'Bug Trainer

New Z'hrat has a robust, well-oiled public transportation service, thanks to the Transit Alliance and their longbugs. Longbugs- simply called "'bugs" by Z'hratians- are enormous caterpillar-like insects, and drivers will mount rows of seats to their backs in order to carry passengers. Their carrying capacity, combined with their relative ease of upkeep and somewhat intelligent and docile natures, made them excellent choices for public transportation. Back when the city was first working on establishing their public transit system, longbugs were undomesticated wild insects, making longbug trainers a pretty important part of society. In the modern day, domesticated longbugs are bred, and specialized trainers are rarely necessary, due to the fact that the young 'bugs learn quickly from their parents and drivers. Only a handful of these trainers still exist, and are typically sent to deal with specifically tricky behavioral issues.

Career

Qualifications

Longbug training was an entry-level job, but required guild membership (it was initially handled by the Farmers' guild before the formation of the Transit Alliance) and some specialized training.

Career Progression

Longbug training was seen as a way to get your foot in the door at the local guild, and from that position, it became a lot easier to find more comfortable-paying or interesting guild jobs. Few remained permanently in longbug training, and those who did were often utilized as mentors for younger trainers.

Payment & Reimbursement

It was one of the lowest-paying guild jobs, offering a humble wage that would still provide a modest lifestyle for a family of two or three.

Other Benefits

The Farmer's guild ensured that all of their employees had their food needs met in addition to their salary. Laborers, such as bug trainers, were given plenty of time off and time between shifts to ensure their safety on the job.
The few longbug trainers that now work for the Transit Alliance are protected by an excellent union, and the Alliance is the only guild that provides all of its members with health and disability insurance, regardless of position or status.

Perception

Purpose

In the past, their goal was to train wild longbugs into a serviceable fleet.
Nowadays, trainers mostly deal with behavioral issues. These issues are most often a result of trauma from road accidents, but since 'bugs are fragile, they are rarely able to return to service after being in an accident regardless.

Social Status

In the past, it was low status, but necessary.
Nowadays, it's extremely specialized labor that few have heard of and even fewer are capable of performing.

Demographics

<1% of Transit Alliance members train longbugs.

Operations

Provided Services

Historically, procuring and training a new bug for the fleet.
Nowadays, longbug behavioral assistance and rehabilitation.

Dangers & Hazards

In rare situations, a frightened or unaware bug might trample its trainer.

Type

Transportation

Demand

Rare, niche

Legality

There used to be legal criteria surrounding how many longbugs you can take from a herd, and how many bugs can be kept in a certain size building. This was mostly a formality, because most trainers hit the practical limit far before they hit the legal one- baby longbugs are the size of large dogs, while adults are the size of a school bus.

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