Yeah, we've all worked with partners who we did not like. It makes it hard to enjoy the experience of officiating, but hopefully that just happens infrequently.

Also, as others have said, you have to be careful about jumping to conclusions about being late. It is absolutely unacceptable to be habitually late (as some people are), but the occasional "sh!t happens" to everyone and a reputation should not be established on the rare event. (Like others, I have been late. I was stuck on a stretch of highway where the exits were 12 miles apart and we had some wet snow that, I assume, contributed to an accident that blocked the highway. What are you going to do?) We should try to call, to be sure, but sometimes you either don't have the A.D.'s cell number (although we should make the effort to get it) or the A.D. isn't carrying a cell.

Very true as I used to live in Houston. I've been gone for almost 6 years and they're still working on the same highways as when I moved away.

Same partner every game?

No, but you should ALWAYS have your partners' cell number(s). If you are running late for any reason, it would be a courtesy to call them. They can pass on the info to the AD.

I had a partner that was running late for a JV game (on a 93 foot floor). I didn't relish the thought of doing that alone. I called his cell when it was time to go on the floor.

He answered that he was 5 minutes out. I told him I would meet him on the floor. (So much for a pregame)

He showed up in uniform, carrying his shoes and whistle. He smelled like a goat, hadn't shaved in three days and looked he slept in his uniform. His eyes were bloodshot and his idea of putting his hand up to kill the clock looked like Colonel Klink saluting Major Hockstetter. One of the top HS programs in the area, and I gotta be partners with THIS guy???? WTF?

I wish I could find my contract from last year to see who he was, as I can't remember his name. Thank the Lord, I have never seen him again.

If I'd meant it that way, I would've started off by saying, "Borrow Jurassic's Viagra. . ."

Well, as long as you're being up front with it, OK.

"I showed up on time" would be sufficient.