Team Short Bus

Team Short Bus was founded by Rustproof and Blakejack on March 17th, 2008 in the hope of escaping the ineptitude of their previous crews. Within three months, Team Short Bus had broken the top 30 crews of Hunter Ocean.

Public Statement
We are just a bunch of idiots out there. Have fun, and don't take anything too seriously.

Extended Public Statement (as written by Rustproof)
Please read and understand all of the promotion guidelines before you join or ask for a specific rank. No one will be promoted to any position higher than Officer upon immediately joining the crew.

PROMOTIONS:

CABIN PERSON: Ask any officer or above if you can join. You are this rank when you join the crew.

PIRATE: Usually anyone who joins will be promoted to pirate automatically, but it is recommended that you have at least bold stats in 2 duty puzzles (Sails, Carp, Bilge, or Guns) just to show that you are familiar with the puzzles.

OFFICER: Broad/Respected in Sails, Carp, Bilge, Guns, and Duty Nav. Special exceptions can be made for those who already own a ship.

OFFICER/SHIP: As stated above, special exceptions can be made for those pirates who own a ship; however, this comes with restrictions. If you do not have the required rank for the Officer position, you are still allowed to be Officer but are assigned the title of Midshipman. You will not; however, be allowed to take one of the unlocked crew ships out on a pilly until you achieve the proper requirements, but you are free to use your own ship in any manner that you wish.

FLEET OFFICER: Broad/Master in Sails, Carp, Bilge, Guns, Duty Nav, and Battle Nav. No one will be promoted to FO upon first joining the crew. You must be with the crew for a minimum of 1 week. You will also need the trust of myself or a recommendation from Blakejack.

SENIOR OFFICER: This position does not have any duty puzzle skill requirements. It is reserved for those who have been with the crew for a significant amount of time, and who I also have a great deal of trust in. Management skills are far more important for this position than excelling at your puzzles. This position is by invitation only.

As a side note, promotion rules are general guidelines, and as such, promotions may be negotiated. A hard-working and courteous pirate may be promoted above his/her skill requirements.

All promotions above the rank of Pirate will be voted on by the Fleet Officers and above in the crew. This will take some time to count all the votes, but will help prevent theft,anarchy etc. in the future.

History
After developing a solid base, Team Short Bus was invited to join Corripe Cervisiam (then the #1 flag of Hunter) after impressing several royalty and titled members who secretly jobbed for them. Within a few weeks, Corripe Cervisiam was at war with Wrong Flag (later renamed Damnation). In a tough decision, TSB switched allegiance after their main contact in CC did so as well, even though the crew had already lost a sloop in a PvP. After a few months with Damnation, high ranking TSB officers were sad to see that their once powerful flag was slowly dropping in ranks and influence. Teaming up with -Obliteration- and Rum Runners, TSB joined the newly formed Seas the Day, where they hope to be more active in blockading and flag politics. TSB has also been the victim of attempts of stealing and general griefing twice, leading the already paranoid Rustproof and cynical Blakejack to postpone promotion to FO of new recruits until they have proven their trust, regardless of puzzle standing. Currently, TSB is enjoying an economic boom, and a steady rise in crew fame.

The Short Bus System
Like many other crews, TSB has a specific promotion system, as seen above. However, it employs what they call the "Short Bus System." Officers in training (those who are ready to make the jump from pirate to officer or pirates who own a ship) are given the title of Midshipman until the completion of their training, which involves a sloop pilly and a demonstration of general officer know-how. Until then, they only hold officer privileges on their own ship. Upon receiving the rank of officer, they are stripped of their title. When Rustproof and Blakejack decide that an officer is ready for promotion to Fleet Officer, the pirate is given the title of Quartermaster. Upon full promotion, which only comes after demonstrating battle prowess and the ability to lead and command, the pirate receives a unique title that reflects a certain skill, position, or personality. They will retain this title until their departure from the crew. Also, the rank of Senior Officer is one that is not achieved by stats alone; as a matter of fact, several SOs may have lower stats then FOs. Instead, the SO rank is reserved for those who have the fullest trust of Rustproof and Blakejack, and possess a special skill for administrating, whether it be organization or finances.

Poker Tournaments
As of June 29, 2008, Team Short Bus has been holding weekly poker tournaments, hosted by Wrecklesswmn, Senior Officer and Treasurer of the crew. After a few crew trial runs, TSB hopes to be able to open it up to the flag. There is a prize purse at the end, consisting of PoE and other random items, as well as an entrance fee.