A ferry tale
Published May 8, 2015
Editorial by Wilmington Star-News, May 6, 2015.
State lawmakers are pondering priority fares for the Southport-Fort Fisher Ferry. The plan wouldn't make much difference at this time of the year, but could ease lines in the summer months.
Under a plan authored by state Sen. Bill Rabon, frequent commuters – those who have to ride the ferry back and forth every day for business – would have the option of paying $150 extra each year, over and above the regular ferry fees.
In return, they get to go to the front of the line.
So far, so good. Trouble is, the legislators are cutting the state transportation budget, and some bureaucrats see these extra nickel-and-dime fees as a way of closing the gap.
Consumers have seen this game played before, especially if they have to spend a lot of time in airports. Is it possible, in the not-too-distant future, we'll be hearing monologues like this at our local ferry landings?
"Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, and welcome to your friendly local ferry. At this time, we will begin boarding all of our Iridium Plus Special Value passengers. Please have your Special Value cards ready.
"At this time, holders of our special Zip Ferry VISA cards may begin boarding. If you'd like to apply for our Zip Ferry VISA, with guaranteed dividend miles, please see the attendant to your right.
"At this time, all of our Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze Plus Value passengers are free to board.
"Next, any veterans of our military and passengers with one or more loud, crying children are permitted to board.
"Thank you for your attention, ladies and gentlemen. At this time, because of delays in sorting out our boarders, our ferry will be departing, and we will not have time for any further ferry service today. Please report to this station at 6 a.m. and thank you for considering our Great State Ferries."
Maybe the plan will work.
But we aren't betting on a big windfall.
All aboard!
Rather, make that some aboard.
http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20150506/ARTICLES/150509846/1108/editorial?template=printart
May 8, 2015 at 9:33 am
Norm Kelly says:
Priority boarding sounds like it could work. And would be accepted by frequent users.
So, if you dislike it, instead of simply complaining, have you offered a SOLUTION of your own? Remember the old adage about not wanting to hear about problems but to hear about solutions. Obviously I don't remember the wording of the old adage, but it's out there. I've been in management before. I wanted everyone to feel free to point out problems to me. It was critical to know about potential problems before implementing a new software release. Knowing about a problem in advance could prevent causing great grief & aggravation for our users. We'd put the implementation plan on hold. But then I'd expect some idea from the group how to solve the problem. I'd expect the one who found the problem to lead the rest of the group to a solution.
Same applies to the ferry issue. Priority boarding works for other industries. Why not here? If not, then WHAT!? Anyone can be a critic. Not just anyone can be a good problem solver. Time for critics to step up.
