The Price of Professionalism

My Daily Mode of Transport : Toronto Transit Commission's Buses.

To be a professional, there is a price to pay, and that price to pay today came in the form of $7.75 Canadian Dollars.

How did that happen today? Well, everything went according to plan, I was there doing my own thing, being at the bus stop of Street A & B exactly at 9:30am, where bus no.AA is supposed to come right after Bus no.BB.

The thing is, Bus BB always passes by after bus AA and this happens from 9:30-34am. Both buses head up to Street C, but BB takes a longer route. So being smart, wanting to have the shorter ride to Street C, and having faith that AA will show up, I gave bus BB a pass when it came by at 9:31am. I actually signaled to the bus driver, that he can go on without me even though he stopped for me. THAT WAS THE SIGN! He stopped for me even though I didn't wave him down or walked out to initiate the stop. I was still standing in the shelter.

And then, I kept a close watch on the time, it was 9:34am, AA still didn't' show(it must have came very much earlier), when it was 9:37, I was really nervous, by 9:43am, I knew I had no more choice, I have to maintain professionalism by showing up to work on time. I knew I had to call a taxi, and I called Royal Taxi, but just as i put the phone down i saw an empty taxi, and I waved it and took it. Upon entering the taxi, I canceled the Royal Taxi booking. What an expensive fee for a 1.7km taxi ride, $7.75 and I tipped the taxi driver $0.25, for being interesting and entertaining as we had a pleasant chat in our 1.7km ride. Took my mind off being late.

I took the taxi to Street C to save another $8, so that I can catch the bus CC. I got on the bus as usual, and halfway towards my work place, I saw the bus driver getting his stuff. I knew that wasn't a good sign, and sure enough, he stopped the bus at the stop, got out of the bus and LEFT THE BUS DRIVER-LESS. At this moment, I tweeted:

"I don't like it when they switch bus drivers, n the other bus driver is not here...do u want me to drive the bus for u?" about 12 hours ago from Echofon

I'm going to tell the truth, that it was a good 2 mins before the next TTC bus driver came on board, taking his time and drinking his cup of Tim Horton's before getting into his driver's seat. He should have been ready to get on the bus when the other bus driver finishes his shift. But he was quick the minute he entered the bus, and drove immediately. But 2 minute delay?

Here I had just paid $8 bucks not to be late (sorry i just have to vent) but anyways, it's a good thing it was only 2 minutes. I'm thankful I arrived at work 2 mins before the time I start. I managed to maintain professionalism by not being late but at the cost of $8. The meter starts at $4 the minute you enter a Toronto taxi. What can I say to myself but "Welcome to Toronto my friend!"

Names of Buses and Streets have been renamed to generic names and numbers for my protection. I learned from the taxi driver that the TTC Bus drivers aren't too happy because there are people who took their pictures and reported them.

Professionalism as per the definition: http://www.merriam-webster.com

Main Entry: pro·fes·sion·al·ism

Pronunciation: \-ˈfesh-nə-ˌli-zəm, -ˈfe-shə-nə-ˌli-\

Function: noun

Date: 1856

1 : the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person
2 : the following of a profession (as athletics) for gain or livelihood