It's time for the Bus Points.
During rehearsals for my first tour, I wandered in to the lounge and noticed a paper with columns of names and numbers. It didn’t make sense to me, so I asked the first person I saw.
“Oh, those are the Bus Points,”
Bus Points?
They didn’t make sense to me then, but they make more sense to me now. The computational system is easy enough to explain to Outsiders, but explaining the "why" is a little more difficult. Most people laugh and want to know why a group of adults require a point system for seating; why can't the band just load the bus every day and sit wherever they want?
I used to try to explain how much stuff goes on the road with you, and it can’t all go underneath the bus. While one can, to a certain extent, shop along the way as needed, there is no guarantee the preferred brand will be available. Grocery stores can be few and far between, and even if one is not a dedicated Room Camper, everyone usually likes to have certain snack or drink items on hand. Occasional items, like laundry supplies, are better off stored on the bus; certainly no one wants to haul any more weight than necessary on and off the bus on a daily basis. Many of us bring a box of books and continue to buy them along the way. So, with all that stuff, sitting in the same seat every day becomes an issue.
When I joined the band, the seats were assigned according to bus points. The only input allowed was a preference for Bus 1 or Bus 2, and even then there was no guarantee you'd be assigned to your preferred vehicle. The current system allows members to choose their seat based on the point rankings. Obviously, the newest members don’t have much choice by the time the seating chart lands on their stand, but I think most people prefer having some say.
While I often having the feeling that I never really got off the bus, I like that I have been able to sit in basically the same seat for the last three or so tours. One side of the bus generally has more leg room, some overhead compartments lose space to air conditioning equipment, and if you need to hang coats and clothing items on your handy-dandy Snap Hook, it helps to have a window without a divider in it. I may move up a little as Bus Points allow, but I am generally very content to be in my “regular” seat.
Once upon a time, the front of the bus was reserved for the most senior of bus point holders. The seat behind the bus driver was a symbol of longevity and endurance. To those of us in the
back of the bus, the front half was also fondly referred to as the “Toe Tag” section of the bus. Interpret that as you will.
I now seem to be sitting in that region of the bus. Hm. And the seat behind the driver is no longer the first to go during sign-ups.
Trox is so amazingly thorough, he even puts up a "map" of the bus, complete with measurements for leg room, head room, storage, and just about every detail one might conceivably need to plan the most efficient use of your personal bus space. Of course, some of us plan more than others. Some of us thrive on planning.
The fun part of Trox's display is the bus photo collage. He includes photos of the
drivers, the bus interior and exterior, even some of the amenities (all seats have cupholders this year), like the curved entry stairway and purple and teal upholstery and trim. Much more cheerful than the charcoal upholstery of past tours.
“Oh, those are the Bus Points,”
Bus Points?
They didn’t make sense to me then, but they make more sense to me now. The computational system is easy enough to explain to Outsiders, but explaining the "why" is a little more difficult. Most people laugh and want to know why a group of adults require a point system for seating; why can't the band just load the bus every day and sit wherever they want?
I used to try to explain how much stuff goes on the road with you, and it can’t all go underneath the bus. While one can, to a certain extent, shop along the way as needed, there is no guarantee the preferred brand will be available. Grocery stores can be few and far between, and even if one is not a dedicated Room Camper, everyone usually likes to have certain snack or drink items on hand. Occasional items, like laundry supplies, are better off stored on the bus; certainly no one wants to haul any more weight than necessary on and off the bus on a daily basis. Many of us bring a box of books and continue to buy them along the way. So, with all that stuff, sitting in the same seat every day becomes an issue.
When I joined the band, the seats were assigned according to bus points. The only input allowed was a preference for Bus 1 or Bus 2, and even then there was no guarantee you'd be assigned to your preferred vehicle. The current system allows members to choose their seat based on the point rankings. Obviously, the newest members don’t have much choice by the time the seating chart lands on their stand, but I think most people prefer having some say.
While I often having the feeling that I never really got off the bus, I like that I have been able to sit in basically the same seat for the last three or so tours. One side of the bus generally has more leg room, some overhead compartments lose space to air conditioning equipment, and if you need to hang coats and clothing items on your handy-dandy Snap Hook, it helps to have a window without a divider in it. I may move up a little as Bus Points allow, but I am generally very content to be in my “regular” seat.
Once upon a time, the front of the bus was reserved for the most senior of bus point holders. The seat behind the bus driver was a symbol of longevity and endurance. To those of us in the
back of the bus, the front half was also fondly referred to as the “Toe Tag” section of the bus. Interpret that as you will.I now seem to be sitting in that region of the bus. Hm. And the seat behind the driver is no longer the first to go during sign-ups.
Trox is so amazingly thorough, he even puts up a "map" of the bus, complete with measurements for leg room, head room, storage, and just about every detail one might conceivably need to plan the most efficient use of your personal bus space. Of course, some of us plan more than others. Some of us thrive on planning.
The fun part of Trox's display is the bus photo collage. He includes photos of the
drivers, the bus interior and exterior, even some of the amenities (all seats have cupholders this year), like the curved entry stairway and purple and teal upholstery and trim. Much more cheerful than the charcoal upholstery of past tours.As fun as it is to see the photos, it is another item on the checklist of reminders that Tour is fast approaching. Suddenly, the week between the last summer concert and the first tour rehearsal seems to be over.
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