I like being a bus driver

Despite some of the shite that this job can often throw up occasionally, I must admit I enjoy the job most of the time. To be honest I cant think of any other job that I would rather do. Worked in shops but much prefer driving buses.

It could be a good job if manegement respected there workers and backed them up when neeeded.Not a fan of the job but the hourly rate is good,although their are times i do get i shift were i think it has been good.

I suppose it's like everyone says, it is what you make of it. If you go to work in the morning in a good mood and enjoy being friendly to people, a bit chatty even, and are a calm driver, then chances are you'll enjoy it. If the opposite then you obviously won't. Everyone has days when they're a bit miserable for whatever reason, can't be bothered and just can't wait to get home.

I'd like to think I'd be the former if I were to drive them... I think the area/routes that you drive can make a difference too. You just get some areas where people are usually friendly and chatty, and I think that can make a world of difference sometimes too. I always try to be polite and friendly when I get on, perhaps ask how they are or whatever. Particularly with Veolia where the route has more regular drivers (and a smaller number of them), you get to know them a bit and they get to know you. If they know you're friendly and in a good mood then they are too, I often get drivers that are particularly cheerful and friendly with me sometimes moreso than with others. You still get the odd one that won't say anything at all, and I'll just say "hi" and "thanks" to and nothing more. I have noticed First tend to be like the latter though...

Tell you what,there are worse jobs and for the money you can't really complain.I manage to survive on it.

Yup, it's also shocking how much wages vary from area to area and company to company though (area more).

Pukerlicious wrote:Yup, it's also shocking how much wages vary from area to area and company to company though (area more).

Tell me about it!

At 22 when i first started drivin buses i was quite shy for my age ,but after dealing with the public and being in the public eye so to speak,i soon toughened up and became quite confident and soon was able to deal with situations were other people might have shyed away from,and when i went out at night i noticed that women already knew me and would start a conversation bout buses which broke the ice,so tbh the jobs been good for me,and although ive stepped up a gear within the industry,i still enjoy it .

Despite the shortcomings of the job. I like it too. I like driving plus the absurdities that crop up occasionally keep me smiling...

I like being a coach driver, skive... skive... skive... skive!

You will be dealing with riots on Saturday though. Watch out for low flying bricks!

only small cab windows in an ailsa!

Big windscreen though

I like driving buses, I just don't like picking up passengers

Yep, I've been out of it for 2 years and miss it like hell.

Trucking now

One cute thing I have found is this. My D auto is upgraded to a manual when I take my C manual.

When I get my C+E it upgrades my D to a D+E

C is LGV/HGV rigid, and the E is with a trailer.

I qualified 5 years ago & while I do get nutters on board who get nasty etc as all of us do sooner or later, most passengers are no trouble & I've made personal friends with a couple here & there.

I love my job too, wouldn't do it if I didn't!

The only problem I have is that I'm only 5'1 tall AND arthritic (rheumatoid and osteo both in together!) & you know what some of the steps are like from the ground into the bus & some of the others from the bus into the cab! I recently took over a shift from Martin, he was ok when he went to work but developed a migraine as the day went on. He's about...5'10 or something so I took over the bus for him but had horrendous difficulty in getting into the cab because the step almost comes up to my knee's so there I was yanking on the steering wheel & seat trying to pull my way in & as I got half way in with my rather voluptuous bum stuck out this middle-aged male passenger calls out THAR SHE BLOWS. HAUL HER IN! Like one of those squirty old sea captains!

I was totally stuck with laughter. Couldn't move in or out because he creased me up laughing! Eventually plopped in the seat & I called down the bus that 'I'll get him next time!' To say I felt like a dopey sausage is an understatement but that man, whoever he is, made my day!