Steve - look at it this way .... Bus drivers don't own the bus, they happen to be in the driver's seat at the time you board and disembark. The driver only stays in the seat until the end of the run or when another driver relieves them. You can acknowledge the driver or not and there are plenty of seats and others on the bus so you don't have to sit with the driver. Also the I believe the FOP pays a portion, so only eat their part of the menu. And, Mark Howes usually provides a nice memento gift to remember the evening with. I hope to see you there this year.