Out of Office is a series about UA staff whose jobs take them anywhere but behind a desk. This entry features a couple of familiar faces to many faculty, staff and students.
Every day, thousands of faculty, staff and students rely on the professional drivers of Crimson Ride and Crimson Concierge to get to class, meetings and events around campus safely and on time.
Brenda Jordan is from Tuscaloosa and has been driving for Crimson Concierge for four years. Quentin King has been driving for Crimson Ride for five years and is from Pickens County.
8 questions with Brenda Jordan and Quentin King
What’s something people may not know about your job?
BJ: I know it can seem like a trivial job, but I think the biggest aspect for me, and what makes me happy about being here and providing the service, is the personal side of it. Knowing my riders, my coworkers, and our whole department. We’re a family. Speaking to people, talking to people, having conversations. I guess I’m a huge people person.
QK: By being a professional driver, I have all kinds of students that I bring from point A to point B, back from their apartment to their campus, making sure that they are safe on my bus. Driving is important because you’ve got some drivers out there who just don’t know how to drive. So, I’ve got to drive for myself and drive for the next driver, too.
What’s it like driving the van or bus?
BJ: It’s much more relaxed, laid back and has better hours. Following a departmental service review, the operation shifted from late-night, on-call coverage to providing weekday, daytime campus support. Vehicles now run during regular business hours to assist the campus community across the week.
QK: Well, I love it, just driving something big like that. It’s really nice. You’re sitting up high, and you’ve got to watch your windows and mirrors to make sure you don’t get over too far and hit somebody, or somebody comes in and hits you.
What makes your job most meaningful for you?
BJ: I think we’re so much more appreciated by faculty and staff because sometimes parking is difficult, so they’re always happy to see us.
QK: It means a lot because I’m meeting different people from different places and having conversations. They tell me about the background of their life, where they come from, things like that.
Listen as Brenda Jordan talks about how Crimson Concierge works:
How do you maintain awareness of all the obstacles around you when you’re driving?
BJ: I’m definitely extra aware because it’s a larger vehicle than my personal vehicle. And being on campus, there are students everywhere, cars everywhere. You have to account for every single thing on campus to try to keep myself and the riders safe.
QK: We have to be on our P’s and Q’s when driving buses. You’re not just sitting behind a steering wheel going from point A to point B. We have to stay focused and make sure everything is done properly.
Any funny stories or things left behind after rides?
BJ: Not anything specific. They usually get in with a funny story. Sometimes we’ll say, ‘What happens in the van stays in the van.’
I picked up a group from the Bryant Conference Center. I think they work with the OLLI program. It was back when we had the President’s Mansion Christmas party, and it was like a whole carousel of people the whole time. It’s stuff like that that makes the day funnier and easier.
QK: I had a regular rider leave behind something I didn’t even know what it was. She called about it and I had turned it in so she came up and picked it up. It was a really decorative case for ear pods and when I found that out I laughed and I was like, “Yeah, that fits you.”
What‘s your favorite time of year to drive (summer, football season, start of school)?
BJ: I think I appreciate the steadiness of summer. Fall is probably the busiest time because with the influx of new students, it’s harder to get around.
QK: We always have to go and do a bid for what route you want. And so, the bid that I got was the college route, going from the apartments to the campus. So, I just enjoy anytime I get to talk to the students.
What’s your favorite aspect of your job?
BJ: The people. I love making connections with my riders. I love my coworkers, my team. It’s like family.
QK: They always have a big smile when they get off the bus because they’ll be like, ‘Oh, the bus driver spoke,’ or ‘The bus driver said something to me.’ To me, it makes me feel good when I see that smile because some of them are studying and have a lot going on. Once I’m holding a conversation with them, they kind of feel better about that.
Hear Quentin King talk about what it’s like driving for students:
Is there anything else you want to share or something you want people to know about what you do?
BJ: I hope for a good experience for all the riders. We have our regulars. We see some of the same people every day. There’s always conversation — ‘How’s your day?’ ‘How are the kids?’ Some of us know each other’s kids.
Maybe in the summer it’s a little slower, but not very much. From when I started until now, we probably have double or triple the number of riders. I guess everybody is telling everybody about Crimson Concierge, and everybody loves it.
QK: To me, it’s just communicating with the kids, the students. They say, ‘Good morning, Mr. King.’ You know, I always have a smile. I always greet them with a ‘good morning’. ‘How is your day going?’ ‘How’s your morning?’ ‘How was your class?’ And they always enjoy it.
Hear more from Brenda and Quentin on 92.5 UA Info Radio in your car or streaming online.