Back to Public Transportation

By Chris

Made it to Charlotte and back to Atlanta. After dropping off the rental car this morning, it's been back to public transportation . . . and avoiding severe traffic. Of course, the public thing has it's unique issues too . . .

I took the free Marriott shuttle in Charlotte (even though I wasn't staying there, I was meeting people there . . . so why not?). You get what you pay for. I was the only one requesting the shuttle at that time . . . so, do you still sit in the back of the van? . . . or get up front with the driver? I sat in back. He looked at me pretty funny when I said I didn't have any luggage. Over halfway from the airport to hotel, he gets a radio call that someone else called for an airport pickup. "You mind if we turn around and get her?" he asks. What could I say? "No problem." Of course, I was already wondering if I could make it without getting sick from his driving. So, back we went.

Used the train to get back to the hotel in Atlanta . . . much more pleasant than yesterday's 2-hour drive. Plus, you get free entertainment listening to people's conversations. Here's a good one from this evening. A girl trying to make small talk with the older lady next to her:

Girl: I like it when there is a good train driver (Realk perky voice)

Lady: What?

Girl: I like it when there is a good train driver; No jerky stops.

Lady: Yeah. You drive these trains?

Girl: Yes (me: huh?? no way).

Lady: When?

Girl: A couple of times a month (me: that can't be right).

Lady: Is it hard?

Girl: Is it hard??? (wrinkled up nose-confused face)

Lady: Driving the train

Girl: I don't drive them; I just like it when I get a good driver.

Lady: Oh.

Girl: So it's not jerky. I've fallen down three time.

Lady: O.k.

What!?!?!?! . And, how do you fall down THREE times. Uhh . . . maybe, after the first time, you might figure out that holding on to one of those convenient polls would be a good idea. Certainly, after the second time. I think I figured out which kind of Atlantans need those Severe Traffic Advisories. Below is a real MARTA driver (check out the train kids . . . that's what daddy rides).