This Week in the Mercury
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
News BREAKING: Trimet Fires MAX Driver Over "Stranded Boy."
Posted by Matt Davis on Wed, Nov 25, 2009 at 1:48 PM
Sarah may have spoken prematurely when she said the media blitz around this story had come to a close. From the 'met:
TriMet terminates MAX operator that contributed to family separation.Termination based on operator’s actions, not mechanical or intercom issues.
TriMet today terminated the operator who was driving a MAX train when the separation of the Bailey family occurred on Monday, November 16.
The operator was terminated because he violated TriMet procedures, and his actions of not responding to four calls on the emergency intercom system created a potential danger to public safety.
“This operator’s actions were unacceptable,” said TriMet General Manager Fred Hansen. “They also do not represent our 1,300 operators who everyday deliver quality service to thousands of riders.”
TriMet determined it was the operator’s actions, and not a mechanical or intercom issue, that contributed to the separation of the Bailey family. TriMet conducted a thorough inspection of the emergency intercom system and door/ramp operations, review of train performance data and a re-creation of the incident.
The operator was a 20-year TriMet employee, and a MAX operator for about 12 years.
I can't help wondering if the accountability would have been different, had the operator had shot that three year old in the leg with a beanbag round.
4
"I can't help wondering if the accountability would have been different, had the operator had shot that three year old in the leg with a beanbag round."
Matt, you are still naively viewing this through the framework of "what happened", "who is responsible", "cause and effect", etc., when clearly the operating framework of our society is "who had it coming?". In these kinds of cases, the collective media consciousness (a 100% reliable substitute for informed public opinion) determines outcomes, not facts nor context. In the case of the bean bag incident, the collective media consciousness has determined that the 12-year-old "had it coming" and that nobody else was even partially to blame, and in the case of the MAX doors, the collective media consciousness has determined that the train operator "had it coming" and that nobody else was even partially to blame.
(Said ever-so-slightly tongue-in-cheek with a healthy dose of cynicism and sarcasm, for those who can't tell just by reading.)
Matt, you are still naively viewing this through the framework of "what happened", "who is responsible", "cause and effect", etc., when clearly the operating framework of our society is "who had it coming?". In these kinds of cases, the collective media consciousness (a 100% reliable substitute for informed public opinion) determines outcomes, not facts nor context. In the case of the bean bag incident, the collective media consciousness has determined that the 12-year-old "had it coming" and that nobody else was even partially to blame, and in the case of the MAX doors, the collective media consciousness has determined that the train operator "had it coming" and that nobody else was even partially to blame.
(Said ever-so-slightly tongue-in-cheek with a healthy dose of cynicism and sarcasm, for those who can't tell just by reading.)
5
I still want to know why the guy sticking his hand in the door didn't force it to reopen. Ever time I've done that, it does, they are just like elevator doors in that regard: you don't want them to crush you or drag you down the track. While the operator was wrong to not respond to the emergency call, I do suspect there is something wrong with that train.
6
Matthew -
Looking closely at the security video, at least as posted in KGW's original story, it is not clear that the father's arm made actual contact with the doors at all. He withdrew his arm when the doors began to close. If there was contact, it may have been a momentary brushing against the arms and not sufficient to engage whatever switch causes the doors to re-open.
Setting aside whether the father should have known this, one possible course of action would be to hold the doors open. Unfortunately, people do this all the time and delay trains. Whether it is sanctioned as safe-to-do by TriMet or not, regular riders know that the doors can be grabbed and held open.
None of that, of course, excuses willful disregard of the emergency intercom, if that's what happened. But I see little in the events leading up to that moment that is a cause for alarm.
Looking closely at the security video, at least as posted in KGW's original story, it is not clear that the father's arm made actual contact with the doors at all. He withdrew his arm when the doors began to close. If there was contact, it may have been a momentary brushing against the arms and not sufficient to engage whatever switch causes the doors to re-open.
Setting aside whether the father should have known this, one possible course of action would be to hold the doors open. Unfortunately, people do this all the time and delay trains. Whether it is sanctioned as safe-to-do by TriMet or not, regular riders know that the doors can be grabbed and held open.
None of that, of course, excuses willful disregard of the emergency intercom, if that's what happened. But I see little in the events leading up to that moment that is a cause for alarm.
7
Just so you know if you don't touch the black thing on elevator doors they will continue to close...on your hand and it hurts and it sucks *ahem* so I've heard.
8
Nice connection between two dissimilar events. Nothing like a stretch to make an irrelevant point. But, one might well argue that the MAX operator received an undeserved punishment much like officer Humphreys. Of course, that would not ever be your point.
9
...and God saith, "Let the word go forth" from this day onward in Portland, Oregon the snarly bureaucrats, killer kops at PoPo, the unhappy-campers at the Tri-Met and all other government do-flunkies will henceforth be held ACCOUNTABLE for their actions...and once God speakth, He was most Pleased. So should be all of us WE THE PEEPS for a new light is shining upon us. Praise be God or whomever!!!!!!!!!
10
Fire Fred Hansen! (and the Max operator...Max operator, kind of a weird name.)
Posted by
FIRE MATT DAVIS, FRED HANSEN, and the MAX OPERATOR
on November 25, 2009 at 11:51 PM
· Report
11
Bob R always makes sense.
BELIEVE EVERYTHING THE MEDIA TELLS YOU TO BELIEVE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdyKJ1xXph8
BELIEVE EVERYTHING THE MEDIA TELLS YOU TO BELIEVE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OdyKJ1xXph8
12
ATU 757 president Jon Hunt:
Union response
TriMet Management Eager to Throw Operator Under the Train
"Most people hope that they will be treated justly in their workplace," says Jon Hunt, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union, Division 757. He is talking about recent events where a three-year old child ended up stranded on the rail platform while his father was still on the train.
Hunt states that he is also the father of a pre-schooler and so can imagine the terror that father must have felt. "I can also understand that people want to hold someone accountable so that this situation never happens again," Hunt says.
"But," Hunt goes on to say, "Here's the problem. Before doing any investigation whatsoever, TriMet managers announce to the press that they intend to discipline the operator of the train. The question everyone should ask is "why is TriMet management so quick to point the blame away from themselves and onto the operator?"
Over the past few days, the Union has conducted its own investigation, talking to mechanics, supervisors and other operators. What it has learned indicates the accusing fingers may be pointing in the wrong direction. The Union has asked for documents that should help it finalize the investigation.
"Our preliminary investigation has shown the following. A test on the train's intercom system the day of the event indicates that the two-way communication system did not work. No alert whatsoever appeared in the operator's cab. The data recorder also shows that every time the passenger frantically pushed the button, the passenger cancelled his prior call. Unfortunately, this is not the first time this has happened. Operators and passengers have been complaining about a number of intermittent problems with the new rail car's communications system. Nothing has been fixed."
"There are numerous other problems with the new rail cars as well. In this case, as in other cases, customers push the button for the disabled ramp and the doors won't open and the operator does not even know the button was pushed because the notice doesn't get through to the cab. Operators and passengers have been complaining about trapped passengers and malfunctioning communication equipment. TriMet management knows this is a problem. They have been communicating with the rail manufacturer about these issues but there has been no resolution.
As a consequence, the child was left alone on the platform. Unfortunately, this is not the only safety issue in the rail system that needs attention," Hunt says.
TriMet managers knew about this problem even before the green line to Clackamas was opened to the public. If they had delayed that opening until the problem was fixed the child would not have been left on the platform. People with disabilities and passengers seeking to leave the train would not find themselves trapped on TriMet trains. And a twenty-year operator, with a wife and children, would not find himself worrying about his family's future this holiday season."
More...
Union response
TriMet Management Eager to Throw Operator Under the Train
"Most people hope that they will be treated justly in their workplace," says Jon Hunt, president of the Amalgamated Transit Union, Division 757. He is talking about recent events where a three-year old child ended up stranded on the rail platform while his father was still on the train.
Hunt states that he is also the father of a pre-schooler and so can imagine the terror that father must have felt. "I can also understand that people want to hold someone accountable so that this situation never happens again," Hunt says.
"But," Hunt goes on to say, "Here's the problem. Before doing any investigation whatsoever, TriMet managers announce to the press that they intend to discipline the operator of the train. The question everyone should ask is "why is TriMet management so quick to point the blame away from themselves and onto the operator?"
Over the past few days, the Union has conducted its own investigation, talking to mechanics, supervisors and other operators. What it has learned indicates the accusing fingers may be pointing in the wrong direction. The Union has asked for documents that should help it finalize the investigation.
"Our preliminary investigation has shown the following. A test on the train's intercom system the day of the event indicates that the two-way communication system did not work. No alert whatsoever appeared in the operator's cab. The data recorder also shows that every time the passenger frantically pushed the button, the passenger cancelled his prior call. Unfortunately, this is not the first time this has happened. Operators and passengers have been complaining about a number of intermittent problems with the new rail car's communications system. Nothing has been fixed."
"There are numerous other problems with the new rail cars as well. In this case, as in other cases, customers push the button for the disabled ramp and the doors won't open and the operator does not even know the button was pushed because the notice doesn't get through to the cab. Operators and passengers have been complaining about trapped passengers and malfunctioning communication equipment. TriMet management knows this is a problem. They have been communicating with the rail manufacturer about these issues but there has been no resolution.
As a consequence, the child was left alone on the platform. Unfortunately, this is not the only safety issue in the rail system that needs attention," Hunt says.
TriMet managers knew about this problem even before the green line to Clackamas was opened to the public. If they had delayed that opening until the problem was fixed the child would not have been left on the platform. People with disabilities and passengers seeking to leave the train would not find themselves trapped on TriMet trains. And a twenty-year operator, with a wife and children, would not find himself worrying about his family's future this holiday season."
15
Where are the pics of the scowling, gun-toting transit operators angrily demonstrating on the courthouse steps? What's up with this measured, completely milquetoast response presenting “evidence” about a factually different rendering of the event? And the no-confidence vote?
16
Here's one for ya............Accountability to the parent for not holding on to the hand of that three year old in a crowded max train to avoid such a mishap! Or hey, why not keep your eye on that child. Mmmmm....was there a cell phone involved perhaps? The driver I know, (being a Trimet driver myself) will be held to extreme accountability of his/her actions as we are every single day, and I know for a fact that the last thing this driver woke up thinking that morning was they couldn't wait to trap a three year old on a platform of a max stop. Quite the contrary I'm sure. C'mon common sense thinkers!!!!!!! Why in the hell would this driver be intentionally negligent!!!! Speaking personally....Nobody in this job is worth my pension or my financial well-being. So whenever I get behind the wheel of my vehicle, it's with a professionalism of thought that I take the lives of everybody in the vehicle as well as outside, each and every time!! Maybe the focus should be equally distributed to the public as well! IE. parents who run their children through traffic to catch the next bus, those who leave their child in the strollers in moving bus when they KNOW the requirement is to remove that child for their own safety, or the child who runs around a bus, the ones who stands up on the seat while a parent talks on a cell phone ignoring their own child, as so on, and so on, and so on! I say rally for job of a driver who puts his/her life and future on the line each and every day to provide excellent service to an uncaring and judgmental public each and every day of their unforgiving day. Hooray for the driver's efforts to do that much! Best of luck to you!
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