red
Junior Member
Posts: 66
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Post by red on Feb 22, 2007 9:44:19 GMT -4
On my drive home last night, I saw a tow truck hook up to an able car, drive across the bridge, and drop the driver and car on the opposite side. The tow truck was part of the dept. of transporation fleet. Is this a service provided by our tax dollars, bridge fees or something that jittery drivers pay a surcharge for? Part of me feels a sense of outrage, but I want to see if it's justified. Anyone have info?
I found this on the MTA website (http://www.mdta.state.md.us/mdta/servlet/dispatchServlet?url=/TollFacilities/qanda.jsp):
Does the Authority provide escort services for customers who are uncomfortable driving across the William Preston Lane Jr. Memorial (Bay) Bridge?
Yes. The Authority provides courtesy "tow-over," or escort services, at the bridge. Using special equipment, an Authority vehicle-recovery technician will tow a customer's vehicle across the bridge while the customer rides in the front of the truck with the technician.
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Post by outlaw on Feb 22, 2007 10:00:38 GMT -4
I remember reading in the crapola "Bay Times" recently that they are possibly going to privatize this service. I don't know if they are charging for it now. The irony is if you break down or have an accident, they drag you across and leave you sitting on the side of the road.
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Post by Frank on Feb 22, 2007 11:03:14 GMT -4
Do you want to cross the bridge alongside someone who is scared to death? I thought they would drive your car across the bridge for you. I didn't know they were actually towed the car. For the few people each day that are that afraid to cross, go ahead and tow them. It makes my ride safer. Think of the traffic jam on a friday afternoon when a driver stops his/her car on top of the span terrified to move, or tries to turn around on the bridge to go back.
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Post by Mike on Feb 22, 2007 11:13:12 GMT -4
If I see someone scared of the bridge I tell them to roll down their window and tell them it's collapsing.
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Post by outlaw on Feb 22, 2007 11:33:41 GMT -4
Be careful with that, GBM. As I was hurtling over the bridge one afternoon, I blared my horn at an old truck that was chugging along slowing up traffic. It was my boss heading for his farm in Oxford. He recognized me.
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Post by Frank on Feb 22, 2007 11:35:31 GMT -4
So Outlaw, where are you working now?
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Post by kl on Feb 22, 2007 11:36:05 GMT -4
And GBM...Back in the early 80's, in between New York, and Conn., my cousin, and a group of friends, driving home came onto the bridge, and about 40 seconds later, the bridge collapsed. If I'm recalling correctly, 10 cars went over, and 8 folks died...
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Post by Frank on Feb 22, 2007 11:38:14 GMT -4
or was that the Mothman Prophesies
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Post by matt on Feb 22, 2007 11:54:17 GMT -4
I was hauling timber from Bayonne, NJ, the shipping terminal there... 2000-2500 lbs in a trailer rated for it but a Jeep that was not... On the bridge coming from Bayonne south the trailer took over. Hurtled me from one side of the travel lanes to the other. I was within inches of both rails. My poor lab was with me, she put her paw on my hand as if to say "we're fooked, ain't we boss?" I love bridges, but I guess after actually come close to wrecking on (off?) one, I can understand the anxiety. I find the 4+ miles on the Bay Bridge to be the only miles of my commute I don't hate... well and the 7 or so on "The Island" are OK. Matt The guy with irrelevent stories for everything (tm)
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Post by ljp on Feb 22, 2007 12:28:48 GMT -4
They used to drive your car over the bridge for you. Then a few years ago someone complained that they thought this cost way too much to do it as there was no '1' person in charge of this help. They would pull someone from another duty to make the drive and then another to go back over and get the employee who helped the scaredy cat. There was a study that said the cost of the drive plus the cost of the loss of productivity per year per person leaving the station to make the drive was in excess of 30k per year. Then they were talking about creating a position for 30k per year to drive folks over between x-hour and xy hour. There were arguements at the time asking for the Bridge Authority to charge scaredy cats a fee for the transport. Or tell them not to cross the bridge, this actually floored me to find out that there were people who knew they were afraid yet drove their car East on 50 anyway.
So it seems their solution is to 'tow' the car, I don't know if they are charging a service fee or not. I do know if you break down and they tow you there is a fee.
Frank I cracked up at your comments about Outlaws job! Am I wrong or wasn't there some sort of truth to the Mothman legend?
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Post by Mike on Feb 22, 2007 12:31:45 GMT -4
I think the moth man was all BS. But maybe not.
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red
Junior Member
Posts: 66
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Post by red on Feb 22, 2007 12:33:35 GMT -4
I certainly don't want frightened folks slowing down the bridge traffic... However, I don't see how the driver's fear should be my responsibility to fund. Accommodations should be made, of course, but should they be at no charge? When I am not able to do something myself, I expect to have to pay for the services of others (electrical work: I'm a bit frightened of being electrocuted, filing my taxes: I'm afraid of being audited). Interesting comments… thanks.
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Post by Frank on Feb 22, 2007 12:37:29 GMT -4
The cable channels tend to play a movie over and over for a few weeks. "The Mothman Prophesies" was playing every day around Christmas. I probably saw it 3 or 4 times. The scene where the bridge collapses is awesome! I was thinking about that while I was reading the posts. Don't know about the truth in the movie. Guess I'll need to look it up.
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Post by Frank on Feb 22, 2007 12:43:51 GMT -4
I guess it's more than just a movie.
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Post by outlaw on Feb 22, 2007 12:45:02 GMT -4
Frank, my timid little boss got a kick out of it. He made me stop and get his bridge tickets after he realized I lived over here.
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Post by Frank on Feb 22, 2007 12:46:15 GMT -4
Did he lift your shirt and grope you?
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Post by outlaw on Feb 22, 2007 12:49:18 GMT -4
Love that picture. I'm thinking bridge escort might be a good duty assignment for the hapless Officer Mosmiller. Wearing a leather mothman outfit, he could crack his whip at potential escortees and inquire, "Do you feel lucky?" They'll be afraid to be afraid.
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Post by outlaw on Feb 22, 2007 12:50:04 GMT -4
No, he wasn't a cop.
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Post by Mike on Feb 22, 2007 13:18:36 GMT -4
outlaw you scare me
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Post by Frank on Feb 22, 2007 13:33:49 GMT -4
Bay Bridge Escorts. My idea of Bay Bridge escorts is totally different! You can find them on the back cover of Bay Bridge Magazine.
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Post by Mike on Feb 22, 2007 13:45:02 GMT -4
frank, how dare you speak of such things on a family forum
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Post by shadow1 on Feb 22, 2007 13:56:16 GMT -4
Now that's something to be afraid of, and will empty the pocketbook - not a free ride ;D
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Post by outlaw on Feb 22, 2007 16:20:07 GMT -4
Mike, I'm really quite harmless. Fear the people who fear the bridge. Fear the Mosman.
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Post by Mike on Feb 22, 2007 16:21:28 GMT -4
Don't fear the reaper
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Post by Frank on Feb 22, 2007 16:31:41 GMT -4
fear the turtle!
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