The MARTA train operator who was caught texting and driving by a concerned twitterer (who captured the moment via the TwitPic above) *cough* <it wasn’t me!> has been suspended for three days (with pay?):

A MARTA suspended a rail conductor caught texting recently while at the controls of a train.

The conductor will be off the job for three days, the maximum penalty MARTA can impose, according to transit officials.

A MARTA rider posted photos on Twitter of the conductor text messaging while operating a train.

MARTA officials said they are reviewing current policies on texting in light of similar problems that caused serious crashes in other cities.

Safety on the train is a big deal….but so is twitter. Don’t sleep on it! No one is safe from the tweets.

Follow me on Twitter: Twitter.com/ATLien

Related:

Beware! Twitter Might Get You Fired

Twitter recently got a MARTA Train Driver in trouble after one of it’s users twitpic’d (i.e. took a photo) of him alledgedly texting while operating the train. Talk about BIG BROTHER is watching!! Nowadays, there’s not much you can get away with without someone behind you sneaking to take a photo to post it online.  It also appears that the AJC is following the route of us bloggers and are quickly picking up newstips from the social network. I know…it’s really not that unusual at all, but I just found it amusing that the reporter even referenced MARTA’s twitter statement as their official response:

A statement that MARTA posted on Twitter following the AJC’s inquiries added: “The safety and security of our patrons is MARTA’s first and foremost concern. Texting while operating a MARTA vehicle is against company policy. MARTA takes the allegations implied by this photo of a train operator texting while operating a train very seriously … appropriate disciplinary actions will be taken upon the conclusion of the investigation.” (source)

And let’s not forget V-103’s Greg Street’s very public twitter saga where he mentioned an episode that occured in an Atlanta nightclub and was suspended for a week after his employer, CBS Radio claimed his twitter was disrespectful to one of it’s advertisers.  Shoot! And you thought multi-media text messages were bad….wait til the Twitter/TwitPic brigade gets a hold of you stealing copy paper or better yet…cheatin’ on your spouse! This ish is at a whole nutha level….

Follow me on Twitter ~ Twitter.com/ATLien

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Random Celebrity Twitpics ~ Swine Flu Edition

All charges have been dropped against Nafiza Ziyad, the young lady who was filmed harrassing an elderly lady on a MARTA train and given the nickname “Soulja Girl”.  Ziyad appeared in Dekalb County court and testified about getting help for her mental disorder and getting her life in order. The judge dismissed all criminal charges and referred the young lady to mental health court where she will continue to get treatment and receive counseling.  For once the “system” got it right…

Related:

Update ~ “Soulja Girl” Identified, Jailed and Seeking Help for Mental Illness

Spotted ~ Soulja Girl T-Shirt

In poor taste…but funny nonetheless.

Spotted @ Crunk&Disorderly

This video is brought to you by the Southwest Dekalb High School Drum Majors….“Making fun of Bus Ridin hoes since 1988…” Those creative youngsters got together and made a song and a video making fun of people who ride the bus. I’ve never been much of a bus rider myself, but hey…I don’t knock public transportation. Unlike my last boyfriend…it’s always there for me if I need it.

I know y’all thought I was about to clown the bipolar MARTA girl, but umma leave that up to Necole Bitchie today.

According to fellow blogger NecoleBitchie MARTA police have issued a warrant for the arrest of the crazy chick in the video above. If you have seen her contact them at (404) 848-4911. I dunno if there is an award or not, but at least you can have a hand at getting one more crazy person off the train. Dayum….if I knew that all it took was a YouTube video to get psychos off the streets of the “A”, I woulda been carrying my camera everyday! :shock: Anyway…do your part. Help our City stay sane!