MiMs

[BRWombat]

Thoughts, prayers, and all the pixie dust I have to spare, BW. Let us know what happens.

[ktulu]

Prayers, pixie dust, positive thoughts, anything you need. I'll even write a letter on your behalf. Even if we weren't meeting I was going to do what I could to find you so I could (hopefully) enjoy a CM who cares. If Walt was around, and he got word of this, I think there would be a manager who would be getting his walking papers.

Disney is more than theme parks and movies, it's an experience, an experience that is brought on by people who cares and people who WANT others to have a magical visit. Otherwise it's just another Six Flags or Universal.

[Zazu]

3. I make a waste of the fact that I sold or gave away everything my wife and I owned and moved across the country just to work for Disney. But if it's what they think I need to do in this case, then I guess I have to quit. I am being driven nuts in the buses right now, and yesterday's incident makes it so much worse. The only reason this option will happen is if, in my meeting, I find out that I am just too guest-service-oriented for Disney.

Before you take this step, see me. I know of some open positions in departments of the Company where you would be appreciated and your talents put to work. But it's much easier to slide you into such roles *before* you tell Bus Ops what you really think.

Seriously, call me first.

[Big Wallaby]

Well, by the time I read your post, Zazu, I had already talked to a manager. I am excited to tell you that hell froze over, and option 1 happened. I have permission to override the automated announcer. The manager even went so far as to say he wanted more drivers like me.

And now, the incident yesterday (the other day for many of you, now...but I will call it yesterday) that spawned this conversation:

Yesterday (see above note), I worked at Studios, and when you drive for Studios, AK or MK you park at TTC. Often, you will be told to "take existing", which means they want you to ride on the bus that is provided for our guests.

So I got onto a bus, there was one other driver riding along. The other two drivers started talking, in Spanish, backs to the guests, etc. Very friendly. So I started talking to the guests. I had from the time we pulled out until we were just starting to pass Poly, when I felt a tap on my shoulder, mid-sentence, and the other passenger/driver was letting me know the driver wanted to speak to me. I took a couple steps up front, and his only words to me were, "This is MY bus." He wanted me to shut up. I spent the time going down Floridian Way and World Drive trying to figure out how to get off that bus. However, I went to work and decided not to say anything about it to anyone, despite the fact that another driver had "put me in my place" in front of guests. I didn't care enough to push the issue.

I went to work, got broke off my bus, went to lunch. When I came back, a coordinator pulled me aside with a "word to the wise" that I had embarrassed the driver by performing on his bus. She explained it was a "cultural" thing, and that when I am riding on someone else's bus, I should ask for permission before interacting with the guests on board.

Essentially, I got in trouble for interacting with guests. For that reason, I took it to a manager. He saw eye to eye with me. How much he is going to do about this, I do not know, but he listened and reassured me that I had done nothing wrong.

My problem is with this driver and the fact that he works for Disney. If he's not going to interact with the guests, he's going to be embarrassed that someone gives them a show. That's bullshit. Why does he work for Disney?

Well, I appreciate all the prayers and dust. I will still be transferring out of buses at my earliest convenience, as there is a day coming when I will not be able to cover the autospiels. But that day is not today, and I can live with it until I get out of driving. Zazu, I am still going to take you up on your offer, but it doesn't have the immediate need that it did at one time.

[mechurchlady]

I do believe I do believe. I was doing diishes and hoping for the best. So happy for you big guy. So happy.

[Shorty82]

Alright, Big! I'm glad to hear management actually listened to you! That manager sounds to be in touch with the Disney Magic.

I'm also glad management agreed with you about interacting with guests while on another driver's bus. I personally don't see the big deal. Part of your job (as it was and still should be) is interacting and entertaining guests. That would apply while riding another's bus also. Being a passenger allows you to get more into the entertainment and give the guests a better show as you don't have to concentrate on driving.

Part of working with guests at WDW is interacting and entertaining guests. This is especially true of drivers IMO. The direction busses are headed with MiMs would make Walt turn over in his grave. If he was still around he would be pissed about it I would think.

[ktulu]

I'm glad your manager agreed with you. The other driver was probably pissed because he knows that those guests will want more, which he cannot deliver, AND they will remember YOU rather than him.

He was probably just jealous of your mad guest skillz :D:

[Big Wallaby]

He was probably just jealous of your mad guest skillz :D:

The thing about that is, I'm not THAT great. From what some people have told me, it's fun for ten to twenty minutes, but after that I get old quickly. That's fine with me, since you are on the bus for 10-20 minutes, so I just maximize it. If you're going to be on the bus longer than that, I'll do something different.

So when he's jealous, it's not really anything about which to be jealous, except that he's not working here for the right reasons.

[Cheshire Figment]

The thing about that is, I'm not THAT great. From what some people have told me, it's fun for ten to twenty minutes, but after that I get old quickly. That's fine with me, since you are on the bus for 10-20 minutes, so I just maximize it. If you're going to be on the bus longer than that, I'll do something different.

That is not uncommon. When I'm on turnstiles at TL the other CMs get sick and tired of my jokes, but since they are aimed at the Guests, and the Guests have not heard them before, the Guests laugh and react favorably; that is what counts.

[BRWombat]

Well, by the time I read your post, Zazu, I had already talked to a manager. I am excited to tell you that hell froze over, and option 1 happened. I have permission to override the automated announcer. The manager even went so far as to say he wanted more drivers like me.

Woohoo!!! That is awesome! AND this happened the same week you stopped flaming!!! :D: :D: :D:

God is good.