Why are MTA's overnight runs called "hawks"?

[Gotham Bus Co.]

This has never made sense to me, because the hawk is not a nocturnal bird. Hawks sleep at night, just like most people. 

 

Meanwhile, SEPTA notes its night buses with an owl (which is nocturnal). 

[KingNas]

Short for "NightHawk"

 

Which is nocturnal

[Gotham Bus Co.]

1 minute ago, KingNas said:

Short for "NightHawk"

 

Which is nocturnal

 

Then they should be called nighthawks instead of regular (diurnal) hawks.

[trainfan22]

Lol this thread is so random.

 

Whoever in TA management deciding to call the overnight runs nighthawk has to be a birder😆 That bird isn't even commonly known.

[B35 via Church]

6 hours ago, trainfan22 said:

Lol this thread is so random.

 

Whoever in TA management deciding to call the overnight runs nighthawk has to be a birder😆 That bird isn't even commonly known.

This thread is petty as shit.

As was already stated, hawk (in this case) is short for nighthawk... As if terms aren't commonly abbreviated.

Edited August 21, 2021 by B35 via Church

[lornaevo]

Whatever the reason. I hate working the hawk. 

[Bill from Maspeth]

On 8/21/2021 at 9:56 AM, Gotham Bus Co. said:

This has never made sense to me, because the hawk is not a nocturnal bird. Hawks sleep at night, just like most people. 

 

Meanwhile, SEPTA notes its night buses with an owl (which is nocturnal). 

MTA/NYCT and every other transit agency has a vocabulary all their own that has evolved over the years.

[bobtehpanda]

isn't this what the random thoughts thread is for? this sure sounds random as hell