IT'S A BIRD, IT'S A PLANE...

Watch out, River residents--Quadlings are traveling in style. It's a bird, it's a plane, it's...the super-shuttle!

It has also been dubbed the "Tylenol shuttle" (for its red and white decor), the "mother shuttle," "Moby Dick" (as in the great white whale) and simply the "big one."

Every time Quad residents wait at the curb near Johnston Gate or the Science Center, hearts leap. Is that monolith coming around the corner our shuttle? No, it's a Greyhound bus. Is that rattle-and-hum our shuttle? No, it's a snowplow. Is that knight in shining armor on wheels our shuttle? Yes, yes, yes!

It elicits responses from even the most taciturn Quadlings. Some walk through the shuttle's middle set of doors and emit a sly smile at the novelty. Some grab the metal poles lining the seats and swing around like circus performers. And some simply genuflect at any sighting.

So, first-years, as you fill out blocking forms, don't despair too much about randomization. Sure, the Quad is far, but when you have the shuttle of all shuttles to carry you light as air from place to place, what does it really matter? Just step on in, relax in the climate-controlled interior and thumb your nose at river people as you glide on by.