Fit for duty thanks to public transportation

As a pilot of a major airline, I start preparation for takeoff long before the captain says, “Flight attendants, please prepare for takeoff.” I need to checkweather conditions for the flight, maintenance details of the plane, and information about the crew.

Underpinning each of those important details: I need to be rested and mentally prepared for the flight ahead.That’s why I rely on public transportation rather than a congested highway to get me to the airport.

I live in Juno Beach, and must get back and forth to Miami International Airport forwork about four times a month. Although I have several options to commute, public transit is alwaysmy first choice. Pilots don’t have the most routine schedules, but I can count on Tri-Rail to bring me to the airport in time for my flights and takeme home when I’ve finished – even beyond business hours.

Evenwithmy inconsistent schedule, my commute is consistent. TriRail takes me an hour and 50 minutes door-to-door, no matter theweather or traffic conditions. The trains are reliable, so I don’t have to stress out about adding more time tomy routine. If traffic conditions are ideal, driving on 95would save me 30 minutes or so, but I can’t remember the last time that stretch of highwaywas anything close to ideal.

Plus, there’s nothing relaxing about hours of brake lights and bumper-to-bumper traffic.Some pilots might be unfazed by that commute, but I prefer to let Tri-Rail cover 72 miles of mine.

Howmany people who drive to work can say that strategic resting is a part of their commute? When I take public transit, I arrive at the airport refreshed and ready to fly. Because I’m not stressed aboutmy commute, I can focus onmy flight and make sure that I’m prepared. Even if I don’t rest, I can usemy commute time to get ready for the job. I’ll often respond to emails or getwork done on my commute. If I’m able to do that work onmy commute, I have a better work-life balance, which means more time withmy wife and kids.

Formy job, I have to be at the top ofmy game every day I showup— less is not only unacceptable but unsafe. Workers likeme who can’t afford to beworked up before clocking in knowthat public transportation is more than just away to get around. It’s away to ensure quality job performance and keepworkers contributing to our economy.

When our government invests in public transportation, they support employee productivity, which has positive effects on our economy. I’m not the only person commuting to work at the airport on Tri-Rail. TSA employees, Customs agents, mechanics, fleet personnel, flight attendants and pilots all rely on public transportation to get to the airport. Our airline has over 850-plus people registered to use the Tri-Rail Employer discount program. Plain and simple, public transportation keeps our airport running.

Tri-Rail has made significant strides in the past three years. It’s improved the percentage of trains that arrive on-time and passengers can nowuseWi-Fi on the trains and at stations. But just becausewe’ve invested in the past does not mean thatwe’re set for the future. Just like a car, public transportation needs regular maintenance. We need to continue to invest in our public transportation infrastructure so that it continues to meet the needs of South Floridians. While this investment can take place on the local level, we need national support.

Washington needs to listen to whatwe need here in South Florida. I’m calling on Sens. Marco Rubio and BillNelson to push for public transportation as a priority in next year’s budget.

I hope thatmy story makes clear that the public transportation experience is more than getting people frompoint A to point B. Public transportation fuels our economy. It gets employees towork ready for takeoff!

Mark Erickson is an airline pilotwho lives in Juno Beach.