Turns out I’m not the only driver who has outbursts on the radio. Today I heard a great one out of Gomez. Catherine has this obnoxious habit of trying to micromanage every move we make. When it gets busy it’s even worse – today we were busy.
So when we arrive back in Cortez, or drop off our passengers within the city limits and are available for fares once again, we tell the office that we are “On the bridge” (to Cortez) or that we’re “clear” (if we dropped off within the city limits.) Often when Catherine is dispatching she wants to know EXACTLY where we are. In all fairness, this is done to provide speedy service to customers, and it works well in theory.
When it is busy and a driver drops a passenger off making them available for a call once again, there are often several people who have already called the office to request a cab. It usually makes sense to send the driver to the closest call. There’s nothing wrong with efficiency. But there’s a difference between being efficient and manic. Gomez doesn’t like being micromanaged any more than I do…
Gomez: Cab 17
Catherine: Cab 17 go ahead
Gomez: I’m clear.
Catherine: Ok your clear wheeerrreee?
Gomez: By the beach.
Catherine: Which section of the beach are you clear at?
Gomez: (Annoyed) I’m clear at the beach.
Catherine: I need to know where on the beach you cleared.
Gomez: …BY THE TRASHCAN.
Catherine: ….Ok, go to 118 Tangerine St.
Gomez:10-4
Catherine: Teeeeennn Fooouuurrrrr
Good for Gomez. I got a good chuckle out of this whole exchange. What a ridiculous question. The beach is half a mile long, so if he was at the other far side of the beach it may take up to a minute longer to get to the next call – not a big deal.
Catherine isn’t too fond of Gomez. He doesn’t play ball in her eyes. A non-conformist. Once Catherine told another employee that she would rather get punched in the stomach than talk to Gomez. That doesn’t strike me as a compliment…
This is video that Gomez posted on the internet. Gomez currently lives in Tijuana (Mexico) because he claims that “In Mexico you’re still free.” He also claims that there is human shit in the streets. One of the drivers suggested that maybe it was dog shit. Gomez replied (with emphasis) “Oh no, these were big”.
Apparently in Mexico your neighbors have “angry goats” that terrorize your pets and damage your house. If that were not enough, people will come on to your land and steal your horse. Gomez had wanted a horse all his life. It was a dream of his, and someone stole it. Oh, and dinosaurs too – says Gomez. Perhaps Mexico isn’t marketing itself right. Maybe the theme should something like “Come visit Mexico, and experience the land before time.”
For those of you who aren't familiar with "The Land Before Time", it is a popular childrens movie from the late 1980's.
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