Getting cross with the crossing patrol!

[myfaceismyown]

3 days a week I drive my adult DS to his special needs college in a neighbouring town,
I have to drive along a very long busy road that has 2 primary schools, one secondary school and therefore 3 crossing patrols. Normally not an issue and I wave back when they salute a "thank you".
Not today. today I nearly lost it. At the top of the hill, 3rd patrol, the lollipop lady was having a lovely natter with a couple of primary school parents, totally oblivious to a parent indicating to get onto the school road and totally blocking the traffic. This was 3pm so not chucking out time yet. Lollipopper jumped into action to stop the oncoming traffic to let a lone parent across. She then thanked me and I mimed a shrug as I was stuck behind the idiot parent blocking the road. I had a queue of cars stuck behind me as it is a busy thoughfair, and the only direct route to the next town.
So I am indicating to pull out round this blocking car and - hurrah! - there is a break in the oncoming traffic. Instantly nattering lollipop lady jumps into action to stick her pole out to allow another lone parent to cross. Ugh. I never do this but I jammed my hand on the horn, gave her a thumbs down and shouted "you beast", which she probably did not hear.
I did finally get round the idiot blocking person but was late fetching DS which caused him distress.
So AIBU to think that crossing patrol person should have paid as much attention to the traffic as they did to their chat?

It’s her job to help pedestrians, including adults, safely cross the road, not to manage traffic flow. In fact they’re expressly told not to. When my DDs were at primary school, their village school ended up without a crossing patrol after successive SCPs left due to the constant abuse from drivers. I always wondered what sort of person would abuse them when they’re literally doing their job of keeping people safe.

You Beast 😄😄

I could have said a lot worse!

@ImNunTheWiser well she was unmanaging the traffic flow - is that allowed too?

Why?! Why would you have been more verbally abusive?
Do you think that's funny?
Swearing and threatening people 'cos it is'.

@DoreenonTill8 My point is that i did not say a lot worse. I did not wind down my windows and verbally abuse the woman. I did not threaten anyone. Oh my word you must have the patience of a saint, or possibly recently cannonised. But I do appreciate your comments.

2 schools on a road on my school run, mere meters apart, have pedestrian lights between them and a crossing guard that presses the button for you. The old crossing guard used to stop traffic at the entrance to one school and after letting kids cross, would hold up traffic to let cars in and out of the school. Not just one or two, but at least 5 or 6 from both directions. There must have been complaints cause she didn't last longer than 3 months.

I’m a lollipop lady, and I don’t always get it right. We are told to stop traffic for anyone crossing. I just use common sense though in these situations. I try to be considerate to vehicles for example if there is only one coming I will let them pass before stepping out, and always make sure I wave thank you. Pedestrians can be unpredictable, they look like they are going to cross then stop and chat to someone instead.

It can be difficult at times, as it’s one side of a crossroads I work on and it doesn’t help when people leave it to the last minute to indicate or park on the junction causing chaos.

I wouldn’t say anything unless it happens often, and where I am we are employed by the council not the school.

@Yourinmyspot I could hug you! you sound absolutely wonderful at your job. I hope you are appreciated.

As stated, it’s literally nothing to do with her. She is only there to assist people to safely cross the road. That’s it. It’s up to drivers to manage their own situation, if they’re unable to do so without losing their rag and resorting to shouting and inappropriate use of the horn, they should consider whether they’re safe driving.

No. You should be a bit more patient. A lollipop lady is entitled to hold up traffic to let a lone parent cross. Just set off a bit earlier as others have said. Oh and apologise for losing your temper and being rude on Monday.

I’m a lollipop lady, and yes we are told to stop traffic to let all pedestrians cross be they children or lone adults.

@RedHelenB Thank you for the thought. However, no, i am not going to stop at a random primary school that has nothing to do with me and apologise to a lollypop lady for beeping at her yesterday. She probably thought i was beeping at the blocking car. She will not have heard me shout you beast from inside my car, that was for my own venting.
Now I think about it, I can just stay in the college car park (in the next town) and wait for my DS all day, I can WFCar instead of WFH as long as I have my laptop and wifi...

A perfect solution.

@RedHelenB I will just freeze to death and have to pee in a bottle, but otherwise sound.

@ImNunTheWiser I guess you have read the thread and are still none the wiser.

How is reacting after an almost 20 minute hold up, impatient?

Thanks, I love my job. Seeing everyone’s smiles in the morning is so lovely. A lot of the regular drivers often wave at me too.

It's not crazy behaviour to assist people across the road. That's literally her job.

The reason you were held up was because of other drivers.

Indeed it is her job. But surely not exactly common sense to spring out in front of a car that has been indicating to move out, and when there is a gap starts moving, no?

She was impatient with the lollipop lady who submit hold her up for 30 mins. HTH.

Lollipop lady is doing a lot of springing and jumping, very alarming and crazy - despite being oblivious and nattering.

OP’s determination to justify getting cross, beeping and gesturing at someone who did nothing wrong is impressive.

Very big and brave from the driving seat of your vehicle with the windows safely up to beep and gesticulate at pedestrians crossing in front of the car. Well done you.

Our lollipop people were told not to cross lone adults only adults with children and children

20 minutes is amazingly patient

@TitchyBiteroo I am wondering if you have a secret desire to be a lollipop lady?
In answer to your last post, the lollipop lady in question only sprung out once, in front of me. She was between the blocking car and my car, when I had already started to move off.
I did not "beep and gesticulate at pedestrians". I beeped once as I overtook the blocking car after the single parent had crossed the road, and I gave a thumbs down to the lollipop lady. I felt remorse as it was uncharacteristic behaviour. You seem to be writing your own version of my account.

There wasn’t a gap, as there was a pedestrian there. You should have been letting the pedestrian go first without having to be made to. It was you that was discourteous.