Few students realize that LIMO drivers are regular students. They have exams, 8 a.m. classes, papers, friends with whom they would like to hang out on the weekends, families they would like to see over break. People utilizing the LIMOs take for granted the dedication LIMO drivers make to the safety of the community.

SSP operates 365 days a year from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. That includes holidays and university breaks. These drivers give up much of their free time to ensure the Marquette student body is safe. Most students, instead of being grateful for a program unparalleled at other universities, only notice the negatives: wait times, circuitous routes, transfers, being asked for ID. The Tribune credits neither the many students transported nor the many MPD arrests aided by LIMO drivers while on duty.

Another annoyance is that everyone seems to know how to make SSP more efficient. I encourage the Tribune staff to pick up applications for employment from our office; we would be happy to have you and your ideas. In the meantime, I have some suggestions for those utilizing SSP's services:

1.) If time is a concern, request a Safety Patrol escort. The last Tribune article stated a 10 minute walk may take up to 40 minutes in a LIMO. Have a Safety Patrol unit walk those 10 minutes with you if you don't want to chance a supposed 40 minute ride.

2.) Have your MUID in hand and be waiting when you call. Our department conducted a study last fall that showed that LIMOs are significantly slowed by waiting for customers that either never show up or wait until the last minute to leave the building.

3.) Know your alcohol tolerance. When drunken students vomit in a LIMO, that LIMO is out of service for the rest of the night. This inconveniences other passengers in that LIMO, who can't exit the LIMO until it returns to Structure 1 and the guilty party is identified. This occupational hazard also speaks to why LIMO drivers deserve more respect. How many campus employees have to deal with someone vomiting in their workspace almost every weekend?

4.) Clearly state where you are going. If needed, politely remind the driver of your destination. LIMO drivers are human and may occasionally forget an address.

5.) Be patient. Sometimes there are circumstances beyond our control that may increase wait times. To avoid being inconvenienced, please call early.

6.) Work for SSP. More employees = more available LIMOs.

Please consider these facts before writing off the LIMO program as inefficient and bothersome. We work to provide the best safety service possible, which occasionally means sacrificing the speed of service.

Deering is a graduate student in the College of Health Sciences.