Published: Saturday, June 13, 2009
HELPFULNESS
Kind person, ferry employees save the day
A potential travel nightmare was averted in the Mukilteo ferry lot on the evening of May 28.
We had purchased our fare to Clinton, and planned to catch the Keystone run to Port Townsend. Our final destination was Port Angeles, where we had booked two rooms for that night. We were aware of the Hood Canal bridge closure, hence our route choice from Snohomish.
While waiting for our boat, I struck up a conversation with a wonderful local Whidbey Island woman named Linda.
She informed me that Keystone was reservations only and I should call 511 to check the schedule. This number is the information line for state Department of Transportation. I easily got into the ferry menu and discovered that the Keystone run was standby only for the last two runs of the night and it was doubtful we'd make the last run at 9:30 p.m. (It was now 6 p.m.)
We would have definitely been hung out to dry with nothing to do but turn around and head south.
I called the number three separate times to check all my options. I was astounded that all three different employees I spoke with were courteous, empathetic, and did everything they could to find me a route to Port Angeles.
Long story short, we got out of line, caught the Seattle ferry to Bremerton, had a beautiful ride and ensuing drive.
All thanks to a chance encounter and the folks on the other end of the line for Washington State Ferries. Thanks Linda! And all the folks at WSF!
Paul Minden
Snohomish
We had purchased our fare to Clinton, and planned to catch the Keystone run to Port Townsend. Our final destination was Port Angeles, where we had booked two rooms for that night. We were aware of the Hood Canal bridge closure, hence our route choice from Snohomish.
While waiting for our boat, I struck up a conversation with a wonderful local Whidbey Island woman named Linda.
She informed me that Keystone was reservations only and I should call 511 to check the schedule. This number is the information line for state Department of Transportation. I easily got into the ferry menu and discovered that the Keystone run was standby only for the last two runs of the night and it was doubtful we'd make the last run at 9:30 p.m. (It was now 6 p.m.)
We would have definitely been hung out to dry with nothing to do but turn around and head south.
I called the number three separate times to check all my options. I was astounded that all three different employees I spoke with were courteous, empathetic, and did everything they could to find me a route to Port Angeles.
Long story short, we got out of line, caught the Seattle ferry to Bremerton, had a beautiful ride and ensuing drive.
All thanks to a chance encounter and the folks on the other end of the line for Washington State Ferries. Thanks Linda! And all the folks at WSF!
Paul Minden
Snohomish
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