As I feel for those cruise ship passengers who took a bus ride in Mexico that ended with dead and injured, I remember my own cruise to Mexico and the tour bus ride.
Once we had left the populated areas and entered some barren landscape, the tour guide sent around a clipboard with a paper for everyone to sign. The heading on the paper was “Waiver”.
When I asked why we needed to sign this the guide laughed and said, “So you won’t sue us if you get hurt.”
A lawyer had once warned me, “Only a fool signs a waiver.” He also added, “There will be times when you don’t have any choice.”
Did I have a choice? No, he said that if I didn’t sign we’d have to get off the bus.
It did not look like a good place for Marg and I to hitchhike, so I reluctantly signed and indicated beside my name that it was signed under duress. I had no idea if that would make any difference in a Mexican courtroom.
I wonder if the people in the news today signed a waiver.
Have you ever signed one? Do you understand the implications? Have you had any regrets?
Let me know your waiver experience.
Bob Layton is the news manager of the Corus Edmonton group of radio stations and a commentator for Global News.
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