Sensitivity

Hello Improvement Seekers,

I believe the following evidence should point administrators in the direction of planning a seminar for employees  sensitivity training.  The driver Jimmy showed up this afternoon, Saturday March 24, 2007.  My mom spoke to him first, as she was downstairs on the street when he arrived.  I was upstairs trying to call Triple A about the ride that was late.  She explained to me when I arrived moments later in a low voice how he seemed grumpy.

It is hard to explain how you come to an assessment like this.  Let me try to explain by an example of his behavior when we were departing from his vehicle.  All of a sudden he started saying hurry, hurry to my mom.

This is simply not a good idea to do.  Her age doesn't allow for quick movements.  I am glad she chose to take the wise course of action and depart from the vehicle in an orderly fashion.

When calling up the reservation line to see if the return ride was coming, there was another insensitivity observed.  It happened when I said, "Hi I am Sanford."  All of a sudden the female reservationist started yelling about my name meaning nothing.  She went on to yell about needing my PIN.  It seemed as though she was exhibiting some displaced anger.

I believe a reservationist who politely asks for a PIN would fare much better.  Antagonizing others is simply not a good modus operandi.  I called back and spoke to a different reservationist and had absolutely no problem at all.

When my ride arrived to take me back home, the driver was Noel.  He told my mother how I reported him a few months ago because he had his AM radio on.  He couldn't understand why I had asked him to shut it.

My feeling is that a driver should have some consideration for passengers.  A foreign talk station is very hard for English passengers to comprehend.  It is much harder to comprehend than a foreign music station.  If a driver doesn't want to change a foreign speaking news or talk format station to some kind of music or English, my position is for the driver to shut the radio.  If the driver has a problem with this, then he should be speaking to his employer.  I don't think that constant reminders to a passenger about the drivers position on this is helpful.  If anything it is counter productive.

In summary I am led to believe sensitivity training is desirable for employees of the Triple A paratransit contracted car service.  I would be more than glad to follow up with this if somehow Triple A enabled me to help with this regard.  I can make sure professional help is located for their employees if there is a willingness to proceed with it.

Sanford Rosenthal