursday. Any advice on the best way to get downtown (King and Dufferin). I assume that it will take forever to get downtown by taxi and the fare could be enormous if it is stuck in traffic for hours. I’m thinking that my only real alternative might be to wait at the airport until later in the evening when traffic has died down and then take a taxi. Alternatively, will airport limos still be offering flat rate? If so, I guess I could just take a limo and read a book while stuck in traffic but I’m wondering if the limos might be scarce as I would think that most drivers would rather take the day off rather than sit in traffic for hours when they are only getting a flat rate. Any suggestions?
I’m going to be arriving at Pearson Airport on Thursday. Any advice on the best way to get downtown (King and Dufferin). I assume that it will take forever to get downtown by taxi and the fare could be enormous if it is stuck in traffic for hours. I’m thinking that my only real alternative might be to wait at the airport until later in the evening when traffic has died down and then take a taxi. Alternatively, will airport limos still be offering flat rate? If so, I guess I could just take a limo and read a book while stuck in traffic but I’m wondering if the limos might be scarce as I would think that most drivers would rather take the day off rather than sit in traffic for hours when they are only getting a flat rate. Any suggestions?
Unless there is some big ass accident clogging major routes, you won't get stuck for hours.
Airport limo's do offer flat rates to most destinations and area. As for how much in DT I don't know, but try here :
www.airflightservices.com
Because of this strike only 2 out of 4 attendants made it into work this morning. I'm lucky I even got out of bed this morning!
This issue of safety is being pushed because it is easy for the public to follow and support. Believe the other issue, the real issue, is shift time. The ttc wants to have maintenance workers work more at night. Makes sense that they would want the maintenance done on the buses when the busses are not needed. Also have cleaners clean out offices and stuff when other people are not there, and they will not disrupt other workers. Sort of like what is done at every other business, except the ttc cleaners are making $20+ an hour plus benefits, and everyone else is expected to work around them and their schedule.
tboy said:
Since when is it the TTC's purpose to teach students a lesson . The man was an ass . We need more people to use common sense not rules of course that requires intelligence and the ability to reason which a lot of drivers don't have. I f they want to treat a young girl like shit and follow the rules then management should fire their sorry asses for an illegal strike.
They shouldn't be allowed to strike in the first place .
While I tend to agree with your analysis of the lesson, and the responsibility of the driver.... .....You attempting to justify (spin) this as a life lesson is a perfect example of the type of thinking that exists in many parts of the public service and TTC.tboy said:
As per the post, the girl had a bus ticket, was in front of her school that had just let out, is 14 years old and is taking the bus probably with friends... What would lead someone to think that this girl was not a student??? If the bus driver asks her about her ID, and she tells him/her the story, why would he not give her the benefit of the doubt???
Did the bus driver know how far the girl would have to walk? Was he aware of any health risks she might have that could make that walk difficult or life threatening??
Regarding a lesson: this is like chopping off a hand for stealing!!!
I hardly think that the driver gave a shit about the rules or the lesson for that poor girl..... Hiding behind the strict interpretation of the rules in this case was A DESPICABLE ACT by an IDIOT...
In fairness to TTC drivers... I have had very few problems with them, and I hardly believe that one of them would do something like this... Only the guys daughter and the driver know what really went on... but I would guess that he asked for ID, she might have gotten defensive/mouthy and then it escalated from there..
Drivers see all kinds of people trying to BS them on a regular basis, and they tend to get a bit jaded about the whole thing....
Funny enough a friend's daughter got on a bus without realizing that she did not show her ID and sat down. When she was leaving the bus driver kindly asked her to pay as she had forgotten to pay. She looked for her student pass and realized that she had left it at school. The guy gave her a stern warning and let he go... She was so thankful about it that she found the driver the next time and gave him a present... Now my friend's daughter just came here from China and speaks very little English... but just loves Canada because of this type of treatment..... I would think that this is a much better life lesson than the one mentioned above....
someone said earlier they allow drunks etc on the streetcar for free. Last time i was on streetcar going south on spadina, thats what i saw. I think he was a drunk and homeless, and he and the driver knew each others names and had a nice conversation, about what they're up to, vacation etc. Which was very nice to see.
But is there a rule in the books that says drunks/homeless gets to ride for free??
If not, why should they get to ride for free, and the young girl who put in her fare get the treatment she got??
In that situation it wasnt hard to think/figure she would be a student. After school, waiting at the school bus stop, with other kids. Ppl forget,lose their things all the time. Just like every other job, you should follow the rules and do what you're suppose to do. But in some instances/rules, you have to use your own discretion and some common sense, upon reviewing the situation.
For tboy and others who says she learned a lesson, the driver did what he was suppose to do etc etc. Then that should be the case for everyone. Everyone should/must pay. Their background, where they live, how much money they have and anything else shouldnt matter.
Sometimes having the power or being in control takes over ppl.
This kind of thing is something ttc should address as well. Teach drivers to use their common sense at given situations.
PS: what if the general public holds a protest/rally against these guys ?? would you attend/support??
I definitely would.
But is there a rule in the books that says drunks/homeless gets to ride for free??
If not, why should they get to ride for free, and the young girl who put in her fare get the treatment she got??
In that situation it wasnt hard to think/figure she would be a student. After school, waiting at the school bus stop, with other kids. Ppl forget,lose their things all the time. Just like every other job, you should follow the rules and do what you're suppose to do. But in some instances/rules, you have to use your own discretion and some common sense, upon reviewing the situation.
For tboy and others who says she learned a lesson, the driver did what he was suppose to do etc etc. Then that should be the case for everyone. Everyone should/must pay. Their background, where they live, how much money they have and anything else shouldnt matter.
Sometimes having the power or being in control takes over ppl.
This kind of thing is something ttc should address as well. Teach drivers to use their common sense at given situations.
PS: what if the general public holds a protest/rally against these guys ?? would you attend/support??
I definitely would.
Svend said:
That's ok let them strike then ridership will drop and the TTC will wonder why . Overcrowded buses , surly drivers and strikes 3 reasons NOT to take the TTC.
Sure they can, have you seen city prices these days? You will pay as much for a condo at square one as you will at king and bathurst....or your miss. transit pass and ttc pass would equal the mortgage the same place only downtown.red said:
Now I realize living in the boonies of Orangeville has it's benefits but certainly not the cost factor. A place in O ville after factoring transportation costs etc. will cost the same (or similar) to one closer to the core (if that's where you work).
Anyhow, IMHO if you want to live in the 'burbs, you should find a job there. If you want a job downtown, you should live there EOS.
As for Fabs' hissy fit, dude, I can understand you being PO'd but I highly suspect that the driver sat there for 20 minutes. That is really tough to swallow. Really, think about it, a streetcar loaded with people and none of them said anything after FIVE minutes? I've been on buses etc before and people spoke up after just 3 minutes waiting at a stop....
I will repeat, I bet she won't forget her purse/backpack/id ever again. In that sense I think it was worth it...even if you don't.
Was the driver a little harsh? Maybe....did your daughter deserve the benefit of the doubt? probably. But she lived through it and hopefully has learned from her experience.....
As for unions, I think their usefulness has long been overshadowed by the power they wield. Sure everyone employed by a union gets some benefits but as for the strike today, and the reasons behind it, are simply extortion.
tboy do you have alzheimers or something? cause you keep repeating yourself!!! same old, same old and you are not hearing anyone else. Plus you are starting to sound like a quack with your foolish ideas, such as people should live where they work. doh. Anyway get off your soap box - the only one throwing a hissy fit here is YOU. lol.
Public reaction:
http://www.pulse24.com/News/Top_Story/20060529-009/page.asp
I like this 1:
"The TTC is constantly preaching to 'TAKE THE BETTER WAY, well hopefully I will be soon by purchasing a car.
“The service is horrible to begin with and its like every time they don't get their own way they strike. Ninety percent or more working people have no pension or union support.
"The TTC and a few others have it made but they are like a spoiled child and expect to be treated al ot better than any other working person. To me they should fire the whole bunch of them just like Reagan did with the air traffic controllers and hire all new.
"There are a lot of people who would love that job"
and this
Personally, I am sick and tired of the ads that declare how the TTC stands behind their drivers. They say that if any passenger physically or verbally assaults a driver, we the public should call the police immediately. Well, perhaps these drivers should speak to passengers with some respect.
“I have been on buses where drivers yell at passengers if they don't get on the bus quick enough, bark at passengers who ask for directions and yes, if the passenger doesn't pay the correct fare, the driver speaks in such a loud voice that the entire bus can hear…
”In a nutshell, drivers, quit your moaning and be grateful for what you have! Life sucks at times but we just have to get on with it.”
http://www.pulse24.com/News/Top_Story/20060529-009/page.asp
I like this 1:
"The TTC is constantly preaching to 'TAKE THE BETTER WAY, well hopefully I will be soon by purchasing a car.
“The service is horrible to begin with and its like every time they don't get their own way they strike. Ninety percent or more working people have no pension or union support.
"The TTC and a few others have it made but they are like a spoiled child and expect to be treated al ot better than any other working person. To me they should fire the whole bunch of them just like Reagan did with the air traffic controllers and hire all new.
"There are a lot of people who would love that job"
and this
Personally, I am sick and tired of the ads that declare how the TTC stands behind their drivers. They say that if any passenger physically or verbally assaults a driver, we the public should call the police immediately. Well, perhaps these drivers should speak to passengers with some respect.
“I have been on buses where drivers yell at passengers if they don't get on the bus quick enough, bark at passengers who ask for directions and yes, if the passenger doesn't pay the correct fare, the driver speaks in such a loud voice that the entire bus can hear…
”In a nutshell, drivers, quit your moaning and be grateful for what you have! Life sucks at times but we just have to get on with it.”
Great idea for everyone who works downtown.... let's all buy houses and condos. They are soooooo affordable.tboy said:
As for buses with only one or two people on it. you gotta average it out over the day most lines are packed in the mornings and evenings.
$150 k barely gets you 600 sq ft not exactly ideal to raise a family in.
As for Fab's daughter and the rules and TTC drivers in general.
This is an extreme story and shouldn't reflect badly on the entire TTC system.
I prefer to think of the hundreds times I've taken the TTC free of any problems.
Yes the driver was a jerk because he could have given her a break.
But at the same time he was following the rules.
So no he wasn't nice but he wasn't wrong either.
But it's a moot point since Fab is buying his daughter a car. BTW need a son?
Maybe there's two sides of the story. We've all seen what lines kids feed parents (e.g. we don't get homework, that's just incence you smell, or I was holding it for a friend, or it was Johnny's fault not mine, I wasn't smoking the room was smokey, all the kids are doing it etc).
This is an extreme story and shouldn't reflect badly on the entire TTC system.
I prefer to think of the hundreds times I've taken the TTC free of any problems.
Yes the driver was a jerk because he could have given her a break.
But at the same time he was following the rules.
So no he wasn't nice but he wasn't wrong either.
But it's a moot point since Fab is buying his daughter a car. BTW need a son?
Maybe there's two sides of the story. We've all seen what lines kids feed parents (e.g. we don't get homework, that's just incence you smell, or I was holding it for a friend, or it was Johnny's fault not mine, I wasn't smoking the room was smokey, all the kids are doing it etc).
