Brothers and Sisters,

I apologize for my absence of late. The personal life has been rather hectic, and of course things here haven’t been much better.

I’m glad to see most of you are doing well. This season brings the usual aches and pains, with the nasty old flu bug trying to infiltrate all. And ski season is just around the corner!

I had a moment to stand in the drivers’ room this season and noticed things haven’t changed as much as we think. First, let me say that a great deal of my own opinion is injected here. One can’t help but note our circumstances from personal frame of reference. With that in mind, here we go.

Moral is a fickle thing, which at this Company is left to us individually to build or destroy. I often look back through old seniority rosters to reflect on good friends and co-workers come and gone. I doubt many of our current workforce look at our equipment the same as the “old heads” do. Sure, there are some remaining old heads that know what I’m talking about. Wages in this industry have never been commensurate with the level of responsibility. As long as accountants run these companies, they never will be. The old heads will tell you that newer, nicer coaches lead to better quality of work, which leads to better quality of gratuities, which is where the only real money in this industry is ever made. Most of you have heard the announcement regarding our Renaissance Coaches going to Alaska. I’m not aware of the firm number, though I’m told six of ours will join the nine new coaches headed north. Mr. Gudgel’s reasoning almost makes sense though it’s unfortunate no one listened when warning was issued. There is a statistically proven need to limit the number of operators using these coaches. But I digress. While every year there are fewer and fewer old heads remaining, we see our earning potential going away. Your ability to earn a living has never been a priority. So we have an interesting catch 22. Although there are those within the operation that are quick to blame the drivers’ for everything good and bad, at some point they have to know that every dime this company earns is the result of a driver doing his or her job. All this brings me back to moral. I’ve often wondered if the Company places any value on moral. Logic would say they must, but where does it present itself? Does the Company realize the negative impact Alaska has on the moral of Gray Line of Seattle? Not only do we get to hear about all the new and wonderful stuff happening up north, we get to see a great portion of their new equipment come through our yard. If you have been here more than five years, have you noticed that we get new equipment in ones and twos while Alaska gets new equipment by the dozens? Oh sure, recently we have received additional equipment in large quantities. Of course, a great deal of work and cash must go into it before it can enter revenue service, and several pieces are only good for scrap, but it cleans up nice. It’s still old, but it cleans up nice. It’s hard not to notice when you’re looking for a parking space.

And if you’ve been here a few years, you’ve noticed this is the time of year when the Company believes it doesn’t need us. The Memo Board across from dispatch illustrates this. This evening during a quick perusal of the boards, I noted three separate memos outlining progressive discipline. I found it interesting the most important thing this Company wants you to know at this time is how they can fire you! Now there is a moral booster!

Now that I’ve convinced you I am on a soapbox complaining, let me say nothing could be further from the truth. All of this serves to reinforce that you, the men and women comprising the driver corps of Gray Line of Seattle, are much better than you are told. Each and every day, you meet and greet your customers with pleasantries and a smile. I often wonder how we do it? So, keep doing the wonderful job you do. The next time I hear someone say “it’s the driver’s fault”, my response will be “You’re damn right and you better be proud, because without him or her, you wouldn’t have a job!” My hat’s off to all of you.