Life as a Charter bus driver in the US. What is it like?
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- Опубліковано 26 лип 2024
- In this Video, I describe what its like to be a Charter bus driver in the US. I go over the goods and bads and all the different types of trips a Charter driver can go on.
The interaction between the driver and passengers is also a key topic that is a big part of a charter driver's day.
Watch to find out more if you want to know what its like to be a Charter bus driver in the US!
I spent 34yrs first as a charter driver and then a tour bus driver. I was a paid tourist. My tours ranged anywhere between 2 days and 30days. I live in Canada and toured all provinces plus the Yukon, and in the US every state except Oregon and of course Hawaii. It did cost me a marriage, but my current wife embraced it and took one longer trip with me per year. Her favourite and I must say mine as well was Yukon and Alaska. I had many repeat customers that became friends . Loved every mile, every city and almost every customer😉. Been retired since 2011. Now my neighbours know that my wife had a husband, not a male friend that dropped in every once and a while.
Love the story and the history! Thank you much for sharing Dennis! Really appreciate the comment and the time you took to write! Sounds like you really enjoyed your career! Cheers to your 2nd wife for embracing your passion and love.
Hey Dennis. How you applied for tour bus driver jobs?
Lucky man he makes his living by doing what he’s loved most of his life!
The number one benefit of being a motor coach operator is you get the best seat on the coach.
LOL yes very true!
I always looked at it as a paid vacation.
Ok nerd.
@@randyscott1496 trust me, it's not
I just retired from 40 years behind the wheel of Transit, Charter, Greyhound and the last 3 years after Greyhound Canada died, back with Transit. Full circle.
Hey Jim. Much respect to you. I bet you have lots of stories and advice for drivers. Thanks for taking the time to write.
Wow. I just got off that same cycle!
70's city, 80 - 00 charter 01 - 15 city.
Can we talk? I'm still COVID quarantined. votus.us is what I'm driving now. Don't need CDL to get all my passengers to the polls to vote! I think I may soon need a relief driver.
~~~~~~
Y'all still working.
See Amagamated Union beef with Canadian companies as old operators like me were dying from Bladder Cancer. It's treatable. But I can warn y'all. *Less coffee. More water*
Greyhound not in Canada anymore?
@@ianmackenzie686 Greyhound shut down Oct 2018 in Western Canada and 2019 in the east
Might not have been originally what your mom and pops had planned but I'd imagine their damn proud your running a bus company.
Thanks Ed. Yes they have made peace with the fact that I went into the bus industry lol. They are proud. I am thankful.
This guy's childhood of bus obsession was like my childhood train obsession. He became a professional bus driver, and I eventually became an Amtrak attendant and later a freight locomotive engineer. I too was discouraged to pursue the railroad growing up by my family. My brother even accused me of maybe having Asperger's Syndrome, which highly offended me. I don't, and am not on the spectrum in any way. Maybe a little OCD, but so are a lot of people who are passionate about an avocation. If you can turn it into a paying job, more power to you.
That’s exactly my story too. I was discouraged from pursuing my dreams to drive buses, but I did it and enjoyed it. I was also discouraged from working for the railroad, and I am a proud Amtrak Engineer.
Great post Paul! Thank you for sharing. I am glad you stuck to it and followed your dream. A job you love is worth more than any amount of money! Loved reading this!
Don't feel bad fellas... I too was discouraged from bus driving.. but now that I'm 35 and I got my CDL and now I drive buses.. LOL
EDIT: I'm guessing you all were 70s or 80s or 90s kids... Right? If so that would explain everything, with the college pushing... Aaaaaaaaaand look where that got us today 🤦♂️
Man I can't tell you how much I related to your story at the start. I loved transit buses growing up in highschool. Got my commercial license at 21, and worked my way into several bus companies, Greyhound Canada Included. Now im 23 being a mechanic and a charter driver at my current employer is a dream come true. I love meeting everyone on the road and tinkering with the buses. Ive learned so much since I started driving charters, and don't think i will leave the industry. This video really hit me personally man. Keep it up!
Hey Danny 29! Great minds think alike bro! I love meeting young people with a passion for our industry! Im glad you love your job, that to me is worth more than anything! Thank you for your comment! Makes my day reading things like this!
@@MotorcoachWorld glad it made your day! Maybe for a video idea, do you think the bus industry is having a hard time getting younger drivers behind the wheel?
@@Dannny29 You know, that is a excellent topic! I will start doing some research on this and add this to the to do list! If you have any insight on this matter please feel free to give me your thoughts! I will totally give you a shout out on this video!
@@Dannny29 Just out of curiosity are you out of Ontario?
13:37 As a trucker I totally relate to the 'idiot drivers that make our lives a living hell' situation ;) - Cheers from Canada!
Been a bus driver for about 10 years. I LOVE line runs. I have done some charters.... nut line runs are my thing. Love schedules and knowing where I need to be.
I myself am a Line Run fanatic as well! LOL nice to meet you and thank you for your comment!
As a Charter bus driver I've been to places and seen things that I've never been too before I've chartered teams where some of the kids made it to the pros I've been driving charter for 4 years and I love it Wish I could have done this earlier in life
Orlando is the place to be as a tour bus driver with a family where you can be home every day. I am just north of Orlando taking people from the villages to cruise ships at Ft Lauderdale and Miami. That is literally all I do, load up, drop off and I’m at the hotel at like 2 PM and bring more back the next day.
Love your passion! I love people like you who make the world run and most people don't think about. Much more to it than I thought and I'm a truck driver.
Hey thanks so much! really appreciate the comment! Means a lot. Be safe out there!
Fantastic video James. I'm a tour consultant with Bob Rogers Travel, and have been on dozens of your coaches in the last 25 years as a tour director. Love this series. Its a must watch for all tour companies, as far as I am concerned
Haha nice. Yeah we work with you guys a lot. Thanks for commenting.
Thank you! I'm a regional semi truck driver considering switching to charter bus driving. Your video is very helpful, engaging and full of excellent information.
I drove schedules and charters for 20 years ... Personally I loved every minute of my life... The one thing I hated was long hours/days/weeks away from my family but I did put three kids through college ... HEY!!! ... I was basically on a summer long vacation driving charters ... I've seen things and been places some people only dream of
... while my group was sitting down to a meal I was out getting my coach cleaned, serviced, or fueled (never ever go to San Francisco expecting to find diesel!!!, fuel before !!!) ...
Back in the day, I logged 351 tours to the Grand Canyon, while driving for the original Sunvalley Grayline out of Phoenix. I love and never tired of visiting the canyon. Great video.
That is awesome! I would love to visit there some day. Maybe even on a coach trip.
In my 84 years, 37 were dedicated to my profession. From the 8th grade to college and as a retiree I worked at countless part-time jobs from digging graves to delivering items purchased by inmates at the county jail and almost everything in between. As a teacher (band director) I decided to use summers and other times to supplement my income with a part-time job. Yes, I always had interests in busses and had chartered them throughout my teaching career. So, I spent 7 or 8 summers, winter and spring vacations, and weekends as a charter driver for the best bus charter company in Florida at that time, A-1.
Of all those jobs held through the years my favorite, second only to teaching, was that bus job. Located in central Florida, it's obvious that the majority of runs were to/from all the attractions locally, both coasts and south Florida. 90% of the local work was with foreign visitors (from EVERYwhere!) but did quite a lot of out-of-state trips with local groups; DC, Smokies; Nawleans; Atlanta and all points in between. Working with people is what it is all about. (common sense and...the ambassadorship!)
Scariest moments? On two occasions, after dropping folks at their hotel and doing the walk-through check for items left on the bus, I found CHILDREN!! One was an infant, another a toddler...both sound asleep. In each case, mom or dad soon came running out of the hotel in a panic that I might have driven off! Proudest (if you can call it that) moment? Picked up cheerleaders from a camp at USF in Tampa, going home to Miami area. They thought I was an absolutely amazing genius that I took them right to a Burger King in some little town on the way right at lunch time. Learned from a Greyhound driver way back in the '60's...always know WHERE there is a good place to eat at the TIME to eat! (part of the homework!)
I would have driven as a retirement job, but alas, things change. A-1 owners passed away and I don't think I'd even GET ON a bus of the company that bought them out.
Enjoy your videos; keep up the good work.
Hi pilski! Thanks for writing that post. I really enjoyed reading it. Sounds like you made some great memories from your years behind the wheel of a motor coach. All good things must come to an end and I'm sorry that A1 was one of them. Thanks for the compliment.
@@MotorcoachWorld It was very fortunate to get on with A-1, especially as a part-timer. Treated all as professionals, no hassles or pressure if I couldn't take a particular job. They gave us a job and let us do it! Extremely well-maintained equipment; Earl and Hank knew what was required to 'keep the wheels rolling'.
When I decided to get a bus job, I applied with every charter company in Central Florida and every one had openings. Funny...once in my first few weeks I drove for three different companies...in ONE day. While I did work some, reluctantly, with one of the others, the no-brainer choice was A-1. Thanks for your reply; glad you enjoyed it!
My best bus driving story: A department at the University I work made a travel request for 3 buses. There was one departure location but 3 different destinations. I announced the destination before leaving, but somehow when we got to our destination half the group ended up being on the wrong buses.
Lol nice one! Thanks John.
Not surprised, no one listens but I'm sure they all complained.
Thanks for highlighting the ups and downs of being a motorcoach operator. At my former company, our greatest hazard were drivers who loved to zip around to the front of our busses and "brake check" them.
One of the other biggest challenges is attempting to maneuver the bus into some tight areas. That is where the operator really earns his or her stripes.
Hey Steve! Love reading your comments! Hope you are well! Yes most dings occur in tight spaces! Some drivers get too comfortable with the coach and become over confident.
Getting decent tips and free food was one of the best things when I did some Charters otr
yes agreed1
Not enough hours to rest and to many responsibilities that is dangerous for passengers dispatchers need to be more responsible given 10hrs rest instead of 8hrs the law need to be changed
I remember once In middle school going from hanford california to ucla..then to magic mountain I think there where at least three charter busses..I think on the way to ucla the lead bus took a wrong turn and all of them managed to make a u-turn on a small street..not sure how but they did orange belt bus lines..I remember going on those busses at least a couple other times on school trips
Great memories! Thank you for sharing! I loved reading this! Appreciate the comment!
Great video James 👏 you presented the good and bad aspects of your profession with just the right amount of humor to keep the casual viewer engaged. Your passion for the motorcoach world shines through every video you create - I appreciate you 🤗🤗
I've spent my whole adult life on the road with entertainment, shows like Sesame Street Live all the way to Motown the Musical, and have done a ton of trips on charter coaches ("seated" buses as we call them to distinguish from sleeper buses). I'm generally a front-of-the-bus sitter and often that means some friendly chat with the driver. I've met so many great drivers and I've always appreciated the effort and care they put into making our trips safe and comfortable. There have been so many great ones, but one that sticks out was when we were going from Reno to Santa Barbara in April, with beautiful springtime weather on both ends but when we hit the Donner Pass she put on a full reflective snowsuit to go out and chain up to deal with the snowstorm. She could have grumbled but she was in such good spirits about it. Thanks for all the trips and thanks for an interesting UA-cam channel.
This was a great read. Thanks for taking the time to write this. It was touching. Appreciate your kind words.
I always think when the group invites you to join them for meals, you've "made it". A few days with a group of new friends, and later to know that they requested you to be their driver is a great feeling. Oh and seeing some spectacular places that aren't in the tourist brochures, it is a great job
I agree. I drive school bus. Often teachers ask for me to drive them to their events. Friendships grow from that. And it feels good to be appreciated.
The last 10 years as a charter driver have been my favorite years. The places I have been and groups I have hauled are memories I will never forget. From Washington DC in the spring to the 10 day Myrtle Beach trips with senior centers. I have made life long friends doing this job.
Thanks for the comment! It is definitely a great job for those who enjoy traveling and people.
I've been semi-retired since 2011 from a federal gov't career and been driving all four avenues of bus driving (urban, line, charter and school) so it is in essence a second career...despite all the "downs" I can say that it is the "'ups" that I remember most and that feeling of accomplishment you talked about...the day I won't be excited to start a day of charter is the day I'll quit...these challenging times of pandemic have awaken the desire in me to proceed, made me appreciate the "ups" even more and I'm sure it is the same for a lot of drivers...as for me, I plan to pursue this great occupation until physical health doesn't permit me to carry on...thanks for that video and drive safe!
Hey Martin Arial! Thank you for this comment! It was very touching! Always a pleasure to meet a fellow passionate bus nut! I do not envy anyone in this industry right now with the pandemic. You are absolute correct on this! Thank you for your kind words and wishes! Heres to brighter days ahead.
Living in the Bloomington/Peoria area my whole life, seeing all these PCC busses made me smile. I’ve been on so many PCC busses and have seen them all over the country.
Hi Clint! That is awesome! Appreciate the comment! If you ever want to drive one let me know! We are hiring.
@@MotorcoachWorld I’m excited you are hiring again, it means business is picking up. I was hoping Bill wouldn’t have to file bankruptcy due to covid. I did my OTR driving,have a wife and kid now lol. I don’t leave Mackinaw much now unless it’s to eat lol!!
Dude ur childhood was funny. Great video and explanation of the duties of a motorcoach operator
Hey OG_Blue392! Thanks for your comment! Appreciate the kind words buddy! more on the way!
Just stumbled across this video. So good. Very insightful. Have had a passion since I was a boy but now 45 and hoping to drive coaches in my next career around Australia.
I'm from Montreal Quebec, and when I went to Washington DC on my Sec 4 (Grade 10) class trip, the bus company had a unique solution to get around the 10 hour rule. The company was called Fleurs de Lys, and I remember they installed a bunk in the back of the bus that the drivers would sleep in after driving for ~2 hours. That's to say that Driver A would drive for 2 hours while Driver B slept in the bunk, then at a pre determined stop, they'd switch, with Driver B driving while Driver A sleeps
Nice. I have never seen a bunk like that. I have heard of them though. I have often wondered if anyone can get any real rest in those things LOL Thank you for your comment!
@@MotorcoachWorld I would assume it would have felt similar to what truck drivers feel like if they drive in teams. All I know is that the US border guards searched because they had probably never seen it before, and my friends and I tried to stay quiet while one of them was trying to sleep in it
This is actually very common in Mexico and Central America. On long-distance routes, there are two drivers which will switch places when stopping at a terminal. The coaches have a small compartment next to the luggage bay where a driver can rest. One driver sleeps in there, another one drives, and they switch at the end of their alloted time behind the wheel.
@@Park_Place That's kind of what it was like. But in my case it was right in the passenger area, near the toilet. The bus I was on was a Prevost H3-45, so it had plenty of space
I love your videos. I work as a chauffeur and my company has coach busses and I never thought about driving the busses but after seeing your videos I inquired with my company and they will allow me to use their coach bus to take the road test to add it to my commercial lerners permit. Thank you for these videos
This is the first of your videos that I have watched and I love it. I look forward to more videos. I have always loved buses from a distance and finally purchased a 1995 Prevost XL 13 years ago. It was converted to a motorhome from new and it has served as our family transport all over the USA as we travel for work. We have driven it over 200,000 miles.
Thank you so much for your comment! That sounds like a lot of fun! If you ever pass through Illinois Let me know! I would love to see your Prevost! Ill give you a free dump and a wash!
@@MotorcoachWorld We would love to! Thank you! I would love to see all the buses.
Wow! I like that bus in the beginning going over the camera! Cool view!
Another great video, Jim! Great explanation of the leg/trip/relief drivers. I really wasn't sure how that worked.
In my younger years, I participated in several bus tours across Europe (some lasting 30 days). One thing that the drivers always appreciated, was having help load the luggage. While they would never ask, I knew it brightened their day:)
Great video, especially when you go into all the extras that go with the job. Keep up the great work! From your fans down here in Texas.
Hi Joe Rios! Thanks for your kind words! I really appreciate it. More on the way!
I'm currently a transit bus operator in NYC! Great video on how charter bus drivers work!
Hey thank you! Appreciate the kind words and the comment.
Really good video. You did fantastic!
Very well put, i can certainly relate. Retired from New York state government work, had my CDL, and it made for a fantastic part time job. I love the job, fantastic company to work for, I get paid to go to all kinds of places in the north east, and i love it. (yes, NYC too) I love the travel, new places, and something new every day. Best part is when customers ask specifically for me to take them again on their next charter-trip.
Thank you Roger! Appreciate your comment! Sounds like you have lots of great memories!
Kinda like my parents. They still are obsessed to push me to mainly be a musician but my dream job is like you were I want to own and run my own company. I'm nearly there though :)
Glad you are sticking to it!
You always have a great video and enjoy it a lot. Drove truck for several years then into School Bus Driver. Started driving Touring Coach during the summer months and moved over to full time Tour and Charter. Loved the Tour side, as I would be out for a week or two and had fun with the groups.
Drove school buses in college and at night did the bar hops for parties. Most fun job ever.
Hey Thank you for your comment! A fellow bus nut like my self! LOL Nice to meet you good sir.
I drove for a reputable Motorcoach company in the upper Midwest. The company featured in this video often we partnered with doing various assignments. Mostly helping to get college kids home or back to college. It was one of my favorite assignments. I had to leave the industry because of a sleep study during A DOT physical was ordered and I couldn’t afford the sleep study and machine. So do a talk about DOT SLEEP STUDIES. .
We lost a couple drivers to that too. Yeah that is a good idea. I will do that!
@@MotorcoachWorld James, have you made the video on this subject yet? Just curious, I’d like to see it if you have. ✌️out.
This is a lot more organized and logistics-intensive than the small company that we hired seemed.
My beloved uncle was a long time Greyhound route driver, occasional charters, from Abilene, Tx to El Paso, Tx , in the 60's, to early 80's and had many stories. One story that stuck out, during a night run, a male passenger came out of the bathroom in the back of the bus, as he walked back to his seat, he noticed his zipper was still down, and in the process of zipping back up, as he was walking in the swaying bus, he inadvertently zipped a woman's long hair in his zipper as he walked by, so the story goes. Pandemonium broke out and my uncle ended up having to to pull over to sort it all out. Making an unscheduled stop was a big no no but so was the big ruckus in the back of the bus! I ended up driving school buses for a time and have plenty of my own stories, but often think of my uncles travels. Enjoyed your video, a lot goes into the charter business! Your right, good charter drivers have to wear a lot of hats !
Wow great story David M! I loved reading this! I bet your Uncle had a lot of great stories to tell! Thank you so much for sharing!
I came across this channel and your personal channel about a week ago and have enjoyed them! I’ve been interested in pretty much any variety of transportation since I was a little kid, between watching trains, Great Lakes ship traffic, and taking city bus trips on old GM Fishbowl buses operated by the Duluth (Minn.) Transit Authority way back when. So I guess I’m a railfan, boatnerd, and bus nut all in one! I’ve thought being a charter motorcoach driver could be a fun job, but I learned from my time being a crew member on one of the Great Lakes ships years ago how hard not having predictable home/family time can be...so I think I’ll have to keep my interest in motorcoaches as an interest and leave the professional driving to you! I respect and admire that you’ve been able to live out a lifelong interest and dream of yours.
I have recognized many places you’ve taken video around central Illinois as I’ve made numerous trips to and through the area over the years. As my wife is originally from Georgia, and we love road trips, the legs of our trip along I-39 and I-74 in particular are very familiar. I’ve stayed many nights in either Bloomington-Normal, Champaign-Urbana, or Danville as they’re close to the half-way point between Duluth and our destination in Georgia. I’ll be watching for your Peoria Charter buses on future trips your way and in the meantime I’ll be looking forward to more of your videos!
Always a pleasure to meet a transportation nut. I actually love boats and ships and planes as well. I used to be a pilot actually. Thanks for taking the time to write! I enjoyed reading your post!
Really enjoyed this! Glad I stumbled across it. Look forward to checking out the rest of your videos.
Okay, now I've gone and read the comments and I'm even more hooked. So refreshing to see people that are so into their job. You've really tapped into something here. I think this channel will be huge.
Hey thanks Mike! appreciate the Kind words!
Haha I hope so. I am glad that my videos are helping!
Very informative video!! I applied at a charter bus company before but they wanted someone who had experience. Thanks for sharing..really cool! I’m looking forward to seeing more videos!!
Hey man, I would hire you! Love your channel! If you ever move to ILLINOIS hit me up!
@@MotorcoachWorld For sure!! I’m actually from Wisconsin! Maybe I can come visit next time I visit home..it’s nothing to make a trip down to Illinois!
Worst thing about driving a coach for me is having had ample rest and sleep then have a charter drive for as little as 5 hours ----Then you get in to the trip/drive and start to get sleepy. I have had to fight my way through those types of days knowing I can't just stop and take a nap ---I have to keep pushing. I will usually open the toll window and drive with my left hand hanging out. or I will put one earplug in my ear and blast the music. I will usually have a few people aboard that smoke and are having withdrawal symptoms from not being able to smoke on the bus so when I pull-off in to the rest area with the excuse of having to pay my water bill, those passengers and the others that don't smoke are so happy to be able to get off just to stretch their legs. During that stop I am also able to smoke and stretch, get coffee m do tire checks in about 20 minutes and we are on our way again. The on-time/scheduled arrival is not even affected because charters are not usually set-up to be rushed. and on strict timelines .
Yes! you are absolutely right. No consistencies and sleep schedule is all waked out. I have taken advantages of passengers smoking needs to wake my self up as well! Its kind of scary and its miserable when you are in the middle of that.
@@MotorcoachWorld , I have departed Schaumburg en route to Champaign on a college run and before I get to Chicago Heights i''m tired . Good thing though is once I drop at the armory I'm dead-heading back to Des Plains , so I will usually stop at rest area for 30 minutes if needed.(It's rare. but it happens)
Great video! I have always wondered about this but never knew anyone to ask.
Thank you John! I am so glad my videos helped! Thanks for taking the time to write!
Passengers told me about the driver they had the previous year who took them from Bakersfield to Los Angeles and then got lost on the return and took them to Barstow. 132 miles from Bakersfield!
LOL Thank you for sharing!
No way!!! Lol
Now how do you go 132 miles in the wrong direction? 🤔
Love your videos. I have decided to apply for a driver position at grey hound it will definitely be a defernt experience for me coming from the trucking industry to the bus industry but let's hope for the best my interview is this Sunday and then followed by training for my passenger endorsement its a good place to start maybe after some time i can drive for a charter will see thanks inspiring me to try this out .
New to your channel I really enjoy his video it is a inside look what is this job is really like very much enjoy it!
Funny story-- Back in 90's when I 1st start driving Greyhound, I headed out on an extra schedule to Cleveland ,Oh, express , get off at one of the Cleveland exits with 47 passengers aboard and got turned-around because I had not even cubed that route--I only had a route guide. My smart self rolls up to a liquor store in the hood at the corner, stop , open the door and ask the several people standing there if they knew where the Greyhound bus station was. Everyone on that corner AND on the bus broke-out in laughter. That was the most embarrassing moment in my motor coach driver/operators history,
LOL Loved reading this! thank you so much for sharing! We all have these moments!
Your not alone I recall as a Trailways driver in 1977 I was coming out of Mount Laurel NJ at night and miss my turn to hit the NJ turnpike. I knew when I had tree branches brushing the side of the coach that this wasn't right. Never being on that run before made it nerve wracking. Especially when the regular passengers knew the route that I didn't.
I can't wait...seems really exciting...
Husband and I were in the same training class back in 1989. I'm now off the road and working a desk job but still have my CDL. The only coach jobs that we haven't done is transit. I don't have the 'over the road' experience that he does due to the kids but there have been times that being married to each other has worked in our favor. We've done many team driving jobs, the best being a wedding to Ohio!
I have to compliment you on the job you did explaining the HOS and what it takes to be a charter driver. And the butt clenching? Yup, I totally agree. Auto drivers and also some semi operators have no clue when it comes to buses. I live in New England and look forward to seeing one of your buses up this way!
Hi Kimberly O'Keeffe. Thank you for your comment. Sounds like both you and your husband would have some really great stories to tell. That comes from being on the road. That's awesome that both of you drove. I have often tried to talk my wife into getting her CDL and driving a coach. I think she would love it. She has the personality. Sometimes you can just tell who would make a great motor coach driver. I have always wanted to visit New England!! Its on my bucket list. Maybe Ill get to take a bus trip that way one day! I appreciate you writing! More videos to come! Appreciate the kind words.
Just celebrated my first year driving coaches and love it!!
Congrats man! I am glad you love it! Its a great job!
My absolute favorite type of bus to ride in is a coach bus. Usually it's because we're about to embark on a long journey, certainly a fun one. Handing my luggage to the driver to pack away underneath and climbing aboard the bus, navigating to my seat just to stare out the massive windows when the bus slowly departs is a unique feeling altogether, somewhat similar to climbing onto an airplane, or perhaps a long distance train. Never taken a long train ride so I can't say for that one.
I really love your video good jobs to keep your dream come true
Thank you Jonathan Cameron! Appreciate your kind words!
Hey James, thanks for the insight... especially about first leg, trip, and relief drivers and the logistics that go into operating a motor coach company. I hadn't fully considered all that being a charter driver entails... my eyes have been opened!
Hi John thanks for your comment. Appreciate you taking the time to write. I'm really glad this is doing some good this all started as a hobby. Be safe.
Your passion for busses and coaches is spreading to me 😂😂😂
Another very interesting video James, these are very useful for use newbies. I can see I’m going to be learning so much in my upcoming orientation and training class. I’m hoping that when I first get my feet wet when I get started doing this I will get to do some trips with multiple busses so I can learn from the experienced drivers. ✌️out.
Enjoyed your naration of a world many have no clue about. Well done.
Thanks for your kind words. Appreciate you taking the time to write
Thxs for the information.. Great
Hi James! As a fellow transport geek (love planes, trains, busses/coaches, and cars) from IL, I’m glad to have found both of your channels. Your videos are interesting , informative, and I love the Star Trek/movie clips!
Hi Jeff! Thank you! Appreciate the kind words. Where in IL are you from? I live in Champaign IL
@@MotorcoachWorld I moved to the US from China around 7, lived in a few different places in the US and grew up in Buffalo Grove (40 min north of Chicago). Definitely been to Champaign-Urbana many times since some of my friends went to U of I. I’ve been in Atlanta since 2010 though working in the airline industry. There’s actually a ton of similarities in operations as well as the business/strategy side. I think it would be fun to chat sometimes on our industry to share experiences, COVID recovery, etc. One thing I think is super cool is the fleet maintenance software you developed
Retired after 21 yrs but i miss driving motor coach charters
My high school marching band went to Disney last year I went playing cymbals we took windstar from my school to Orlando and back while at the other parks and magic kingdom where we marched at. I have seen buses from company’s like coach USA and Cardinal. It was a fun trip and my first time on a band trip back in my sophomore year of high school and I’m a junior now I’ve been doing band as a percussionist and drummer since middle school. The Disney transit buses were very nice since we got to chill at the parks all day even after marching and see the fireworks every night. I ended up almost getting sick at Hollywood studios and went back to the hotel prior to everyone else due to overheating since it was hot in Florida during the spring. The trip took place during spring break through my birthday which was over spring break
Great job James. I just ran across your channel this past week. You do a very well at presenting and explaining your subjects. I work for a Canadian company and is a IMG member along with Peoria Charter maybe we have met?, if not maybe in the future. COVID has hit us very hard in the motorcoach/travel industry on both sides of the border, but it will come back. I have worked on motorcoach/buses for many years and have seen a lot of changes in the industry , equipment, and met a lot of great people along the way. I must be a "bus geek" too because I have enjoyed every minute of it! Rick
Hey Rick LOL it's a pleasure to meet you. Thanks for taking the time to write a comment I appreciate the kind words.
Always nice to meet another IMG member.
Maybe we have met I've been to many of the events as well as bus con.
It's been a sad year for our industry and hopefully things will start getting back to normal.
I'm glad you're enjoying the channel I didn't think this channel would get any views but I wanted to do it anyway just as a hobby and something to show my grandkids one day.
Turns out there are lots of bus nuts out there which is awesome because I thought we were very few in numbers LOL.
Feel free to reach out to me my email is jwang@peoriacharter.com
Definitely need to meet one day. You should grab a bite to eat if we ever run into each other at a con or and IMG event.
Hi all,
I've just subscribed to this channel. I'm a charter coach driver here in Wellington, New Zealand. I've been in the industry for 35 really enjoyable years, 10 of those in management driving a desk although loving every minute being back behind the wheel.
Thank you Mikey! Appreciate the sub. Sounds like you have a lot of experience under your belt!
Wow! I enjoyed watching this. Excellent content. I have also subscribed.
Thank you for the sub and your kind words. Really appreciate you taking the time to write.
Thanks for an informative, entertaining and thorough introduction to your world! I retired from law enforcement and am currently a school bus operator looking for a 2nd career. I thought I was the only kid with a serious passion (semi-trucks) discouraged by family at a young age. Didn't realize the amount of "away" time could be so much but I now have a better understanding after watching your video, thanks.
Hey Joseph. First of all i want to thank you for your service. I have a lot of admiration for those in uniform. 2nd of all, thanks for your kind words. Im glad my videos are doing some good. I hope you are enjoying your retirement. We have many drivers who are retired and on their 2nd career. Some of them only drive every month or so. So they dont work everyday. Only when they want to. LOL. They love it.
Yes and add sometimes we have to deal with technical issues on the road and have to deal with it while the passengers are in between needing the coach. I remember a trip I did with a broken A/C system on the road getting it fixed while the passengers where at the hotel
Hey Brian Pugh! Always love seeing you comment! Yes you are right. That is probably the worst day of a bus driver of any kind! A/Cs are the worst because those coaches are incubators without HVAC LOL!
@@MotorcoachWorld yea and of course it was a black bus lol
Omg i love this video. I drive a motor coach and i have somany experiences..
Drove motor coaches for starr tours back in 2014 loved driving the prevost h-3 45 now I’m a freight conductor for csx railroad
Awesome! Wow what a change. Which job did you like better?
@@MotorcoachWorld to be honest I still love my motor coaches but my passion is definitely freight trains ain’t nothing like that gevo sound when you running in notch 8
Honestly only used to like school buses, and now I like coaches because of you. We have these green coaches just like yours.
Wow what a compliment! Thank you for writing!
@@MotorcoachWorld No problem! Keep up the amazing videos!
Great video !!
I drive scheduled service (commuter- and express) in Ireland.
Great video, I do the same sort of job in the UK, driving coaches all over Europe. Well I did before Covid.
Thank you. I hope you are able to get back into it! Appreciate the comment and be well!
very much enjoying these, James. I've pondered putting a channel together, but you have really taken the cake.
You touched on it lightly in the video, but contract drivers and charter drivers really ARE two COMPLETELY different types of people. About the only thing they have in common is that they drive a bus. One can fill in for the other if they need to(i think lots of charter drivers, myself included, have been neck deep in contract work this past year, for better or worse), but they are never truly happy unless they either have a daily schedule, or they have no idea WHAT theyre doing until the work ticket arrives in their email the night before.
cheers and keep it up!
Hey Kyle Pesely! You should totally start a channel. There is not enough motor coach / bus fandom on the internet. We need more people doing this in our industry! I will help you out if you decide to start a channel! The more people making content on our industry the better i say!
Is it possible to have a mostly weekend/holiday schedule for part time work?
Hey there James new sub here and I too have a fractionation in Coach busses myself lol. I finally got to drive one in the years of 2011 to 2013 I worked for Tri-State which was brought out by Coach USA running the airport shuttle for both Midway and Ohare Airport. I really enjoyed my job but the trucking industry bug bit me so now I drive a Semi Truck. I hope one day I could go back into driving a Coach bus.
I was a poor kid from a family of 8 boys and 2 girls. My parents had no car. If I had to go somewhere I hitched or took a bus. I knew all bus models and schedules. I'm talking 60s.
I swam competitively and my school would always try to get same driver to get us to swim meets. I remembers them all. Same in college. Great guys.
I never worked in any area of transport I went into IT. I look back very fondly on my bus days.
At MTR Western, we had a list of "no go" places posted on different walls. For out of town trips, our drivers would rack their brains on Google maps street view.
lol nice! Thank you for sharing! Why were there No Go places? Too tight for buses?
Had good trips and and bad ones. Took a church Youth group to Panama City Beach and layed over for six days waiting on them.
Sounds like a good trip! thanks for sharing that!
Informative video. I just got asked today if I was interested in being a leg/relief driver for a company that hauls a baseball team. I got recommended by a guy who drives part-time/casuals for the charter bus company and also works part-time driving school activities at the same school I drive activities for, part-time. I'm meeting with him tomorrow for more details. Thanks for the video!
I really enjoy your videos. I'm going to be a route/trolley driver M-F (MCI D4500CT). But I'll have the opportunity to charter on the weekend. Gray Line Tennessee has a lot of contracts within and out of the state which gives me plenty of options.
Thank you for the insights man! In Europe you'll find two drivers on the bus doing shifts. There's buses with a bunk bed at some place in the bus.
Thanks Ben! I love getting info on how things work in this industry from other parts of the world! Much appreciated!
La humildad, la honestidad, es el principio del éxito, muchas gracias
Nice. Thank you!!
I just want to say Thank You to all Motor Coach Operators/Drivers. After watching this video and a few others. I have so much respect for Motor Coach Operators/Drivers as well as Truck Drivers. In my 37 years I have had my share as being a passenger on a Motor Coach Bus. I absolutely love when my church characters a bus going to an amusement park or to another church. I feel like I'm riding in style and also it is so much fun.
Thanks Derek. Appreciate you writing that.
Very interesting video. I just discover this channel and finally now I can compare European and American side of our beautiful and interesting job. Of course there are some techical differences but we all have common goal to do our job as good as we can and to keep our group safe all the way.
It is a job you are learning all your life and every year on the road you love it even more. Ofcourse Covid pandemic struck us hard with some unnecessary laws that allow only half full busses didnt help at all but just nailed a few more nails in our coffin.
So iam happy to hear America is opening and groups are on the road again. I hope Europe will follow very soon and that I will have full mirror of happy faces very soon again.
BIG support and respect to all of my colleagues across U.S. and Europe including ofcourse the one responsible for this looong review. Safe roads to all!
Thank you so much! Much Appreciated! I enjoyed reading your comment. Be safe my friend!
Wow you put a lot of thought into describing the motor coach profession. I've driven buses for about eight years now and didnt know that i did so much lol good job man love the channel and thanks for the great content.
That made me laugh. I drove for many years before the military (and was the defactor bus driver for the squadron when we went to the range or other trips stateside. It was odd driving a fullsize bus without a logbook, or going waaaay over the hours, but then again, our buses didnt even have license plates). Also, these digital logs kind of scare me. I think Im passed any statute of limitations but I did in fact keep two log books. Line work was easy...your 5 minute turnaround just becake a 45 minute lunch...the pen was mightier than the DOT lol, as long as your story was casual, and not overboard. It also worked the other way. One crappy dispatcher...and I did this only once (but it was glorious). It was a longer line, from Binghamton NY to Port Authority. Normally, its just enough time to go there, then back but only to the garage in Mahwah, where relief was waiting. Well...they screwed me over on a technicality, so I was getting paid 55 dollars that day. So, I made sure I "arrived" late, and took my time on the way back, and called up dispatch to let them know, I ran out of hours. I was about 30 minutes away from the garage. Yeah...later that year I volunteered for a deployment, didnt give them notice, my last day I showed up, dressed, then when they gave me the book, I smiled, handed it back, said, sorry, not working today. This was after a few other guys quit...Shortline sucked big time back then. But I still miss it, and I cant wait for nicer weather to take my bus out for a drive (yes...I own my own small fleet of city buses, not RVs or anything...because Im dumb with money) ((as a sidenote, this channel makes me write freaking essay long comments!))
Hey Heavy Metal Mechanic! Love reading your comments! we need to find a way to get together on day and have lunch or something! Please keep writing these. I usually read your comments when im eating lunch! Great reading material! LOL I want to drive one of your buses one day if you will allow me!
LOL Thank you for your kind words Thenerson Rashford! I appreciate the comment!
@@MotorcoachWorld Would love to get mine up and running and drive out to your garage. Although sitting in my bus might feel strange to you. Shes very "retro". Plus, it will take me forever. Top speed 42-ish mph lol. I am working on getting a 6 speed, but I think the final gear isnt an overdrive...Ill know whenever I get the money to shop that beast lol
I became fascinated with motor coaches when I was in grade school and my grandmother and I took our first trip from Centralia, Illinois, to Springfield on a Gulf Transport GMC 4107 or, as they were sometimes called, “Buffalo”.
I actually started driving when I was a junior at the U of I for our local bus company, Wimberly Bus Service, who had the contract for the high school and had 4 or 5 old Greyhound’s.
Took my first charter in a GM 4103 with manual steering and transmission, but then moved to the 4104’s and eventually 4106’s. They briefly had an MCI-5 which was like a Cadillac back then.
While in Champaign-Urbana, Illini-Swallow Lines was in operation, but I always admired the PCC’s buses when they were in town.
Turning 69 next month, and you can take the bus nut out if the bus, but you can’t take the coach out of the bus nut.
BTW, Beck Bus was actually based in Mt. Vernon by owner, Bill Beck, and was a direct competitor. West Bus Service, Carbondale, now runs the local high school busses/stage coaches…..🙃.
I remember HS marching band trips driving from Virginia to Central Florida. I do remember doing the driver switch each way but I never really thought about what the bus drivers did while we were at theme parks.
I'm into your vids, and love them as they're full of info. I have to admit I thought you were a bus enthusiast with a load of knowledge but after watching this one, I see you've worked your way up and have all the knowledge, how awesome! I love hearing all the info about different things. Can't wait to watch more!
So do you own this company and still drive too?
Hi Marc! Thank you for your comment. Appreciate the kind words. Yes stay tuned for more. yes I am a Co Owner of this company and I do drive too. In fact I try to drive as much as I can but I don't want to take work away from my drivers. So I don't get to often.
I go on MTB group trips. We load our bikes under the Vanhool and take off, for a weekend of fun . We have the best driving team. We gave one driver a nickname Senor Big Ballz . Cause he always does the driving in the mountains .
Thanks for sharing your experience! I'm a huge fan of motorcoaches and aviation. I really like that you mentioned about the mandatory 8 hour shifts and max 10 hours driving, because my dad once worked for a very shady trucking company in Toronto where not only was the 8 hour sleep rule completely disregarded (the shift sometimes was as much as 8am to 2am), the company issued income in cash (so the taxes couldn't be calculated), and worst of all, you have to pay to fuel your company truck with your own money, without any compensation afterwards! Thankfully, that company closed down and he now works at a much better company.
Thats awesome. Love meeting fellow bus nuts. Im actually a licensed pilot! Great minds think alike. LOL
@@MotorcoachWorld Awesome! I fly on X-Plane 11 all the time, particularly the A300! There's actually an Easter Egg in X-Plane among the ground vehicles, it's actually an MCI MC-7, have you seen it?
@@naturallyherb Yes! Ive noticed that! I have X plane 11 too. are you on Pilot edge?
@@MotorcoachWorld Not on Pilot Edge though. I do track my flights on the Orbx Volanta app though!
Great video. I like you also had a desire to be a bus driver at a young age. I was fortunate enough to to live out that dream and drive charters for several companies and also spent 14 years at Greyhound. I prefer charters. but you are right with the different hours and up and down work one day you’re eating steak the next day bologna. Being away took a toll on my family so now I drive local transit and actually like it! I miss over the road, but I would miss my wife more if she left me. Lol
Loved reading this! thanks for sharing your story. You seem to have a lot of experience in this field. I know what you mean about the inconsistencies of living with a job like this!
I have always had a passion for busses and will one day turn an old greyhound into a motor home, ever since I managed to persuade my school bus driver to get up to 95mph going down a hill near my house. Definitely wouldn’t be able to do that these days!
James, I'm sorry your Lego set got taken away from you after building a fleet of toy buses, but I'm glad you weren't discouraged from enjoying your true passion. After being a systems programmer and eventual project manager for IBM for 31 years, I retired only to obtain my commercial driver's license and become a transit bus operator, which I am now and have been for 11 1/2 years. I've always wanted to be a motor coach operator, but as a transit bus operator and after "paying my dues", I do have a steady schedule and get to go home every night. I do, however, enjoy your videos and admire your presentation and humor. Keep up the good work.
Hey Roy!! Thank you for your kind words much appreciated. Wow sounds like you have a lot of great experience and are very well-rounded. I think you and I would get along because we both have similar job fields. Appreciate the comment my friend.
Lol, I was obsessed with airport shuttles and that was my dream job for years. No one understood
The ones who does not understand will never will. Their loss. A passion like this means we love what we do. Some people never find a passion in life and is bored all the time. Thanks for writing to me fellow bus nut! Carry on my friend!
Congratulations on your life and buses,like you I was all about tractor trailers and 35 years as a tractor trailer driver I'm still at it.BTW my lottery dream is a Provost H3-45
Thank you for your comment! That is awesome. SO much respect for you and your experience! I hope you reach your dream one day! Be safe out there! If you are ever in the area hit me up!
Living in New Zealand and conveniently the most populated city in the Country. You have 500-1000 public transit buses to always be spotting. Always want to be a bus driver, but the cost of living > minimum wage you receive even an increase is not enough. But the bonus is once those buses are tired you have hundreds of affordable coaches, urban buses ETC for your business ventures. Issue is trying to find people to drive them. Very insightful video!
We have the same problem here. Hard to find good drivers. Thank you for this very insightful comment. enjoyed reading it!