Checkpoint 5. All things considered, it is no wonder that alcohol consumption among blue collar workers is so high. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (1990), "of the $117 billion estimated as the economic cost of alcoholism and alcohol abuse in the United States in 1983, nearly $71 billion (61%) was attributed to lost employment and reduced productivity"(Alcohol Health & Research World). Not only is there a high rate of alcohol abuse among blue collar workers, but they drink more frequently as their drinks are more readily available. Furthermore, laborers, craftsmen, and women machine operators were shown to be employees with the higher rates of alcohol problems and more prone to "severe alcohol dependence" (same article). Something as casual as "social drinking" becomes drinking because of social issues.

Regardless of what you do, there will always be some modicum of job stress. The key lies in how one recognizes the patterns and one's choices to either ignore, hide from or confront the source. Of course, this is easier said than done as few things in life are ever that simple. The quote, "Maybe labour markets are like cafeteria food; whatever is served, people will always complain"(Economist [US], Jan 6, 1996 v338 n7947 p22[1]), bears a great deal of truth. One bus driver knows this to be true but she feels that there is a time and place for everything. A lot of times, she simply "bites her tongue" to handle unfavorable manners/conditions and/or people. However she made it clear that in life, not merely as a busdriver, but in life as a whole, job stress can be managed by knowing yourself and maintaining control of your words and actions and striving to see the positive aspects of any situation.