 |
 |
|
|
|
The Driving Force
With raft company bus drivers
(by Nick Callanan)
For this issue, No Umbrella went around talking to raft company bus drivers with hopes of finding out the
driving force behind the bus driving force. We asked every
driver to explain:
(1) why
they drive bus
and:
(2)to recite a scary or danger-filled
event.
Here’s a
sample of what they said:
Carl from Jackman:
>“Because I like dealing with rafters and talking to people from different places. I just enjoy doin’ it.”
>“Magic Falls putting their bus over the bridge.”
Donna from West Forks:
>“Fun to meet a lot of people and to get to know the customers on the ride up.”
>“When cars try to pass me, especially on a dirt road when you can’t see anything.”
Clyde from Skowhegan:
>“I guess I like to drive that’s all… I like the people I work with, good helpers.”
>“Nothing serious. Once in a while a customer falls out of the raft breaks their arm, bruises their arm...Log trucks do go
quite fast over there [Broshua Road].”
Mary Jo from Pleasant Ridge:
>“I enjoy it. I like all the people, all the different people.”
>“The drivers go too friggin’ fast. You go into Carry Brook and these drivers comin’ out like a maniac.”
Les from Vassalboro:
>“Spend a lot of time in the outdoors.”
>“Meeting a triple tractor trailer on the Golden Road. Just missed! That last one was wobbling pretty good.
Linda from Caratunk:
>“Because it gives me a day off the riv-er and I’m guaranteed a seat.”
>“Having to back up the bus with people in it.”
Gerry from Norridgewock:
>“Pretty cool. I do it because I’m a minister and I get a chance to meet some new people. The kids on the river need a
chance to talk and I pray for ‘em. Different bus drivers get to talk and make some new friends”
>“Going into Carry Brook. Us bus drivers have more close calls per day than the rafters do on the river”
Carl from Caratunk:
>“I meet a lot of people. This is a good retirement job in the summer. I don’t do anything in the winter.”
>“It’s a lot of responsibility with 40 people on board. Anything can happen…”
Email nick [at] noumbrella [dot] com with your questions, comments and concerns.
Design and Content © 2002 to 2006 No Umbrella
