Unsuck DC Metro: Operator Put on Paid Leave for Allegedly Texting

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Operator Put on Paid Leave for Allegedly Texting

The train operator seen apparently texting while operating a train is on paid leave pending the results of an investigation, according to Metro. Unsuck put the witness in touch with Metro, and Metro confirmed the witness was interviewed.

We asked the Magic 8 Ball if the operator would keep his job. "It is decidedly so" was the answer.

Original photo courtesy @sknightschultz

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Comments (31)

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John · 758 weeks ago

The next time metro actually fires someone would be a first. What the FUCK is the point of paid leave? ITS NOTHING MORE THAN A GOD DAMN VACATION!!!!!!

GIVE YOUR WORKERS A GOD DAMN SENSE OF RESPONSIBILITY!

oh.... and FIRE DAVID LACOSSE!

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Metro User · 758 weeks ago

While frustrations with Metro continue to rise to unhealthy levels, I must ask Unsuck and John (first commentor) to keep the profanity to a minimum. The fasted way to lose credibility is to post a comment like that and to let that comment be posted.

8 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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F'n JD · 758 weeks ago

The rider is expressing our shared frustration at a bureaucratic entity that fails to adapt, evolve and improve.

And the cursing is and has been fucking common vernacular for decades. I think no credibility or specificity is lost through its invocation.

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John · 758 weeks ago

FIRE DAVID F"IN LACOSSE!!!!!

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ownermental · 758 weeks ago

actually, i'd say bad grammar is a quicker way to lose credibility.

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Metro User · 758 weeks ago

"Actually, I'd say that bad grammer is a quicker way to lose credibility."

is how that should have been written. Mine was a typo, for which I apologize. If you'd like to play grammer police, please practice what you preach.

And thanks, John, that actually made me laugh. :)

I'm not advocating for the sensoring of free speech. I'm trying to get Metro to continue to take this blog seriously. If they think the readers are anything but mature riders with real concerns, they won't pay attention. John's sentiment and frustration are shared by all.

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F'n JD · 758 weeks ago

It's actually grammar, not "grammer" and no I'm not a grammar nazi.

But I am the morality police-police. We round up the holier then thou's and bring them down off their soapbox.

That said...Fire F'n Sarles already!

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Metro User · 758 weeks ago

I enjoy my soapbox. You haven't written anything that would make me get off it. But, you have confirmed my belief that this blog is supported by children and is not a good outlet for real concerns. So thanks. You should be pleased to know that you won't be hearing from me again, but I will still be on my box.

And yes, someone really needs to fire Sarles.

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Timmy O'Toole · 758 weeks ago

Do you really think a blog is going to improve "real concerns?" The GM can't even do that!

I like this blog because it's entertaining, not because I think it really it's going to improve anything.

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Ever and Anon · 758 weeks ago

Oh they pay attention alright. But will it change their attitude, actions or procedures? Unsuck - wouldja ask that Magic 8 Ball for us.. then, on my behalf, LIE to me! ;-D

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Corresponding Toads · 758 weeks ago

This is a lesson learned for ATU/Metro - sending your goons to post comments on Unsuck will not prevent justice from being served.

Well not justice, exactly... at least it's a slap on the wrist. Hopefully he learns not to text WHILE OPERATING A TRAIN.

4 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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Ever and Anon · 758 weeks ago

Fat chance. I bet more start doing it. Instant vacation without using vacation leave.

While I do not applaud vulgarity, I do agree with John's comments and the emotional impact of his words. I'd rather read it here than hear it on the trains all the times from those "I think I is hip 'n' kewl" teenagers. I see no loss of credibility although I do see a loss of.. ahmm.. personal dignity which, by default, give more power to those causing the problems in the first place.

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More is More · 758 weeks ago

I'm sorry. but how is a "paid" vacation considered a slap on the wrist??

At my place of employment, people who excel at their jobs are given paid time-off awards (please note, I said EXCEL at their jobs). Since when is it okay to award someone for f-ing up on the job???

Metro is creating a culture of unaccountability. Want to go out of town but have no vacation time saved up?? Talk or text on your phone while operating a massive piece of machinery, ensure that a patron takes notice and a picture and reports it, and voila, paid vacation!!! What lesson has one truly learned when one messes up and is then paid NOT to come into work???

Such policy only exacerbates Metro's budget issues; is this where the fare increase are going???

+3 Vote up Vote down

Ever and Anon · 758 weeks ago

Oh there it is! A great new tag line for Metro spokespersons!

"Is the culture of unaccountability present at Metro? Yes. But not to the degree that it needs to be."

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Corresponding Toads · 758 weeks ago

It's okay guys, so long as he is re-trained on how not to text while operating a train, we'll be okay. Here's what the re-training will look like:

Operator - *reaches inside left pocket*
Trainer - "Ah! Keep your hands out of your pants and at the controls."
Operator - "Oh, right, sorry about that. I'm a little rusty after that 3-month paid leave."
Trainer - "That's quite alright. I was in the same boat after the whole Scruff McGruff fiasco."
Operator - "That was you? Wow, I'm sure glad they found you a new position." *reaches inside left pocket and takes out cell phone*
Trainer - "Man, what did I JUST say!"
Operator - "It's cool, it's cool, just letting my girlfriend know I'm back at work."
Trainer - *looks around* "Okay well hurry up... I'm supposed to be training you."

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dan · 758 weeks ago

I don't really think anyone that reads the blog is surprised by this happening.

The title of the article Unsuck posted about the operator texting called this outcome well before it ever happened.

Furthremore, while I appreciate Metro User's desire for a clean forum, I too, like F'n JD, am an advocate of free, unfiltered speech.

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John · 758 weeks ago

A protest outside of WMATA headquarters is overdue.... #1 concern is unaccountability. #2 escalators (FIRE DAVID LACOSSE!) #3 Metro's mismanagement of money and LIES about new service. Remember how they were cutting back the # of trains but they were all going to be 8 car trains? MAJORITY STILL 6 CAR TRAINS DURING RUSH HOUR!!!!!!

6 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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Corresponding Toads · 758 weeks ago

DON'T FORGET THE 8-CAR-TRAINS-TURNED-7-CAR-TRAINS DUE TO HOT CARS AND BROKEN DOORS! OH MY GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOODNESSSS
1111!!!

I'm with you, John. Let the protest begin... right now. I am SO THEREEE!!!!!!

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SoBar · 758 weeks ago

What are these luxurious 7-car trains of which you speak?

I feel lucky if I catch a working 6-car one.

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Corresponding Toads · 758 weeks ago

I'm just talking about 8-car trains that have a broken/empty/dark car inside of it... =P

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F'n JD · 758 weeks ago

The problem with a protest outside of Metro HQ is that it's at the Gallery Place Chinatown Metro. Who wants to deal with walking the gauntlet of kids we're trying to get metro to police.

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Ever and Anon · 758 weeks ago

Wonder if having the HQ at that special location was deliberate? (Hey! They can't get to us.. we got the rowdy teenagers in this part o' town...) ;-)

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guest#1 · 758 weeks ago

Actually, it's closer to Judiciary Square.

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Anon · 758 weeks ago

Sorry, couldn't resist...to F'n JD, it's actually "holier THAN...," not "then." Grammetically speaking, as it were.

2 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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anon · 758 weeks ago

Heh. "Grammetically"!

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F'n JD · 758 weeks ago

Anon...all I can say on my behalf:...in the beloved words of Homer Jay Simpson..."d'oh".

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Anony · 758 weeks ago

Unsuck, I found the title of this post confusing because it seems to indicate that the driver was texting WHILE on paid leave. My first reaction was "Who cares what he does on paid leave?".
It would be clearer if it was written as either

Operator Allegedly Texting Is Put on Paid Leave

or

Operator Put on Paid Leave for Allegedly Texting

2 replies · active less than 1 minute ago

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unsuckdcmetro 92p · 758 weeks ago

Good point. It was early. Done.

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Ever and Anon · 758 weeks ago

Unsuck... were you texting while posting?!?!? ugh! We may have to put you on leave with pay here if you keep this up, ya young whippersnappin' blogmaster! ;-D

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unsuckdcmetro 92p · 758 weeks ago

Pay? Sure!

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Catoe · 757 weeks ago

What this problem needs is more money thrown at it... and by money I mean your and my money, not reduction in salaries through unpaid leave or furloughs, of course.

Money solves every problem, just jam those escalators full of bill, I mean what harm can come from it? It's not like they're moving anyway.

As long as the board is afraid of the union and the voting public nothing good will every come of metro, it will slowly die out until it's forced into sale to the public and then real changes will occur. The alternative is that the feds get involved and fund larger and larger portions.