Noon Bus Route

After picking up the PM kindergarten students for Mitchell, some were asking how one learns to drive a bus and what to do. This bunch learned quickly and asked a lot of intelligent questions for their age.

I was explaining everything to them and pointing out what could happen if the vehicles in front of me did something stupid. By that time we were aproaching Airport Road going south on Duff Ave. I saw a tractor coming northbound pulling a plow behind it. I used the tractor for an example. I said, "See that tractor with the plow in the other lane?" They did, and I continued, "All drivers need to expect the unexpected. Lets say that the plow breaks loose from the tractor and comes across the medium and into our lane. I would have to slow down and try to get out of the way."

At this point I glanced to my right and behind me to say something else to the kids. When I turned back, the plow had broken loose from the tractor and was halfway thru the medium and heading right toward us!!!!!

I hit the brakes, downshifted and swerved to the left. The kids thought it was funny and wanted to know how I did that, and could I do it again? For the remainder of the year, everytime they saw a tractor, they went wild!

I've learned to always expect the unexpected no matter how stupid it might seem. The only thing I don't do is to watch for falling airplanes.

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