EKO

I had a bit of time with a bus driver this morning. He required that I uncover my face because it was a "federal law that you cannot have your face covered on a bus". I called him out and asked which law that was, but he wouldn't answer me. I've worn it numerous times before. Is he full of it, or is this legit?

I usually get a hard time from bus drivers bringing a bike on the bus. They don't have bike racks because "the maintenance guys squawk about them". I'm used to them giving me static for any numerous nonsensical reasons, but to give me a hard time in the name of a federal law that doesn't (I assume) exist would really peeve me. What say you?

StanSeven

There's probably some DHS or TSA regulation on it. The reg probably is for air traffic but likely includes all public carriers

bkrownd

Is there a reason not to pull it up while on the bus? The bus driver is the law, unless you want to go to the trouble of taking him to court. It can't possibly be worth it.

Kabir424

What about Muslim women that wear a burkha? Who wins here? Freedom of religion or DHS?

apricissimus 

Did you get the impression that the driver was really concerned about upholding the law (assuming it is true), or he just wanted to give you a hard time for other reasons?

tjspiel

Don't know for sure but it might be one of these things that is up to the discretion of the driver/cop/pilot/agent etc.

My guess is that the driver doesn't want your bike on his bus. Cripes, I wouldn't either and I'm surprised you're allowed to bring it on. How do people get by?

Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not letting the transit people off the hook. The proper way to address the issue of bikes on buses is to put racks on the busses, not harass the riders.

d2create

Why not just lift it up?
I'd feel like a dork wearing that over my face while on a public bus.

CCrew

Too easy a solution

The American way would be to refuse, get arrested, hire an attorney, escalate it to the ACLU. Sue the bus company and the city. If you lose appeal it all the way to the supreme court.

And post it all on You Tube.

Big_e

Just take the darned thing off when on a bus, there ain't no blizzard on a bus. That makes as much sense as those pinheads that wear sunglasses and hoods indoors.
Before checking federal law, check your city ordinances first as they can be stricter than federal law. City/ municipal ordinances must meet or exceed state law. State law must meet or exceed federal/environmental laws.
Ernest

paulwwalters

Say you're a moslem. They'd know better than to mess with you.

tjspiel

Pulling the lower part down might be easier. I can understand the OP not wanting to do it though. Once in a while I take my bike on public transportation when it's real cold. Taking the balaclava off would mean taking my goggles and helmet off too. To do that and get them back on I also need to take my mitts off.

Does the driver really think the OP is going to cause trouble or does he just want him to think twice before trying to bring his bike on again?

Big_e

I didn't mean to sound harsh but in the sad times we live in, it would be a valid request from the driver. If I was a driver, for the safety of passengers in my care, I wouldn't let a covered person on the bus. let alone any laws, most bus companies are just businesses contracted by cities to run a reasonable transportation service. If they make that term, you have to follow it or take your .75 cents elsewhere.
Ernest

Timbert

They just put light rail trains in Phoenix. Unconscionably expensive. Anyway, the article in the paper actually mentioned that concealed firearms are permitted on the trains, which means it's ok on the bus as well. That is, if you've taken the 8-hour safety course needed to get the permit. Gotta love the West.

I would be surprised if there were ANY federal regulations that applied to a local bus. Dang, schoolbusses don't even have seatbelts.

chipcom 

Next time, scream "ALLAH AKBAR" and go for your shoe. That outta teach em.

zonatandem

Tell him you're in Kansas and you'll tell on him to Dorothy and Toto!

zonatandem

In Arizona it is legal to wear a pistol on your hip (not concealed), no permit needed.

tjspiel

Could be just where I live but when it's below 0, fully a quarter of the people on the bus have their faces covered to the point of being difficult to identify.

lil brown bat

Not in Boston. Oh, it's plenty cold, but the buses have heaters (in fact I'd say they're really too warm, just like in the summer they've usually got too much AC) and you just don't see people riding the bus with every inch of flesh covered.

I've also seen convenience stores with signs on the door telling people to remove facemasks and the like as they come in. Can't say I blame 'em.

PDXaero

This is what first came to my mind. I may just consider biking with a burkha if balaclavas banned.


Don't complain, in Portland you pay $4.75 for all day and $2.00-2.30 for a single trip.

apricissimus 

When I went to get my drivers license picture taken a few weeks ago, they told me I had to take my glasses off (corrective lenses). I thought that was strange, and they told me it was part of a new law in Massachusetts that says that any and all face coverings must be removed for ID photos. I thought making me take my glasses off was a bit extreme though.

alanfleisig

Pure B.S.

There is no such law relating to ground transportation of any kind.

Just an a**hat who wanted to give you a hard time, probably because your bike "inconvenienced" him.

Roody

OP,
What I find amazing is that they let you bring your bike on the bus at all. Most bus companies would not permit that! You probably make a big stink about the bike on the bus, so all the bus drivers hate you.

I suggest you continue to bring the bus on board, and argue about that, since it's probalby important to you to win that particular battle. But maybe you should concede on the face covering. Even bus drivers have to win an argument once in a while! And it won't hurt you to learn to pick your battles, and to sometimes surrender graciously in the spirit of civic harmony.

treebound 

A local credit union here has a rule against wearing a baseball hat and/or sun glasses inside the lobby, sometimes they warn you before calling the police. Play by their rules or find an alternative. Some battles aren't worth the war.

Kabir424

All of my local banks have rules like that. I didn't notice until about 6 months ago. I have been going into those banks for years with a hat and sunglasses and I have never had any problems or heard any comments about that. But, I have thought about the consequences of going into one while still wearing my balaclava. They might find an issue with that.

tcs

Hmmm, how about persons with uninspected packages/bags?

tcs