[19] Bagging Hounds

Submitted By: Dave Dearstyne

Bagging Hounds at Adirondack was not much of a sport for us guys. Our equipment was the best of the best for years. Our 4106s would run 64 in 3rd gear, up and down our mountain runs all day long.

When I first started with Trailways my father was still working for Greyhound. He retired shortly after. Our companies both ran the Albany to New York line in competition, a half hour apart of each other every hour. Working the extra board I would catch a trip that left a half hour after my father's trip, his being a trip that came in from the West he always ran late leaving Albany by 10 to 20 minutes.(the Greyhound way) Trailways we always ran our service on time with fresh equipment. I'd always blow him off the road but would tease him for a few miles.

On the trips back many a night, dad leaving Express from New York to Albany at 11pm, I was leaving at 1030pm, with a stop in Kingston. Leaving Kingston, I would put my foot through the front license plates and try to catch him. It worked most of the time. But unlike most of you guys I always had to take the heat at the dinner table. I was still living at home.

Dave Dearstyne

[20] Stories From A Good Friend

Submitted By: Charles Wiggins

These stories are about a dear departed friend who died some years ago.

Marvin Short was a man with a dry sense of humor, who could tell a story and never crack a smile.

Marvin was standing outside of the old Trailways Bus Station in New Orleans one evening, when this lady walked up to him and asked "What will the bus coming in from Mobile have on the front of it?"

Without cracking a smile, he answered.

"BUGS"

Another Story about Marvin was when he was stopped on the down ramp on I-10 in New Orleans, waiting for the traffic light to change.

Marvin was stopped for the light, when he felt something hit the rear of his bus.

He got out of the bus and walked to the rear. A guy, driving a Lincoln Continental was upset and saying:

"Look What You Did To My Continental".

Marvin looked at the rear bumper of the 05 Eagle he was driving and said:

"Look What You Did To My Continental."

[21] Another Story about Marvin Short

Submitted By: Frank Crenshaw

I remember Marvin getting into an argument with a black lady who was a passsenger on his bus over something that happened and she said she was going to report him and she asked for the name and address of his supervisor so she could report him.

  He told her to write it to Marvin Short,% of the Monroevillle, AL bus station. 

He said a few days later he got one of the nastiest letters he had ever read.

Frank Crenshaw

Tallahassee, FL

[22] Watching The Traffic Light Change.

Submitted By: Owen Belcher

I was driving back from New Orleans one night with a lady and a little girl sitting on the seats behind me.

While going across the Gulf Coast, I had to stop for a lot of traffic lights.

The little girl spoke up and said: "Mama, I Can Tell, When The Traffic Light Changes".

"How Can You Tell" answered her Mother?

"The Bus Driver's Bald Head Turns Green"

Owen Belcher

Saraland Alabama

[23] The Fourth Red Light

Submitted By: Amos Hemphill

This is another Marvin Short (deceased Colonial Trailways driver) story as told to me by Charles Montgomery (former Colonial Trailways driver and operations supervisor):


Upon departing Mobile, Alabama on a New Orleans bound schedule, a request was made of Marvin by an elderly woman:  "I live about one block from Highway 90 which is on the way to the bus station in Pascagoula where I'll be getting off.  Would you mind letting me off at the fourth red light once we enter Pascagoula?  I can walk home and I don't want to go all the way to the station and then take a cab home." Marvin replied, "Yeah, I can do that".

After entering Pascagoula, Marvin had to stop for the first traffic light but made all the others and entered the station in Pascagoula.  The woman had been reading and did not realize that she was at the bus station until the bus had come to a stop there.

She was livid when she approached Marvin: "DRIVER! I asked you to let me off at the fourth red light and you said that you would! And now, here I am at the bus station! Now I gotta spend $3.50 on a !!##@$%! cab!" 

Yes, Marvin forgot to stop!!

Typically dry in his demeanor (and knowing full well that the woman had him dead to rights but never ready to admit it),

Marvin removed the short stub of a cigar from his mouth, examined it carefully, then looked at the sky as if ready to deliver a weather forecast. He then examined the cigar again.

Finally he looked up at the sky and addressed the woman: "Well ma'am, I would have been most happy stop at that red light for you but when I came through there, that light was green".

The woman was open-mouthed speechless as Marvin climbed aboard his Model 05 and continued toward New Orleans.

Amos

[24] " The Legendary George Jameson"

Submitted By: Ron Patterson

This is a story about an ABL driver, George Jameson who worked out of Pittsburgh for @ least what seemed like 40 or more years.         


Another ABL driver had a charter to NYC & when it was time to go, he headed to Boston & finally ended up @ the Harrisburg Terminal. He cushioned back to Pittsburgh while I drove the Model 10 Eagle back. I called in from Monroeville,Pa to the TWS Terminal & told them my ETA.        

They held the bus for about 25 minutes that George was driving from Pgh-NYC, & I learned a few things on that trip!! He took off on the Pa Turnpike & it was a western car of TWS & he had it wound out to about 80 or more MPH. He glanced over his shoulder & said , Ron,

I'm gonna' stop @ Midway Service Plaza.I assumed he would exit the pike @ a reasonable speed, but we entered about 55-60MPH.

George got within 50 or so feet & he opened the air-doors & he reached down & pulled up the DD-3 brake & was standing the doorway & steeped off the bus as it rolled to a stop. I stayed on in case it would going so fast, but George said let's go in for coffee to go!! I was standing there by the steering wheel in case I had to use the brake & push down the DD-3 brake, but it rolled to a smooth stop!!

That was quite an experience!!

I had heard about the "Legendary George Jameson". All of it seemed to be true.        

He pulled out & resumed his trip to Hbg & was stopped by a "Newbie" PSP. State Police officer & told george that he was exceeding the speed limit & George told him that "I will know when I am exceeding the speed limit so just step back Son, cause  I don't want to be late arriving in Hbg or NYC"!!!       

There are so many stories that I could tell about Geo. Jameson, which I know to be true & some I never once doubted since I knew him personally.                                                                                  

Ron Patterson                                                                               

Capitol Trailways of Pa.  (Retired.)

[25] Trickster at Safeway

Submitted By: Jim Warwick

  We had such a trickster at Safeway, who is also retired now.  His name is Lou Maiuro, and I heard of him doing the same thing about complaining that if the driver didn't show up soon, he was going to drive the bus.  

    He drove from Philadelphia to NYC, usually on a commuter schedule.  

Schedules were every 15 minutes in the morning from Mt. Laurel, NJ to NYC for the one hour and 40 minute trip up the turnpike.  Many commuters from Mt Laurel would wait for the next bus if they knew he was driving, because they knew that even leaving 15 minutes later, Lou would usually beat the prior schedule into New York.   

  Quite often, upon entering the turnpike, he would lean forward to the toll collector, and in a voice loud enough for the front few rows to hear, ask the toll taker how to get to New York.    

He would drive up the turnpike with his left foot in the toll window.  One time, after he passed another Trailways bus going to NYC, he threw an old shoe out the window.  When he got to the Port Authority, he took off his left shoe, and stood around talking to other drivers, waiting for the guy he passed to get in, and tell everyone how he had seen Lou lose his shoe out the window.    

When he was coming south from NYC to Mt. Laurel in the afternoon, I used to comment about his being 20-30 minutes early.  He always just shook his head and complained about the terrible tailwind he had that day, pushing him down the turnpike.        

Jim Warwick

[26] Smart Bus

Submitted By: Johnny Cool

I was coming out of Cleveland, Ohio going to the port in NYC, I was  on route 3 in New Jersey and, it was about 6:30 am. If anybody knows route 3, they know how busy it is. Well anyway as I went around the bend there blocking the right hand lane was a lady about 70 waving me over. I could not get to the left. so I stopped and opened the door. 

She shouted, "Does this bus go to the college". I was so mad all that I could say was, "Yes mam, it graduates in June.

I closed the door and went on my merry way,,

Johnny Cool

[27] "Where's Detroit?"

Submitted By: Doug. Wilkerson

Sometime back at the Paducah, Ky. station late one night several buses were either arriving or loading, including St. Louis, Chicago, Detroit and Memphis.     

The Memphis car was all loaded and the driver was standing by his seat looking at tickets. All of a sudden a man, dressed in a suit, came running out the station's door and jumped on the first step and shouted, "Where's Detroit?"     

Without even looking up, the driver pointed off to the northeast and said, "About 600 miles that way."    

 Needless to say laughter erupted throughout the bus.

Doug W.

[28] Quite a Joker

Submitted By: Barbara Dearstyne

My name is Barbara Dearstyne, and I have been reading some of the funny stories in bus stories, and it made me think about a story about my husband David who drives for Bonanza.  You probably know him as Mackbuses. 

Back in the 80's when I worked for John Hancock in Boston, I use to catch my husband's schedule to Boston, because I hated to drive into the city.  One day, I had stopped into the terminal to try to get him to buy me lunch.  He was hanging around waiting to go back home.  We were talking to a couple of drivers outside the terminal. What you might not know about my husband is he is quick with a come back.  He is also quite a joker. 

 While we were talking, two Japanese men dressed in suits and believe it or not, with the usual camera around their neck,  were looking around as if they were lost.  They approached Dave and asked him where is the Greyhound terminal?  My husband looked at the one man and stared at him for a few seconds.  He took the cigarette out of his mouth, and said to them, what! you found Pearl Harbor didn't you!.  Three blocks down turn right.  We all cracked up.

Some of the stuff he comes out with amazes me.  I really don't think the two men quite understood what he said.  They said thank you and walked away.

This story has become quite a classic in the drivers room.  I thought you might interested in hearing this. 

Thank you Barbara.

[29] WHATTA YA MEAN, 'NO AIR'

Submitted By: Mike Rose

  In the summer of 1980. A "Blistering Hot Day".  A group of drivers heard a ruckus on the loading platform at the Port Authorty. This driver, Brooks came running back saying there was going to be a riot, as people were starting to load on the Mount Ivy Express was told there was no A/C, and refused to get on. Brooks who had a devilish sense of humor said, Watch This!!

He took a bath towel out of his drivers bag, and soaked it with water, Wrapped it around his neck and pulled up along side the "Hot Box"'. The Passengers thinking this was the replacement coach, ran towarded it. As they approached the bus, Brooks opened the door and took the towel from around his neck, stood on the bottom step and wrang out the soaked towel. The crowd groaned, and Brooks had to close the door and the police had to be called . All of us just fell into gales of laughter., Poor Brooks was given three days on the street, but he is remembered in many drivers "HALL OF FAME" as possibaly one of the funniest things  we had ever seen.

ROFLMAO. Hope You Liked The Ride.

'THE ROSE'    

[30] "WAS THAT LEFT?,OR RIGHT''

Submitted By: Mike Rosen

I have met met many charectors while driving for the Red and Tan line. One of the funniest guys, I met was, and still is Bruce Hanson, who drives for Bonanza presently. Well, Bruce at the time was driving for Red & Tan lines, and I had the pleasure of having him break me in.

As I was gaining more confidence, he would let me drive more and more. Of course we were not friends. I was the student. He the instructor. I was being very careful, and was quite nervous, and didn't know how to take him. I never knew if he was kidding or not.

We were doing an 11-A out of Montvale New Jersey to the P/A. I stopped at a red light on Oradell Ave and Kinderkamack Road. He leans forward and says.... when the light turns green,make a left turn and go across the ''RR'' tracks and pull over and stop, I am sweating and nervous,wanting to do well, I looked back at him,and said ..you want me to make a left,right?? and he looked at me in what I thought was disgust,and said RIGHT!!

The light changed and I made a right turn instead of the left, and went up a dead end street, with the police fllowing us, LOL  , ROFLMAO, He was livid as I really got nuts, and told the cop I was a student driver, NO TICKET, but the police had me back out,(Bruce rather), and he did not let me drive for the remainder of the day, I don't know how, but we became very good friends, and still are.

Hope you got a Chuckle.

Mike Rosen, "The Rose Of Red & Tan">>>ô¿ô

[31] "Blue Rooms"

Submitted By: Joe (Pappy) Hagan

I am sure many of you have many a story of incidents with "blue rooms", that now seem funny - even hilarious - and were funny when they happened too...

In 1960, I was approaching PHL on the Schuylkill Expressway in a brand new Eagle - halfway between Valley Forge and PHL - when the right-side tag axle ( we called them bogie wheels in those days) tire blew out just as I passed a PA State Trooper that had a passenger car pulled over. I got the bus stopped about a 1000' past the trooper's location - about 5 minutes later, he pulled in behind the bus and told me that he thought he had died when that tire let-go as I passed-by him, "boy, was I rattled" he exclaimed. I responded, "you think you were rattled, you should talk to the passenger that was sitting on the 'John' when that toilet seat almost beat him to death as that tire came apart at 50 MPH just below his rear-end." That poor guy wouldn't show his face for the rest of the trip to NYC.

Talk about practical jokers - amongst us drivers - I had a NYC based driver riding the cushions with me one night as he deadheaded home to HBG. Somewhere between the Denver rest Area and the Harrisburg-East interchange, I had a car about 100' or so behind me with its hi-beams hitting both my mirrors. I tried all the standard maneuvers, slowing, speeding-up, flashing the markers, hi-beams etc. My deadheading cohort, was seated in the first row by the door and noticed that I was struggling with two-mirrors full of headlights. He then got up and walked back to the blue-room and a moment or two later returned to his seat. "Hey Pappy, I see that guy is no longer behind you." It was then that I noticed that the offending vehicle had pulled over to the shoulder of the Turnpike and stopped as I continued towards HBG at 65-70 MPH. It turns out that A.T. - while in the blue-room - yanked the dump handle thereby emptying a lot of blue chemical and whatever else was residing in that tank. I wonder to this day, some forty years later, if that motorist ever did get that "odor" out of his vehicle and the "debris" that was likely embedded in his radiator and every other little opening in his car. Can you imagine all that stuff being ejected at 65-70 MPH. As I recall, those valves were under pressure so that they would properly empty when connected to the dump-connectors when they were serviced. I guess the word got around about this little ordeal - and garage personnel were stymied as to why there were suddenly buses coming into to be serviced with empty holding tanks.

I also remember one lady who learned the hard way that she should have secured the rest-room door as we all descended the seven miles of curves after exiting Allegheny Tunnel one day when the pavement was dry and fast. It was one of those right-hand curves half-way down the mountain that got her...yup, she came out of that little room like she was being ejected from an F-4B Phantom. The look on her face and that of the gentleman sitting in seat 46 (last row-aisle) is still indelible in my memory. Of course, the noise of the "ejection" as well as the gasp of the poor woman caused me to look in the mirror - and the other passengers to turn in her direction. I thought it appropriate to announce over the P.A. that while "inspecting" the rest-room facilities aboard the coach, passengers should take care to secure the door latch for their "safety and comfort." Oh gosh, I could go on with more of these little tid-bits; however, it is getting quite late here in SW Utah. I've got a few more of these, and I'm sure I've spiked a few memories of similar happenings that the group has experienced.

Pappy,

St. George, UT.

[32] A Train/Bus story.

Submitted By:Daniel Marra

One Sunday night, early 1960's I'm doing a Greyhound Rental Run DC to NYC with stops in Balto, Aberdeen & Perryville. As I'm leaving Aberdeen heading toward the Susquehanna River Bridge, there is a section along US Rte 40 that runs right alongside the Pennsy NEC Main. Normally Bus drivers blink there headlights to say hello, especially at night.

I pass a southbound bus and hit the Headlight/ Foglight switch on my PD4104 to acknowledge his Hello flash. I'm no sooner past him, when a southbound Pennsylvania Railroad Engineer flashes the headlights on his GG-1 to say hello.

I flash him back, and he gives two toots on his airhorn and waves. A lot of Bus Drivers are Railfans, but here was the first Engineer "Bus Fan" I had met in my travels.

Daniel Marra

P.S. Borrowed, Amtrak GG1 photo by Nightbus

PD-4104 Photo

Train Photo

[33] Who Was Driving??

Submitted By: This story by Roy, (The law enforcement officer) was sent in to the Newsgroup: alt.law-enforcement.traffic

During the Oil Embargo and Fuel Crisis the speed limits on Interstate Highways was reduced in an effort to preserve fuel. In addition Federal Grants were awarded to Law Enforcement Agencies to fund enforcement of the lowered speed limits.

I was assigned to the Freeway Patrol and took one of these overtime assignments on my regular day off. It was early on a Sunday morning and I was monitoring southbound traffic on Interstate Highway 35E in the far northern area of Dallas. I was parked on the center median shoulder and was watching my rear view mirror.

Suddenly a Continental Trailways Bus was observed in my rear view mirror traveling south in the center of three lanes. I could tell it was very much exceeding the 55 M.P.H. limit. I looked at my radar unit and observed an indicated speed of 77 M.P.H. As the bus passed, I entered the roadway and activated the emergency lights of my police vehicle. The bus continued about 1/2 mile and finally stopped on the right hand shoulder of the roadway.

I exited my vehicle and approached the left side of the bus walking towards the front. There was very little distance between the bus and the guard railing and I was forced to walk slowly sideways.

When I reached the front of the bus the door was open. I stepped onto the bus and saw that there was nobody seated behind the steering wheel. I continued into the bus and looked towards the rear and observed 37 bus drivers all seated in passenger seats.

I asked all 37 to step from the bus. They complied and as they stood in front of the bus I told them to start walking. They asked why and I told them I was going to order a fingerprint technician to fingerprint the drivers area of the bus, then impound the bus as evidence. If we were able to determine who the actual driver was, he would be charged with Hindering Apprehension in addition to the Speeding violation.

They huddled up and finally one driver approached and admitted he was driving. I issued him a citation and allowed the other 36 to re-enter the bus. While issuing the citation I asked him why 37 drivers. He informed me they were enroute to Houston, Texas to pickup 36 new buses and deliver them all over the United States to Continental Trailways Maintenance Centers. I am sure glad he admitted driving, because I was bluffing-------------------.

I checked later and found he had mailed in his fine.

[34] Welcome Aboard

Submitted By: Daniel "Silversides" Marra

This being summertime, and vacation season for most folks, I would like to tell of this incident that happened to me.

It was a warm summer Friday morning back around 1970 or 71, the beginning of a three day weekend.

I had been with Schenck Tours/Transportation for Fourteen years and this was my third summer on the Tour Board. I was already signed up this day to report to our Floral Park, NY depot, for an 11:00 am departure to Greyhound's depot in NYC. STCo had a contract to provide Rental buses to GH during peak travel periods.

I arrived at work shortly after 10:00 to get my coach ready for what could be a long trip as we usually did not know our destinations before hand. While I'm sitting in the dispatcher's office, one of our Line bus drivers calls in, asking for a "Sick Relief" ASAP. STCo, had transit lines from Jamaica, Queens, NYC, to Roosevelt Field shopping center and Hicksville, NY. It is Friday, and the A.M Spare (Extra) board is "shot down," with no one available to relieve this operator.

The Dispatcher asks me if I would mind doing the relief, and he would clear it with Greyhound to assign me to a later trip.

I hang up my Tie and spiffy Tour driver blazer, and take the company car to Hillside Ave at City Line, and relieve the under the weather driver.

I head east to Roosevelt Field 35 minutes away and the turning point. After a short 10 min layover, I head west back to City Line, where the regular P.M driver will relieve me.

The route is busy today with passengers going shopping and to the NYC Subway station in Jamaica.

At the Village of Williston Park, I pick up among others, this gentleman Don carrying a good size suitcase. I recognize Don and some of the others as some of my former regular commuters. As the heavy load of passengers is boarding, I say hello to Don who mentions he is going to join his wife and kids already away in the country. Not wanting to be late at the relief point, I kept the pedal to the metal, picking up at every stop.

As I got off the bus, I wished the passengers a good weekend and to enjoy their vacations. Upon my arrival back at our depot, the dispatcher has my PD4903 running, A/C turned on and ready to go.

I pull out just after noon time, and shortly after 1:00 pm, I'm at the Greyhound Garage on 12th Ave in NYC. The Dispatcher is waiting for me and calls out "Schenck, you're going to Lee, Lenox, and Pittsfield, Mass!"

I head over to PABT, and a GH driver waves me into a slot. "Are you Marra?" "Yes" I respond. "Go inside and get yourself a cup of coffee and a quick snack while I load your passengers. You have about 15 minutes." I am grateful for his help and "Take a break!"

Back at the bus, I do a quick safety check, and climb into the seat. The Greyhound driver asks me if I need a "Pilot" to go with me and show me the route. I informed him this was around my sixth Pittsfield job, and could find my way.

PABT was already a Zoo, and pretty well backed up but in 10 minutes I'm out of the terminal and heading into the Lincoln Tunnel to Paramus, NJ the next stop. No one waiting at Paramus, I close the door and head back onto Rte 17 toward the NY Thruway at Suffern, NY.  

My bus #510, is one of our first Restroom Equipped units, eliminating the need for a Pit stop. As a courtesy to the passengers, I ask if anyone needs to make the stop at the rest area in Newburgh. Everyone declined the offer, and the next stop would be Lee, Mass. Up around Saugerties (don't recall the exit), I turn east onto I-90, the Berkshire Section of the NY Thruway and the Mass Turnpike. Everything is going good, and on time, as I'm covering the regular scheduled run on this trip.

About 10 miles before the exit for Lee Mass, this passenger comes up and asks me could I do him a favor and slow down at the next overpass so he could wave to his wife up on the bridge, and let her know he is on the bus. He explained that he has a summer cottage not too far from this bridge, and closer to Lenox.

The regular Greyhound driver would let him stand in the step well, and wave, and the driver would sound the horn and flash his lights.

I look at this gent in the mirror, and explained that she won't recognize this bus, as it looks nothing like a Hound bus, and who am I talking to, but my commuter friend Don from Williston Park, Long Island. Boy, we were both totally shocked and surprised!

What are the chances of seeing the same passenger twice in the same day 200 miles apart on two separate unconnected bus routes. Traffic on I-90 was very light on this stretch of road, and I carefully pulled off onto the shoulder, sounded the horn and flashed the lights while Don waved at his wife and kids.

I heard her shout back "What are you doing on a Schenck Bus?"

Don: "Pick me up in Lenox and I will explain." Another happy traveler. I hope you enjoyed the ride.  

Daniel "Silversides" Marra

[35] Labor Day Week-End

Submitted By: Daniel Marra

Labor Day Weekend

Another Adventure

From

Driver Dan

  This incident took place on Labor Day 1971 or 1972. Enjoy.

I was in the home stretch of a four day Biss Tour, (A Tour with Biss, is a Tour of Bliss!). The trip included Lake George NY, Lake Placid NY, and Ausable Chasm NY.

The first days of the tour were really nice, getting to see some interesting places, and meet some nice people. A highlight for me was getting to drive (Pilot) the big sightseeing motor boat around Lake Placid when the regular boat captain failed to show up.

After two days of touring Lake Placid, we left early on Labor Day Monday, and headed north to Ausable Chasm. The tour of the Chasm was over around noon time, and it was time to head back to NY City.

We stopped for a pre arraigned lunch at a local restaurant before getting on the NY Thruway.  At the time during the 1960's and 1970's, charter buses were restricted from using the Thruway Rest Area's on summer weekends from noon Friday to Midnight Sunday.

I had planned two short rest stops off the Thruway, the second stop near Newburgh, NY where my passengers could stretch their legs, and I could refuel my PD4903 deck and a half coach.

It was a bright sunny day, still early in the afternoon, and traffic on I-87 was light. I made a 15 minute rest stop near on I-87 near Glen Falls NY, then back on the road headed south.

We reach the Thruway just north of Albany, NY where traffic is heavier but moving at highway speed.

Somewhere about 30 minutes south of Albany, one of my elderly male passengers becomes ill, with stomach pains. His wife asks me if I can pull into the next service area, as he has to go to the restroom. Everyone on the bus agreed to stay on board, and let only the ailing gentleman get off.

Note: there was a problem with the onboard restroom, rendering it inoperable.

This is truly an Emergency, I'm in the mountains with nothing else open to the public, and I was certain the Thruway officials would allow me to make this brief stop.


WRONNNNNG!!!!!!!


HOLY HECK, you would think I was Public Enemy #1. As I am pulling up the ramp to the restaurant building, I am greeted by four Thruway Maintenance Employees wearing hard hats! They are standing across this one lane driveway, one big guy with his hand up waving me to stop.

I open the door, and explain to this fellow, "I have an elderly sick passenger on the bus that has to use the restroom!"

Mr. "King of the Thruway" says to me "I don't give a S**t what you have, get this Bleeping bus out of here or you will be arrested for entering a restricted area!!"

This bonehead did not hear a word I said. I repeat, "Maybe you did not hear what I said?"

He said, "I heard you. You can't stop here, so get this bus the F out of here, you are blocking traffic!"

I close the door to get ready to move, the four guys step aside, I move ahead and pull up to the curb in front of the restaurant.  Now, Mr Bone head of the Maintenance Deputies is really annoyed.

He threatens me with arrest again, this time calling in the Marines in the form of a young State Trooper, who arrives with lights and siren blasting, flying up the entrance ramp.

The Trooper asks "what is the problem," I explain and he says "No one can get off the bus." He says loud enough for everyone in the first few rows to hear, "Everyone has to stay on the bus, if anyone gets off, you (meaning me) will be subject to arrest!" He orders me to pull the bus over to the side of the building out of the way. I reassure my passengers that everything will be okay and they will get home safely.

The Trooper, [a rookie] tells me to sit in the car. I give him my license, and registration, and sit in his car. I try one more time to explain to this junior deputy, that with all the time and fuss he is going through, I could have let the sick fellow off the bus, and had him back on the bus and been out of here long ago.

I open the door of the police car and he says "where are you going." I tell him "I am going to sit on the bus as he has my passengers scared half to death."

The trooper orders me to stay in the car, or I will be "under arrest!"

I politely reply, "Sir that is the fifth time I heard the word arrest since I pulled in here. With all due respect for your duties, either put the cuffs on me now or shut your mouth, I do not wish to hear anymore of your threats!"

Man, I'm thinking now I really got this rookie mad at me, as I am walking away and expecting him to pull his gun out and possibly shoot me.

Nothing happened, Nada, Zip, and Zero!! A few minutes later, rookie trooper walks up to the bus, hands me my license, registration, and a Ticket for entering a restricted area. He tells me when it is due, and walks away.

I wish to state here, that I have never been arrested in my entire lifetime! Threatened, or warned a few times, but never busted.

At the time I was thinking somehow, someway, I would get to speak to a senior officer with a brain and some compassion.

Forty minutes have passed, the sick gentleman had vomited and messed his clothes, and I get back on the road, and head for Kingston where I can get some help for my passenger.

My summons was answerable in Saugerties, NY and everyone promised to write to the court, the NY State Thruway Authority, and the NY State Police Commissioner, and write they did. I think Biss Tours wrote and so did my company Schenck Tours.

All that Hell and Trauma that those "wannabe officials" put me and my passengers through, was punishable by a $5.00 parking ticket!

Five Dollars, which my company paid along with some harsh words to the Thruway officials.  

I happened on the wrong place at the wrong time!

That was the one and only time I ever had any problem on the NY Thruway and with any NY State Police.  


Daniel Marra

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Charles Wiggins--WebMaster