LAZY ATA workers......

[kansasfarmboy]

I have in the past spoken of LAZY kc city workers such as water/waste/sanitation. And today I had the opportunity to do 2 things (which made my day bad) 1- I got to ride an ATA bus as part of a project at work 2-tour the facility off truman road where the drivers rest ,they repair the busses, and park them


1st of all I must commend the driver of my bus, I took the northland connector to a connection at 14th and cherry where I went east to Van Brunt and then back ending finally at the ATA facility. All 3 of the drivers I experienced ON the buss'es were courteous, neat , and did their job very well.

2nd - Once at the facilty things took a turn for the WORSE and I mean very worse.... So bad that I wonder how ATA even operates. I am not going to go into why I had a project involving the ATA but lets say its at the request of the city council (my employer not me) . To see if the 2.2 million they want next year is justified (i was just a blind rider not an evaluator and I have ZERO clout) I was just an observer.

Well once at the facility we went through a locked gate , which is good , then there was a 15 bay garage all full with busses being repaired and various states of being worked on ,,, pretty good looked industrious. Once inside we were shown the garage it was very clean most bays had a PIT where mechanics worked from below and above , doing the neccesary repairs and maintenance, the area was air conditioned, we then went to the print facilty where they make up route schedules daily and make changes , and alterations. then to dispatch where drivers pick up their work schedule keys, and destination package as its called. still pretty good...

Then the workers LOUNGE These people , Have NOTHING on water ,waste,and parks workers. Half were SLEEPING on the couches,floors,tables, others were playing pool as there are 4 free pool tables, domino tables, 2 pinball machines, 2 video games, board games, magazines and papers all over the floor and trash from food eaten out of the vending machines which there were 21 of (hey they gotta eat) no problem with that .... Well then there were other tables of people arguing, hollering using profanity , mostly african american females, I did not see ONE white driver in the lounge not that , that matters , its just what i observed.
In the garage almost everyone was a white male over 40.

Well back to the lounge. theres a main dispatch room with glass and 6 attendants who call out , routes people go up if they want to go , heres how it works

You get there at around 4am drive NO more than 4 hours you have 4 hours where your paid but you cant leave you can sleep , lay around or make phone calls , and during this 4 hour period you can accept a special run or not , and then at the end of the 4 hours you go out on your last assignment for the day which is also 4 hours for a total of 12 hours of pay for 8 hours of work. and since this place runs from 4am to 1am people are coming and going in 3 shifts. The maintenance garage is 24/7

Now , in the 4 hour paid sebatacle you can gamble (which i seen people throwing dice for money in the corners) play cards,checkers and other acceptable games, or you can sleep , talk on one of the 23 free phones local calls, and eat and drink out of the vending machines all day . there is no fresh food cafeteria, .....

I heard woman talking WORSE than any man I have ever heard. talking about how they TRY and make whitey run for the bus door, ( i heard someone say this ) and how others say they dont give a F*^k who it is , they arent going to do this and they arent going to do that , and F**K this place they arent taking any hot shots , they are gonna to do their 4 and 4 and go home , Also they actually HOPE the bus breaks down because they get overtime whilethey wait for a boss to come and tow it off , because they still get paid and dont have to finish their route.

Granted it appears to be a tedious job..... However I noted the severe lack of supervision, Functionality, and efficiency....... I am not sure if these folks are union, if they are that explains a lot if they ARENT its time to CLEAN HOUSE.

As for the 2.2 million deficit they are operating under , Well , i say TO BAD privatize it , OR make it more efficient , there is a complete lack of GOALS , responsibility, and accountability. . . . Absolutely no motivation to do better, excell or take pride in ones work.

I see this much like the water dept a HUGE waste and white elephant.

I dont have ANY answers I just wanted to share some observations. and would welcome any opinions you may have , if you work there maybe its always been this way OR maybe ALL transit workers facilities are run in this fashion,,, I dont know it just looked like a HUGE waste to me....

thanks for your time.

[KCPowercat]

so in short, people are the same at the ATA as they are at any office job? They overall complain about their job and do what is needed to get paid?

Could have just said that

Good report though.

[KCK]

I once read a statistic in a textbook concerning the workforce anywhere.
10% of the workforce causes 90% of the problems at a job. Don't judge an entire place based on that 10%.

Anyway I voted no to additional funding mainly due to other reasons.

[kansasfarmboy]

I once read a statistic in a textbook concerning the workforce anywhere.
10% of the workforce causes 90% of the problems at a job. Don't judge an entire place based on that 10%.

Anyway I voted no to additional funding mainly due to other reasons.

I am not judging any of them, I dont work there , its the private place out of public view their LOUNGE,,, I really dont care one bit what they do or dont do in there merely observations.

Also , the folks who operated the 3 busses I was on were curteous , nice , and well dressed. AND helpfull...

2.2 million deficit.... HEH wonder how they got there ?

[kansasfarmboy]

so in short, people are the same at the ATA as they are at any office job? They overall complain about their job and do what is needed to get paid?

Could have just said that

Good report though.

NO,,, I dont know of ANY office job where people sit around and shoot craps for money in the corner , sleep for hours, and argue to the point of almost fist fighting over what channel on the tv to watch...


I forgot to mention there were no less than 10 tvs in there each one had a vcr or dvd player made into it , and those that worked were ALL playing TAPES,,, YES pre recorded tapes of JERRY SPRINGER>.... not that there is a lot to watch on during the day ,,


No , sir i would not say this is like ANY office job I ever seen... EVER

[KCPowercat]

agreed not that part....but part of their job is to sit around for 4 hours and wait for any special routes correct? They are not supposed to be doing anything else at this time?

Just wondering why you called them lazy?

[kansasfarmboy]

agreed not that part....but part of their job is to sit around for 4 hours and wait for any special routes correct? They are not supposed to be doing anything else at this time?

Just wondering why you called them lazy?

I call them LAZY because the dispatchers are constantly BEGGING for people to run special routes , or added routes to meet capacity , and you get paid extra for it I understand ,,,very few volunteered,,, I mean some did , but out of the HUGE lot of folks in there , every time , they would call out ,,, we need 2 people to run a plaza pickup route ,or a southside , clean up route (dont know what that means ) A lot of em would look at each other and start swearing "F^$k that, im not gonna run that, I did it last week" or others couldnt break away from DICE and DOMINOES to do it ... and I take it you dont have to either .... because , they would call it out 3 times, over the PA , and say ,,, Ok no takers at (current time AM/PM) and i believe there is a mandatory rotational list , because if someone didnt take it ,,,, a few moments later someone would be called , and they would stomp up there swearing MFing this that and the other , snatching the keys , F this and F that ,,,, kind of reminded me of the old tv show taxis....
Icould be wrong ,,, but i think they were ASSIGNED if no one volunteered.... and I did ask the person guiding us if there was extra pay , for it they said yes time and a half even though , they hadnt worked their whole shift yet this was counted at time and a half....

i say FORCE them to do it , dont ASK and if they refuse show them the DOOR...

[KCPowercat]

sounds like they are forced to do it based on a rotation list. I don't think these people are any more lazy than anywhere else that pays similiar wages....nobody likes doing extra work at work from what I've experienced.

they just choose to yell F*** in public rather than under their breath.

[MidtownGrrl]

In brief defense of the ATA, it seems like there is a lot of exaggeration there… Just for a fact check I walked into the area KFB is describing. And there is ONE television, not 10. And it’s showing some talk show with Betty White. I forgot to check for a VCR, but I’m pretty sure it doesn’t have one.

Additionally, there are 3 PAY PHONES. I don’t know that local calls are free, but I don’t believe that’s the case.

Hopefully tomorrow night I can address some of the things that I feel are misrepresented.

[macnw]

What people do in their "lounge" is of little consequence to me. If I can safely get to my destination, that's what matters. KFB, what not focus on the behavior of the white collar CEO's that bilk billions from shareholders and ruin people's lives(Enron ring a bell). If those are the choices, cuss it up and roll the dice. As long as you not screwing me. Sounds like a bunch of racist hillbilly yammering to me. Just my observation!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kansasfarmboy]

In brief defense of the ATA, it seems like there is a lot of exaggeration there… Just for a fact check I walked into the area KFB is describing. And there is ONE television, not 10. And it’s showing some talk show with Betty White. I forgot to check for a VCR, but I’m pretty sure it doesn’t have one.

Additionally, there are 3 PAY PHONES. I don’t know that local calls are free, but I don’t believe that’s the case.

Hopefully tomorrow night I can address some of the things that I feel are misrepresented.

If your looking for a he said / she said contest here NOT GONNA HAPPEN...

Unless you work there , you cannot enter the area I mentioned , without and escort as the group of folks I was with was escorted. On the way up we went via the garage and walked up 2 flights of stairs (I assumed this was the 3rd floor) however when exited , we got into an elevator and it said we were on the 2nd floor ,(there were some 400- 500 pounders in there and I doubt they would be hoofing it up and down stairs).

Now unless the great creator put different rods and cones in your and my EYES

I stand by what I said , and thats the last Ill speak of it ...

[kansasfarmboy]

What people do in their "lounge" is of little consequence to me. If I can safely get to my destination, that's what matters. KFB, what not focus on the behavior of the white collar CEO's that bilk billions from shareholders and ruin people's lives(Enron ring a bell). If those are the choices, cuss it up and roll the dice. As long as you not screwing me. Sounds like a bunch of racist hillbilly yammering to me. Just my observation!!!!!!!!!!!!

And again, I didnt judge anyone , or what they were doing I dont care ifthey shoot craps till the cows come home , or play dominoes and cuss all day while stuffing their face with KFC (which I also observed some 400 pounders doing) doesnt bother me either

MY DRIVER(s) were Just FINE,POLITE,and well dressed and drove excellent

[kcteen]

this is the one post that i am going to acknowledge what kfb is saying because i think its actually fairly well founded.

despite whatever inaccuracies/exaggerations that may be present, i think kfb's main point, with which i agree wholeheartidly, is that the ATA is poorly run.

I have (almost) always had positive experiences on the bus with the driver. 2 exceptions.

I do think the ATA is inefficient and not doing enough to promote the routes and service.

kcteen

[GRID]

MidtownGrrl, works at the ATA. I was waiting for a response from her. I’m sure you will find many of the lazy union/city type people you are describing at the ATA. But at what level of exaggeration? KFB, your reputation does not sit well with this story.

I believe much of what you said, but I will take it down a notch. I have been to the ATA garages and offices as well. It’s not “thatâ€

[kansasfarmboy]

[quote="GRID"]MidtownGrrl, works at the ATA. I was waiting for a response from her. I’m sure you will find many of the lazy union/city type people you are describing at the ATA. But at what level of exaggeration? KFB, your reputation does not sit well with this story.

I believe much of what you said, but I will take it down a notch. I have been to the ATA garages and offices as well. It’s not “thatâ€

[QueSi2Opie]

Sounds like UPS! Drivers are lazy, bitchy, profane and complain about their bosses/jobs INSIDE of the hub...but once they get OUTSIDE on route, they are clean, courteous and sincere to the customers. The main thing is that the ATA needs to let these people go home for 4 hours, or make more part-time jobs available for drivers.

[KCPowercat]

kfb...you said you weren't judging but called them lazy...that seems judging to me.


Like you said, the bus drivers are good...if we could see into all the breakrooms in the city, I'd say many of them were like what you described...especially for jobs like bus drivers.

This is a non-issue I think......and has nothing to do with the ATA needing to rehab itself which I would agree with.

[GRID]

Most of the drivers are union. I'm not sure about the office staff. Remember when they had the big fight when the ATA wanted to use smaller buses on some routes? Smaller buses means smaller salaries.
Contracting out bus routes means no unions. I think most bus drivers make about 25-30 bucks an hour. I would take that OT...

Most Metro bus drivers are proffesional though behind the wheel. The drivers behind the wheels of JO buses look like school bus drivers. I'm sure they are just as nice though, but probably make about 12 bucks and hour.

[MidtownGrrl]

If your looking for a he said / she said contest here NOT GONNA HAPPEN...
... Now unless the great creator put different rods and cones in your and my EYES

I stand by what I said , and thats the last Ill speak of it ...

I'm not really up for a he said / she said contest either. However, I feel some of this is really exaggeration at the least. I'm just going to lay out a few things. It took me less than 100 steps to get to the Trainmen's Room - sometimes I can hear people in there. (So, you're not wrong about the volume. Although I hear foul language out both the men and the women.)

Drivers, mechanics, and some other staff (some office workers, facilities/building maintenance) are union employees. Had you walked into the body shop or maintenance area during a break time or lunch, you can bet your bottom dollar that those folks would be not working, aka on break. And I don't have an issue with that at all.

Many ATA operators drive 'split' routes, since the bulk of bus travel in KC is concentrated in the a.m. & p.m. rush hours. Drivers sign up for assignments for a three month period. So, someone may drive a Rockhill route for 5 hours in the morning and then be working the Blue Spring Express in the afternoon. They aren't paid for the time in between. Some operators choose to go home or run errands between their 'split', but other choose to socialize (or even sleep) in the lounge.

Then there are the Extra Board drivers. These are drivers who show up (usually at a very early hour - 4 a.m.) and take whatever runs need to be filled. If you are on the Extra Board, you stay there until you are told you can go home, sometimes not until evening. I am not 100% sure on this, but I believe you are paid a portion of your base rate while you wait for a run, and an increase over your base rate when you are one your run. So, if your salary is $15 an hour (based on length of employment), you may only be making $7.50 while you are sitting there. However, once they send you on a run, you may be making $22.50 for the time you are driving. Again, I don't know the exact figures and percentages. These drivers are needed to fill in drivers out on vacation, sick time, if we have a special service and not enough volunteers, charters for the mayor, special marketing events, etc.

As I've stated before in some other topic, I don't want to hinder anyone's conversation about the ATA by being here. And, I'm not going to put anything on this public board that I wouldn't want my management to know about. If I can provide information, that's great. But I'm not speaking for the ATA.

Frankly, this one felt really personal. I don't know that I would call any of the operators my friends, but I certain have a lot of admiration for several of them. These are the men and women that I talk to; that ask how I'm doing, if my vacation was good; that volunteer; that buy presents for poor kids every Xmas; etc.

By the way, if anyone is still reading this LONG post, if you know someone with a good work ethic and good customer service skills, we're looking for drivers. As our GM said at a recent board of commissioners meeting, we can teach people to drive a bus. It's much harder to teach good people skills.

[tat2kc]

Excellent post, Grrl. thanks for explaining the split shift thing. It does make sense, especially if you live far from the center, and gas is 2 bucks a gallon, to just hang out in the break room until your shift starts up again.

Its very easy to see something, and jump to conclusions. It takes time and effort to actually find out what the real deal is.