Abstract: A convertible message sign for indicating the docking status of a vehicle. The convertible message sign includes a mounting plate for mounting on the vehicle and having a front surface, a back surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, a first side edge and a second side edge. The front surface of the mounting plate has two sections. A plurality of placards are pivotally mounted on the mounting plate such that each of the placards pivots about a substantially common axis and is alternately positionable in front of one of the sections of the front surface. Each of the placards has a status indicia marked thereon. Each of the placards has a front side and a back side, and at least one of the front and back sides of each of the placards has one of the status indicia marked thereon. Each of the status indicia includes a single character.