Dear Sam, Again

Deke's Note: Hey Boss, this isn't meant to be another angry shakedown, but more of a "Hey dude, this is what it is nowadays, down here in the bowels of transit where you do not tread."

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Whilst you deal with the fallout of yet another GOP dismantling of the "socialist" programs which keep the USA rolling, we're out here providing the service you're charged with overseeing. Problem is, you've gone from the new guy full of optimistic bursts of trying to understand what it is to be me, to the politico so far removed you can't see the road we scan.

I knew it would happen. Tried to warn you. Crickets.

We feel the cuts along with our passengers. No more "bubbles in the paddle." Eliminating seniority perks to cut pennies from the budget is dirty pool. A budget designed during a competent administration instead of today's ignorance. Dude, I get it. Sane America didn't expect the deranged pedophile to actually claim the throne again. But we spent more during the last guy's reign than the money lasted. Now you're faced with less federal dough and the ridership you've been courting will once again get screwed as you collect another bonus. 

Yeah, Metro screwed up too. I've bitched for years about the abysmal condition of the Downtown Transit Mall, only to be disappointed each budget year when funds to repair it are allocated to Nowheresville. The lines on pavement instructing motorists where they're allowed downtown haven't been painted for several years. In fact, the obvious need for a total Transit Mall redesign has been ignored for over a decade. Still, you remain silent. Are you unaware, or simply not interested?

The advent of money-for-nothing entrepreneurs with their pay-me-for-dangerous-scooters gets more respect from Metro than horrid conditions transit operators deal with due to the danger posed by these law-ignoring dumbasses. They're given free reign to ignore the most basic traffic rules without fear of traffic enforcement. We're constantly dealing with stupidity of people who ride scooters in transit lanes or against traffic on one-way streets, totally oblivious to impending doom behind/ahead of them by tons of transit vehicles bearing down upon their unprotected selves. They believe their safety is the responsibility of others. Increasingly daring fate to intervene whilst their loved ones expect them safely home later.

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I'm tired of you ignoring us. You may say we're the "heroes of transit" but you fail to report how our professionalism saves hundreds of lives each day. When tragedy happens, all we hear is "the incident is under investigation." Instead of showing support for your "heroes" you fail to report after said "investigation" that we are usually found innocent of any wrongdoing, once again doing as trained (and expected) to do. Your failure to stand UP for US is noted, constantly remembered whenever you blithely claim support for "those who are the backbone of transit."

Mom taught me to stand up,

 to speak up, and to use my writing

for the good of others.

Your underling ordered me to STOP writing you emails, casting me aside as some deranged soul in need of counseling and guidance. You could have answered my admittedly-intense queries with heartfelt responses. Kept up the dialogue. But you chose the low road instead. Insulting at the least, disheartening at the worst.

Your military background is prevalent however, in your insistence on strict uniform compliance. When I began this journey in 2012, every bullpen sported a full shoeshine kit. Shiny shoes were not expected of us then. The simple presence of the tools however, encouraged a sense of pride in our appearance. We were still respected in the community then, and presenting our best appearance was important to many of us. Admittedly, along the way some brothers and sisters have allowed their appearance to slip a bit. But it is ludicrous to threaten us with discipline if we don't meet some militarily-inspired standard.

If you are committed to improving transit, it's imperative you come down from that ivory tower and spend quality time in the trenches with us. Watch Maintenance crews work on buses and LRT's. Drive a few buses through the fuel lanes and wash racks late at night. Watch road-weary operators drop off their pouches after a grueling shift. Stop pretending you care, and begin showing you actually do.

Leave your office behind a few weeks and be an Undercover Boss. Be line trained. Drive a bus in service. Roll with MAX operators. Ride with Road Supes. Be a fare enforcer. Endure a shift as a Station Agent. 

Get your hands dirty. 

Then tell me I'm wrong about what I've written you. Until then, please refrain from calling us "heroes."