When to give up your seat on the bus

[clkelley]

I have visited Disney World almost 30 trips over the last 10 years, and except for the first few trips, I've never stood on a bus, and have never been on a bus crowded enough to have to make the decision to let someone else stand.

Before 7:30 am, there are always seats on the bus.

Mid afternoon, there are always seats on the bus.

About 90 minutes after park closing, there are always seats on the bus.

 

[Allentown5]

My decision is easy as to stand or sit. If there is enough room for everyone, I sit. When I was very young we were on a trip with my grandparents and a bus filled (it wasn't at Disney, but it doesn't matter). My Father and Grandfather stood to allow there seats to be used by others - My grandfather looked at me and said "are you able to stand?" when I said yes, He said "then get up and be glad you can". Never gave it two thoughts ever since. If it fills, I get up. I've always hesitated to make my daughters stand, but my oldest will be a teenager this next trip, so I will expect her to stand now also. My wife and younger daughters will stay sitting. Guess it isn't politically correct, But I can still hear Grandpa asking "are you able to stand?"

 

[ladysoleil]

I generally try to keep my seat on the bus. My husband has horrible knees. He won't sit if I'm not, he's horribly stubborn- minimally he's going to force me into his seat if nothing else. We wait for seats, and we usually keep them when we get them. I can sometimes muscle him into keeping a seat if I give mine up, which I sometimes do if I feel inclined to. If he's tired he doesn't fight me too hard.

I'm fairly healthy although I do sometimes need an ankle brace. If my ankle is bothering me that day, sorry, my seat is mine- I've had people ask for it and I've said no. I look very young and I've gotten some death glares for not immediately jumping up to give someone a seat. That's okay. They'll never see me again and I don't owe strangers an explanation about my health.

These days, if either one of us is feeling a little too creaky around the joints, we hop a cab instead. It solves the problem neatly, we paid for our seat, it's ours, and we get back to our resort much faster. I understand that's not practical for everyone, though.

 

[mousebit]

So you think your 210lb Healthy Husband is less dangerous then say a under 100lb kid flying through the bus. Just the nature of holding on to 1 rail or pole whould cause if something happened for him to end up on top of someone spinning into a seat. This is if he holds on to what he was holding.

This is true. But we cannot control everything. IF the bus were to have an accident or IF it were to stop suddenly at a high rate of speed, then EVERYONE standing would be at risk as well as many who are "safely seated." There are some risks we all take. There are some we can TRY to eliminate. As adults, we can make these decisions for ourselves. Kids can't.

I really do agree with you 100% that the Disney busses are not as safe as they should be. One poster here even mentioned that the driver insisted on squeezing people in ("3 more") and I believe that's probably pretty common during busiest times. BUT what are you going to do? The only way to completely eliminate this safety issue is to not ride the busses at all. The only true way to be as reasonably safe as possible is to not ride the busses unless Disney makes a policy that "everyone needs to be seated." There will be many that will be eager to point out what a logistical nightmare that would be. So, now what?

Personally, I wish Disney would pay as much attention to the safety of the children on their busses as they do to the kids' "nutritional needs." Even the attractions in the parks seem to have more stringent safety requirements than the darn bus ride! JMHO

In the meantime, I guess my family will only try to control those things that we have control over and not let "whatifs" keep us from doing what we think is best under the circumstances and within reason.

 

[lola4795]

He grew up to be very respectful of the opposite sex, elderly, etc. but I think there should be a limit.

Why should there be a limit on respect?

 

[TDC Nala]

I couldn't believe the amount of healthy, able-bodied men who refused to give up their seat to a woman. My husband would never dream of sitting while a woman is left standing!

We even actually had a bus driver announce, "Ok men. Who is going to be a gentleman on this bus and give up their seat to the ladies?" I almost cheered out loud!

I don't need a seat because I'm female. Keep it or give it to somebody carrying a kid or something.

 

[beattyfamily]

Wow, this has stayed pretty civil compared to other similar threads.

I can see both sides of this issue. I can see why those who've waited (especially for a second bus) wouldn't want to give up their seats. I also understand the idea of waiting for another bus if you really want a seat.

I also understand those who were brought up to give up their seats to those who may need it more (elderly, handicapped, pregnant, very young and a parent holding a baby and for DH, ladies) as that is how DH and I were brought up.

I have two little girls ages 7 and 10 and if I can get them a seat before myself I will; that is my first priority. If I can still put my 7 year old on my lap, I will, but that's getting tough now that she's older. I do understand why some think a toddler should have their own seat and I even understand those who think they should sit on a lap instead of having their own seat. To each their own as far as I'm concerned though. Those toddlers are guests at Disney too. They are just as deserving of a seat, IMHO, but we chose to put our toddlers on our laps.

I must say though that sometimes folks (myself included) get on a bus 'thinking' there still might be seats in the back only to find out that that is not the case, and now you are trapped because others also got on behind you. Not everyone gets on a SRO bus knowing there are no more seats.

We do wait for another bus if we want to be assured a seat but we still would give up our seats if someone who needs it more gets on and if a bus is SRO when we get on, we suffer the consequences. It was our choice. If someone offers me a seat or my DDs I say no thank you.

I do love to hear, though, how many generous folks there are even though they are not 'required' to give up their seats.

Anyway, after having said all of that, due to these kinds of issues, the SRO issue, we tend to drive more than take the buses.

 

[GoofyBaseballMom26]

This past trip, I gave my seat up twice to MEN holding small children. It isn't safe to hold a small child and hold on standing up. I would also give my seat up to an elderly person, pregant woman or handicapped person. I don't expect anyone to give up their seat to me though, I'm 48 years old and as long as I can trek all over the parks all day, I can stand up on a bus. Some people do seem to forget that they are able to walk around all day however when it's time to get on a bus, they HAVE to sit down. But that's not my concern, I just do what I think is appropriate at the time.

No more than I expect someone to give up a seat just because I'm a woman, I don't expect my DS to automatically give up his, only to a pregant woman or the others I mentioned above.

 

[perdidochas]

I don't think I've seen this addressed on these boards before and I want to gauge others opinions on this topic. We were fortunate to ride buses several times when there was plenty of room for everyone to have a seat. But, on the occasions where people were forced to stand, I always made my children give up their seats... and if there were people older than us or someone was holding a sleeping child or otherwise appeared to need to sit, DH and I always gave up our seats for them. None of us were happy to have to give up our seats at the end of a long day - the kids complained every time - but, I wouldn't have it any other way.

I was shocked and dismayed to see very few others following these same courtesies. Very young children taking up seats on a packed bus when they could have, at least, sat on a parents lap. Kids who sat while people stuggled to hold onto a sleeping child on a moving bus.

Do you or your children give up your seats on the bus? When or why? Or why not?

It depends. I'm not going to have my boys (age 6 and 8) (nor will I) give up seats for healthy teenagers/young adults. However, unless I have a sleeping little one, I would give up my seats for older people, parents with sleeping kids, people with obvious health-related problems, etc.

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

I don't need a seat because I'm female. Keep it or give it to somebody carrying a kid or something.

Ditto! I mean come on...

 

[perdidochas]

I couldn't believe the amount of healthy, able-bodied men who refused to give up their seat to a woman. My husband would never dream of sitting while a woman is left standing!

We even actually had a bus driver announce, "Ok men. Who is going to be a gentleman on this bus and give up their seat to the ladies?" I almost cheered out loud!

In a world where men are given horrible looks when we open doors for some women, what do you expect? There are two sides to equal rights.

 

[UConnJack]

I think this "I wait for the next bus so I can sit" is BS. Because they won't leave until the bus is full, you are basically making people in back of you stand who may have gotten a seat themselves on the next bus. You wait so you can claim a seat that you afterwards feel no reason to give up. I think you are just as selfish as those who won't give up their seat initially. I know possession is 9/10ths of the law, but we're talking about kindness and compassion here, not "what's mine is mine". You’re in a line. Roll the dice and take what you get. Whether its busses or attraction rides, I feel that letting the line move ahead of you isn't much better than line hopping.

And please note that the above does not apply to someone who needs to sit down because they are elderly, pregnant, infant in tow, etc. Of course in a perfect world, seats would be given up for them on any bus, but we all know it isn't unfortunately.

I will give up my seat to anyone in more need of it than me, whether because of medical, age, or other reasons. I agree with a previous poster than being a woman doesn’t automatically qualify, but sometimes I will give it up then too without another mitigating factor (especially if she’s cute….)

 

[offtheice]

Yes, I agree. BUT sometimes you have to realize that not everybody knows what you know. You can call it an act of ignorance if you want, but the point is should a small child be injured because his/her parents made a foolish mistake while an able-bodied adult sat comfortably nearby and watched? It's such a small gesture...

Thats the problem with most americans . Who cares about the next family . I wonder what those people are goign to feel if that bus was broad sided and that child that was standing next you is out the window ????

 

[offtheice]

I think this "I wait for the next bus so I can sit" is BS. Because they won't leave until the bus is full, you are basically making people in back of you stand who may have gotten a seat themselves on the next bus. You wait so you can claim a seat that you afterwards feel no reason to give up. I think you are just as selfish as those who won't give up their seat initially. I know possession is 9/10ths of the law, but we're talking about kindness and compassion here, not "what's mine is mine". You’re in a line. Roll the dice and take what you get. Whether its busses or attraction rides, I feel that letting the line move ahead of you isn't much better than line hopping.

And please note that the above does not apply to someone who needs to sit down because they are elderly, pregnant, infant in tow, etc. Of course in a perfect world, seats would be given up for them on any bus, but we all know it isn't unfortunately.

I will give up my seat to anyone in more need of it than me, whether because of medical, age, or other reasons. I agree with a previous poster than being a woman doesn’t automatically qualify, but sometimes I will give it up then too without another mitigating factor (especially if she’s cute….)

Right there with you ..

 

[taximomfor4]

I think this "I wait for the next bus so I can sit" is BS. Because they won't leave until the bus is full, you are basically making people in back of you stand who may have gotten a seat themselves on the next bus. You wait so you can claim a seat that you afterwards feel no reason to give up. I think you are just as selfish as those who won't give up their seat initially. I know possession is 9/10ths of the law, but we're talking about kindness and compassion here, not "what's mine is mine". You’re in a line. Roll the dice and take what you get. Whether its busses or attraction rides, I feel that letting the line move ahead of you isn't much better than line hopping.

And please note that the above does not apply to someone who needs to sit down because they are elderly, pregnant, infant in tow, etc. Of course in a perfect world, seats would be given up for them on any bus, but we all know it isn't unfortunately.

I will give up my seat to anyone in more need of it than me, whether because of medical, age, or other reasons. I agree with a previous poster than being a woman doesn’t automatically qualify, but sometimes I will give it up then too without another mitigating factor (especially if she’s cute….)

While I think I understand your point, I do not agree with it. Whenever I see the bus become SRO, I have seen the driver stand by the door, and announce "Standing Room Only, anyone else want on, for Standing Room Only?" Sometimes a couple of people come forward, and get on. Then the driver looks at us in line, repeats it once again, then goes onto his bus and drives away. We only travel during the peak seasons due to DH's job...so maybe this varies. But I haven't ever personally witnessed a driver saying they were not going to leave till the SRO bus got fuller. And usually several groups or families choose to wait for another bus.

To me, it is somewhat like a couple wanting the front car of a roller coaster. They are allowed to stand in the "front car" line, or get into line for a middle car (thus getting on faster). The CM often lets them choose to wait longer for that front car, and others behind them can make that same request, or get into a middle-car's line (this getting on faster).

 

[marivaid]

I think this "I wait for the next bus so I can sit" is BS. Because they won't leave until the bus is full, you are basically making people in back of you stand who may have gotten a seat themselves on the next bus. You wait so you can claim a seat that you afterwards feel no reason to give up. I think you are just as selfish as those who won't give up their seat initially. I know possession is 9/10ths of the law, but we're talking about kindness and compassion here, not "what's mine is mine". You’re in a line. Roll the dice and take what you get. Whether its busses or attraction rides, I feel that letting the line move ahead of you isn't much better than line hopping.

When you're in line waiting for the bus and it gets to be standing room only, the driver announces it and gives everyone the choice to get in or not. If you don't want to stand, you don't have to go in and that's an option many choose. This was our experience in December.

You're the first on this thread to insult anyone. Selfish ? Not so much. There is simply NO NEED for anyone to give up their seats. There WILL be another bus a few minutes later. The parks are closing, no one has a flight waiting, and the resort will still be there in 10mns.

 

[DaisyD]

I think this "I wait for the next bus so I can sit" is BS. Because they won't leave until the bus is full, you are basically making people in back of you stand who may have gotten a seat themselves on the next bus. You wait so you can claim a seat that you afterwards feel no reason to give up. I think you are just as selfish as those who won't give up their seat initially. I know possession is 9/10ths of the law, but we're talking about kindness and compassion here, not "what's mine is mine". You’re in a line. Roll the dice and take what you get. Whether its busses or attraction rides, I feel that letting the line move ahead of you isn't much better than line hopping.

And please note that the above does not apply to someone who needs to sit down because they are elderly, pregnant, infant in tow, etc. Of course in a perfect world, seats would be given up for them on any bus, but we all know it isn't unfortunately.

I will give up my seat to anyone in more need of it than me, whether because of medical, age, or other reasons. I agree with a previous poster than being a woman doesn’t automatically qualify, but sometimes I will give it up then too without another mitigating factor (especially if she’s cute….)

Not exactly. When I am at the front of the line I am before all the other folks in that line. I have a right to wait for another bus so we can get seats. Those folks behind me have a right to wait for a bus with empty seats. Instead of all the whining from those that don't get seats simply wait for another bus. It really works!

 

[DaisyD]

When you're in line waiting for the bus and it gets to be standing room only, the driver announces it and gives everyone the choice to get in or not. If you don't want to stand, you don't have to go in and that's an option many choose. This was our experience in December.

You're the first on this thread to insult anyone. Selfish ? Not so much. There is simply NO NEED for anyone to give up their seats. There WILL be another bus a few minutes later. The parks are closing, no one has a flight waiting, and the resort will still be there in 10mns.

We always get the bus drivers that announce SRO. Everyone then has the option of cramming on or waiting for another bus. When the driver says that we turn to the folks behind us and tell them that we need seats and they are more then welcome to get on SRO.

 

[TDC Nala]

I think maybe they need to take all the seats out of the buses. According to this thread, it's bad to stand, and it's bad to sit while others have to stand. Maybe they could put in those harness things on the side walls that I see in movies where they have military transport planes.

Which I have to specify I have only seen in movies, because if I didn't, someone would come on here and post "It's painfully obvious that you've never been in a military transport plane."

 

[mousebit]

Thats the problem with most americans . Who cares about the next family . I wonder what those people are goign to feel if that bus was broad sided and that child that was standing next you is out the window ????

Sadly, I can tell you what they'd probably feel. I've seen it too many times in both my professional and personal lives. They would be sickened, mortified, haunted by the trauma and memory of it and the knowledge that it might have been different if only they'd made one small concession...

I don't believe anyone who has an opinion one way or the other is intentionally being selfish. We all have just had different experiences that make different things important to us. Unfortunately, way too often bad things have to happen to us before we get our wake up calls.