I was driving a tour bus to Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. My exit was coming up so I turned on my right turn signal to move over into the right lane.
I looked in my mirror and none of the drivers were allowing me to get over. Now I'm have to force my way over since the other drivers don't seem to notice my turn signal.
Hold it! Stop the bus. I'm getting out of the driver seat because I've never drove a tour bus. Adrian Sayler has spent many hours driving a bus. The only difference between a bus driver and a truck driver is their cargo.
I have hauled loads worth a million dollars. I have had parts of the space shuttle and a stolen Lexus car on my trailer. The difference in what I haul and Adrian does, is that my loads can be replaced, his can't.
I never once had my load tell me "good morning" or "thank you" but Adrian has. I did have a rabbit hitch a ride in some oil field pipe that I hauled from western Ne. to Great Bend, Ks. The rabbit had a confused look as he stood on back of the trailer. I'm sure Adrian has seen that look as some people got off the bus.
When people get on a bus, they expect the safest professional driver because they are now the cargo. When they look out the window and see the car next to the bus, do they expect the same standards of those drivers? I'm sure they're not even thinking about that while the bus driver is always watching the traffic.
In 1985, their was another driver trying to convince me to drive a tour bus. Then you stop and think of the responsibility that bus drivers have, which is tremendous. I wasn't ready for that.
I want to say "Thank You" to Adrian and all of the school bus drivers we have. From early in the morning to late at night, they are driving safely with our children. I never once worried about the safety of my daughter on the school bus, but I know the drivers did.
The next time you see a school bus, tour or the famous Greyhound, remember what is inside of them. They don't have many accidents but when they do, they make the national news.
Ron Moore is a professional truck driver and contributing columnist. His e-mail is
ron_weasel@yahoo.com
