Stupid Guest Tricks

According to today's Sentinel. This started in the front page of the paper and, in total, takes up about 1/3 of a page.

Cheshire Figment wrote:According to today's Sentinel. This started in the front page of the paper and, in total, takes up about 1/3 of a page.

I think I remember Wallaby saying something to that effect back when he left the buses?

This is honestly one of the few times I've ever agreed with one of the Sentinel's reports on WDW.

While I'm not crazy about the way the system works, it is not as big of a distraction as one may think. The boxes are programmed not to unlock for keyboard entry until you slow down to 10mph of less. Now if you do unlock the first screen , then you can enter stuff on the fly. In most places, a driver can prep the box for the dispatch code at a stop sign or traffic light. Going to Mk, I prep the box at the toll plaza when I stop at the booth. I'll hit route, route and enter the J and the box is ready for the code. That most times takes 10 seconds total To DTD I'll do it at the traffic light at BVD and Bonett Creek. Now I'm ready for when I get my dispatch, pop in 4 numbers and I'm good.

IMHO, it is guests that can't wait until you arrive at your destination and must talk to the driver enroute that are more distracting than the box.

I still spiel to my guests and try not to use the automated spiels as I feel it takes away from the guest experience.

I really do want to see how the fully automated dispatch will work (Probably not very well) and I definitely don't want to see permanent static routes. That makes for a very boring night and that could be a bigger safety hazard than the boxes. (try to stay alert driving the same route all night)

As far as getting to know any route, I personally know that I drove each route enough that it was not difficult to remember them, and you don't need to know every nuance of the route. A truly good bus/motor coach driver/chauffeur should be able to take that vehicle safely onto any road able to accommodate it and drive safely. I can tell you of times driving coaches in the Northwest that I had to plan out a route, and know what was coming without having seen the route, and I never hit anything, though I did have things and people hit me (and I did have a guy stick his head out in front of one of my mirrors once. His wife pulled him back just as I would have hit). No one ever injured. A professional driver understands that safe driving is anywhere, no matter whether they are doing it in an area they know, or an area they've never been before.

Also, take into account that Disney World is some of the easiest bus driving you will ever do, as far as routes. Cranbiz and I both have the experience of tapping things with our buses hard enough to damage the bus, and I know that I can speak for him when I say there is no reason to hit any non-moving object (such as a curb, sign, etc.) while driving a Disney bus. We just don't ever operate in tight enough quarters. Any time any bus strikes anything, it is not due to the corner being too tight (a problem I often ran into while driving school buses... never hit anything though) or anything like that. Even on the worst road, the road to the Grandstand at Saratoga Springs, there is no reason to hit anything... I often drove straight down the middle of the road unless there was another car coming. On that road there is nothing wrong with that.

So static routes? No. I agree with Cranbiz that it would create boredom. As it is, if you just drive the bus, if that is all you want to do... I would be bored being you... but then, if I just wanted to be a bus driver, I would do it somewhere where you actually get paid decently. That's right, I said it. You shouldn't be at Disney for the pay. If you are, you are a moron.

If you read back through my posts, you can see that I have no love for the automated spiel side of MiMs, and it is my biggest reason for moving on from buses before putting at least a full year in there. I know they didn't get their money's worth out of training me there. That said, I do not believe that MiMs is a safety hazard. I would love to be able to find a reason that it was, but I can't. Now, the driver operating it could be, if they go into a menu so they can adjust more than the volume at speed. Just as a hammer is neither good nor bad but for the one who wields it, MiMs is, in itself, not a safety hazard.

Big Wallaby wrote:As far as getting to know any route, I personally know that I drove each route enough that it was not difficult to remember them, and you don't need to know every nuance of the route.

Agreed, the routes are not difficult and you drive them repeatedly while training. As conditions change, you adapt. Our biggest issue now on changing conditions is on Vacation Club Way at the bridge between OKW and Treehouses, the roadway has developed depressions. You just adjust your speed or road position and go on.

A professional driver understands that safe driving is anywhere, no matter whether they are doing it in an area they know, or an area they've never been before.

Agreed, its all about being aware of your surroundings, everywhere. The motorcycle safety course that all riders should take, would be good for all drivers. You are taught road and situational awareness. The teachings of that course have saved my large butt several times.

Also, take into account that Disney World is some of the easiest bus driving you will ever do, as far as routes. Cranbiz and I both have the experience of tapping things with our buses hard enough to damage the bus, and I know that I can speak for him when I say there is no reason to hit any non-moving object (such as a curb, sign, etc.) while driving a Disney bus. We just don't ever operate in tight enough quarters. Any time any bus strikes anything, it is not due to the corner being too tight (a problem I often ran into while driving school buses... never hit anything though) or anything like that.

True. The one and only thing I came in involuntary contact with on a bus was the fence at FW at the Outpost bus stop. It was my fault for doing something I should not have been doing, Not paying attention. I was so focused on trying to get my guests there so they could make the internal shuttle for the Hoop, I turned too tight and caught the fence. What did this accomplish? Nothing! The guests were late to the Hoop due to the paperwork and I have a minor incident on my record card. It did teach me a valuable lesson though, and I have since received my 1 year safe driver pin about 6 months ago.

Even on the worst road, the road to the Grandstand at Saratoga Springs, there is no reason to hit anything... I often drove straight down the middle of the road unless there was another car coming. On that road there is nothing wrong with that.

If you don't drive down the middle of that road, then you are a fool. You WILL hit something. If there is another vehicle on thet road, I will either stop if another bus or proceed at about 5-10 MPH as to allow plenty of reaction time and maneuvering space.

So static routes? No. I agree with Cranbiz that it would create boredom. As it is, if you just drive the bus, if that is all you want to do... I would be bored being you... but then, if I just wanted to be a bus driver, I would do it somewhere where you actually get paid decently. That's right, I said it. You shouldn't be at Disney for the pay. If you are, you are a moron.

Who am I to disagree with the great and all powerful Wallaby? (especially if he agreed with me first) :D:

I'm not there for the money (but what I get doesn't hurt) It is the guest interaction and joy that I can bring to the guest experience that I'm there for. It's kind on like being a Firefighter. Most do not do it for the money (See that over 50% of this countries Firefighters are volunteers) They do it for the thrill, the helping your fellow man or to just give back to the community.

If you read back through my posts, you can see that I have no love for the automated spiel side of MiMs, and it is my biggest reason for moving on from buses before putting at least a full year in there. I know they didn't get their money's worth out of training me there. That said, I do not believe that MiMs is a safety hazard. I would love to be able to find a reason that it was, but I can't. Now, the driver operating it could be, if they go into a menu so they can adjust more than the volume at speed. Just as a hammer is neither good nor bad but for the one who wields it, MiMs is, in itself, not a safety hazard.

My comments in Bold (I haven't figured out multi quotes) As usual BW had hit the nail on the head. As with any tool, safety is all in how you use it and who is wielding it. If you hire poor drivers, you get poor results. If you hire good drivers, you get good results. If you shorten the training period to save money, expect more incidents because of the lack of training.

Like a well known oil filter commercial, "You can pay me now or you can pay me later"

Big Wallaby wrote: If you read back through my posts, you can see that I have no love for the automated spiel side of MiMs, and it is my biggest reason for moving on from buses before putting at least a full year in there. I know they didn't get their money's worth out of training me there. That said, I do not believe that MiMs is a safety hazard. I would love to be able to find a reason that it was, but I can't. Now, the driver operating it could be, if they go into a menu so they can adjust more than the volume at speed. Just as a hammer is neither good nor bad but for the one who wields it, MiMs is, in itself, not a safety hazard.

I stand corrected ! This is what happens when I trust my memory, and dont look things up. Sorry for the misquote BW !