Halfway to the Stars

The wildest ride I ever had came when I was a brand new rookie, two months on my own, fresh out of training. I was driving from the Beach / Hyde terminal on a misty, drizzling evening. The car was packed with people. I stopped at Washington and Taylor to pick up two more passengers, and as I pulled back on the grip, the car took off and I lost the cable in the process. Since the cables travels 9 ½ miles per hour, when the car gets out of control you can always get it back under control by grabbing the cable and bringing the car to 9 ½ MPH. But when you lose the cable – hello San Francisco sleigh ride. The cable is now careening out of control down Washington past the cable car barn. I’m pulling the slot blade (emergency brake) to no avail and, as I approach Mason Street, I see a taxicab starting to cross Washington in front of me. The cable car is going so fast, I’m on the guy in no time. When he finally realizes that the cable car he saw half way up the hill is now a split second away from annihilating him and his cab, his eyes open up like dinner plates (an image that will remain with me forever) and he guns the cab, narrowly skirting disaster. We now barrel down to Powell, through a slight diversion in the tracks, which at the speed we’re going almost throws people off the car, and we finally derail in the curve and the cable car comes to a halt. Almost every one gets off the car and files into the Coachman, a bar on the corner. The bartender later told me he wished we had more runaways – it was good for business. Miraculously, no was injured and no contact was made with any motor vehicles. It sure made me realize how easy it is to lose control of these 12,000 pound antique beasts.

Since cable cars are so popular, some 10 million riders per year, it is inevitable that famous people will ride the cars. I had Gerry Cooney, the heavyweight boxer on my car twice in a year’s time. The first time I didn’t talk to him but just said hello. The second time I had to say something. I spoke with him and told him that this was the second time I had him as a passenger and would love to take a picture with him. He was very gracious and agreed to do it at the end of the line. We posed for the picture while his girlfriend took the picture. Just as she was about to snap it, I made a fist and put it under his chin like I was fighting him. He looked down at me (he stands 6’6") with an expression that told me this was not a good idea. I got the message and instead put my hand out. He shook it and that’s the pose we shot.

I had Tony La Russa on my car in 1989 after not only our most recent, famous earthquake, but after his Oakland A’s had defeated the Giants in the World Series. I congratulated him on the series and he thanked me but was obviously not interested in any conversation.

Joel Grey was a frequent rider when he was appearing in a stage play in downtown San Francisco. He was quiet and reserved and a lot smaller than he appeared. He could easily get lost in a crowd.