Bid Day 2009

Today the drivers all came back to work to bid on routes for the 09-10 school year. It is not really bidding. They just come see me in seniority order and pick out the route they want. This morning when I got out of the shower Ron came in singing "Happy Bid day to You". I said I wasn't bidding I was the auctioneer. So I decided it would be really fun if we could do route bidding like an auction. "Now up for bid this lovely 6 1/2 hour a day route. Complete with bus attendant and a beautiful new bus with driver air." Now that would be bidding on routes.
This year we had enough drivers to fill every driving position. Even better we had enough position that every driver got something. Yes can you believe it came out even. That will probably never happen again in my career. 3 years ago when the economy was booming we were short by 35 drivers. I was driving 2 routes simultaneously and doing my routing job when I was on the bus. The hard part was when driver would radio when I was driving to ask about routing issues. Glad those days are over.
Last year on bid day one of our driver came through wear an Air force ball cap. I mentioned I liked his hat and that my son was in the air force. He took the cap off his head and gave it to me. I wore it the rest of the day. It has been on display in my office for the past year next to my picture of Nick in his uniform. When I told him Nick was going to Hickam he said to tell Nick he wants to there until he is out of the air force. He thinks that is the best AFB around.
Well It was a long busy day. Clock in at 4:45 clock out at 5:10. No lunch break I ate at my desk. So I'm calling it a day.

P.S. I love spell check even more when I am tired