Expectations that almost ruined my career in the Motorcoach industry
Вставка
- Опубліковано 17 сер 2021
- In any job we do, there are good days and bad days. I have had my share. Based on the amount of new motorcoach drivers reaching out to me, I wanted to use todays video and tell a few peroneal stories of mine about my career as a motorcoach operator and a few of the bad days I had.
In this video, I tried to share my hindsight of the experiences i had and how easily we can all fall into a frustrated state at our work place. Especially behind the wheel of a motor coach.
I hope this video will help new drivers avoid some of those agonizing days i had during my earlier years in this profession.
Want to help support this channel? You can by becoming a patron on my patreon page.
/ motorcoach
Want a cool Motorcoach World shirt? Checkout my merch store.
www.bonfire.com/store/motorco...
Also Check out Motorcoach world's new Facebook page.
/ motorcoachworld
Checkout the video made a while ago that i mentioned in this video life as a charter bus driver in the US. What is it like?
• Life as a Charter bus ...
My first trip almost ruined me. The company that I went to work for had a grand total of four days of training for newbies that had never been a motorcoach operator before. Immediately after the training was over I was scheduled for a 5 bus move at a school in downtown Charlotte, NC. We had been assured that they never put newbies out front as the lead coach. Well, nobody told dispatch that and I ended up at the front. The older guys that had been employed there for years refused to take the lead and let me follow. Most of them had developed pretty bad attitudes toward the company for various reasons and they thought it would be a hoot for me to screw up in front of everyone in downtown Charlotte. I cannot tell you the stress level of being new, having 50 screaming kids, and Charlotte traffic. When the trip was over I remember wondering if I should just turn in my keys and quit. Well, I didn’t quit and the motorcoach business really got in my blood. Covid-19 has really hurt my brand new charter service and quite frankly I don’t know if I can survive with constant new shutdowns and restrictions. I miss being on the road terribly but there’s not much that I can do about it.
here in aus that would get the company in massive trouble hoep things are going better for you now, but that stories is giving me massive red flags about the company
I totally understand. My first run was a 4 bus move..I wasn't the lead driver but i made sure that i let them know that I was NEWBIE...because they assume that you know what to do! Well, we have training runs now and no more sending people out on runs without proper training..who wants to wreck a bus?? I wanted to quit a few times, I had a few issues with older men who felt intimidated with a woman driving a bus..it was just crazy!! Covid shutdown, all kinds of changes with pay, hours, anxiety from the stuff...etc...So..here I am 4yrs now...still driving! It's never a dull moment!!!
@@michellec.4994 I’ve worked with some really good lady drivers. The only requirement for being a professional motorcoach operator is the desire to take care of the customer to the best of your ability.
@@prevost8686 yes I've been through some storms with customers on the bus. customers telling lies trying to get me fired but it didn't work!
Are you still driving motorcoaches?
Now I'm inspired to become a motor coach operator
Driving a motor coach turns out to be my favorite career. retired now, but I still miss the buses, the passengers and trips. I like your channel.
You have endless oceans of corn in Illinois, James. It's an amazing sight to behold 😀
The best job I had was operating a motorcoach. I love driving buses, and i had such a blast. There are good days and bad days. But there are more good then bad. One thing I have always told people that would ask me what I thought about being an operator... Anyone can drive a bus, but not everyone can be a professional. I also hated being called a bus driver. I proudly proclaimed that I am a professional coach operator. There is a difference between being a bus driver and being a professional motorcoach operator, and that is called pride. When you take pride in what you are doing (being early, being proactive, being safe, etc), that is what makes you a professional... but when you don't take pride (looking sloppy, always miserable, not being safe, being negligent, etc), then you are just a bus driver. Love what you do and take pride in it. It'll pay off in the end. I PROMISE!
Good video, the stories are fun, I am an over the road truck driver, about 10 years ago I drove for a company in Wisconsin as a motor coach driver for about 5 years, I wanted to be home more, I have many stories similar to yours. Some of the worst trips for me were line haul. But I went back to trucking. When I retire I will probably drive a coach again!
Hey we love your stories and as Bus Operators we definitely relate. Keep doing what your doing !! We love it !!
James. The talk at the end of the video really helped me now. And I’m not a motor coach operator. Just a dude lost in the YT algorithm…. Thanks.
More stories please! These are awesome!
I never was a bus driver ,but I was a professional driver for a taxi company and you should have seen what they had me driving most days. Now in the cab business owners only had a few cabs and some owners never cared as long as they were making money. One cab I had actually 2 different cars cheaply welded together and this car engine had a slight problem, one of the pistons was broken and through the block, but the Frankenstein car ran although very poorly. Taxi driving really would be a great first job for someone if the owners would cared about their drivers .
I love driving vans. I've spent a lot of my career in the transportation industry behind the wheel of a van. I wish the bus company I work for now had the option of vans. Even though I own a pretty nice car, I still find that for some reason I'm more comfortable behind the wheel of my personal van.
Even the last limo company I worked for, I convinced them to buy sprinters despite the fact that my assigned car that I took home with me up until that point had been a brand new Escalade. I felt more comfortable in the Sprinter that I did in the Cadillac and I like Cadillacs.
I know exactly how both a G-Van and an Express should drive and ride.
I know the same thing about the Econoline and the E series.
Same goes for the old Ram van.
Motorcoaches are okay but in my heart I know. I miss being able to drive vans at work because to me that doesn't even feel like work.
Hello James, thank you for your videos you’ve awesome. When I did drive , I actually liked driving the older equipment (nobody likes to drive) as they’ve got history and seeing the amount of miles driven. The only disadvantage to older equipment is the driver’s seat, with many bodies flattening the seat bottoms and frayed seat backs where parts of the inner seats appeared through the fabric. The newer vehicles I liked the Vanhools cx4500 minus the bathroom set up for servicing. As well as some of the older MCI wide bodies for the smoothest rides on the highways
In every job you have to pay your dues. Low person on the pole gets the older equipment, maybe the lesser assignments, and the less desirable hours. I was 4 1/2 years as a casual transit driver, while, at the same time, a part time motor coach operator to the local ski hill. Now when I wasn't doing those two jobs independently, I worked in fuel bay or wash bay at transit. And just because I was trying to survive financially, I did the odd run for a local hockey team if I could work it in my schedule. The point is you gotta bust your butt with the tough jobs before you get rewarded with the gravy. Now that I have been at transit 11 years I have days Monday to Friday off by 5pm. Speaking of which I better get to bed I start at 5:20am.
Love your videos stay between the ditches and off the sidewalks 😎✌🚍
Safe travels sir! Thanks for posting
You still doing the transit thing bud
Our dispatch goes out of their way to give drivers 2 weeks notice for upcoming work. In return as drivers we ask for our leisure time off more than two weeks out. It makes thing flow really well and you can plan a life.
Just as Steve Jobs said, "you must love what you do and do what you love". Beside, whatever you do, based on my own experience, never be dependent on one income only. Keep a side hustle.
James, I drove Charter buses and school buses for 8 1/2 years after I retired, and everything you talked about is so true. You are a great source of information on the day-to-day operation of a motor coach. If you can't be flexible and willing to go with the flow stay away from being a motor coach operator. I had many great trips and some I wish I never went on but still a great time that I miss after retiring. Keep up the informative videos.
I learned all this way back when I started driving tractor trailers. Later while driving for Greyhound, the point was further driven home. And while driving school buses, I always hated the spare buses when mine was getting maintenance.
Today in aviation, most of the same still applies. I am long since used to these things and accept them. Ground stops, weather delays, routing issues, last minute equipment changes etc. I've said for a long time while working in the transportation industry "you can't plan nothin' " lol.
Your stories are so relatable, and the way you bring it all together narratively (if that's a word)--and visually--is always perfect!
Re your first story...I love old timetables (railways mainly, but also buses and planes), but I realized at some point recently that they always present an *idealized* version of reality...the *actual* reality of what happens on the ground often diverges very far from the ideal! On some railways (usually due to bad operating conditions), the officially published timetable was often really little more than an entertaining fiction! :)
I look forward to a career as a motorcoach operator and am inspired by you
Hey, good stuff, very eloquent and insightful! One thing I might add to the "bus envy" topic is seniority can play a factor in coach assignments, not just that, but the actual trip assignments that pay more. And, companies that don't go by seniority will go by availability, like if you are available 24/7. And sadly, some play favorites always giving the premium runs and coaches to the same few drivers.
Watch out for companies that place profit before safety. There are some shady outfits that pressure drivers to take buses that should be placed out of service.
I'm planning to start my own bus company in the future, I'd totally show this video to my new employees. This is a great video, I've been riding highway buses for years. It's a totally different world when you're on the interior.
No matter how ur day will go, take it in stride…. it will be a perfect day!
I chuckeled at the tought of texting while driving a coach. I am glad to have found this channel as I am thinking of becoming a driver as well. Keep up the great work.
First of all awesome videos James. I’ve been in the industry for 16 years . I’m assign to a 2019 J4500. My relationships outside of work has been tough . It’s been hard to date anyone interested in a bus driver .,yes I’ve been in the same situation that I had a few dates but had to work last minute or would finish real late .. This industry it ain’t for all . If you’re married then it’s cool your wife knows ..keep up those videos. KEEP IT BETWEEN THE LINES.✌🏽
We really need to talk about driver schedule/scheduling with prospective operators. I’ve seen drivers resigning after a couple weeks because they were expecting a typical 9-5 day. There are fast turn arounds shift to shift at odd hours that are legal but not always easy. We have to be available for assignments beginning at very strange times.
I would rush to work, because the seat in an H3-45 became my home, and I took my time bringing it back to the yard! I've learned to "love" everything in the fleet. The terrible equipment ("coach variation" of a Blue Bird school bus, dot-compliant but unreliable) assigned to spare line runs always had a silver lining because it became the butt of our jokes, gave drivers captivating stories to tell, had ridiculous malfunctions (it rained inside and an umbrella had to be temporarily tie-wrapped to a stanchion), made mechanics throw hilarious tantrums and it had rock-hard leaf springs that splashed passengers' drinks into the ceiling. We could not keep that bus because it affected our company reputation.
Thanks for sharing this video with us. It is always good to learn from others as much as you can. Wisdom is a dish best served with experience, and you have a lot of experience Sir. Thanks for sharing this on the eve of my first trip with paying customers. Look forward to more exciting and interesting videos in the future.
I enjoyed your stories, more please!
If this platform was around when I was younger.... Thank you for your posts!
Yes, as a comercial driver of any kind, never plan a time to do personal things after work on a work day, only your days off should be planned
great informations James,been motor coach operator for 20 years near montreal, now city bus driver in montreal for18 years still love my job big thanks great channel.
Hello James
As a former charter pilot that flew many different types of planes I can understand the frustration of being tasked with flying equipment that you don’t like. With that being said what I see that has changed is the uniforms. Many have gone away from shirt and tie or epaulets on the shoulder to something a little bit more modern.
It appears that with motor coach operators they still have these out dated looking uniforms that look terrible at the end of the day. The day of a tie and company logo on an uncomfortable shirt are gone. Why don’t operators update this look just like they update their fleets?
Keep the videos coming. They are great.
Thanks! I think your comment is deserving of a video!
You sure have inspired me to join the motor coach industry can't wait to get started thank you for the videos
This is an amazing information. Please keep posting. Thanks.
James, you are the bomb. Everything you say in this video is spot on!! Thanks for creating this video.
Your channel is awsome...I wish to become a motorcoach operator just need to find a school to get my passenger endorsement. I do have a class A commercial license that should help.
Love seeing all those pictures from way back then! We sure do love our corn though here…enough to put a whole library underground… 😳
Yup, all these things and more I had to learn!
Another thing I’ve learned as well as that even when you have a long-term contract with another company that enjoys and in fact even request you as a driver for their trips, that doesn’t necessarily mean that things are always going to go how you want them to with that customer/contract. A promise made by the customer isn’t a guarantee until it’s in the contract!
The Boston to New York based Fung Wah bus company had to shut down for unsafe operational practices (i.e. speeding, one bus hit two pedestrians, hitting a guardrail at the Alston-Brighton tolls, major safety issues with their buses, etc.). But the tickets were the cheapest around ($15.00 oneway).
My first asigned coach when I started driving bus in 1984 was 1963 MCI MC4 , I used it on our schedualed Whitehorse Yukon to Skagway Alaska run. It was built 1 month before I was born. It had no restroom and no power steering but boy was she fun to drive.
I appreciate your content.
Hi David. Thank you so much. your comments are always so supportive. Means a lot.
Great video ..
So true! I work in urban transport but we also did have a charter department (mainly school charters etc).
But even in urban work, you can't always guarantee you'll finish at your rostered time. So many times I got called up and asked to complete a few additional trips etc.
Our charters were fun though. I used to get allocated a out of town charter (approx. 400km round trip) which was for a local university who would do a day of research in various locations. They loved me as I always had chilled music playing and I always got the most comfortable bus for them (even if they were all city buses)
A lot of what you say in videos like this, remind me why I love driving a big rig. Sometimes i want to blame the career and company but in reality it's just things just happen.
The second story, when you explained how you'd buy yourself tickets so that you could upgrade from a van to the bus I kept thinking, dang that's savage!! 😂 👍
I was thinking "well played James"! 😅
Being on time, Yea, I hear you there but I know its part of the job and my manager explained that to me in the interview, which was nothing new to me as the carrier I retired from, I often was never done on time, along with working weekends, holidays, and all sorts of different and long hours. But I still love this job and the company I work for.
HEY! The 102DL3 takes a back seat to no coach! Its my favorite........lol
James I worked at a cubicle for 5 years and truly enjoyed it while it lasted nd as for processing clients thru the cash register at Office Depot I met very many wonderful people that I got to know very well.
This guy is an absolute madlad, he literally bought tickets to just drive a coach instead of a van.
So James, how much do you think you cost the company by buying those tickets?
I hope that one day I can drive a coach like my father used to do before he retired. I'm still 4 years away from that (in Spain the minimum age to drive a bus without taking a very long and expensive course is 24 years old) but I can't wait for that moment.
Why 24 years old ? In France it's 21
@@popix33 I don't know, the government talked about downgrading the age to 21 but for that you have to pay a lot of fees and a course only for being able to start the coach driving process and in total is almost 5000€ (you have few driving schools with the course of 280 hours that is required for that before apply to the bus license course) and take at least 6 months to complete all, if you are lucky take the driving exam right after the course. Even more drama is that here we have a problem with spontaneous strikes of driving examiners for at least 5 years, about 2 to 3 a year in the peak of the exams so now we have a long list and that grew a lot with the pandemic.
I would have gone for the MC9 in the background of one of those shots!
Your Favorite Bus Is #229 Fighting Illini 2
Neat video James! Great insight on your personal experience, thanks for sharing!
I don’t like 225 and she doesn’t like me either. I’ve tried talking to her but she’s stubborn. Any advice?
Is that a Van Hool? I've never driven 225 before. what is she doing?
I have had coaches that I didn't like to drive. I took more time to get to know them better and over time I ended up getting attached to them.
Never plan for being home as a coach driver for any holidays. Christmas, Thanksgiving, the 4th of July, and of course a kids birthday.
Watch out for bosses that tell you to " Sleep fast" or expect you back in a period of time that is not compliant to D.O.T. rules.
I knew better ...and it would drive his Blood pressure up. When I would show up late. But within D.O.T. rules.
Short and sweet highly condensed story of me having to work late unexpectedly. I was supposed to be home by 5:00 PM. Had to work until after 8:00 got home at 9:00. My wife gave birth to our second child 45 minutes after I got home! Top That!
Lol yeah you got me beat. My wife would have killed me If that happened to me.
Driving buses doesn’t pay well. And to make any kind of money requires long stints away from home, and even that I would call an income to brag about.
Just retired form an LE job after 25 years. Always loved to drive and have been fascinated by busses, etc. Been thinking about driving for a local bus company as a retirement jo but don't really want to work weekends. That'll probably kill my thoughts but, who knows.
Now replace "coach operator" with "youtube creator" and...yeah. Pretty much applies the same way. Except its more fun being in traffic with a broken ac than dealing with YT lol.
Lol true. 😆 how are you doing
@@MotorcoachWorld Tired. Been editing for 8 days. I was going to release today after your video but...I got hit with copyright, over a creative commons track. Im done with music lol...Im about to upload to changed vid now but wont release till maybe Saturday.
How are you hanging in?
Nice
I want to hear another story that made you want to quit. And has anyone ever thrown up on your bus? If so, how did you handle that. Or anyone out there, how did you handle that?
My unexpected expectation is dispatch. Our company always receive last minute call from our clients. We don't know our work schedule until the last minute. Can you do a video about why or how a charter company set up "a firm schedule" within 24-48 hours prior? Another topic I'm interested is what is IMG, Trailways some kind of bus alliances. Thanks
In our line of work you can never be certain about what time you are going to be home. That being said with some experience you can make pretty decent estimation based on the kind of group you are driving that day, for example a bunch of school kids on a trip are more likely to be home on time because parents are waiting for them on the other hand if you are driving a group of people visiting a wedding for example you can bet your butt they are going to run late. 99% of the time I can aim for a 15 minute window on witch time i will be home that day based on past experiences and the time of day.
older buses did not have tapered rear and front end. Why do the new bases have those
Can you give us your good bad and ugly stories a passenger related incident? When was your customer service tested, or when were you putting a situation to have to think very quickly on your feet?
I want to pursue a career in the motor coach industrie only problem is i have a implanted device that helps my heart called a pace maker i asked my heart doctor if i was able to opperate a motor coach and she said it was perfectly fine . I drive a school mini bus as my job and i get your frustration i want to work with the big boys .
Hey dude I just passed my CDL test this morning (19 august).. in spite of the monsoon we had as well as the bus not having ABS and I had half ass working defrosters 😁
Lol congrats man trial by fire!
@@MotorcoachWorld yes it was..
I went to Alaska, got my CDL drove for Holland America and now back home. How can I get a job when everyone wants 2 years experience? I absolutely love driving a coach bus and want to continue!!!
Oh myyy!!
I have a route in Colorado that is within state lines. I am never paid overtime because the company is registered to the government as over the road. How was this legal? I work almost 60 hours a week. All from Denver to casinos in Blackhawk. The majority of the drivers of the company never cross state lines. I called The local labor board in Denver and they gave me a BS answer.
Is motor or city or school better I wanted city but your videos make me turn to motor or do city for experiences then go for motor
Trucker John told me to check out your you tube channel.
Trucker John is a good guy.
Gawd I hated it when I was dating a realtor. So many times she would cancel on our date at the last minute because her client wanted to write an offer or this and that. Needless to say I called it quits.
Lol
How do you turn on you curb light on your pre trip?
What is the average MPG of a motorcoach? What advances have been made over the years to make coach buses more efficient? Can diesel coach buses run on B20 or B100 fuel?
James,
Have you driven MCI MC-series buses before? I've ridden in them for a long time from Fort Frances to Winnipeg, sometimes to Thunder Bay on a Grey Goose Bus lines
Hey Christopher. Yes I started my career driving MC-9s and MC-12s
@@MotorcoachWorld the older MC-series coaches had a manual transmission when I used to ride on one of the MC-series coach
@@MotorcoachWorldhow do you start the motor coach? Where is the ignition located on the left?
WOW... I can't believe you bought passenger tickets with your own money just to have your van upsized to a motor coach lol. That is desperation and true commitment
Were you able to reschedule the date?
I live in the Midwest
Nice
I live in the
🇬🇧UK
Driving coaches is fun. The job invariably sucks....Avoid ' piecemeal ' work, where you put in a 12 hr day, but only get paid for 5 hrs...You want to be paid from the moment you leave the barn, until you return at the end of the day....Maintenance of the equipment crucial... a number of times, I hit the foot brake on either a school bus, or 40' coach, and nothing happened....Had to do some fancy driving to avoid killing anyone. If I had a serious accident, the company would have said I was on drugs....as they did to one poor driver....
Your company ever come to Philly?
Wat Is Ur Favorite Bus U Love Driving
Another great video, I wish I could drive some of those nice buses.. the newest one I have driven was my 1986 TMC 102A3.. I now have a 1984 Bluebird Wanderlodge motor home. I would recommend you check out Bus Old Man Phil, he works for a charter company that has a bunch of vintage buses.. some of them they still operate for revenue..
Here is his channel:
ua-cam.com/channels/4zRTre-FH7PQg08grjYWJQ.html
I found out about him through the Bus Grease Monkey who works on the vintage buses.
Did you ever get to drive one of the old school screaming Jimmy shark buses with a manual transmission
Hey George. Ive heard someone else talk about them but I have never driven or heard one. I would love to though!
@@MotorcoachWorld I drove the Detroit’s in semis when I trucked I am retired trucker on disability because of illness I had about 17 years when I had to hang up my driving gloves & hat at 39 I am 56 now And love you tube
@@MotorcoachWorld I drove screaming Jimmies for almost 11 years. It's a wonder I have any hearing left!
How often do you see your family?
Have you ever driven an articulated bus?
No but it's on my bucket list.
You think its worth it to try it out with shuttle bus/van driving before getting the CDL?
I think you should go for the CDL. If things don't work out, you can do a lot with the CDL. It opens a lot of doors.
Lots of companies will pay for it and help you get it.
@@MotorcoachWorld Thanks, I just dont want to get nervous driving something that big. But Id love to drive on the weekends to get away from the office job.
@@PremiumFuelOnly don't let the size intimidate you. If they are gpod company they will give you proper training. You will get comfortable with the vehicle before you go out on Your own.
But from my experience, it's when you gain your confidence is when people usually have their accidents. Once you feel like you got the hang of it, that's when you need to take a step back and tell your self to respect the size of the vehicle.
I think you'll love the job based on your response.
@@MotorcoachWorld Thanks!
What did finally happen with the date's girl? Did she give you another chance?
Lol good question. No she never did talk to me again.
Rule #1 Never make plans on a day you are working.
Rule #2 If you drive a Prevost don't make plans for the next day either.
Rule #3 Forget about married life, better to have different girlfriends in the cities you get chartered out the most.
Rule #4 Don't s*** where you eat, don't date tour guides or other drivers.
Rule #5 Don't trust the cup holders with big full drinks.
you have any driver open 😮
Which motor coach is are you sitting on?
I'm talking to the camera on a MCI J4500
@@MotorcoachWorld ok
10:35 what is with the barefoot cheerleader?
2:14 what a Chad!!!
Lol thanks!
Is this job much better than being a school bus driver?
Hi, I now that my request will seem hard, but I would like to have a call with you... I've a class A license and been truck driver for 2 years and 4 months and thinking about becoming a motor coach driver.
So if it's okay with you to have a call so we can talk that would be great, thanks 🙏🏻
Bottom line, he did not get laid. Every man can relate.
If you drive in Boston you will never be on time
usually owg's that complain and carry toxic attitudes! usually!😞
What is a owg?
@@MotorcoachWorld lol', (old white guys!) from my experience anyway! not all but usually. h.a.n.d😃
👍👍always 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸!!!
Why out of everything u can be in America why be a bus driver.
That's what you are. Just a bus driver
I make more at 19 taking out your garbage
Why out of everything u can be in America why be a internet troll? That's what you are. Just a internet troll.
also, your grammar is horrible. out of everything you can be in America, you certainly could never be a public speaker.
go back in your hole.
@@kylepesely it's just a question jesus christ
@@xslowday6850 Some people have a calling to what they want to do. It takes all kinds to make the world go round.