Super Tours Meeting Notes (Wednesday, December 5, 2012)
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
In attendance:
Jack Harte, Dave Foss, Ted Kerakostas
Pat C, Howie, Bill O, Tim, Mike Bruce, Joe P, Bobby H, Alanna, Ben, John Young, Tony, Louis, Pat Canavan, Emily, Rob, Andy, Ron Downs, Ed White, Jon Cotton, Cindy D., Joe Cassaro (LATE!!!!!!)
Ted:
Check your fluids and listen for noises:
We’ve had trolleys break down from not checking oil and coolant. If you hear a funny noise, there’s probably something wrong. Tows are expensive – up to 700 bucks, and the need for one can be nipped in the bud if you catch a problem before you leave the garage. Look under your trolley as you approach it for leaks. The need to inspect properly is especially critical at present because so many trolleys are way way overdue for servicing. I often spot a leak and detect a problem right away, but some of you aren’t checking. When you add coolant, you have to add water. You have to have a 50/50 combination. To check the coolant you can put a light against the side of the tank to light up the interior and create a shadow of the liquid contents. If you have to, open the cap and put your finger in to check it. The cap has two sets of thread thingies, so you have to unscrew it once to loosen it in one way, then you have to turn it again to get it the rest of the way off.
Tires:
We have also had trolleys with flat tires lately. You have to check them. You can take a metal bar and poke the inner back tires or push them with your hand to see if they give. If you have a flat tire and you go on a highway it heats up and can cause a major fire which is very hot and can’t easily be put out and the firepeople won’t make it to you on time. The tires take 110 pounds of pressure. That’s a lot.
Seats:
Grab-handles are coming apart.
Heaters:
There’s a list on the bulletin board in the break room to record which trolleys have heating problems.
Windows:
If you see any windows that still need fixing, report it. Emily has done a great job repairing them! (polite applause for Emily).
Mission Airlock Protocol:
We have to keep the doors shut at the garage because of the cold. Preserve airlock protocol.
Blue tickets:
Include trolley number, plate number, mileage, name of company, and in the top right put your own name.
Emily:
“Can we go back to the part where I was applauded?”
(more polite applause for Emily).
Ted(cont’d):
Blue tickets (cont’d):
In the text box state specifically what the problem is, where it is, and when it occurred.
Yellow curly light:
Don’t start the trolley until the yellow curly light goes out. Turn the key part way, then wait for the yellow “glow plug” to go out. Then start the vehicle. And don’t race the motor to heat up your trolley. Let it warm up a little before you bump the idle up.
Stickers:
Also check your stickers to ensure they’re up to date. Thank you.
Jack:
Praise for Ted:
“Ted makes some interesting points.”
(scattered polite applause for Ted)
New Morning Protocol:
Starting tomorrow morning we will bring trolleys into the garage in groups of three to do circle checks. We will help each other check our trolleys.
Staying on time:
People have to stay on time because if someone is 10 minutes fast and the person behind her is 5 minutes slow, there is about a 40 minute wait. The passenger is then waiting in the cold with either a baby or a decrepit old person from Winetka.
No special favors:
No special considerations for people. Don’t violate the official schedule to indulge a guest. Don’t for example go from the splash back to the Constitution to indulge a passenger.
Meeting attendance:
Last month there were only two people who did not make at least one meeting and they had permissible extenuations. Thank you.
Communication:
Communication is important even in the winter.
Ed:
(in agreement) Please call in regularly at key checkpoints and state whether you are on time.
Jack(cont’d):
Uniforms:
Wearing the uniform is a condition of employment. Wear your uniform. Blue jeans or black khakis…
Jon Cotton:
I thought it was “chinos!? Is there a difference? I don’t know these words.”
Jack(cont’d):
“Chinos.” Also, company sweatshirt, white collared shirt.
Sitting around in the break room:
Sitting around in the break room, not having done circle checks, reading, chatting is no good. We’re here to do a job. Dennis could take time away for this (editorial note: i.e., have us come in at 7:45 rather than at 7:30). Issues such as this cause my teakettle to get banged on.
Air tanks:
Pulling lines on air tanks must be done at the end of the day. Just for two seconds or so, but in all three locations.
Asphyxiation:
Turn trolleys off inside the garage when the doors are shut.
Scheduled Positions:
Starting positions in the morning schedule are not optional. The way the times are written on the schedule is the way they are meant to be followed.
Howie:
“What about Jon Cotton’s website? Does everyone know about Jon Cotton’s website?”
Jack:
“I’m going to get to that.”
Dave:
Health Insurance:
Open enrollment is available for insurance right now. The “cafeteria plan.” You will be required to sign about whether you want this or not.
Ed:
“The driver’s advisory board will be meeting next week. please contact me with any questions or concerns.”
Jack:
safety, communication, customer service, quality tour, timing, connection to the organism, peace, love