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Post by Steve09 on Sept 11, 2015 16:10:20 GMT
No one likes an accident but you will have one eventually. The scariest one i had was running light going round a bend and suddenly seeing a van coming towards me on my side of the road. That happened while in training school, we just missed each other, van driver was on his phone... OMG. So true about idiot drivers who shouldn't be on the road. Was on 122s today. Stop at a zebra crossing in Sydenham, the oncoming traffc does the same and guy starts to cross. But oh no, this home moving style large van has other ideas! He over takes me as Im stationary, zooming over the crossing, just as the guy almost reaches the middle of the crossing! The van missed him by inches, all happened so fast! If it had been kids running across the crossing like often happens Im sure the outcome would have been different!   |
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Post by Paul on Sept 11, 2015 23:23:01 GMT
That happened while in training school, we just missed each other, van driver was on his phone... OMG. So true about idiot drivers who shouldn't be on the road. Was on 122s today. Stop at a zebra crossing in Sydenham, the oncoming traffc does the same and guy starts to cross. But oh no, this home moving style large van has other ideas! He over takes me as Im stationary, zooming over the crossing, just as the guy almost reaches the middle of the crossing! The van missed him by inches, all happened so fast! If it had been kids running across the crossing like often happens Im sure the outcome would have been different! It's genuinely scary just how incompetent and/or downright stupid an increasing number of motorists are nowadays. A little patience goes a long way but so many are just too d*mn selfish and couldn't give a toss about anyone else |
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Post by vjaska on Sept 12, 2015 2:38:04 GMT
OMG. So true about idiot drivers who shouldn't be on the road. Was on 122s today. Stop at a zebra crossing in Sydenham, the oncoming traffc does the same and guy starts to cross. But oh no, this home moving style large van has other ideas! He over takes me as Im stationary, zooming over the crossing, just as the guy almost reaches the middle of the crossing! The van missed him by inches, all happened so fast! If it had been kids running across the crossing like often happens Im sure the outcome would have been different! It's genuinely scary just how incompetent and/or downright stupid an increasing number of motorists are nowadays. A little patience goes a long way but so many are just too d*mn selfish and couldn't give a toss about anyone else Indeed, such as the other day when I witnessed a cyclist riding in the outside lane on Effra Road who wasn't turning right and with a perfectly fine bus lane running alongside. As if her behaviour wasn't stupid enough, the car behind her decides to overtake her by using the opposite side of the road when oncoming cars are approaching. Seriously, what are these people on? Have they a death wish or something! |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 12, 2015 18:44:41 GMT
I've said it before. Driving a bus is easy. It's everything else that comes with it that makes you think. I could be getting the same money cleaning toilets. Why the hell do I do this day after day. Then you have a ok day and the cycle begins again.
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Post by VPL630 on Sept 13, 2015 19:21:26 GMT
I've said it before. Driving a bus is easy. It's everything else that comes with it that makes you think. I could be getting the same money cleaning toilets. Why the hell do I do this day after day. Then you have a ok day and the cycle begins again. Yeah, I guess this is why some people moan about the job so much, they would never really leave but would never stop talking about how they want to quit etc. I've been assigned the responsibility of a low frequency route tomorrow, the 215, First time on the route so should be fun, I'm just happy I don't have to deal with Lea Bridge Road  |
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Post by Alex on Sept 14, 2015 0:04:03 GMT
Yes, it's horrible out there. I have been almost killed several times out on my bike (notable ones being approaching a roundabout in Beckton where a car driver saw me and still decided to pull out as I was in front of them, and one only yesterday where someone coming from Queens Market decided to accelerate towards me and actually steer into me too as I was going along Green Street) - and I'm not even one of the 'lycra hell for leather' brigade. I'm very reserved (I don't even like using bus lanes - indeed on the way down on the 5 route from Wood Lane into Barking I was always looking for a big red thing behind me so I could bump onto a convenient bit of pavement), but my own observations echo those mentioned on this thread.
As I said before 10301, keep the updates coming and hoping the best for doing the 215 tomorrow. Sure you'll be fine, if you can take a bus on towards central on the 56/48, then the 215 should be very ok!!!!
Just a quick one about O/T - can you do overtime at other garages if there's demand? Reading the thread it might be a way to get some shifts closer to home (I recall you mention NS and a long waiting list) - also is the process same as it is on LU? Basically you go on a waiting list for a depot - but - if you can find someone to swap you can mutually exchange garages? We can do that but the downside is that you won't go onto a roster anytime soon, going onto the bottom of the list for the 'depot pool' (I'm guessing the equivalent of a spare roster I suppose) getting a rostered place when it comes up.
With the O/T question I realise it may be unlikely as training records would be needed for a certain route etc, but still something I've wondered about.
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Post by Paul on Sept 14, 2015 7:52:12 GMT
Overtime at another garage is certainly possible. We have a few drivers at Bromley that go up to Catford to cover the odd 47 or 199 and indeed I could probably still do a 354 in an emergency!
A while ago, when we had a bit of an excess of drivers and many doing stand by duties (I recall on one occasion there were 13 stand by drivers in the canteen!) a lot of them were sent out to route learn the 51
Additionally my dad, who works at Plumstead, told me a while ago that he knew of a driver who knew every route in the company and would do overtime at any garage either side of the river
As you rightly mention, the only bar is would be an official training record but overtime at another garage is more than possible
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Post by greeny253 on Sept 14, 2015 11:16:38 GMT
Overtime at another garage is certainly possible. We have a few drivers at Bromley that go up to Catford to cover the odd 47 or 199 and indeed I could probably still do a 354 in an emergency! A while ago, when we had a bit of an excess of drivers and many doing stand by duties (I recall on one occasion there were 13 stand by drivers in the canteen!) a lot of them were sent out to route learn the 51 Additionally my dad, who works at Plumstead, told me a while ago that he knew of a driver who knew every route in the company and would do overtime at any garage either side of the river As you rightly mention, the only bar is would be an official training record but overtime at another garage is more than possible Similar story here. Was based out of Bow laterally but Romford used to phone and ask for specific drivers - namely those of us that knew every route! - and at a (very strong!) push I could have gone and helped Rainham. And I only had a route learning record for BW and RM...... That said, nothing wrong with going out and learning the routes though I would strongly suggest that this is done in the company time and not your own. From experience, there's no thanks for that! The other thing to consider would be type training though it sounds as though Stagecoach are now training drivers on every type anyway. |
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Post by capitalomnibus on Sept 14, 2015 11:24:18 GMT
Yes, it's horrible out there. I have been almost killed several times out on my bike (notable ones being approaching a roundabout in Beckton where a car driver saw me and still decided to pull out as I was in front of them, and one only yesterday where someone coming from Queens Market decided to accelerate towards me and actually steer into me too as I was going along Green Street) - and I'm not even one of the 'lycra hell for leather' brigade. I'm very reserved (I don't even like using bus lanes - indeed on the way down on the 5 route from Wood Lane into Barking I was always looking for a big red thing behind me so I could bump onto a convenient bit of pavement), but my own observations echo those mentioned on this thread. As I said before 10301, keep the updates coming and hoping the best for doing the 215 tomorrow. Sure you'll be fine, if you can take a bus on towards central on the 56/48, then the 215 should be very ok!!!! Just a quick one about O/T - can you do overtime at other garages if there's demand? Reading the thread it might be a way to get some shifts closer to home (I recall you mention NS and a long waiting list) - also is the process same as it is on LU? Basically you go on a waiting list for a depot - but - if you can find someone to swap you can mutually exchange garages? We can do that but the downside is that you won't go onto a roster anytime soon, going onto the bottom of the list for the 'depot pool' (I'm guessing the equivalent of a spare roster I suppose) getting a rostered place when it comes up. With the O/T question I realise it may be unlikely as training records would be needed for a certain route etc, but still something I've wondered about. [NS] and [BK] have always been waiting list garages for years. As they tend to get people who live in Essex drive there to work due to the higher pay than bus companies in Essex. The same also goes for [DX] and [BE] was almost always full. Many London companies do allow you to work rest days (not over time) at other garages if it is available and if staff at that garage cannot cover the jobs.
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Post by greeny253 on Sept 14, 2015 18:21:16 GMT
Yes, it's horrible out there. I have been almost killed several times out on my bike (notable ones being approaching a roundabout in Beckton where a car driver saw me and still decided to pull out as I was in front of them, and one only yesterday where someone coming from Queens Market decided to accelerate towards me and actually steer into me too as I was going along Green Street) - and I'm not even one of the 'lycra hell for leather' brigade. I'm very reserved (I don't even like using bus lanes - indeed on the way down on the 5 route from Wood Lane into Barking I was always looking for a big red thing behind me so I could bump onto a convenient bit of pavement), but my own observations echo those mentioned on this thread. As I said before 10301, keep the updates coming and hoping the best for doing the 215 tomorrow. Sure you'll be fine, if you can take a bus on towards central on the 56/48, then the 215 should be very ok!!!! Just a quick one about O/T - can you do overtime at other garages if there's demand? Reading the thread it might be a way to get some shifts closer to home (I recall you mention NS and a long waiting list) - also is the process same as it is on LU? Basically you go on a waiting list for a depot - but - if you can find someone to swap you can mutually exchange garages? We can do that but the downside is that you won't go onto a roster anytime soon, going onto the bottom of the list for the 'depot pool' (I'm guessing the equivalent of a spare roster I suppose) getting a rostered place when it comes up. With the O/T question I realise it may be unlikely as training records would be needed for a certain route etc, but still something I've wondered about. [NS] and [BK] have always been waiting list garages for years. As they tend to get people who live in Essex drive there to work due to the higher pay than bus companies in Essex. The same also goes for [DX] and [BE] was almost always full. Many London companies do allow you to work rest days (not over time) at other garages if it is available and if staff at that garage cannot cover the jobs.
BK is currently bucking that trend and is one of the garages I'm told Stagecoach are struggling for drivers at  |
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Post by VPL630 on Sept 14, 2015 18:45:23 GMT
Yes, it's horrible out there. I have been almost killed several times out on my bike (notable ones being approaching a roundabout in Beckton where a car driver saw me and still decided to pull out as I was in front of them, and one only yesterday where someone coming from Queens Market decided to accelerate towards me and actually steer into me too as I was going along Green Street) - and I'm not even one of the 'lycra hell for leather' brigade. I'm very reserved (I don't even like using bus lanes - indeed on the way down on the 5 route from Wood Lane into Barking I was always looking for a big red thing behind me so I could bump onto a convenient bit of pavement), but my own observations echo those mentioned on this thread. As I said before 10301, keep the updates coming and hoping the best for doing the 215 tomorrow. Sure you'll be fine, if you can take a bus on towards central on the 56/48, then the 215 should be very ok!!!! Just a quick one about O/T - can you do overtime at other garages if there's demand? Reading the thread it might be a way to get some shifts closer to home (I recall you mention NS and a long waiting list) - also is the process same as it is on LU? Basically you go on a waiting list for a depot - but - if you can find someone to swap you can mutually exchange garages? We can do that but the downside is that you won't go onto a roster anytime soon, going onto the bottom of the list for the 'depot pool' (I'm guessing the equivalent of a spare roster I suppose) getting a rostered place when it comes up. With the O/T question I realise it may be unlikely as training records would be needed for a certain route etc, but still something I've wondered about. About O/T, I asked about it from day 1, basically as long as we say we know the route they will give us the duty but if we mess up we don't have anything to cover us, we can do O/T at any Stagecoach Garage, if you aren't type trained mention this before agreeing to a duty and it should be done before you go out, This will need to go on your record as if you have an accident and you aren't official type trained on the bus, no one is going to stand by you. I will at some point most likely after my probation work a few RD's at NS hopefully on the 498  Wouldn't mind doing an 86 or just driving a TA for that matter, after my probation is up I can then put in a transfer to a different garage (Most likely NS). There are quite a few WH drivers that know T routes and vice versa and when the worst comes to the worst they end up working at each others garage when there is a shortage of drivers. I would rather be on a spare list driving the same route all the time would bore me, I really don't know how some drivers manage it. I do have a plan that within 2 years to have worked a route out of every STL garage, The 96 at PD is very tempting especially with the scania's (If you don't know I really like driving them ) BK doesn't have a waiting list any more, most people have migrated into NS or the Graveyard as it's known by some. Anyway the 215, Lovely easy route, lovely nice people that notice that there is a human in the cab and hills that are steep The timetable is interesting as it doesn't allow you to make up time but when you are early you just can't seem to lose time quick enough. I was surprised at how well the scania's are when they are not doing city work, They seem to love the open road other than the 6th to 5th and the 5th to 4th downshift can be a bit harsh at times, They really do have some power behind them and the ride quality at speed (for the driver anyway) is really nice, the hill performance was great, finally got to hear the cooling fans kick in, They never normally get hot enough when doing city work. the loading were busy, I happened to have a duty that covered both the Morning and Afternoon school times, I had a standing load at one point!, most drivers moan that there are too many rounders etc etc, I'm not bothered, it's a welcome change form the 48/56's and I'm on the 215 for the next 2 day Lee Valley Campsite 
Stagecoach London 15128 LX59 CLZ Route 215 by David McKay, on Flickr Yardley Lane Estate 
Stagecoach London 15135 LX59 CMY Route 215 by David McKay, on Flickr Walthamstow Central Station 
Stagecoach London 15135 LX59 CMY Route 215 by David McKay, on Flickr |
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Post by Steve09 on Sept 14, 2015 18:58:04 GMT
Overtime at another garage is certainly possible. We have a few drivers at Bromley that go up to Catford to cover the odd 47 or 199 and indeed I could probably still do a 354 in an emergency! A while ago, when we had a bit of an excess of drivers and many doing stand by duties (I recall on one occasion there were 13 stand by drivers in the canteen!) a lot of them were sent out to route learn the 51 Additionally my dad, who works at Plumstead, told me a while ago that he knew of a driver who knew every route in the company and would do overtime at any garage either side of the river As you rightly mention, the only bar is would be an official training record but overtime at another garage is more than possible Was recently offered the chance of doing some days at WH or TB, jumped at the chance but haven't heard anything yet! |
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Post by Alex on Sept 14, 2015 23:41:05 GMT
Additionally my dad, who works at Plumstead, told me a while ago that he knew of a driver who knew every route in the company and would do overtime at any garage either side of the river Wow - superdriver  , that's a lot of knowledge, indeed there are some routes (like the 330) where the turning points have more to remember than the main route  About O/T, I asked about it from day 1, basically as long as we say we know the route they will give us the duty but if we mess up we don't have anything to cover us, we can do O/T at any Stagecoach Garage, if you aren't type trained mention this before agreeing to a duty and it should be done before you go out, This will need to go on your record as if you have an accident and you aren't official type trained on the bus, no one is going to stand by you. I will at some point most likely after my probation work a few RD's at NS hopefully on the 498 Wouldn't mind doing an 86 or just driving a TA for that matter, after my probation is up I can then put in a transfer to a different garage (Most likely NS). There are quite a few WH drivers that know T routes and vice versa and when the worst comes to the worst they end up working at each others garage when there is a shortage of drivers. I would rather be on a spare list driving the same route all the time would bore me, I really don't know how some drivers manage it. I do have a plan that within 2 years to have worked a route out of every STL garage, The 96 at PD is very tempting especially with the scania's (If you don't know I really like driving them ) BK doesn't have a waiting list any more, most people have migrated into NS or the Graveyard as it's known by some. Ok, see how that works. I mentioned it as I was travelling home from East London back to Woolwich one day and spotted a bloke in a Stagecoach uniform getting on the train at West Ham, with his bag and everything, and was thinking that I was sure I'd seen him driving my 122 earlier that week. It was a Sunday too which I thought would be unlikely for training etc at WH. Yes, I think a day on the 86 would be a good plan for a TA , you may even bag a short wheelbase one as I see those going up and down the Romford Road joining their longer counterparts. WH routes would be good for TA driving too, 69 and 330 being candidates that I can think of. I think the 97 could be interesting too with it's TAs and also the Scanias out on there too now. I would agree driving one route would get a bit much - I was quite surprised in the Stagecoach thread about the independent rotas at WH - a lifetime of the 330 must be very monotonous. Are there drivers that just stay on the spare board or when the time comes, do you have to go onto a rota? Also do some routes have longer waiting lists than others? Also are there many long serving people at T (or across STL for that matter)? I recall when I lived in South West London I'd see the odd bloke on the 163s with the 1980s striped 'London General' tie and the metal box. Also the odd London Buses LG blazer and one night bloke who wore the white shirt from that time (and also blinded the night 93 as 'N93' though they took away the 'N' ages ago  ).....you could tell these chaps had done a long time. At PD the oldest uniform I've seen is from the 'Stagecoach Stripes' era of the 1990s, there's one bloke who wears the full kit (old tie, old blazer, white shirt)...... Glad to hear the 215 was good fun, and you're looking forward to a couple more days on there |
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Post by VPL630 on Sept 15, 2015 5:18:21 GMT
Yes there are many long serving people, this is the case in any garage really, I can stay on spare or apply for a rota which I doubt I would do, if they would combine the 179/275 rota I would go on that
I am really looking forward to my next 2 days on the route, I'm R/N 5 today from 8-12 and R/N 4 from 2-5
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Post by greeny253 on Sept 15, 2015 7:07:40 GMT
Yes there are many long serving people, this is the case in any garage really, I can stay on spare or apply for a rota which I doubt I would do, if they would combine the 179/275 rota I would go on that I am really looking forward to my next 2 days on the route, I'm R/N 5 today from 8-12 and R/N 4 from 2-5 Starting to wonder why I never considered Leyton Garage.... Your duties so far don't seem too bad! Though I expect there are some real dogs..... At least you're finding the routes you like during term time. I made the mistake of doing a few odd days on the 150 (a clash with another driver meant I was off the Romford routes and bound to that, the 179 and schools for a while) during the school holidays and asked my staff manager to stick me on the rota. That route had 15 schools along it... Term time came as a bit of a shock to the system! |
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Wouldn't mind doing an 86 or just driving a TA for that matter, after my probation is up I can then put in a transfer to a different garage (Most likely NS). There are quite a few WH drivers that know T routes and vice versa and when the worst comes to the worst they end up working at each others garage when there is a shortage of drivers.
, that's a lot of knowledge, indeed there are some routes (like the 330) where the turning points have more to remember than the main route 
).....you could tell these chaps had done a long time. At PD the oldest uniform I've seen is from the 'Stagecoach Stripes' era of the 1990s, there's one bloke who wears the full kit (old tie, old blazer, white shirt)......