Transportation Nazi's

[HoosierFantasia]

Just wanted to vent about a couple transportation drivers we encountered on our recent trip.
Ferry Boat driver from MGM around 9pm Monday June 7th:
There was a nasty thunderstorm that cancelled Fantasmic. We fianlly made it down to the boat dock. We were under the cover but the line began to get long behind us. There are two lanes under cover, a boarding line and a disembarking line. About half of our party hopped over the rail to make room for those behind us to get out of the rain. When the boat pulled up the driver opened the gate and we started to move forward. As we approached the driver she told those in our party on the wrong side of the rail that they wouold have to go to the back of the line, they were on the wrong side. We explained what we did to help those behind and that we were all together and she got nasty. Finally we just hopped over and got on the boat. SHe threatened to call security. The poeple behind us even told her that we were there before them. Definitely weird.

Second instance was bus driver from Boardwalk to Magic Kingdom. This was in eearly afternoon and only about 8 to 10 poeple waiting ot get on. The bus pulled up and both front and rear doors opened and people got out. Some of us near the back hopped in thru the back door. I was last to board thru the back as I was folding our stroller. As I get on the driver is yelling at us telling us we have to get off and enter the bus thru the front. We kind of all looked in amazement as to the fact the bus was half empty. He emphatically said the rear door is for exit only and we had to get off and enter through the front. I looked at him and smiled and said I wasnt moving. He rolled his eyes and strated to drive. While driving he said over his speaker that at the next exit the rear doors would not be opening and everyone must exit through the front. Such an a@@!

I understand that in both of these situations they may have thought we were cutting in line but we werent and people there were vouching and the bus even had empty seats.
Crazy

Other than that the service was great.

Sure love that monorail!

Bill

 

[Chip 'n Dale Express]

I can't comment on those particular CMs or situations, but it is a general rule that the back door of the bus is for Exit only, and it is clearly marked as such. The reason for this is that once the last person exits out the back door, those doors will close.

The mirrors that the buses have to see the back door only let drivers see the stairs, and not the outside of the bus. When the driver sees that last person exit out the back door, they will close the back door (which sometimes takes a second to start moving). The driver will then focus thier attention on greeting the guests who are boarding at the front door -- so they really can't see anyone trying to get in through the back. Meanwhile, that door is slamming shut, so if someone tries to board, there is a good chance they will get caught in the door. Not fun, especially for little ones. That's why every bus has a "Do Not Enter" sign and symbol on the door, inside on the stairwell, and an "Exit Only" sign on each of the door hinge flaps.

But like I said, I'm not commenting on this particular CM or situation... just wanted to let you know why it's important not to board through the rear.


Now of course, if you have one of those super huge strollers, and need to board through the rear, that is fine. The only thing is, you need to wait at the front door, and let the driver know. That way, they can make sure to let you in, without the door slamming on you.

 

[betterlatethannever]

Originally posted by HoosierFantasia
... When the boat pulled up the driver opened the gate and we started to move forward. As we approached the driver she told those in our party on the wrong side of the rail that they wouold have to go to the back of the line, they were on the wrong side. We explained what we did to help those behind and that we were all together and she got nasty. ...Bill

Sounds like you had the same person I had. It wasn't the rain but the sun. We were there at the end of May (95 degF day after day). We were waiting for the boat to go from FW to WS. Because of the sun's angle (I suppose actually the Earth's angle) the boarding line was in the sun and the exit lane was in the shade so I stood in the shade. Same thing happened to me. She got off the boat and made me go in back of the line. My wife saved me a seat .

Ed

 

[treehugger]

We have been to Disney more times than I can count and only a few things are pet peeves of mine, one of them is when people try to load from the back doors. There are signs clearly posted on the doors that are white and red that say "Do Not Enter". It is next to impossible for the driver to see back there. Just imagine if you or one of your children got caught when he was shutting the door or worse yet you fell and he ran you over. I even had one driver yell at this woman that they were only for handicapped loading and unless she wanted to become handicapped she should never enter that way again. Okay, he was a little harsh, but the message got thru loud and clear (to this day I even remember his name). Believe me that bus was packed and I bet none of those people will ever enter try to enter the back doors. I think your driver's exercise in safety would have been more effective if he explained the hazards to you, because ultimately he was looking out for your family's well-being.

 

[MaryKatesMom]

Many transportation systems load through any open doors and if your are used that, you do it automatically.

Yes, I know there are signs everywhere but on my very first trip to MK from CB alone with a DD 2 1/2 and 4 trying to fold a stroller and being a little overwhelmed I didn't need to be yelled at.

Sorry, but I prefer to keep my eye on my children. How about a little empathy for newbies?

 

[disneymom3]

I am middle of the road on this issue.

for the boat, the fact that the people behind you were backing you up in your explantion should have settled the matter, but I do see the CMs point of view too. If she lets any person who is standing wherever they want to enter the ferry, can you imagine how upset guests get then? (The ones she is allowing others to cut in front of) As I said though, the folks behind you speaking up should have been enough.

And yes, I can see that the driver would be concerned and I see the need for following the rules to keep guests safe, but telling you you had to get off and then board at the front door???? Are we in first grade here? Heavenly days. A simple explanation and asking you to please remember in the future would have been sufficient IMO. Now, if the bus had been crowded, I could more readily see his point of having to get off and reenter, but not just to prove he was in charge.

Glad the rest of your trip was good!

 

[HoosierFantasia]

That is exactly what I would have expected.
Yes my stroller is big and I do go to the front and every driver had said they would open the back for me. Never a problem. I completely understand the rules and abide by them. But a simiple explanation to everyone to make sure in the future they only enter thru the front. We are all adults, and te be yelled at and treated like a child really annoys me.

Bill

 

[seashoreCM]

Originally posted by HoosierFantasia
About half of our party hopped over the rail to make room for those behind us to get out of the rain.

No good deed goes unpunished.
Next time let the folks behind jump to the other side of the rail to get out of the rain.

Even city buses may have confusing boarding requirements. I think in Cleveland you board the streetcar by the rear door going into town and by the front door going outbound (Shaker Hts.) and by either door in town. In Boston and Pittsburgh some streetcars require exiting by the front door at some stations which makes loading and unloading slow in rush hour.

At least the Disney buses have (unless removed by vandals) signs saying not to enter by the rear door.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

Who said, on this forum, something like: "Growing old is mandatory, growing up is optional"? Maybe on the buses it is time to grow up.

 

[inkkognito]

That's MY tag line, and I refuse to grow up!
Barb

 

[HoosierFantasia]

<----------- check it out
Great Jimmy Buffett song.
I'd rather die while I'm livin than live while I'm dead, is another good line in that song.
Bill

 

[inkkognito]

I see that great minds think alike
My other favorite saying is that it's never too late to have a happy childhood.
Barb

 

[Luv2Roam]

Usually the transportation Nazis I run across are on the bacl of trams.
Some really let THE POWER go to their head. Either that or they have had a bad day and their fill of guests. Occasionally you do see and experience the ridiculous.
I hate to ride the trams at MGM and Epcot for this reason. One tram CM at Epcot was being so rude I hold to hold my feet down from walking back and getting his name.
Being assertive and being aggressive/assinine are two different things.
Luckily those CMs are rare.
I have seen lots of times where WDW bus drivers allow those with large strollers to board first and at the back of the bus. (Once the stroller is folded.)
Some drivers don't seem to care if guests board from the back. Some shut the doors right away so guests don't board. I think out of habit we just always board from the front.
Any CM might as well figure when the parks are busy, and guests see an open door into A/C, they will go for it.

 

[dkrause716]

In the six times that we have been to Disney I can honestly say that we never encountered any rude CM's, transportation or otherwise. Sorry that you had a bad experience. I think the no loading through the back door is a pretty standard rule.

 

[Sammy]

I'm not commenting on any of the OP's issues, but I just wanted to say that in Sept 2000, we were waiting to board a bus at DTD. The back and front doors opened for people to exit and as soon as the last person got out the back, several people entered through that door. The doors closed, and one man did end up having the doors close on him. He was fine, but his wife was screaming hysterically! What a scene. The bus driver was all apologetic but tried point out the "do not enter" signs and explained that the back is for exiting only.

It was a pretty scary thing to happen.

Sammy

 

[crisi]

The boat dock has a safety issue as well. If they need to evacuate the boat quickly (either everyone or one individual), they'll want the exit path free.

Not an excuse to be rude....but standing outside in a downpour in preferable to trying to get someone off a boat for a medical reason and not being able to move through the crowds because everyone is trying to get out of the rain.