To:     Downtown Airporter Personnel                                              July 18, 2006

From: Paul Schneider, UTU Chairman

Re:     Teamwork

 

First of all, I just want to say thanks to all of you who dedicate yourselves to driving the Downtown Airporter service on a regular basis.  It is a difficult job driving in high density traffic all day, adhering to a schedule, selling tickets, loading tons of luggage and being professional and courteous on top of all that!!!!!!  It is one of the most demanding services that we offer at GLS.

 

It is impressive to see those of you who manage all these demands and maintain the schedule.  When busy, you still remain within 5 or 6 minutes of the schedule.  There are certainly times when traffic causes delays and you need to use creative routing to avoid the congestion.  I truly respect all of you who adhere to the rules and try your best to provide quality service to the customers.  We want them to return.  When they see the driver hustling and trying his or her best, they remember that the next time they are in Seattle.  They appreciate timely service and a concerned attitude.

 

By providing traffic reports to each other, you create a definite “team approach.”  That is what we are all about.   By running on time, not only do you help our passengers get to their destinations in a timely matter, you help your fellow GLS drivers, too.   By far, the majority of you are very good about leaving the airport on time (especially during rush hour) or at the most, 5 or 6 minutes late due to heavier passenger loads.  If loads are heavy, you show up a few minutes early at the airport to load up and leave close to the scheduled time.  This way, you don’t infringe on the next bus and you assist the Connector drivers with their operation.

 

The Connectors do a great job of knowing all the shortcuts downtown, meeting buses, talking on the radio and using the cell phone (sometimes all at the same time).  I don’t know how they coordinate all that!  They operate most smoothly when the buses are close to being on schedule. I have noticed that they try to meet the buses at one of the first two stops, then, drop those passengers in time to meet the next coach at the Madison.   If one bus gets significantly late, that impacts the next bus coming in with more connector transfers.  Luckily, that doesn’t happen too often.  The Connectors rely on the buses being on time when they bring passengers to them at the Westin or Warwick.  That’s when it is important to make sure that one doesn’t run AHEAD of schedule.  I would tell riders that I couldn’t leave a stop early, but please know that we are operating right on schedule.  We should be in the airport a few minutes ahead of our scheduled arrival time.

 

In this highly complex service, you all have a direct effect on each other.  I have noticed that the teamwork philosophy is readily apparent when you all strive to safely maintain the schedule. 

 

I simply want to thank all of you who do your best to provide a beneficial service to the public as well as respect your fellow employees who are out there with you on the road.  Continue helping each other and be safe out there.

 

Respectfully,

 

Paul