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The Sleeping TTC Fare Collector Photo Needs a Caption

Posted by Jerrold Litwinenko / January 21, 2010

sleeping ttc employeeA very deep sleeping TTC employee's photo spread through the series of tubes that is the Internet like wildfire earlier today. Torontoist has done some digging for the story, and a representative from the TTC has said that they've seen the photo of the worker, and that it's reason for concern. They're looking into the incident further, and what they'll probably learn is that the guy was totally zonked and simply passed out (it's not like I've never been tired enough to inadvertently catch a zed or two at work).

But... maybe he's a new dad and was kept up by a screaming baby all through the previous night? Maybe he has undiagnosed narcolepsy? Maybe he's not sleeping at all? Here's a chance to jokingly look at things from the TTC collector's side. Caption this!

Photo adapted from the original by Jason Wieler.

Discussion

177 Comments

Zach / January 21, 2010 at 09:08 pm
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Don't worry, you're unionized.
MJF / January 21, 2010 at 09:11 pm
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Sweet dreams about our next raise....
to / January 21, 2010 at 09:12 pm
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I think if it was a young (possibley new father) guy people might cut this guy some slack but it's because he looks the proptotypical old union thug that is making this photo so viral
Nick W / January 21, 2010 at 09:13 pm
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aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhHHHHHHHH---


(choo)
Ryan Henson Creighton / January 21, 2010 at 09:14 pm
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"Oh Aunite Em ... I dreamt that rider fares went up to THREE DOLLARS! And *you* were there, and *you* were there ... "
Caslos / January 21, 2010 at 09:18 pm
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-How much is it Mr. TTC Collector?
-The fare is....(long pause)... (Eyes start to close)....One dollar, Two Dollars, Three Dollars....ZZZZZ.... snore!
Halfmydadsage / January 21, 2010 at 09:23 pm
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-- How can we make the TTC more efficient?
-- Sleep perchance to get photographed than fired
Ryan / January 21, 2010 at 09:27 pm
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I just picture a bunch of sheep jumping over the turnstile in an orderly fashion.
MISSISSAUGAWATCH / January 21, 2010 at 09:34 pm
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How about a caption like, "ONLY CRUEL BLIGHTERS WITH ZERO EMPATHY WOULD WRITE A CAPTION FOR THIS!"
Heather / January 21, 2010 at 09:40 pm
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Boy, doing crossword puzzles, reading a book and chatting on the phone whilst ignoring customers really wears a guy out!
wolfe / January 21, 2010 at 09:45 pm
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I'm a BAMF, BAD ASS MUTHA FUCKAAAAA! Eat my shorts Adam Giambrone!
cocoa / January 21, 2010 at 09:51 pm
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leave the dude alone
taxpayer / January 21, 2010 at 10:07 pm
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What an easy $400 day.
Lune replying to a comment from Caslos / January 21, 2010 at 10:10 pm
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"How much is it Mr. TTC Collector?" - Once I was told, "Read the sign". They don't even bother answering. This picture helps us to have more transit rage. TTC, please fire those people, they will be O.K. cause they own five houses. And put that money into P.A. system so we know why train does not move for 15 min during the morning rush hour.
Gabe / January 21, 2010 at 10:12 pm
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This proves we don't need collector booths. Machines, turnstiles and swipe cards can do this job.


Caption: itravel2000.com dial 1-866-wow-zzzzzzzzzzzz
KL / January 21, 2010 at 10:13 pm
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He's counting the money in his bank account instead of in the collection box
Kanye / January 21, 2010 at 10:13 pm
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Ahhh TTC.

No words.
Gen / January 21, 2010 at 10:14 pm
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Everyone deserves a living wage.
UR_Mortal / January 21, 2010 at 10:15 pm
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"One MetroPass, Two MetroPass, Three MetroPass..."
Sasha replying to a comment from MISSISSAUGAWATCH / January 21, 2010 at 10:16 pm
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Sleeping at any job is a NO NO!!! Why should we leave this guy alone? He deserves what he gets. Don't do the crime if you can't do the time zzzzzzz zzzzzzzzzz zzzzzzzzz
MLJ / January 21, 2010 at 10:21 pm
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I always sleep best when I'm on overtime.
donthate / January 21, 2010 at 10:22 pm
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99.99% of people I bet will freak out "those are my tax dollars". Collectors don't make all that much you know. It's way more than minimum wage but it's nowhere near $400 a day like that person about (hopefully) joked. And no, I don't work for the TTC but my brother does and it is an average paying, completely thankless, and largely depressing job.

Can you imagine what it's like to have a mind-numbingly boring job, for like 30 years? I say let him have his sleep.
Kenny / January 21, 2010 at 10:27 pm
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ZZZzzZZzz *hurm* I hate my job *grumble* ZZZzZzZzZ
Chris Fyvie / January 21, 2010 at 10:32 pm
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Man is it boring when they raise the transit fees but don't update my job description.
Shawn replying to a comment from donthate / January 21, 2010 at 10:33 pm
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They still make too much for doing a poor job that can be easily done by many other people for a cheaper rate. Giving a broke student a 10-15/hr wage for the same thing, and give them a radio to make it not so bad. At least the public will get to deal with collectors who can do math (in response to how many times they've fucked up the amount of change I needed to get back; the ones at Runnymede are especially stupid).
Nick STM / January 21, 2010 at 10:33 pm
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Hope no one steals my sick coat while I doze off.
canadense / January 21, 2010 at 10:36 pm
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what ever happened to machines taking over jobs like this?

I guess machines can't read the paper transfers.
rider / January 21, 2010 at 10:39 pm
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Free moustache rides...
reen / January 21, 2010 at 10:40 pm
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"Think of a <a href="http://spacing.ca/wire/2010/01/18/the-ttc-and-torontos-anti-idling-bylaw/";>warm and cozy place</a>"
In Japan replying to a comment from donthate / January 21, 2010 at 10:45 pm
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A job is a job. You chose to work so do the work.

Just like servers who complain about tips and not getting enough of it. There is no law about tips. So stop complaining. You knew when you signed up to be a server that you will live/die by the sword.

Guy who signed up to be a TTC employee should have known from the start that it might not be the most mind stimulating of jobs out there in the world.
Rico replying to a comment from donthate / January 21, 2010 at 10:50 pm
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Um, you take tickets for 30 years, you deserve what you get. Not this:

http://is.gd/6LRQH

Lyndon / January 21, 2010 at 10:55 pm
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zzzzzzzzz Can you believe that I'm getting overtime for this :)
gelvan / January 21, 2010 at 10:57 pm
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"lower, lower baby ...that's it"
ct / January 21, 2010 at 11:12 pm
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I'd like to comment that not all the TTC collectors are cranky disgruntled folk...there's one at the Islington station that (if there's no line-up behind me) will do a fun little magic trick (by making the money bill mysteriously "levitate") when I pay cash!
John replying to a comment from In Japan / January 21, 2010 at 11:13 pm
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Um, I only see a few fare collectors on that list, probably guys who do major overtime. Most of the jobs on that list are things like “Structure Rehabilitation Field Engineer” and “Superintendent, System Security” and “Project Manager”.
Liam replying to a comment from rider / January 21, 2010 at 11:17 pm
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the only comment on the moustache and the only one i lol'ed at. good job!
dnr / January 21, 2010 at 11:20 pm
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job for life
RKMK / January 21, 2010 at 11:21 pm
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Paid for by those who subsist on minimum wage.
k / January 21, 2010 at 11:25 pm
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Marge, change the channel...
homie / January 21, 2010 at 11:25 pm
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Marge, change the channel...
emmay / January 21, 2010 at 11:34 pm
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the funny thing is I saw this post after having fallen asleep in lecture...

the difference is i PAY my school to give me the opportunity to sleep, not the other way around.
Nazi Dog / January 21, 2010 at 11:52 pm
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I hope you are angry because you are paying for this.
Syncros / January 21, 2010 at 11:54 pm
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"My Doctor says if I lean back and breathe through my mouth with my eyes closed I'll beat the diabeetus"
bubba / January 22, 2010 at 12:08 am
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let the peasants eat cake!

muahahahaha!
Dan replying to a comment from MLJ / January 22, 2010 at 12:13 am
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This is the best one so far!
Eric replying to a comment from John / January 22, 2010 at 01:02 am
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There are at least 18 station collectors making over 100K a year.

I don't mind qualified professionals being paid what they are worth (engineers, department managers etc.). But a station collector does NOT deserve 100K+ a year.
BBird / January 22, 2010 at 02:47 am
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I was on a late night bus, 4 am, around this time last year (going north on don mills) when the BUS DRIVER fell asleep and went through a red light-- a cab driver at the intersection laid on his horn and woke him up. When he stopped, I got off and took a taxi the rest of the way home.
nitroMiner / January 22, 2010 at 05:31 am
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CAPTION: I read blogTO

- it's lite.

LOL!

Save the outrage - who hasn't had a kip on the job occasionally.
Poor chap.
yammy / January 22, 2010 at 07:08 am
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I wanna know who this guy is...Period! I bet he's hiding behind the curtains now!...lol.

CAPTION: (Family Ties Theme Song)
"I bet we been together for a million years,
And I bet we'll be together for a million more.
Oh, It's like I started breathing on the night we kissed,
And I can't remember what I ever did before.
What would we do baby, Without Us?
What would we do baby, Without Us?
And there ain't no nothing we can't love each other through.
What would we do baby, Without Us?
Sha la la la.

lol.
jack / January 22, 2010 at 07:17 am
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for god's sake, pay him more.. so he doesn't have to work as hard.. how about some donation for him too...TTC are the most hard working workers... I love ttc workers, they are so nice, kind and always helpful..i will almost invite them home for dinner... everyone should work hard like them.. they make our us proud! when i grow up, I want to be a ttc worker, selling tickets.. i bet they will still sell tickets 100 years from now
jack / January 22, 2010 at 07:19 am
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if you wake him him, will he scream and yell at you?
Hamish Grant / January 22, 2010 at 07:29 am
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I hope this isn't one of the $100K+/yr ticket collectors. Of course those guys only make that much because they were drivers for years before and hit someone committing suicide-by-train so they end up in the collector's box as it is 'light duty' and as far away from the rails as they can get them. I think even under those circumstances this is taking 'light duty' a bit too far.

Clearly this fellow is overworked from counting change and making snide remarks all day long. It's strenuous.
DrC / January 22, 2010 at 07:41 am
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"Join the Union and Never Work Another Day in Your Life!"
I love my job replying to a comment from Zach / January 22, 2010 at 07:50 am
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Next time take a sick day and sleep at home. Good for this guy. What do you think his supervisor is doing? Working. LOL LOL
Xavier replying to a comment from donthate / January 22, 2010 at 07:56 am
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A couple years ago there was a collector on the sunshine list. He pulled in 6 figures. What do you mean they don't make that much

Anyways, It was probably a trap. He was going to lock the turnstile on the next student that didn't show their card
Peter K / January 22, 2010 at 07:57 am
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"This job would be so much easier without riders"
Rico replying to a comment from BBird / January 22, 2010 at 08:03 am
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I certainly hope you reported it. Have you ever been on a vehicle where the driver is stoned? I have. Other riders walked up to the front of the streetcar to see if the guy was coherent. I phoned the cops right away. The City is waaaayyyy too lenient on these guys.
Loïc / January 22, 2010 at 08:13 am
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Id rather see him sleep in the booth than while driving the subway...
mr hate / January 22, 2010 at 08:35 am
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AHHH THE GOOD OL' PRE-BREAK NAP
agentsmith replying to a comment from donthate / January 22, 2010 at 08:48 am
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Mr donthate, you clearly lack perspective. Average paying? Keep in mind, most front-line TTC jobs require no education and little skills or training. Ticket collectors are really glorified cashiers... this guy is doing basically the same work (if not less) than someone at the counter at McDonald's or Tim Horton's, but he's getting $20+ per hour for it. That's far, FAR above average.

And expecting us to feel sympathy for him because his job is boring? Get the F outta here. Probably most people are bored at work, but the difference is most people don't have the comfort of being massively overpaid to ease the pain.
agentsmith replying to a comment from Ryan Henson Creighton / January 22, 2010 at 08:49 am
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This one's the winner.
MBM / January 22, 2010 at 08:56 am
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This is par for the course, yesterday at Bloor & Yonge, there was a TTC collector sitting on the Northbound platform about 10 feet away from the collection box talking to one of the cleaners, everyone was walking through not putting in fares, he couldn't have cared less. I'm sick of hearing how stressful their jobs are, they are lazy - thanks to the Union protection - apathetic - thanks again to their Union - inept - all their own doing and are incredibly RUDE. There used to be a woman collector at St. Clair who took forever to make change because she couldn't add - she has to use a calculator for EVERY transaction, it caused long line ups and frustration at the first of the month. This sleeping picture is not just an isolated incident......
snapto / January 22, 2010 at 08:57 am
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" I hope my union dues are up to date.........."
Randy / January 22, 2010 at 08:58 am
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"ZZZZZZ./... Freedom 55....ZZZZZ.... Freedom 55.... ZZZZ....."
D / January 22, 2010 at 09:05 am
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Someone take this guy's pulse because I think he is bored to death! I hope he has not been in this position for long as the flies will soon lay their eggs and he'll be left with a mouth full of maggots. Speaking of maggots, this is proof that he fits right in there with all the other over-paid under-worked maggots that profess to be the "Better Way." Kudos to the person that took this picture!
MadMal / January 22, 2010 at 09:06 am
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"Damn riders ... ruining muh naps ... complain to the union ... zzzzzzzzzzzz ..."
Matty / January 22, 2010 at 09:23 am
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"Damn! I'm so good at this job that I can do it with my eyes closed!"
BigZs / January 22, 2010 at 09:32 am
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There's an attendant at Queen Station who is frequently asleep too, to the point that people try to wake him up and when they can't, they go through without paying fare. I should take a picture next time to add to this collection! You would think they could afford Redbull or coffee on their pay...
B-Rad / January 22, 2010 at 09:33 am
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"Oh boy, sleep! That's where I'm a viking".
Rico replying to a comment from BigZs / January 22, 2010 at 09:42 am
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How about a collection of TTC & Toronto "employee" picture/video evidence that they do very little? Now THAT would be a great collection of items that would demonstrate how lazy these union people are.
Randt / January 22, 2010 at 09:48 am
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Thhis comes from JP C posting at the Globe & Mail today: TTC - Too Tired to Care.

Brilliant
Robert / January 22, 2010 at 09:50 am
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Here's my caption for the photo:

"Bob Kinnear is so hot - wish I had his hair"
Bobby replying to a comment from Heather / January 22, 2010 at 09:52 am
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I enjoy this one:)

Although what time was this picture taken? Was it like 11pm? I think we have all fallen asleep at our desk once in our working lives no?
spyder / January 22, 2010 at 09:56 am
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"Moustache rides $1"
Rico replying to a comment from Randt / January 22, 2010 at 09:56 am
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LOL. Take The Catnap.

Bobby: My buddy said it perfectly: What job in the world would pay you to have your feet up while "earning"? As much as I wouldn't like their job, have some respect for the city of Toronto. Would you expect this type of behaviour in Tokyo or Paris? London? Not even close. Too many Canadians never left that 1970's rock n' roll mullet mentality.
Randy replying to a comment from Bobby / January 22, 2010 at 09:58 am
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No Bobby, I don't think many of us have fallen asleep at work! It's call theft. You are stealing your employer's time by not doing your job. In many organizations, it is grounds for dismissal.
DS / January 22, 2010 at 10:06 am
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I wonder how many people are stealing from their employers by posting here during work hours...
ha! replying to a comment from donthate / January 22, 2010 at 10:07 am
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thats why people should pursue higher education. it's accessible to all who live in Canada and takes just a little effort. that way you won't end up complaining about a mind numbing job, if you actually do use your mind!
Sunshine / January 22, 2010 at 10:10 am
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The following TTC station collectors made over $100,000 in 2007 for sitting on their butts and making change for tokens.

1. AWDHAN, CATERPAUL - $109,611.86 + $3,010.91
2. BARNHOUSE, ELKE - $102,731.27 + $2,793.31
3. BARREIRO, CANDIDO - $104,246.94 + $2,437.21
4. BOVE, ANGELO - $106,071.39 + $2,437.21
5. CHADWICK, GLENN - $105,900.59 + $2,052.45
6. COLLIER, CECILIA - $106,242.37 + $2,507.21
7. DEFINA, FRANK - $104,312.18 - $2,437.21
8. DEZILVA, DERRICK - $103,401.04 + $2,437.21
9. DINYARIAN, MINA - $111,282.86 + $2,437.21
10. DSOUZA, CARLOS - $110,577.84 + $2,462.56
11. GAUCI, NEIL - $108,165.76 + $2,437.21
12. GRECH, JOAN - $103,265.76 + $2,442.96
13. GUZZO, FRANK - $101,932.10 + $2,437.21
14. HIGGINS, JAMES - $101,548.90 + $2,437.21
15. JAVED, MOHAMMED - $107,283.98 + $2,874.86
16. MCGLENNON, ALLAN - $102,406.78 + $2,740.26
17. MORITZ, EVA - $108,404.88 + $2,437.21
18. PALAYATHIL, VINITA - $112,392.53 + $1,055.63
19. SACHDEV, KIRAN - $125,247.19 + $2,089.33
20. SALEEMI, YASIN - $112,371.14 + $2,496.66
21. WAYLEN, RICHARD - $103,109.38 + $2,955.91

For the 2008 list, go to Public Sector Salary Disclosure 2009 (Disclosure for 2008) : Municipalities and Services http://bit.ly/1g7Itg

I'm all for a "living wage", as someone above mentioned, but when you pay someone with no skills and no education MORE THAN TWICE as much as the average Canadian in that education bracket earns, you devalue the education and skillset of everyone else in society.

If a TTC station collector with no education and no skills earns $100k, then by rights a firefighter should earn $200k and a pharmacist should earn $300k and so on. Soon, the average meal at a restaurant would cost $200, a movie ticket for one person would be $40, the average apartment rent in Toronto would be $3000/mo and so on.

Aside from the inflationary effects of ridiculously higher salaries, there is the humiliation that we, as TTC riders and as taxpayers, have to bear whenever we fork over $3 for a token or $120 for a metropass to wait for the seven streetcar convoys or travel through crumbling subway stations on our way to our measly $44k/yr jobs.
averageblogtoposter / January 22, 2010 at 10:13 am
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HURRRR IMMA MAKE A JOKE, HEARD TTC WORKERS PULL IN A HUNDRED BILLION A YEAR LOL MAYBE HE'S THINKIN ABOUT HIS UNION OR SUMFIN. OR LIKE HE'S DREAMIN ABOUT OVERTIME MAYBE. HAAAA. MAN I BET NO ONE HAS EVEN THOUGHT ABOUT SAYING THIS JOKE.

[INSERT WIDE, SWEEPING GENERALIZATION AND OVER EXAGGERATION]

-YR AVERAGEBLOGTO MOUTHBREATHER
BS replying to a comment from DS / January 22, 2010 at 10:13 am
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Can we count you among that number, DS?
Take The Cab replying to a comment from averageblogtoposter / January 22, 2010 at 10:22 am
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Get back to work, booth-boy. You got tickets to not take, questions to not answer, and customers to snarl at.
Thomas / January 22, 2010 at 10:27 am
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This employee has probably fallen ill, yet he still continues to come to work. We should all praise him for his hardworking personality!
B-rad replying to a comment from Thomas / January 22, 2010 at 10:34 am
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We really work our ticket collectors to the point of exhaustion don't we?
Ary / January 22, 2010 at 10:42 am
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"I'm so overworked and underpaid...zzzz"
exlibris / January 22, 2010 at 10:52 am
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Heh, I've seen this guy at Davisville a few times. Davisville is TTC HQ, so presumably he's on his best behaviour there, but McCowan at 9:30 at night is more or less a tomb, so I can't say I'm surprised he pulled that there. I can guarantee he picked up an extra shift there, racking up hours as the union bases your pension on your best three years or so of salary, so that's why you see these oldtimers pulling in long hours just before they retire, the difference in their pension outlay being somewhere on the order of thousands of dollars per year. So basically he'll probably be called in, get a three-day suspension, and then hopefully offered retirement. Or not. My guess is he'll tell the TTC to f-off, and threaten to take it to arbitration.

Collectors by and large (with exception) fall into the following categories: injured, chronic confrontations with customers, too many accidents operating a vehicle, previous suspensions, and basically problem employees that division superintendents would rather not deal with. It truly is a dumping ground for the misfits who can rack up easy overtime. He's got the classic "Louie De Palma" look to him too: sloppy, slovenly hair, undone tie, the whole nine yards. Some days I've seen him unshaven, like he just tied one on too many the previous night. Among other things the union has totally succeeded in watering down even a minimum of uniform adherence, so you get one driver who looks neat and professional, and the next covered in ATU 113 gear who looks like he's out for a jog.
hung / January 22, 2010 at 10:59 am
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'I hope no one takes a pic zzzz of me and...posts it on the.. inter zzzzzzzzzz'
MrsPotato / January 22, 2010 at 11:08 am
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that looks like a sweet ass job!
i could do that job!
really, i could!!!
averageblogtoposter / January 22, 2010 at 11:08 am
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I HEARD THE ONLY WAY TO GET MOVED TO A COLLECTOR POSITION IS IF YOU PHYSICALLY ASSAULT AT LEAST 7.5 CUSTOMERS. THIS GUY DIDN'T EVEN SHAVE THIS ONE TIME AND THAT TOTALLY MEANS THAT HE IS A DRUNKARD!!!!!!1

I HAVE ANOTHER JOKE FOR THE CAPTION: "AH RELAXING AT WORK HAEHAEHAEH CAN'T WAIT TO GET PAID FOR THIS! A VICTIMLESS CRIME! ZZZZZZZZZ.." LOL
Mark / January 22, 2010 at 11:32 am
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"Monica, just don't stain your dress - again.
Dustin replying to a comment from MISSISSAUGAWATCH / January 22, 2010 at 11:52 am
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@MISSISSAUGAWATCH - did you write a caption criticizing people who write captions? I hope it's a joke, then it's funny. If not, it's sad.
Ian replying to a comment from Sunshine / January 22, 2010 at 11:55 am
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Great detective work Sunshine.
These Unionized "workers" are waaayyyy overpaid, what a joke!
Rico replying to a comment from Ian / January 22, 2010 at 12:02 pm
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http://is.gd/6LRQH updated LOL
Lazy A$$ / January 22, 2010 at 12:03 pm
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I heard on the morning news that this TTC Collector has heart problems and is on medication for it (that was the explanation for dude's napping). Didn't know heart meds could make you drowsy enough not to be able to function. If he's that sick, why didn't he just take advantage of his Union-paid sick days - or long-term disability insurance? Oh...is that because he doesn't qualify for leave with his current condition? Well...which is it? He can't work or he can?
valkaholic / January 22, 2010 at 12:09 pm
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hey let's all check out how much these guys make!!!
http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/en/publications/salarydisclosure/2009/munic09.html
that's right...at least 548 people at the TTC make OVER $100,000!!
this includes 21 'Station Collectors' like this clown; sign me up baby!
Shana / January 22, 2010 at 12:12 pm
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Caption:

A trip to the Dominican Republic sounds nice this time of year......
fat_pig73 / January 22, 2010 at 12:50 pm
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No need for a customer-service committee, if the entire system had this comfy chair noone would complain any more...zzzz
DH / January 22, 2010 at 12:52 pm
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Caption - "I sure wish Giambrone was tea-bagging me right now"
Saman R replying to a comment from Zach / January 22, 2010 at 01:14 pm
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I just pulled an all-nighter, give me a break forlks... after all, I get ONLY paid $30 an hour......
Saman R replying to a comment from Zach / January 22, 2010 at 01:19 pm
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OH I forgot...my union boss, thank you for saving my butt.
Saman R replying to a comment from MJF / January 22, 2010 at 01:23 pm
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Yo folks, I just pulled an all-nighter, give me a break OK, after all I ONLY get paid $30 an hour........
Mike / January 22, 2010 at 01:25 pm
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Please go through turnstile slowly and quietly. I'm sleeping.
Quiet Collector Zone
What time is it? Holy crap I was done an hour ago!
Anonymous / January 22, 2010 at 01:32 pm
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At least we know what the Union's reaction is...BLAME THE PUBLIC:

http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2010/22/c3221.html
DS replying to a comment from Lazy A$$ / January 22, 2010 at 01:36 pm
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Because believe it or not, the TTC likes to force their employees back to work early. They also like to with hold sick benefits and make their employees jump through hoops to get what's entitled to them. I've heard that the TTC's claims advisor doesn't even have a background in insurance or medicine and orders people back to work just days after suffering injuries requiring surgery!

I am not defending him but perhaps maybe this guy just figured that it's easier on his heart to go back to work than deal with the TTC's management. Maybe he's got crap going on in his life that made making money imperative, instead of having to wait weeks for the union to settle his grievance.

...Just sayin'...

D-Bag / January 22, 2010 at 01:42 pm
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Caption - "I hope people like my Jersey Shore wrist ban"
AHat replying to a comment from DS / January 22, 2010 at 01:44 pm
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Oh ya...that is the sleeping pose i usually take when im ill or under so much stress, recovering from surgery, blah, blah, blah.
Legs up, hands folded comfortably, head tilted back.
Yup....he definitly had something wrong with him.
redrockets / January 22, 2010 at 01:48 pm
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ahhhhh.....time to make the tax dollars do thier work.....zzzzzZZZZZZzzzzz
I love my job replying to a comment from I love my job / January 22, 2010 at 02:36 pm
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Caption- " Im working overtime tomorrow morning and i need my rest for another day of hard work" can you say double time.
Matt DiSero / January 22, 2010 at 02:36 pm
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Comment should read : 542 days til retirement
FOFF / January 22, 2010 at 02:43 pm
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Caption - "I hope someone punches me in the face till I bleed out and die for stealing taxpayers hard earned money and fuking over everyone. Im a worthless piece of sh*t who is destined to burn in hell for what I just did. And i sure hope my c*cksucker of a union head Kinnear joins me there so he can butt f*ck me as we roll around in our millions"
Rico replying to a comment from Anonymous / January 22, 2010 at 03:09 pm
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Actually, he's a union member. I'm sure everybody that passed the booth knew he was unconscious from the neck up. That's what union means. Let me guess, this will be grounds for increased wages, in order to afford monkeys that assist employees by poking them every 15 minutes? Why don't we just hire the monkeys to take tokens? HEY, THAT'S THE ANSWER! Hire monkeys! You know, the ones that got proper training into how to peel a banana, scratch one's own ass, etc. That way the union can be employed to solve the pothole crisis by lying down in them.
sze replying to a comment from taxpayer / January 22, 2010 at 03:12 pm
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Totally agree with you!! I guarantee you there are more TTC workers making $100 000 in 2009 than 2008. You should see there are 30 street cars running in a 15 minutes route on Spadina Ave. The first street car is 80% full and follows with the next 5 street cars with 20 passengers in each. These street cars are line up one after the other.
The unhappy tax payer
KL / January 22, 2010 at 03:37 pm
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How about forcing old "sick" employees into retirement so a younger person can serve the public with a fucking smile?
Rico replying to a comment from KL / January 22, 2010 at 03:47 pm
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You kidding me? You ever take the King Car with that black guy who is just rude as fark? I'd put a team together to blackmail (pun, sorry) this guy out of a job. He deserves it huge, as I'm sure other TTC employees do. There's another driver on the King line that thinks King Street belongs to him. So I give him the kind donation of a view of my finger every time I see the bastard. Young or old, it doesn't matter. Unbelievable TTC "operators" of all types.
sylvestb / January 22, 2010 at 03:52 pm
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Dear Mr. Kinnear:
Thank you for demonstrating how out of touch with reality you and your union really are.
According to your release, the TTC is finding fault with its riders rather than its employee who is, given his approximate age, making around $35 per hour to sleep.
I would argue about 90% (or more) of the folks who ride the TTC don't make that kind of money. Your riders post photos like this or don't care about your employees because it's obvious you don't care about us or your jobs.
Respect breeds respect and many TTC employees disrespect riders daily. This photo is a great example. What if a rider was being attacked on the platform? Or even in front of the booth? This TTC official was either too lazy or too unhealthy to be in a position to do something about it.
So, Mr. Kinnear, clean up your own house before you start telling us how to treat people who obviously don't don't know how or care how to treat us.
BS
Matthew / January 22, 2010 at 05:36 pm
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Caption for the picture (and without the thought bubble):

One of the most enticing installations at Come Up To My Room is an exact replica of the McCowan TTC booth, complete with a sleeping collector. The "Sleeping Collector," the artist says, "speaks to our need to find a collective 'time-out' in this occasionally inhuman city." Visitors are invited to try to "wake up" the collector by rapping on the glass.
right wing mojo / January 22, 2010 at 06:54 pm
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"diabetes...forgot to...zzzz"

or

"recession...bills...overtime..."

or, more likely (and truthfully)

"like you wouldn't take advantage of this too, you petty-bourgeois scum"
WhaWhaWha / January 22, 2010 at 07:55 pm
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Homer Simpson's work exchange program was going so well until....
FBP replying to a comment from canadense / January 22, 2010 at 09:44 pm
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Machines can't babysitt people and answer their stupid questions. I take the transit everyday and I would not want to deal with some of the stupid people that these guys have to deal with. The idiot who took the picture probably should have knocked on the window and asked if the guy was okay, who knows if he has a medical conditon or not. People treat TTC workers like machines and as for the booth being closed professional sign or not human beings need to use the washroom. Some of you people sound like a bunch of whining babies and I couldn't imagine having to deal with people like you all day. Leave the guy alone and get a life.
Rico replying to a comment from FBP / January 23, 2010 at 03:29 am
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Riiiiiiiight. Actually, the information system will be part of everybody's nature in a matter of less than 20 years, and the paper generation will be gone. And, it's not like the current jerkoffs employed...see picture above...are of any help. And to you, the guy that took the picture was an idiot. Who says he didn't? Not like the bozo in the booth actually knew who took the picture, right? TTC workers are treated like they deserve, probably out of reputation. And, I only complain, not "whine". Complain is justification. Whining is unjustified bitching. You know, like a union thing. The problem with TTC employees is that they create their own crap. Overpayment. Strikes. Bad attitude. Let me guess...you missed this collective opinion? Our lives are fine. We stick up for those that have to face your idiotic crap. Sorry to drag you away for 23 minutes to construct that paragraph.
Brian / January 23, 2010 at 07:19 am
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"I'm dreaming of Bob Kinnear." That man knows how to cover another mans butt. To suggest that passersby knock on the glass because this employee might be incurring a medical emergency is laughable. Only a union boss could come up with such a line to cover a members incompetence. He's basically suggesting that if you observe anyone sleeping in plain view (which this is soooo obvious), that you should wake them. Imagine all the irrate people on the beach if you did that. Instead of Bob Kinnear making a statement such as "We will launch an investigation." he immediately jumps to an insane conclusion that this man needed help. No, he didn't need help. He needed to be reprimanded. It makes me sick to think my tax dollars go to pay for these public union fat cats.
Brian replying to a comment from donthate / January 23, 2010 at 07:29 am
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For "donthate"... You're point is useless and silly. People are fed up with the daily examples of public employees ripping off their employer (us!). Perhaps this individual is being singled out, but I've seen too many instances of abuse. I remember seeing 6 Toronto Hydro trucks on a site to repair whatever. The total crew must have numbered 10 to 12 men. Two were working. The others just stood around and drank coffee and watched the other two. This was not a drive-by on my part. I was able to observe them for several minutes. It happened to be July 1st of last year. A stat holiday. Just think of the O/T money these guys were making.
Brian replying to a comment from FBP / January 23, 2010 at 07:32 am
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FBP? I would swear you are Bob Kinnear. Your statement wreaks of a union lacky or leader.
meg / January 23, 2010 at 08:23 am
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Looks like the "No Pass Back" sign is facing the wrong direction! im glad the workers are putting the fare increase to good use!
meg / January 23, 2010 at 08:30 am
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Looks like the "No Pass Back" rule only applies to us travelers. Good to see our Increased Fare has been out to good use!
Louis / January 23, 2010 at 10:33 am
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Here's my appropriate caption:

"Better asleep than awake. Awake, I'm rude and will tell you off."
Danene / January 23, 2010 at 12:39 pm
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Perhaps the people should consider the working conditions for these employees. Did this man have a break? Do they get a lunch? Sometimes working additional 4-8 hours, leaves you very tired. The TTC needs to step up and make sure the employees have safe and fair working conditions. Give this guy a break, ask questions before you pass judgement. Does he have a medical condition? Perhaps if we gave 1/2 as much compassion as we do critizism, the world would be a better place. I for one wish I had seen this man, I would of made sure he was OK, and asked if he could use a coffee.
meg / January 23, 2010 at 01:14 pm
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do you perhaps work for TTC? I for one have NEVER fallen asleep at a job. If i need a break,food coffee, I make sure to prepare. work conditions? he sits in a booth!! not to undermine this mans job, but this man is the reason why our fare increases! how many people did not have to pay for transit during his "nap time? this is totally unacceptable.
Mark / January 23, 2010 at 04:01 pm
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"After jerking off over David Miller, I need to sleep a little zzzzz."
Matthew replying to a comment from Danene / January 23, 2010 at 07:07 pm
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Danene, I think the problem with why people aren't giving this particular guy a break is because he's waaaaaay too emblematic of a dysfunctional transit system. This man's job shouldn't even exist (and doesn't exist in every other major city on the planet), and yet people like him are being paid upwards of $100,000 a year. It is this kind of waste that drives people who take the TTC nuts, especially when the service is so terrible, and there have been no major system improvements in the downtown core in decades.

If the TTC worked well, none of us would really mind the occasional snooze. It doesn't, so the snoozers take the shit. Simple as that.
Tigger821 replying to a comment from Sunshine / January 23, 2010 at 10:45 pm
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AHHH Sunshine,

First off I would like to ask you what Skills and education do you have. Do not judge a book by its cover. There are a lot of people in the TTC that have a great education and they are trained very well in this job. No I am not a TTC employee, but I happen to know a few people within the TTC and they are very pleasant and smart people. Not all of them make the 100K that you are referring to. They make base salary just under 60K a year. So that means in order to make that 100K that you speak of they will have to make about $40k more in overtime. This in turn gives them no life. Out of approx 10,000 unionized workers, there are only about 21 from your list that are making over 100K. For all the crap that the transit drivers put up with (all the verbal harassment, getting spit at by people, threatened and getting called racist on a daily basis, I'm glad that they are getting paid this much. I heard that the TTC is hiring, so if you can handle all these things that I have mentioned and pass numerous testing and driving skills(which would most likely be a problem for you seeing your taking public transit) than by all means go an apply. And if you don't get a call, this probably means that they have called someone with more education then yourself.

:)
Sze replying to a comment from Sunshine / January 24, 2010 at 01:24 am
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Totally agree with you. Thank you for your info.
$400 per day / January 24, 2010 at 10:07 am
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To the people that say they do not make $400 per day, grab a calculator.

Maybe not all of them do, but the ones that take all the extra shifts and overtime do. Funny how the ones who work all those extra hours would likely be the ones that are sleeping on the job.

Lets say a collector makes $106,000 per year. You figure the average wok year consists of 250 work days. $106.000/250= $424

Not only that, you get a spineless twerp that will defend you for sleeping at your job.
Malcolm Tucker replying to a comment from Matthew / January 24, 2010 at 10:27 am
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Seconded, and I would also add that, coming off yet another recently imposed fare-hike, the timing of this incident is brilliant. That's what has people riled up, not the fact this poor schmuck was caught napping on the job, but how the public is forking out more money for crappier service, and the people running said service are asleep at the switch, and attacking the public for complaining about that fact.
FBP replying to a comment from Matthew / January 24, 2010 at 12:11 pm
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Have you been to every other major city on the planet?
Tigger821 replying to a comment from $400 per day / January 24, 2010 at 12:15 pm
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may I remind you that out of that $424 per day that these people are "SUPPOSE" to be making. Their are taxes..... probably about 50% of that is taken out as taxes. Spineless twerp you say.... I'm not saying that they should be falling asleep on the job. I'm not saying that falling asleep is right... that should NOT have happened. All I'm saying that is that there could be some extenuating circumstances that might have caused this. Also I'm trying to state is that even a lawyer could fall asleep on the job. You can't judge someone's level of education by wether or not they fall asleep. And please this SUNSHINE is probably someone that couldn't get hired by the TTC. Imature comments is all.
FBP / January 24, 2010 at 04:02 pm
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Who is running this mickey mouse outfit anyway? First the TTC announces a fare hike two months before, than spends money to print temporary tickets to avoid the hoarding of tokens. This all started because they claim that they do not have sufficient funds to run the system, again, so they spend what must have been millions to print temporary tickets. The expiry date on the tickets was Jan 03/10 but then we were told that we could use them until the end of Jan with an additional quarter. I observed supervisory pesonel out in the system enforcing the quarter, maybe they were on overtime too. First the tickets were non refundable, non returnable after Jan 31/10. I inquired two days ago and was told by a collector, who was awake by the way, that we would be able to return old tickets to Yonge and Bloor as well as head office at Davisville. Now I hear on the news that the TTC has decided to extend the date of expiry on old tickets and will refund them. They have listened to their customers and want to provide good service. That's crap! They knew all along that they would be doing this. Don't forget the TTC is not well managed at all and they will only tell you what they want you to know, most of the time they don't even tell their employees what is going on and leave them out there with very little protection from angry and disatisfied customers. Next time think about it, this is all coming from some very educated politicians who should do their job and set a good example for the rest of the employees. Remember if shit flows down were do the customers fit into all this.

Nobody should sleep on the job, I completely agree but these people have families and communities that they have to live in. Imagine if your cubicle had windows and cameras and you couldn't even blow your nose or have any kind of privacy. Nobody is perfect. It is easy to judge others but those who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Yes, I know a few people that work there and I have heard their horrible stories of human behaviour. As a transit user I have seen many as well so the next you run over an elderly person or a small child to get to the platform and ultimately end up on the same train, think about that.
Joe Basher replying to a comment from $400 per day / January 24, 2010 at 04:35 pm
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Your wage numbers are just that a guess no where near the bankers on Bay street that screwed a lot of pension funds lets take there picture.

Joe
social activist / January 24, 2010 at 05:37 pm
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I always said that the unions are lazy and crazy....and get paid to sit on their ass and sleep on the job while bullying the Toronto taxpayers....what a disgrace...meanwhile more pictures are turning up....These people are out of control
angry taxpayer / January 24, 2010 at 05:52 pm
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Let me see...this guy according to the Union is allowed to sleep while Toronto taxpayers and businesses working 6 to 7 days...some people have 2 jobs plus....the bum should be fired...I am tired of these unions...sitting on their asses...getting paid to do nothing..
FBP / January 24, 2010 at 06:46 pm
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The next time you see someone jumping a turnstile or trying to cheat the system, say something,after all it is you taxpayers dollars. The next time someone puts a dime in the box and insists that they put in a full fare, say something, protect your taxpayers dollars. Instead, people look at the employee like they have done something wrong. Your dammed if you do and dammed if you don't.
Brian / January 24, 2010 at 10:24 pm
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re: tigger821. You're a moron. No one pays 50% in taxes. There are several ticket collectors that make >$100k in 2008. Add another 5% since then for their guaranteed raises. How many do you think make >$80k a year? I'll bet $50, there's more than 30. Yeah, collecting fares and selling tokens is a tough job. Boo freakin hoo. I really like Bob Kinnears' spin on this. "Why didn't anyone knock on the glass to see if this man needed assistance." That would be the same reason you don't wake somebody up for snoozing on the beach. Cuz they're snoozing. It is obvious to anyone but a union jerk that this is what occurred. I've hated public unions since I was old enough to know about them. All they do is hold the public hostage for more more more money, 20+ bankable sickdays, job security to the point you couldn't get rid of them if they committed murder on the job.
Tigger821 replying to a comment from Brian / January 24, 2010 at 11:17 pm
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20+ Bankable sick days..... Give me a break. The TTC only has 5 sick days per year( which are NOT bankable).The standard as most jobs. Collectors are not allowed to read a book, listen to music, read the newspaper. All they can do is sit in their booth and collect the fares of the people travelling on the TTC. Most of them do not even take their breaks because if they do and someone steals their money, they are accountable for it and it will be deducted from their paychecks. Perhaps the person caught sleeping was not feeling that great and took some medication that caused this drowsyness. Like I said before no one is perfect and by the way Brian what is your profession. I for one use my brain at work. I have seen numerous security guards sleeping on the job (not TTC)and it has not drawn this much attention. I'm sure a lot of sleeping on the job goes around with out anyone noticing. It's just because of the recent fare hike and that they are out in the public eye. If you compare the other transit systems like york and durham, the TTC fares are comparible. Try getting into a cab and see how far $3.00 will take you... not even one block. For $3.00 you can get from one end to the other end of the city. You people who live in the city are so spoiled when it comes to transit. Try living out in Durham where you have to wait 1 hour between buses. Just because the bus/streetcar is late, is not the drivers fault. It is the fault of how many cars and stupid drivers that hold up the traffic, preventing the buses from making it on time. Spoiled brats. !!!!! Why is it Brian that you are so mad with the TTC. Have you been rejected or failed the testing to become a TTC employee?
IS HE OK?!?!?!?! / January 25, 2010 at 01:29 am
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IS HE OK!?!??!!
Randy replying to a comment from IS HE OK?!?!?!?! / January 25, 2010 at 08:21 pm
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He is fine. The look on the ticket collector's face is actually rapture: he has his pants down around his amkles, and is sitting in a warm salt water bath, tending to his enormous, juicy hemorrhoids.
areyoutracey replying to a comment from Tigger821 / January 25, 2010 at 08:29 pm
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"Collectors are not allowed to read a book, listen to music, read the newspaper."

Really? Because I see this happening regularly and I don't even take the TTC that often!

Maybe everyone who witnesses these types of infractions (and I'm guessing most TTC riders have) should take a picture and submit it to TTC management, the Chair and also blogTO or some other publication. I'd be interested to see how many of these types of pictures turn up...
katdog / January 25, 2010 at 08:58 pm
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What is the problem here? Are you soo bored with your own life that you have to start judging others. What do you know about the TTC or about what the Drivers, collectors and others have to go through every day just to get your sorry, ungrateful ass to work every day? Grow up and get a life. When you yourself are so perfect and never make a mistake ever then you have the right to throw stones and judge others. Unless you are God! Oh I am sorry you probably actually think you are......
getalife replying to a comment from katdog / January 25, 2010 at 09:56 pm
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katdog, I just got back from a country where armed robbery of buses occurs and the average wage is $200 per MONTH. Despite this, every driver I encountered was friendly and went out of their way to help people - whether it be helping elderly onto the bus, loading large bags for people, making sure people didn't miss their stops, etc. I'm sorry, but I just don't buy your excuses.

PS - regarding judging others, you do realize you are a hypocrite, right?
Praxis / January 25, 2010 at 10:51 pm
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For all those people that are defending this guy ... why is it so hard to see that the beef that EVERYONE has is not really with George Robitaille and his powernap, but with the TTC and their systemic abuse of the public?

Less than TWO years ago, the TTC went on strike.

Less than TWO MONTHS ago, they decide to increase fares.

In that amount of time, the service hasn't gotten any better. In fact, some would argue that it's gotten WORSE.

SleepHead Robitaille just epitomizes what is wrong with the TTC and Bobby Kinnear's sentiment, lashing out at the photographer, is prime example of the contempt that the UNION has for the people that (partially at least) pays their firken wages.

Smarten up, people. It's NOT about bashing George. It's about the PERCEIVED injustice of eking out a living, earning less than even the BASE TTC salary of $60,000/yr, facing fare hike after fare hike only to be presented with such an unabashedly blatant slap to the face as SLEEPING ON THE TAXPAYER'S DIME.

Kapish?

Fark.. some people can so thick sometimes. Utterly blows my mind.
Jeremy / January 26, 2010 at 03:00 am
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NAP TIME ! Now you're TOKEN !
FBP / January 26, 2010 at 09:30 am
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What goes around comes around. Karma is a bitch, don't forget that.

Next station, "it's all about me" now arriving at "it's all about me."
c'est moi / January 26, 2010 at 10:04 am
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Get over it people - many white collar workers fall asleep at their desks daily and make just as much or more of your tax dollars. Besides, there are many many hard working TTC employees who are now receiving very unjust treatment as a result of this dope. And BTW, TTC employees who have made more than $100,000 have only done so by working hours of overtime. Work harder, get paid more. Simple and just. Not every union worker is there because he's lazy. Not every union worker wants to be under the union blanket being criticized by ignorant passangers. Be annoyed at the right people, you look like idiots with your constant hollier than thou attitudes.
carolyn replying to a comment from Tigger821 / January 26, 2010 at 10:10 am
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well said. And any TTC employee who has made $100,000 has done so by working overtime. Work harder, get paid more. Simple and fair. See how far you get criticizing white collar gov't workers who sleep at their desk, eat lunch on your money or take time off for anything and everything. I would say much more in defense of the honest employees but it would be wasted because people enjoy feeling self righteous and damning anyone who is an easy target. Get a life or a job or something to occupy time so that you don't need to hunt down people who are working and not living off unemployment. (Ever occur to anyone he might have been sick and unable to take time off)
Take The Car / January 26, 2010 at 11:33 am
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Just riding the rocket...and looking forward to my next raise...
too much / January 26, 2010 at 01:16 pm
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Okay - so the guy F*cked up. But haven't we all? Are we all so righteous that we go to work and never make any mistakes? We all do it - some bigger then others. But, the last time YOU made a mistake at work, did someone take a picture and post it all over the internet. Not only is this guy probably humilitated, but he has a family who is suffering from this too.
Do I think that what he did is right? NO - not in the least. But, since when did we all become judge and jury of others? Yes, the guy probably makes a lot of money - but he also drove a bus for a long time and was credited a few years back for saving a life. Do you know how much abuse these bus drivers suffer? Have you ever been spit at, punched, yelled at or told off because you requested that someone pay for what they were getting? See - everyone bitches about the customer service that they get from the TTC - but when it comes down to paying their fare - tell me - how many of you haven't ripped the system off? Who has really always paid their way everytime? And, if a driver asks you to pay your fare - well then, the driver is an Ass - isn't he. Poor customer service skills. Makes too much money.
Next time your cable goes out, I would like to see you post a picture of someone at the cable company who f*c*ed up. Post it on the internet and spread it all around. You pay an insane amount of money for cable, and their rates climb constantly - and they are MAKING money. Don't think the cable guys are making a good wage??? Think again.
Did you know that it costs $3.25 in Ottawa to take the bus? And, if you want to take an express bus (something akin to the subway with fewer stops) you have to pay a premium? They have a light rail system in one part of their city, but no subway. Their transit system is no where as near advanced as the TTC, yet the riders there pay more.
Sometimes you just have to realize that people screw up. I hope when it's your turn to make a mistake you don't get publicly burned at the stake.
wtf replying to a comment from too much / January 26, 2010 at 01:19 pm
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Ottawa?
That is a backwoods outpost?
The two cities transit systems have nothing in common.
too much replying to a comment from Brian / January 26, 2010 at 01:31 pm
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You should really research this before you speak. TTC employees get 5 days off a year. After 3 days they need to submit a doctors note. If they go past the 5 days they have to submit a doctors note. They do not get full pay when they are off sick - and if they are off for an extended period they get 70% (or less of their pay). So, say, some moron gets made because they are trying to get a free ride on the bus, and the driver refuses (ooohhh...bad customer service...no free rides) and the guy punches him in the face and breaks his nose...well, the driver takes off two weeks, at reduced pay, because moron didn't want to cop up the $3 for his ride.
Yes, TTC drivers make a lot of money. But this is the average for this type of job. Mississauga, Durham, York - those drivers make about the same. Do they have to deal with the downtown driving of Toronto streets, or the possibility that someone is going to end their life in front of their subway? You might think they make easy money - but I would suggest you ride the Queen car on night, or the Vomit Comet (the Yonge bus) on a Saturday night. Then, in your happiest, most customer serving voice - do it all again.
T T ZZZZZZ replying to a comment from too much / January 26, 2010 at 01:36 pm
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Nice to see the TTC Brownshirt Brigade show up late to the party to defend their crappy service. I guess they would've been here sooner but they were napping.
FBP replying to a comment from T T ZZZZZZ / January 26, 2010 at 01:56 pm
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Very mature! You just confirmed it. The picture is out and it is done but some of you people keep proving it over and over that you are ignorant and imature. People cheat the system all the time wether or not a collector is present and awake, lets post that all over the internet. It is sad how low some people will stoop to not pay a fare. There is no pride, dignity or self respect anymore. Many of you so called self righteous hard working well deserving citizens are some of the biggest cheats, (you know who you are) and you judge! Put your blackberry down, take those things out of your ears and pay attention.


T T ZZZZZZ replying to a comment from FBP / January 26, 2010 at 02:13 pm
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Well, dumbass, you keep bringing the point up and beating it to death again, and again, and again, don't you?

Reposting under different handles doesn't change the fact.
Don't wake me up / January 26, 2010 at 03:28 pm
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When they raise the token price to $6 I will need to sleep only half of the time I sleep now. That is called the TTC productivity.
You paid me for a ride -- I don't care / January 26, 2010 at 03:32 pm
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When they raise the token price to $6 I will need to sleep only half of the time I sleep now. That is called the TTC productivity.
TTC Power / January 26, 2010 at 05:00 pm
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When they raise the token price to $6 I will need to sleep only half of the time I sleep now. That is called the TTC productivity.
sleepy head / January 27, 2010 at 01:37 am
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TTC Union rules -- Toronto pays.... union rules - Toronto pays...union rules -- Toronto pays... ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!!!!
FBP / January 27, 2010 at 08:19 am
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What's the matter T T ZZZZZZ did the shoe fit?
Bob / January 27, 2010 at 09:42 pm
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"ZZZZ....me and Kinnear, sitting in a tree...P-A-Y-M-E...ZZZZ";
Bob / January 27, 2010 at 09:44 pm
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But seriously, just like Kinnear says, how dare the photographer not see if he was okay? He clearly needs a pillow!! This is the photographer's fault.

...or at least, thats what I think Kinnear meant to say...
Rob replying to a comment from too much / February 2, 2010 at 10:19 am
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Sure, everyone makes mistakes from time to time. The problem people have with this particular mistake is that it epitomizes a general, systemic problem. People are angry about this sleeping collector picture because it epitomizes the general state of the system, not because they want to beat up on this particular guy. People are angry because this picture clearly expresses how they feel about the general level of service they are provided each and every day when they walk through the turnstiles.

For years I supported public transit as the number one way to travel, but I have been worn down to a nub by the rude and ineffective service offered by the TTC. Over the years I have been driven past, short turned, marooned, yelled at and ignored by TTC employees. I no longer even bother to look at a posted schedule, I just wait for a bus to arrive, and when it does, two more will probably pull in behind it. Then I can watch as the three drivers share a coffee and a joke before heading off together again. I just love watching city buses leapfrog each other as they pick up riders at alternate stops. I particularly love it when the last bus is ordered to make a short turn and dump its passengers out in the middle of nowhere to wait, once again, for a fleet of buses to show up.

Am I innocent in all of this? No.

As for not paying the fare. I have failed to pay on many occasions. In particular, I love entering the system at Dundas station where you can be sure that there will be a semi-conscious, Toronto Sun reading ticket collector sitting at an open gate, just letting the people pass through. Why would anyone pay?

As for yelling at drivers, yes, I have yelled at drivers. One night, coming home from York University I waited 20 mins for the 41 bus to show up, which I admit is not that long, but as the bus drove away from the main bus stop at York toward the next stop the driver told us we would need to wait there for 10 mins. Why we didn't wait at the main stop, where we would have picked up more passengers is beyond me, but the driver calmed our nerves by stating that another 41 bus was already waiting at the next stop and since it was leaving soon the delay would not be long. We get off the bus and line up at the doors of the 41 bus already waiting at the stop. However, the driver will not open the doors, and when I knock on the door to ask her why, she responds curtly through the glass, 'this is my bus.' "What?" I say. 'You aren't coming on this bus, your bus is back there, this is my bus" she responds. At that point I yelled. "This is a city of Toronto bus, not your bus, so open the fucking door." She promptly drives away from me and a dozen other people. To the credit of the first TTC driver, he immediately came over to me and gave me the city number for complaints. I phone and leave a message, but never hear back from anyone.

Enough is enough. From now on my cell phone camera will be on stand-by each and every time I come in contact with the TTC. Whether it is a sleeping ticket collector, an enraged passenger, a slowly leaking ceiling or a pile of debris on the floor of a vehicle. Whether it is a cheerful driver helping out a customer or an asshole like me not paying the fare. It is time that the citizens of Toronto held themselves and the TTC to account. I will start posting more pictures of the state of our system, both the good and the bad, and you should too.

guy replying to a comment from Ian / February 4, 2010 at 02:52 pm
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I would agree that many union positions pay well. In many cases it seems hard to justify when you consider the effort put forth versus the reward, but I don't think that this is the real issue here. I was born and raised in Toronto, now living in Ottawa, and I would say this behaviour is common nation wide. I think that many Canadians are just lazy. We have a lot offered to us and can fail in many aspects in life, effort put forth or not, and are still taken care of. I would like to see more of us strive for our potential in life. There is an ever ever growing attitude and work ethic where people do only enough to keep their jobs. Elimination of some of these troublesome unions would weed out these bad employees. People are a lot more motivated when they know they have to perform each day.

The only shame deserved by the union in this case is if they protect people like this. Unfortunately they all too often seem to do just that. I really feel that unions should be a thing of the past. They did some excellent things and the majority of us are better off for them, but there are many regulations and laws that protect workers and their rights in place now, and unions seem to do more harm than good currently. I so often find unions have very week arguements, operate with a mob mentality, and simply don't tell their members the whole story. I know of numerous occassions where a strike has been called and members were without work for weeks, even months. Eventually they get what they were striking for, usually a raise, but really they have lost more in wages during the strike than they will recover in their wage increase. Last year in Otatwa we had a public transit strike that lasted 53 days I think. The strike was stratgically scheduled to take place in the holiday rush and infront of a signifigant snow storm. The union head was caught on video telling members to be as disruptive as possible. Things like that really aggravate the public and it doesn't seem at all like the members take their job or responsibilities seriously. It feels like entitlement. I could go on forever with this, so I better stop here.
dontpaydeliverycharges / March 26, 2010 at 02:08 am
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What are all speaking ?TTC EMPLOYEES SLEEPING ???

Toronto hydro employee ,embridge gas companies all take us for ride when we are asleep .

WITH DELIVERY CHARGES which are more than the usage....

Is the father of CEO' of theses companies coming and delivering Electricity and natural Gas ?????

Let us fight for something more productive ,where all canadians will save more than any thing .

WHY WOULD WE HAVE TO PAY ???
Raise your voice Canadians

Terry / April 28, 2010 at 12:53 pm
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At this rate, I think I will be able to make it on the sunshine list this year. Eat your heart out peasants!
yoyofu / September 29, 2010 at 12:41 am
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"oh we dont need no education no nothing to work at the ttc, we are just gonna sit here and sleep in the middle of our work, then we will hold a strike when we think its time for a raise again. yeah ttc union rulezzzzz"


fucking douchebags
amanda / November 28, 2010 at 08:26 pm
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i hope you all feel terrible...he died the other day
had a stoke
Matt / December 31, 2010 at 11:09 am
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Not only did he die (guess those health problem claims were true) the guy saved a passenger's life in 1995.

Not that y'all should let that get in the way of your knee-jerk union-bashing and name-calling.
Justin replying to a comment from amanda / December 31, 2010 at 11:22 am
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...because we all knew he was going to die, right? Let me know if you can see from your high horse where he was buried.

Silly comments aside... RIP.

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