How many of you wave down a bus?

[ryanbytes]

I learned it from watching my mom because we always took the bus or L and I still do it (I'm 30 BTW.) I think it might be somewhat helpful to the driver and it's just a reminder of the old days I suppose. Yes, I do get a little smile going when an L operator calls a Brown line train a Ravenswood train. Another reminder I miss those railfan seats, it looks a little weird when an adult is standing at the cab window enjoying the view. Operators aren't too fond of it either.

So to get back on track do any of you do the wave? What other CTA habits do you have that aren't necessary but that you keep alive whether out of...well...habit or because you just want to keep that bit of the past alive?

I sound old!

ETA: Since I digressed from the bus aspect can a mod move this to the general CTA section please?

Edited May 8, 2010 by ryanbytes

[Busjack]

Since CTA buses only stop at a sign, waving in the traditional sense doesn't make much difference. I learned that in Washington D.C., once visiting where that rule applies, and had to run after the bus to the next posted stop.

However, in the sense of putting my arm out to indicate to the driver that I was interested in it stopping, I have done that.

I also used the railfan seat, even though it was quite evident that if the train got into a pancake collision, you would be the first to get smashed.

[ryanbytes]

Doing it at a stop is definitely what I meant. Sorry for the confusion.

[Railwaymodeler]

I always do.

See, having spend enough time at the forward end with the drivers, I have found what they and I call 'statues'. These are people standing at the bus stop as stiff as a statue, and you can't tell if they are fixing to cross the street, if they are just hanging out there (both more common than one may think!), or if they really want the bus.

Of course if you stop for them, they wait till you are at a complete stop to indicate they do not want the bus.

If you don't stop, they chase after the bus and become aggressive when boarding.

No win situation there for drivers.

This is why I make it obvious I am going to get aboard, by waving the driver down.

[jajuan]

I do when I'm at a multi-route bus stop so the driver for the route I need knows I need the route he's working rather than the other route(s) serving that stop. One thing I can't stand though is when a bus for the route I'm not waiting for stops to get those passengers who do need that route and have a bus immediately behind it for my route go flying past without stopping to check for passengers of that route. You'd think common sense says to drivers who do that that this isn't a bus from their route, so stop to check for passengers of that route. All CTA buses do have a rear route indicator. Even if it's not working, it's no excuse to go barreling past.

[pudgym29]

I've been doing this more frequently.

Sometimes, I cut it very close watching BusTracker.

I get to the southwest corner of Belmont & Cicero and view an eastbound route #77 Belmont bus approaching. But the green signal is still for Cicero.

I will wave and gesture that I'm crossing Cicero to get to the bus stop on the southeast corner so that the driver, upon glimpsing no passengers already there, and having no exiting customers, won't roar through the stop while I'm crossing Cicero.

[Busjack]

I've been doing this more frequently.

Sometimes, I cut it very close watching BusTracker.

I get to the southwest corner of Belmont & Cicero and view an eastbound route #77 Belmont bus approaching. But the green signal is still for Cicero.

I will wave and gesture that I'm crossing Cicero to get to the bus stop on the southeast corner so that the driver, upon glimpsing no passengers already there, and having no exiting customers, won't roar through the stop while I'm crossing Cicero.

That sort of reminds me that one time (must have been about 1970) I was on the wrong side of 55th when the westbound bus approached. I said "oh f--" and waved, and the driver stopped and waited for me. Wonder if he heard the expletive, though.