Life in the Curb Lane - May 12, 1988 to Present

Onward

2010-02-02T12:59:00.001-08:00

Looking Back

2010-02-01T22:49:00.000-08:00

Missing a Turn...

2010-01-31T16:03:00.000-08:00

Do buses ever go off route? For detours, yes. For making a wrong turn, yes! And some turns you miss can be very difficult to get back on the right path. Turn off the wrong exit and you might have fun trying to get turned around somewhere to get the mistake corrected.

Last Night - Different Friday

2010-01-30T22:07:00.000-08:00

I was sitting at Whitehorn stn when an unmarked car pulled up, two lady officers got out and ran up the stairs to the station. Then came a second police vehicle and two officers and someone with observer marked on their coat followed them up. Then came 3 more police vehicles with 6 officers hurrying up the stairs. At the same time HAWKES, the police helicopter flew overhead with it's powerful spotlight shining down on the station. And it was time for me to pull out so i never did find out what was going down there.

Memories of the Ctrain

2010-01-29T02:59:00.000-08:00

A 3 week course to learn the skills and then off i went on an adventure! A number of people who took the course could not ride the rails with no steering wheel. It certainly isn't for everyone.

4 Years on the Ctrain!

2010-01-28T02:15:00.001-08:00

Four years driving one of these before i called it a day and returned to being a bus operator. I have a number of stories over a 4yr period to tell as well.

Meeting People

2010-01-27T13:35:00.000-08:00

This is a fun job to get to know of the regular bus riders with various occupations or retired now. You meet some really interesting different kinds of people as well. Had an oriental lady who got on the bus, left a goodie bag on my dash, said some blessing to the folks on the bus and then left. Some of the senior drivers will recall her.

Double Time - BIG Time

2010-01-26T14:51:00.001-08:00

i recall one day on my birthday, the Ctrain had a problem along the tracks and drivers were called in to shuttle around the problem. I think that i went 12hrs that day with no lunch break. Happy birthday!

Millions of Miles I Think I Have Travelled

2010-01-25T15:21:00.001-08:00

Gee, since i started in 1978, i am sure that i have covered a lot of miles. Not to mention the miles that i had put on during my vacations as well. I practically lived on the bus when you get down to it. And what about the future? Retirement? Maybe owning an RV and travelling all over the country... of course!

On Down the Road For Years!

2010-01-24T18:36:00.000-08:00

A Different Thought

2010-01-23T11:15:00.000-08:00

When i moved here to work, i looked at it as the company paying me gas money to tour the city until i could tour here and wherever i wanted to go under my own funding.

New to the City

2010-01-22T11:57:00.000-08:00

Well, as part of the training, i had to answer the phones, give directions and tell people what bus to take and i was new to the city!!! I was also smart so i asked what bus runs by their location. I could quickly locate the area and times for them after that.
It was about a two month challenge for me to learn the routes and the city. And even after that, the first trip was the challenge to relocate the landmarks and the turns.

Training Class

2010-01-21T14:47:00.000-08:00

I started with a class of 12 and over the years, there are only a few left of the original class. People come and go, but this ole boy is still here! Well, i guess that it is my turn to look for the exit door. One day!

Perfect Attendance Award!

2010-01-20T02:36:00.000-08:00

Learning the City

2010-01-19T00:27:00.000-08:00

Back in 1988, it took me a few months to learn the city, always on the go. Usually, the first trip of a route after doing it, refreshes your memory so that the next time you make a trip, it becomes much easier to do.

Turning Back the Clock to 1988 to the Beginning

2010-01-18T13:38:00.001-08:00

This was the year the Panda bears were on the Ctrains. This was the beginning of a new life out west. I had to go through an intense training program and to learn a whole new city as well. My challenge had begun.

Introduction

2010-01-17T17:35:00.000-08:00

I started in transit, October 16, 1978 working for the City of Winnipeg for 9 1/2 years and then moved to Calgary to continue the same line of work starting May 12, 1988, just after the Olympics were held here. It is funny how you can remember your starting dates. At the time of starting this blog, i am looking for the exit door. This blog is about "Life in the Curb Lane!