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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2015 19:27:38 GMT
REMINDER - episode 3 on the telly tonight (2030 ITV) after last week's break to allow 7 politicians to shout at each other. The bus is now approaching ITV
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Post by snoggle on Apr 9, 2015 20:00:10 GMT
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Post by vjaska on Apr 10, 2015 0:58:33 GMT
Lol and yet another driver I don't remember encountering.
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Post by Steve80 on Apr 10, 2015 5:06:10 GMT
Lol and yet another driver I don't remember encountering. I wouldn't be surprised if he left and went to another garage. His motto is to always be happy so there's no way he could sustain that attitude while driving an extremely busy route like the 133 Speaking of Bart, I'm sure I seen his instructor driving the 264 many times before although I haven't seen her recently. Felt slightly sorry for Manuel as I been in a similar situation. Would you believe that I got kicked out of Metrobus after failing my first test as they didn't think I would make it as a bus driver. I find it surreal how bad I was back then but it still hurts slightly as I knew I was improving the week before I had my test especially as my original instructor went sick and my new instructor had a different kind of manor which actually help with my learning. Unfortunately, I was only with my new instructor for a week. Looking forward to the next episode and seeing how Rodney will do. He seemed like a nice chap but I really thought he would collide into that lamppost. There was a good moment when Rodney and his instructor got caught up in the protest At Trafalgar Square and his instructor did a runner
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Post by daveb0789 on Apr 10, 2015 8:27:34 GMT
I've been in the same position Manuel was in. It's not a nice feeling. After only a week Steve80? What did you do ?
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Post by snoggle on Apr 10, 2015 8:38:53 GMT
Would you believe that I got kicked out of Metrobus after failing my first test as they didn't think I would make it as a bus driver. I find it surreal how bad I was back then but it still hurts slightly as I knew I was improving the week before I had my test especially as my original instructor went sick and my new instructor had a different kind of manor which actually help with my learning. Unfortunately, I was only with my new instructor for a week. The only road training I've done was to learn to ride a motorbike. The first instructor I had was dreadful and I didn't get through the CBT stage. However a different instructor a few weeks later made all the difference and I passed the test first time. Amazing how important it is to "click" with your instructor on something like this. As I haven't done the car or bus test I'm not really qualified to comment but I do sometimes wonder about some of the driving candidates you see on these shows. They seem to have a rather exaggerated sense of their driving ability and they are brought down to earth with a bit of a bump when faced with these instructors.
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Post by snoggle on Apr 10, 2015 8:41:09 GMT
Lol and yet another driver I don't remember encountering. I'm sure you would remember if you had. I suspect Steve80 might be right in that the 133 probably "knocked the enthusiasm" out of Bart. Must be hard work to keep smiling and be polite on a busy route like that.
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Post by Steve80 on Apr 11, 2015 5:54:41 GMT
I've been in the same position Manuel was in. It's not a nice feeling. After only a week Steve80? What did you do ? Yes, I had about 4 weeks training with Metrobus. Normally, you get 3 weeks and then a test but I had 4 weeks training due to some delay which I can't remember (It may have something to do with the rescheduling of the theory test date). Anyway, I had about 3 weeks training with my instructor and then he went sick for about a week so I had a new one. My first instructor was always joking around but was very vocal and critical. I was always nervous but always enjoyed his jokes so maybe I wasn't so focus on the job. I just enjoyed being there. With my new instructor, he was more calm and subtle with his jokes. I guess this is why I improved as I realised it wasn't a joke anymore and was more focus on the job. After a week, my first instructor came back on the day of my test. I didn't expect to pass the test but was still upset about it. I was shocked when they decided to get rid of me after only one try. I even begged them for a progress test but they refused although it didn't help when my first instructor, who was with me in the interview room, showed no encouragement on whether I would pass my test should I get another go. Obviously, I joined another company (Thames Valley Training) and had another 3 weeks before I passed my test and then I was transferred to Merton Garage. When I went to the introduction day at Camberwell, I saw my original instructor at Metrobus there. He seemed quite surprised that I passed. Obviously, he thought I would never make it but I would never look down at him or criticise Metrobus as I only just passed my car test about 4 months or so before I decided to apply to be a bus driver. Even at the induction day at Orpington, I did so poorly at the driving check as I never driven an automatic vehicle and I had no idea that a vehicle would keep on moving even though I'm wasn't accelerating yet Metrobus still decided to take a punt with me. If it wasn't for them taking that risk then I would probably have had a different career
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Post by Steve80 on Apr 11, 2015 6:13:07 GMT
Would you believe that I got kicked out of Metrobus after failing my first test as they didn't think I would make it as a bus driver. I find it surreal how bad I was back then but it still hurts slightly as I knew I was improving the week before I had my test especially as my original instructor went sick and my new instructor had a different kind of manor which actually help with my learning. Unfortunately, I was only with my new instructor for a week. The only road training I've done was to learn to ride a motorbike. The first instructor I had was dreadful and I didn't get through the CBT stage. However a different instructor a few weeks later made all the difference and I passed the test first time. Amazing how important it is to "click" with your instructor on something like this. As I haven't done the car or bus test I'm not really qualified to comment but I do sometimes wonder about some of the driving candidates you see on these shows. They seem to have a rather exaggerated sense of their driving ability and they are brought down to earth with a bit of a bump when faced with these instructors. Yes, I truly believe that you have to 'click' with your instructor to get progress. Continuing with my previous post, my instructor at Thames Valley Training (TVT) said to me he's not here to make friends. He just wants me to pass my test. Also, with TVT, they wasn't so restricted as the instructor would normally take us to some coach park so we could learn to reverse park in a spot with cones all set out. The instructor would go outside and watch us while I would just sling the bus around and reverse the bus at any speed that I liked From that day onwards I had more confidence in driving that bus than ever before. As for Bart, it would be great if he still was on the 133 but I bet he did a rest day on the 249, realised how friendly the passengers were in Clapham Common and then transferred with the route to Stockwell! I done the S4 a few times this week and I have never come across such cheerful passengers. Bart would have a field day with them. Maybe he's discovered a route with similar passengers
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Post by snoggle on Apr 16, 2015 18:02:04 GMT
Next episode in just under 90 minutes.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2015 19:44:45 GMT
One hand driving hard habit to break when driving a car let alone a bus.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2015 19:56:36 GMT
Well done Rodney - Seemed a nice guy.
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Post by snoggle on Apr 16, 2015 20:44:49 GMT
Just watching on +1 channel. Still love the introduction to this programme - makes me laugh every time. Lots of NE London shots there - Fulborne Road, North Circular and bizarrely Petty France near 55 Broadway (obv not NE London ). I must have a walk down to where Arriva's depot is at Edmonton to view the bus graveyard. Oh oh, one handed driving. Bad driver Bad driver. Well done Rodney. Looks like there's a near multi bus crash on Chingford Road on next week's episode.
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Post by Steve80 on Apr 17, 2015 5:11:46 GMT
Yes, it was good that Rodney did pass but I did feel for him. To not past a test because he did not indicate when coming off a roundabout was sickening Of course, there are many important reasons why you should indicate when coming off a roundabout such as letting others know of your intentions including pedestrians, but for some strange reason I thought the examiner was harsh. Obviously, I know that the examiner was right but I just thought he could have let him off (Sorry for the strange comment). As for Courtney driving with one hand on the wheel has made me realise that I also need to stop my bad habits I certainly can't see Alvin passing his test due to his English. There didn't seem to be much driving in this episode but after watching the reactions of Rodney and Courtney, it made me thing back to how I felt when I passed. I remember feeling really surprised even though I only got two minors - one was for steering as I panicked a little when trying to get the bus to slow down after doing 50mph along Kent Gate Way in Addington (The road is now maximum 40mph whereas before it was the national speed limit), and the other was reversing the bus in my second attempt. Thankfully, you are able to try again if you think you will fail in reversing into a spot in your first attempt. Also, there were two other trainees who took their test before me and both of them passed and I remember thinking that I was destined to fail just for the simple fact that they passed. Anyway, after my feeling of jubilation it suddenly dawned on me that I will finally become a bus driver
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Post by daveb0789 on Apr 17, 2015 18:22:08 GMT
I don't think Rodney failed just because of failing to indicate off a roundabout. If the examiner wasn't happy with his attitude (and driving) he could have failed him for ANYTHING so I think there were multiple faults with his driving. I thought Courtney was mouthy and obstructive and for that reason alone he should have been thrown off the course so someone more grateful and willing to learn could take his place. I really hope Alvin will improve his English enough to pass. It shouldn't be a barrier. I know (knew) plenty of drivers who could barely speak English.
Can the London bus companies attract a higher standard of trainee rather than what seems to be people off the dole queue or in 'routine' type jobs? The job is professional after all.
It would be interesting to follow the progress of a driver wanting to get into coach driving where presentation, customer service skills are far more important.
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