|
|
Post by londonbusboy on Aug 13, 2016 15:52:59 GMT
There have been many good moments such as driving the 498 for a week when I went on loan to Romford, shunting buses around at The Londoner Live, being type trained on the Boris Bus while going along the 275 route, the many great people I've met such a Boris ok maybe he's not great but it will still nice having a quick chat at the traffic lights on Oxford Circus, the new friends I've made and that make Leyton the best garage to work at, roaring down Oxford Street in a TA was quite good as well  Bad points this job has knackered me out with with constant changing hours, how you have very little time to yourself outside of work, it's not the easiest job to plan stuff out, for example my girlfriend lives on the other side of London which from work or home is an around a 1 hour 30 drive when it's quiet, nearing 2 hours 30 in the peaks? She at the moment also has a full time job but set hours, there are very few times where we actually have a few days off to ourselves to do something nice. Most hilarious moment, well there have been quite a few but this was always sticks in my mind, Driving an N8 out of Bow, a drunk woman boarded my bus, tapped in and then fell flat on her backside, apologised out loud to everyone and then got back off the bus  Not that you asked but I thought I'd add 2 of my own Most annoying moment, Driving the 498, knowing that the bus in front wasn't running, pulled up at Gubbins lane and the ramp failed and got stuck rendering my bus useless with 2 bus loads of very unhappy people  Most Embarrassing moment, on the 496 at Harold wood, I'd just let passengers on as I was about to depart, one of them walked into my mirror, so I got out my cab to adjust it and the cab door slams shut at the same time I remembered that my T Key was in my jacket pocket which was inside the cab, was saved by the 496 behind  Same thing happened to me on the 215 at Lea Valley Campsite, but luckily I'd left my cab window open and was able to get by jacket out and let myself back in One thing that would knacker you out is rest days. You may not think so but it takes a toll on your body. The GS's would encourage you to do them as they just think about themselves and to get as many jobs covered. There was a time 16 years ago I used to do that work all the overtime and rest days as there was a huge bus driver shortage back in 2000. They literally couldn't cover many duties a day. Plus they literally did illegal practices back then, so it was not uncommon for drivers to be working 3 weeks without a day off. Or in cases drivers finished say midnight and was back on an early shift next day around 7am without the 10 hours break. Although back then they also made did things like paid drivers5 hours for 2.5 or 2 hours work. Or inflated overtime dockets, since there was more money on the pot from TfL for contracts. Bus driving jobs are not family friendly and also in relationships the other half has to be really understanding, the downsides of any shift work.
Always keep your t-key in your trousers pocket for the reason that happened to you. Has caught many people out, worst if you were last bus in the night.
I have never done a rest day with this company purely because i do enough hours during my normal week |
|
|
|
Post by john on Aug 13, 2016 19:47:38 GMT
You lot should try a real anti - social job. Before starting at WH/RM, I used to work for a chip shop chain as management. Was working at least 13 hour days PLUS hour and half travelling. My days of were spent monging out and doing nothing. Now I'm not saying the job is easy in terms of hours, I genuinely hate earlies and would much rather do a last bus duty. However I actually do feel like I get more time with my family than I did in my old job. My other half has also noticed so for me, it was the right decision. As for moments,I have to say RM is such a.....banter filled garage. Without doubt the best canteen on the firm and a pretty welcoming place. Most annoying moment.....ooooo, I've had a few but the one for me was having a rammed 174 from Dagenham. Trying to get people to move down when it emptied was a nightmare. Not a single person listening yet people trying to board when I'm telling them no!! Got to Romford and got a few commendations for how I handled it though  Not had any embarrassing moments yet, not of the magnitude described. Scrub that, took a wrong turning at Dagenham ASDA one day and missed the entry to the stand. Ended up in the car park. Trying to get an E400 around that was interesting to say the least. I did it though!!! Every day has been a learning curve though. Every day I feel as though I'm becoming more of a bus driver. The waist line proves it!! 😂😂😂😂 |
|
|
|
Post by RT3062 on Aug 13, 2016 19:59:51 GMT
You lot should try a real anti - social job. Before starting at WH/RM, I used to work for a chip shop chain as management. Was working at least 13 hour days PLUS hour and half travelling. My days of were spent monging out and doing nothing. Now I'm not saying the job is easy in terms of hours, I genuinely hate earlies and would much rather do a last bus duty. However I actually do feel like I get more time with my family than I did in my old job. My other half has also noticed so for me, it was the right decision. As for moments,I have to say RM is such a.....banter filled garage. Without doubt the best canteen on the firm and a pretty welcoming place. Most annoying moment.....ooooo, I've had a few but the one for me was having a rammed 174 from Dagenham. Trying to get people to move down when it emptied was a nightmare. Not a single person listening yet people trying to board when I'm telling them no!! Got to Romford and got a few commendations for how I handled it though Not had any embarrassing moments yet, not of the magnitude described. Scrub that, took a wrong turning at Dagenham ASDA one day and missed the entry to the stand. Ended up in the car park. Trying to get an E400 around that was interesting to say the least. I did it though!!! Every day has been a learning curve though. Every day I feel as though I'm becoming more of a bus driver. The waist line proves it!! 😂😂😂😂 i can beat that for a bad job try sorting recyling for 12 hours needless to say i only did it for one shift. in my experience bus work was good cant wait to get licence back lost it for a medical problem |
|
|
|
Post by nickfreckle on Aug 13, 2016 20:39:24 GMT
Now I'm not saying the job is easy in terms of hours, I genuinely hate earlies and would much rather do a last bus duty. However I actually do feel like I get more time with my family than I did in my old job. My other half has also noticed so for me, it was the right decision. I'm kind of split on this. I don't mind earlies - well - earlies that start between 5-7AM. Can tolerate around half four starts, but anything before that is awful. Living so far away from the garage as I do (I'm in Strood) and also having to negotiate the A2, most days I have to leave a couple of hours early just in case something is up with A2 or the M25/A2 is buggered because of the tunnel. Touch wood, I've not been held up too greatly yet, but sods law dictates the time I do decide to only give it an hour to get to work, I'll get stuck. I have a week of 6;00 starts this week coming, and the week after I have 3:32 sign on, and I am really not looking forward to it. On a good run it takes me 40 minutes to get in, so I will be going to bed around half 7 for a 1:30 wake up. My wife gets home about 18:00, so will only get to spend an hour and a half with her and the little 'un. But lates - they are the worst. I've just finished a week of midnight finishes, and by the time I've signed off, got to my car and got home, I don't roll in until gone 1:00. Obviously even later when I've done the 1:00 and 2:00 finishes. I then stay up for about an hour or so to unwind, then go to bed. The wife isn't up when I get in as she is up any time from 4;30 depending on what time the little 'un gets up, and obviously she is gone by the time I get up - and I do find it hard not seeing them for almost an entire week. It has been a bit of a struggle, but on the plus side, I guess it makes the time we do have more precious. The other frustrating thing is, is I'm an avid supporter of my football team, and going to games now is going to be nigh on impossible. The thought has already entered my head to perhaps work more locally, as Arriva in Northfleet and Gillingham are crying out for drivers, but the downside of that is, is for the first 9 months the pay is absolutely awful. I have looked in to it and it's just not enough for us to live on at the moment. The better hours and non-tfl routes isn't yet a big enough carrot for me to take a £100 a week pay cut at the moment. Strangely though, after 9 months, the pay goes up to more than I'm on now - but it's getting through those 9 months that's going to be a problem. Like others, I am permanently tired, but that I can live with. Just about |
|
|
|
Post by VPL630 on Aug 13, 2016 21:04:26 GMT
Not had any embarrassing moments yet, not of the magnitude described. Scrub that, took a wrong turning at Dagenham ASDA one day and missed the entry to the stand. Ended up in the car park. Trying to get an E400 around that was interesting to say the least. I did it though!!! Running light on a 175 to Fords, was desperate for a drink, so parked it on the new road stand, get drink from the petrol station, get back in bus, go round the corner and there is a truck that crashed into a car blocking my exit straight into Fords so had to go all the way down to Dagenham Asda, turn around and come back on myself, flew round fords and back out again, just about made my time up Never taken a wrong turn yet in service other than on the 56, where I totally forgot you turn right into downs park road, I went straight ahead like a 48 or 55. Saying that it's much easier to go the wrong way or serve the wrong stops on routes via Romford, countless 498's have missed Romford Station thinking it uses the 175/247/294 stop |
|
|
|
Post by nickfreckle on Aug 15, 2016 17:15:13 GMT
Well I don't have a clue as to why I was told Volvo's were route tested and found not to be suitable for the 51. They appear to be becoming a common sight. I had 13025 today. really enjoyed it. 13006 is also plodding around out there as I type this.
|
|
|
|
Post by vjaska on Aug 15, 2016 18:38:00 GMT
Well I don't have a clue as to why I was told Volvo's were route tested and found not to be suitable for the 51. They appear to be becoming a common sight. I had 13025 today. really enjoyed it. 13006 is also plodding around out there as I type this. See, I knew they'd be fine for the route lol. |
|
|
|
Post by Steve09 on Aug 15, 2016 18:49:03 GMT
Well I don't have a clue as to why I was told Volvo's were route tested and found not to be suitable for the 51. They appear to be becoming a common sight. I had 13025 today. really enjoyed it. 13006 is also plodding around out there as I type this. I was suprised when I had a Gemini behind me at Woolwich as my follower 53 was another MMC! Then I saw it showing 51, being the first time I've seen this working! I did actually start the day with a Volvo on the 53, 13017 but that became defective with low air and was stuck on Plumstead Common for 2hours! |
|
|
|
Post by portman227 on Aug 16, 2016 0:10:56 GMT
Well I don't have a clue as to why I was told Volvo's were route tested and found not to be suitable for the 51. They appear to be becoming a common sight. I had 13025 today. really enjoyed it. 13006 is also plodding around out there as I type this. How good are the geminis on the 51? Do they suit the route. Really wanna drive a Gemini on a fast route like 96, got to test the speed of the B5Lh's !! |
|
|
|
Post by nickfreckle on Aug 16, 2016 16:12:52 GMT
Well I don't have a clue as to why I was told Volvo's were route tested and found not to be suitable for the 51. They appear to be becoming a common sight. I had 13025 today. really enjoyed it. 13006 is also plodding around out there as I type this. How good are the geminis on the 51? Do they suit the route. Really wanna drive a Gemini on a fast route like 96, got to test the speed of the B5Lh's !! Honestly? So far as I'm concerned, they're a bus. Just like any other really. That's not me being funny, it just didn't seem any different to anything else I've taken around it. |
|
|
|
Post by VPL630 on Aug 19, 2016 11:09:13 GMT
Just had a driving assessment on the 55 quite happy to get Box 1 |
|
|
|
Post by stubag on Aug 19, 2016 11:14:41 GMT
Just had a driving assessment on the 55 quite happy to get Box 1 Well done |
|
|
|
Post by snoggle on Aug 19, 2016 12:39:41 GMT
Just had a driving assessment on the 55 quite happy to get Box 1 I assume that's top marks? If so, well done. For us non bus drivers who does the assessment and what standing does it have re your employment / driving record? |
|
|
|
Post by john on Aug 19, 2016 17:07:09 GMT
Just had a driving assessment on the 55 quite happy to get Box 1 I assume that's top marks? If so, well done. For us non bus drivers who does the assessment and what standing does it have re your employment / driving record? 1 is perfect estentially. It's graded from 1 to 4 and can be done internally (Stagecoach assessor in our case), by TfL mystery traveller (encompasses everything) and AA Drive Tech. It's basically just to ensure our driving standards are up to the minimum required. A box 1 or 2 are good, though a box 2 means some minor faults were found. A box 3 is more serious, possibly requiring re training where as a box 4 is an instant return to training school. Obviously it's kept on record but a box 3 and 4 will end up in management scrutinising your driving, for obvious reasons. Just to give you an idea, running an AMBER light is a box 3, so red is a clear box 4, though that one could lead to instant dismissal. Personally, although it may sound harsh, it certainly keeps you on your toes and making sure any little error you make you rectify for the future. I myself got a box 1 with a little side comment of how I greeted passengers in a very polite and happy manner |
|
|
|
Post by sid on Aug 19, 2016 17:45:01 GMT
I assume that's top marks? If so, well done. For us non bus drivers who does the assessment and what standing does it have re your employment / driving record? 1 is perfect estentially. It's graded from 1 to 4 and can be done internally (Stagecoach assessor in our case), by TfL mystery traveller (encompasses everything) and AA Drive Tech. It's basically just to ensure our driving standards are up to the minimum required. A box 1 or 2 are good, though a box 2 means some minor faults were found. A box 3 is more serious, possibly requiring re training where as a box 4 is an instant return to training school. Obviously it's kept on record but a box 3 and 4 will end up in management scrutinising your driving, for obvious reasons. Just to give you an idea, running an AMBER light is a box 3, so red is a clear box 4, though that one could lead to instant dismissal. Personally, although it may sound harsh, it certainly keeps you on your toes and making sure any little error you make you rectify for the future. I myself got a box 1 with a little side comment of how I greeted passengers in a very polite and happy manner Running an amber light is perfectly legal and so surely it shouldn't be treated as a fault? |
|
Same thing happened to me on the 215 at Lea Valley Campsite, but luckily I'd left my cab window open and was able to get by jacket out and let myself back in 
