Mood:
irritatedTopic: Don't people care?
I have been thinking about writing this for a while. Everytime I think about what to write I am away from the computer and when I get back to it I forget parts of what I want to say...so here I am, bear with me as I try to remember what all I want to say.
There have been a lot of accidents at work. I am not sure why. All accidents can NOT happen and are always "someone's" fault. Maybe you were driving too fast, maybe you were looking at the plane in the sky, maybe you were watching your friends, talking on your phone, talking to the person behind you, or simply not paying attention. Either way, someone wasn't doing something they were to be doing when driving.
When I was growing up I was taught that driving was a privilege and alot of responsibility. (Hopefully I carry this with me and have taught it to my son.)
I could not just get in my car and drive--there was more to it than that. I was taught to change a tire, change (and check) the oil, and always watch the gauges---which my father called idiot lights. If a light came on (it didn't matter which light on the dash it was) I was to stop the car, turn it off, and call my dad. There were no exceptions to this rule (except once when I owned a car that the oil light came on when it was only one quart low---and nobody to this day can figure out why but that is just the way it was). If it was snowing out, all the snow was to be off the windows and mirrors so I could see where I was going.
Now these days they don't even teach kids how to change a tire or look under the hood during drivers training. How sad, but I guess that is what parents are for (unless they don't know either). My grandmother did not even know how to put gas in her car let alone do anything else---but back then they had FULL SERVICE stations where the guys fueled your vehicle AND check all your fluids for no extra charge. (where did those days go?)
Anyways, I am rambling and not getting to my point.
These days people take driving for granted. It is a way to get from point A to point B, and they get in and go. They drive like they are the only ones on the road. What happened to defensive driving? What happened to caring about your car? (some of us are still out there)--My dad hates to drive on gravel because of the chips he will get in the paint, and will swerve (if possible) to avoid a water puddle if he just washed his car. If I can home with a dent or scrape or anything out of the ordinary on or in my car I heard about it and even got woke up in the early morning hours to be asked what the hell happened to the car.
Now I have a job that is having the responsibility of driving. The way I look at it is this---not only do I have a HUGE responsibility of transporting someones mom or dad or son or daughter or grandparent and getting them safely to where they want to go BUT I also have the responsibility of taking care of what I am driving. True this is not my vehicle but what I drive costs way more than something I could afford to pay for. Maybe I have pride in what I drive people around in---there are many times I have heard that I drive a nicer bus than what they have been on before. (I don't hear that if there is a dent or scratch on it or if it is dirty inside). Maybe I have a passion that has been lost over time, by others, in what I do. Maybe I see what I do as more than just a job.
We lost a Senior driver who was with our company more than 30 years, not that long ago. He had so much passion and pride in what he did. It was more than just a job to him--it was his life, his passion, his love, and it is hard to say but in the end something that he thought he could not live without doing and doing right. He took his time doing his job, and even took extra time to do it right and even go above and beyond what he was expected to do. (When he said or did something people listened) People watched him. I watched him--what he did, how he did it, how he interacted with the groups he was with. I listened to the stories he told (and hopefully will never forget them) He had something that everyone liked--- he had PASSION--he CARED. Not only about the people he drove around but about the buses he was driving.
I learned many things from him. I learned
1. to take my time
2. always check my mirrors
3. if I can't see stop and get out and look around
4. don't get into a spot you can't get out of easily
5. think
6. ask for help
7. if in doubt--ask
8. when you turn don't just watch your front but also your tail (for the swing)
9. Have fun
10. keep everyone informed
11. have a routine
12. see your job as more than just income
14. Value others
15. ALways keep your eyes, ears, and nose alert
and so much more that I don't need to go into now.
My wish is to be 1/2 as good as he was. I hope I have the passion that he had.
I get upset when other drivers put scrapes, dents, and scratches on buses,for 2 reasons. Granted I wasn't there so I don't know exactly what happened and thus do not judge but I firmly believe many of our drivers just need to slow down and open their eyes and ears. I get upset because 1) I may have to drive that scarred bus that will makes me and the company look bad and 2) I know our drivers are better than that and can do their job without hurting anything---they have done it before and others have done it.
Any way after all that rambling, I still have a few questions....
---Where is the PASSION?
---When did people stop caring? If this company loses money we are all out of a job.
---When did people stop looking at their job as something that they love to do and not only income?
---When did people stop believing in themselves?
---When did people stop thinking that nobody cares about them? If nobody saw you as an asset to this company or thought you could do a good job with the group you have--you would not be working for this company.
Our job is very important and safety is everything in more ways than one. Makes you think doesn't it?
Can you tell I love my job? HEHE