People need to be handed everything.

[VIAN]

Yes it is part of their job. If someone is in front of you, backing up the whole line of people, do you want the toll booth operator to argue or pout about having to do more than collect money? No, instead you want them to they say "turn in about 3 exits", then get the driver out of there as fast as possible. The line flows again. If the toll collector don't answer, then the line is blocked as the irritated driver stays there and argues. Their job is to get the line going as fast as possible. If that involves answering a simple question, then answer it. That is their job.

Actually, it isn't part of our job. I could say I don't know. But even that is annoying. Imagine having to say the same thing so many freakin times to the so many people. It gets tiring. And why should I know where brooklyn is, It's in another state. It's not in the same area.

Sorry, never been in a union. To be honest, I don't care if VIAN has to do more than his job requires (sorry VIAN), I'm just looking at it from my own selfish perspective. I don't want to be behind the guy that's getting directions (although I have EZPass, so that's a moot point now). A toll collector's job IS very customer-service oriented, but the way to give good customer service is to get the people through the tolls as fast as possible, not make a line of people wait so you can give someone directions. It's rarely as easy as just "take the third exit." Like I said, at least pull through the booth and pull over on the other side and go inside the building and ask directions.

I am the fastest, if not on the top 3 list. Rarely though I'm not the fastest. I check the interchange statistics for fun. Or else the job would be soooo boring. I don't sit down and collect tickets cause it's slower. I stand up and get people out of there as fast as possible, sometimes sacrificing the right way to do it. But it gets people out faster. I've never met a really angry person, those who throw change and spit at you, but I'm faster than those around me, why would they. It is somewhat customer oriented, and I try to help and be curtious, but sometimes, it's just amazing and I can't take it, but I don't show it to my excellent customers.

 

[dullard]

Originally posted by: VIAN
Actually, it isn't part of our job.

If you have to answer a question to get an irate driver to move, then yes, it is your job. Even if it isn't in your job description, it is your job to keep the line moving. In an ideal world that wouldn't happen. But this isn't an ideal world.

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: dullard

Originally posted by: mugs
It's rarely as easy as just "take the third exit."

Then the answer is "I'm sorry, I don't know". It shouldn't take any longer than it takes to hand them their change. If they have to answer a question to get the line moving, then answer it. Don't hold up the line by withholding info.

Or, maybe put simple maps in the toll booth. Hand it to the customer if they are truely lost, and get them on their way. 2 cents a page isn't that expensive.

Sounds like he at least tries to give them directions:

Then they get freakin attitudes when you don't know a direction.

I blame Mapquest, people think they can just print out directions so they don't need to buy maps.

I think you're making a lot of assumptions about what actually happens when these people pull up to the toll booth... I didn't see where he said he holds up the line arguing with them, or where he said they get irate (other than the Brooklyn comment... what should he do if he doesn't know? 😕 I live in NJ and I don't know how to get to Brooklyn).

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: VIAN
I am the fastest, if not on the top 3 list. Rarely though I'm not the fastest. I check the interchange statistics for fun. Or else the job would be soooo boring. I don't sit down and collect tickets cause it's slower. I stand up and get people out of there as fast as possible, sometimes sacrificing the right way to do it. But it gets people out faster. I've never met a really angry person, those who throw change and spit at you, but I'm faster than those around me, why would they. It is somewhat customer oriented, and I try to help and be curtious, but sometimes, it's just amazing and I can't take it, but I don't show it to my excellent customers.

That's cool that they give you statistics. 🙂 Cheers for striving to be the fastest. I worked at a convenience store in high school, and it always bugged me when a co-worker would not drop whatever they were doing (cleaning or whatnot) to wait on a customer at the register. People don't shop at convenience stores because they're cheap, they shop there because they're fast. The way to offer the best service is not to chat with people you know while people are in line, you get the customers through the line as fast as possible. Chat with customers you know when there isn't a line. You don't make a customer wait 30 seconds so you can finish doing what you're doing.

 

[Savij]

Yes, people asking for directions at the toll booth are annoying, but I have to say that the NJ turnpike is the most annoying and confusing piece of sh!t I can remember driving on right now...I guess Calcutta was worse...maybe. In addition to the roads and the drivers sucking, the toll booth people sucked too. Granted, I haven't been to the state that many times or for that long, but I really haven't found a single reason that NJ doesn't suck. I didn't believe the stuff about the state smelling, until I drove through it. God damnit, it is somehow possible for an entire state to smell like some combination of fish, poo and skunk. Why do people live there?

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: Savij
Yes, people asking for directions at the toll booth are annoying, but I have to say that the NJ turnpike is the most annoying and confusing piece of sh!t I can remember driving on right now...I guess Calcutta was worse...maybe. In addition to the roads and the drivers sucking, the toll booth people sucked too. Granted, I haven't been to the state that many times or for that long, but I really haven't found a single reason that NJ doesn't suck. I didn't believe the stuff about the state smelling, until I drove through it. God damnit, it is somehow possible for an entire state to smell like some combination of fish, poo and skunk. Why do people live there?

It doesn't smell where I live. 🙂 I live in NJ because I was born in NJ, my family lives in NJ, and there are jobs in NJ.

 

[Savij]

Originally posted by: mugs

Originally posted by: Savij
Yes, people asking for directions at the toll booth are annoying, but I have to say that the NJ turnpike is the most annoying and confusing piece of sh!t I can remember driving on right now...I guess Calcutta was worse...maybe. In addition to the roads and the drivers sucking, the toll booth people sucked too. Granted, I haven't been to the state that many times or for that long, but I really haven't found a single reason that NJ doesn't suck. I didn't believe the stuff about the state smelling, until I drove through it. God damnit, it is somehow possible for an entire state to smell like some combination of fish, poo and skunk. Why do people live there?

It doesn't smell where I live. 🙂 I live in NJ because I was born in NJ, my family lives in NJ, and there are jobs in NJ.

Good: It doesn't smell where Mugs lives.
Bad: It appears to smell everywhere else.

 

[tami]

interesting. i thought this post was deleted since it previously referred specifically to "American's" and i couldn't find it.

 

[exilera]

Originally posted by: VIAN
I work at a major highway in New Jersey. Called, the New Jersey Turnpike. I'm a toll collector.

I'm not a directions giver. These people can't get a freaking map when they leave your house. They come through here with nothing but questions. Haven't they ever heard of planning. Can't they "read" a maps. It's not that hard. Everything has to be handed to these people. They can't think for themselves. How can you not follow a line on a piece of paper. How did they miss that sign that says that North instead of South. Stupid ass people. How did you not see the many signs signs that say EZPASS in Signed lanes only. Why are in my lane dirt bag? Oh, you say "somehow" the road brought you here you say. Of course, cause it couldn't have been your stupid ass.

And no, we are not EZPass, or the Tunnels or the Bridges.

I'm just a freakin toll collector. My job is to take your money. That's it.

Then they get freakin attitudes when you don't know a direction. Give you mean looks and say, I can't believe you don't know where Brooklyn is. "Well, no duh, you meatbag, I'm not the retard who's on his way there. If I had to, I could find out."

Most people ask me directions. Most of these took North instead of south, even though there were big signs right in the middle of the fork. Some of these people, and only some can be forgiven for the crappiness of whoever built these roads.

What's worse is that these people have a license to drive.

Do all toll collectors write like they're a complete FOB, or is it just you?

 

[BurnItDwn]

I think it would be cool if toll booth operators had guns. That way when someone holds up the line, you could scare the crap out of them. That would be funny.

 

[Toasthead]

boo hoo

 

[Platypus]

Not to troll, but honestly, is that the best job you can get? I would have to be pretty hard up to volunteer to work a job like that...

What do they pay you?

 

[VIAN]

God damnit, it is somehow possible for an entire state to smell like some combination of fish, poo and skunk. Why do people live there?

I know, I'm so not living here for the rest of my life. I can't stand it, some days, it's just the most cruddy odor that creaps up on you. I'm afraid to breathe it. I hate that about this place. This happens every once in a while.

 

[brunswickite]

Originally posted by: CorporateRecreation
Not to troll, but honestly, is that the best job you can get? I would have to be pretty hard up to volunteer to work a job like that...

What do they pay you?

I live in jersey, and IIRC NJ toll collectors get paid pretty well. Sure they have to stand in a little booth doing the most brainless task ever, but they get paid decent. (15-20 buck an hour I think)

 

[CrackRabbit]

:thumbsup: for calling someone a Meatbag.

 

[rh71]

I ask them if _____ is this way / straight ahead, etc. ... and they never have a problem telling me the answer. I can understand if they have to strain their brains to tell directions for more than 1 connecting highway though. That can actually make their day less mundane.

 

[KokomoGSTmp]

Originally posted by: VIAN

God damnit, it is somehow possible for an entire state to smell like some combination of fish, poo and skunk. Why do people live there?

I know, I'm so not living here for the rest of my life. I can't stand it, some days, it's just the most cruddy odor that creaps up on you. I'm afraid to breathe it. I hate that about this place. This happens every once in a while.

That's because you live in Kearny... ick. Union ick... Newark ick...

Most people with enough money in NY metro are moving up by me despite the exorbitant real estate prices. Bergen and Passaic are very nice for the most part, which is why lots of celebs live here. South Jersey and West Jersey (not by Philly) are also quite nice. Morristown is a great place to live.

Though Hackensack has definitely gone downhill, especially in certain parts. Don't even think about moving into Paterson.

You think NJ roads are bad and improperly signed... how about some parts of NY where sometimes there are no signs and of course no way to turn around!! Friggin lots of the Midwest is like that too... annoyed the heck out of me... no Uturns anywhere!!

 

[imported_malcontent]

Just give them all the same answer. Go up 2 exits and jump off the toll road, turn right. go down 3 lights, and hang a left, then just keep going and you can't miss it.