TRASH AND TECHNOLOGY

I recall from my younger years a girl telling her friends she had missed the bus but got a ride to school in a garbage truck from her neighbor.  Evidently the neighbor’s father owned his own refuse business.  Someone said to her well if you ever get serious about this fellow he at least has job security picking up trash.

Ten years later, I heard a similar statement.  While I had been out and about, I overheard a conversation between two friends.  The one buddy asked his friend why he was not working in a business type job since he had his degree in business, as opposed to the job he currently held.  The friend remarked that a job in the business field can be replaced by some type of technology but his job as a sanitary engineer will always be safe as there will always be garbage to pick up.

I thought of both incidents a few days ago while my husband and I traveled on Lakeview Drive in Sebring, Florida.  We had stopped behind a garbage truck.  As a kid growing up in Chicago, I recall that three men picked up the trash in the alleyways.  One man drove the truck while the other two tossed the garbage into the back. Currently in my neighbor, we have garbage pick-up twice a week and recyclable pick-up once a week.  One would think there is no doubt job security.

What I witnessed that day behind the trash truck in Sebring made me re-evaluate my thoughts. When the truck stopped in front of a residence, no one threw the garbage into the truck.  Instead some sort of mechanical arms came out, picked up the trash receptacle. dumped it into the truck then placed the receptacle back on the ground. 

It hit me; TECHNOLOGY HAS NOW ENTWINED ITSELF INTO THE GARBAGE INDUSTRY. 

What would have been a two man job (driver and trash thrower) is now down to one person….truck driver.  Someone seems to be out of a job, replaced by technology.  No doubt the start-up cost for this new way of trash pick-up is not cheap; there are those special trucks to purchase; trash containers to deliver to each resident in the community; but I am sure overtime they save money.

Of course what happens when there is glitch with the mechanical arms? What if they don’t retract to pick up the container?  Does the driver have to stop, get out, do it manually, get back into the truck and drive on to the next residence?  Do they call in a temp for the day?  Then I only saw one container per residence.  What if someone has more trash than the receptacle can hold?  Do they have to keep the overflow until the following week?   Weird thoughts whirled through my brain that day about how technology has taken over a job that I always thought secure. 

With technology now entering the garbage world, what will be next?  Will our friendly bartender be replaced by some type of mechanical device who can pour, mix and serve us our favorite beverage?  If so….then it will be time to stay home and just pop a cold one. 

Travel Observances

I like animals as much as the next person but there is a limit I feel in how one should treat their pet.

Recently while traveling on Interstate 95 North, I came across an interesting observance.  We have laws against driving while intoxicated, driving while on cell phone (in some places), and no texting while driving and then there is that law about buckling your seat belt.

I must say there has to be some law on the books about the incident I came across.  The car in front of us was traveling at 70 miles per hour and seemed to be weaving a bit in the lane.  My husband passed the vehicle and I looked over at the driver in the car; that is when I saw what I had not expected.  On the driver’s lap was their family pet.  The driver held the dog while trying to steer the car; the dog’s paws were also on the steering wheel.  Now I don’t mind people taking their pet in their car; it is after all    their prerogative to do so, but I do not feel Boxer or Bootsie should not be sitting on the driver’s lap helping them drive.

We passed this car safely without incident.  It made me think about what others are doing as they travel the highway.  I decided to look inside other cars as we passed them and I saw yet another driver with their small dog sitting on their lap.  It made me wonder if there was not an obscure holiday called “Let Your Pet Help You Drive Day” or “Teach Your Pet To Drive Day” that I knew nothing about. The organization MADD and their cause came to mind, I thought about someone starting a new cause called PAPOL (People Against Pets on Laps).  This is just as dangerous as someone driving intoxicated or even sending a text.  The animal could easily jump down on the floor at the driver’s feet, move one way or another on the driver’s lap causing them to get distracted. 

As we continued our travels, I kept my vigil on those we passed.  My favorite car we passed had to be the one with the driver trying to eat the hoagie.  Now I don’t know about you, but when I eat a hoagie (or submarine sandwich or gyro as some call them) I need both hands.  This driver had the thing in his hands while trying to steer the car with his knees it seemed.  An accident waiting to happen no doubt.  So I came up with yet another cause PADE (People Against Drivers Eating).  Many of the interstate highways have rest areas to pull into where a nice section is designated with tables for those wanting to have a bite to eat.  Just pull over people; don’t cause a accident trying to eat and drive. 

Maybe it is me; perhaps I am just being cynical about the traveling public.  After all it is your car and you can do what you want, but remember you are not the only one on the roads.  Some of us want a safe trip to reach our destination.

It was an interesting first day of travel on Interstate 95 North.  Day two seemed to be incident free until we hit the Northeast Extension of the Pennsylvania Turnpike.  Don’t get me started about the speed limit there.  Since a good portion of the road was under construction, the speed limit was at 55; my husband traveled at 60 and was passed by those going at least 70 or more.  We felt like snails as we were passed by everything under the sun including the birds. 

Traveling the interstate system is an adventure; never knowing what you may encounter or what you may see in the vehicles or at the rest stops.

As I think about the animals on the laps of the drivers, I came to the conclusion that perhaps these drivers were teaching their pets to steer so they could have both hands free to enjoy a snack. It sure is an interesting thought to ponder when you are behind the wheel of your vehicle.