Any Bus Drivers Out There? (CDL, application, real estate, job)

[PG77]

I am thinking about driving a bus. Is it difficult? Is it more difficult driving the bus or dealing with the people?

[elgusano]

School bus or commuter bus? Big city or small city? There are a lot of variables.

I drive a school bus in rural Alaska. I enjoy it. About 90% of the people who give it a try don't make it. For some, it's dealing with kids, for some, driving a big vehicle, and for some, driving in blizzards. (I was stuck in a drift that was up to my windshield for 4 hours with a bus load of elementary school kids.)

Here, it is a part time job, but pays well. I make about $500 per week, which isn't bad for part time, plus it gives me time to run my business, teach classes, and preach.

Right now, I'm driving a special ed bus for summer school. (no one else wants to work during the summer, but they all complain about not having money; notice the connection?) To me, working with the special ed kids is very stressful. They're great kids, but require constant attention. For some, they love dealing with the special ed kids, but can't deal with the regular routes. I have a lot of Russians on my route, and most people can't deal with the Russians. The Russians like me. (I'm the first driver in 14 years they haven't tried to run off.)

As for commuter buses, I have no experience with them, except for driving for tourists a few times per year.

[Crew Chief]

PG77, I've never driven a motor coach or tour bus, but I've ridden on more than a few. Talking with the drivers, I've heard that it's a mixed bag. Some tours go really well, the passengers are a joy and tip well! Then there are the "tours from H*LL"! Nothing you do pleases the passengers, a few think the rest of the group should have to wait because THEY spent too long in the souvenir shop and few of them tip. I took a tour in South Africa where our tour guide was a witch but the driver was absolutely wonderful. We reacted by tipping him handsomely and giving her "chump change". And made sure she knew it...

PG77, I'd say that tour companies are worth a look. I know some are VERY strict with driver hours of service (like they should be:), some see them as a mere suggestion....

As elgusano says, driving a school bus could be rewarding; I've given some thought to combining school busses and trucking to slow down a little...

[PG77]

Thank you all for your input. I was interested in driving the public transit buses. The transportation system where I am is great. I talked with someone who told me they are always hiring and to send in my application which I did. That was about two weeks ago. The pay seems really good even while training. I talked to a couple of bus drivers who said they thought I could do it. One said the people can get pretty obnoxious but he said eventually you learn to tell them just to sit down and shut up. My luck though they would have a gun and shoot me!

[elgusano]

Although I've been stiffed by a few tour groups, the only really unpleasant tour that I've ever had was with a bunch of drunk real estate agents. I had to threaten to put them off the bus because they refused to leave their drinks off the bus. I simply told them that I am not going to lose my CDL just because they wanted to get a little drunker.

Some places commuter buses are good, sometimes not, from what I hear.

I've thought about transferring to Greyhound.

[overtaxedunderpaided]

Originally Posted by PG77

I am thinking about driving a bus. Is it difficult? Is it more difficult driving the bus or dealing with the people?

It's all about the people! Anyone can drive(well most everyone)........and most of us can drive safely(well some?!). The people are definitely a piece of work.........you can and Will be blamed for everything!
My advice to everyone considering public transit as a possible job depends entirely on your age and situation. If your young, please stay in school and get a job you really want(even if you have to live off your parents a while longer). If your like me and your options are limited.......it's an excellent job for money and benefits(for the first time in my life I could afford a house!)

[PG77]

Originally Posted by overtaxedunderpaided

It's all about the people! Anyone can drive(well most everyone)........and most of us can drive safely(well some?!). The people are definitely a piece of work.........you can and Will be blamed for everything!
My advice to everyone considering public transit as a possible job depends entirely on your age and situation. If your young, please stay in school and get a job you really want(even if you have to live off your parents a while longer). If your like me and your options are limited.......it's an excellent job for money and benefits(for the first time in my life I could afford a house!)

My options are limited. I will give it a shot if they contact me. Thanks for your input.

[elgusano]

Depending upon where you live, being a school bus driver might pay better than transit. In most places, that's not true, though. Check into that as well.

Personally, I wouldn't want to drive a school bus in the city, but others think I'm nuts for enjoying it on a 25 mile twisty turny road with no guard rails and 3 feet of snow.

One girl asked me once, "Do you ever worry about running off the cliff and killing us all?"

I replied, "Worry? No. Fantasize? I can't answer that question." (She is a friend of the family, so I could tease her like that, because she knew I was teasing.)

[Crew Chief]

EXCELLENT advice, Overtaxedunderpaided and Elgusano! Especially the part about driving only if your other options are limited. i feel that way about ANY sort of CDL driving. I truly love my job. And i'd recommend trucking or bus driving to anyone. But I'm SO thankful I had a full and wonderful carrer in the military first. While you can stay engaged behind the wheel (by being engaged when you're not...) I believe that it's much better to drive after you've done other things (the passengers might even think of you as more worldy...)

[PG77]

Originally Posted by elgusano

one girl asked me once, "do you ever worry about running off the cliff and killing us all?"

i replied, "worry? No. Fantasize? I can't answer that question." (she is a friend of the family, so i could tease her like that, because she knew i was teasing.)

lol