POLICE BUS

As much as I hate being on call, I almost had the best day ever at work the other day when I was on call.

I had just returned to the garage after doing a bus change. For those of you that are not familiar with a bus change...there are drivers on call at each of the 5 garages in case something happens. I had a call that a bus had no heat in it so I was sent to bring them a good bus (with heat!) and return the cold bus to the shop for repairs. Call drivers also fill in if a route gets behind schedule. They will send a bus out to fill in the gaps so people aren't waiting at the bus stops for a long time. If someone calls in sick at the last minute, has an accident, is assaulted or for whatever reason needs to come in off the line, the call driver fills in for them. It is a great way to keep things flowing smoothly.

Normally, I hate just sitting at the garage. I file schedules or try and find other ways to make time go by. This day, like I said, I had a bus change. I had just gotten back to the garage and was not too thrilled at the concept of having nothing to do. The dispatcher said "Sorry to do this to you, but I've got something for you and I don't know how long you will be out there." He then informed me I would be a police bus!!! I've always wanted to be a police bus!! They are used for a number of things. Usually, when it's as cold as it has been, they are used for the police/swat/firefighters to stay warm when there is an ongoing issue they are dealing with. Heck, I'm a single chick. I'd LOVE to have a bus full of dudes to sit and hang out with!

I was HYPED as I pulled out. I didn't know what the exact situation was, but I didn't really care. I got to the place they told me to go and the emergency vehicles moved out of my way so I could get close to the situation. I sat there looking at all the action trying to figure out what was going on. There were tons of police, firetrucks, S.W.A.T., ambulances...even Centerpoint Energy and Animal Control. I was pretty confused. I didn't see any flames or smoke. That was a relief. Sometimes the bus is used to warm people as their home/apartment burns down. I was looking forward to a bus full of guys in uniform instead.

I sat a while and was then approached by an officer. I asked him what was going on and he informed me that the house across the intersection that was lit up with flood lights had a guy in it that said he turned the gas on over an hour ago and was threatening to strike a match. I did some mental guessing as to how far the debris would most likely fly and asked the officer if he didn't think we were a little close. He seemed to do a little mental guessing and then agreed with me. I was moved back a block. Fun...backing the bus up a block and then around a corner to make a "Y" turn and face the other way on the same street I had been on. The toughest part was the one truck that had his headlights blazing in my mirror. My supervisor was there and helped guide me.

Anyway, I sat there on my cell phone. I called my mom, niece, sisters...heck , I even called my ex-boyfriend!! (We are pretty good friends.) I was so excited...just waiting for a bunch of guys in uniform (Yep, that does it for me! ;) ) I was pumped up. In an instant, the supervisor came and deflated me. He said I could go back to the garage. NOOOOOO!!! I told him I wasn't done yet. I was on lookin'-for-a-husband duty and couldn't leave quite yet. He laughed and sent me on my way.

According to the news, the guy claimed to have explosives...including grenades!! Glad I moved back. If he had a good arm, I could have been meeting my maker! Anyway, I'm a little disappointed at him for giving up so soon. I would have preferred he stuck it out until at least a couple SWAT guys got cold! ;)

Oh well, it was fun while it lasted.