I used to be a city bus driver in Portland. [Passengers would] bring syringes on, punch their fellow seatmates, have not showered in three weeks, and maybe sneak on a flask and drink in the back. I remember a woman who, when I pulled up, said, “Well, it is about time. I thought you would be here yesterday. Step on it.” That will ruin your day.
The clients I have [now] are really polite — Good morning. How’s your morning?— and at 7 a.m. that’s pretty special. It is like night and day. They are really thoughtful and generous. I used to have a guy who brought me a cup of coffee every morning.
It's easy to see why Rick Fuchs moved from Porkland's TriMess development agency to herding private luxury buggies through Silicon Valley. Sure, the traffic's worse, but as a rule, what makes or breaks you in a job - any job - are the daily experiences.
And one thing's certain: with TriMess managers constantly blaming drivers for their own shortcomings, having to push outdated buses on constantly diminishing routes, and dealing with the gang-bangers and assorted other street refuse, being a driver in Porkland is an almost certain ticket to health problems. By contrast, ferrying polite (and clean) geeks from point to point in quiet luxury has to be a driver's version of work heaven.
