The Bus Driver
15 Years Experience
South, ..
Female, 37
I have been a bus driver since late 2006. I know the inside story, the scoop, the down low dirt of what it takes to be a bus driver, how to handle kids and adults, and how to survive on the "streets" so to speak. I used to have a blog, feel free to browse it or ask me a question here.
Buses are equipped with an emergency or parking brake, but it can be very dangerous to pull this brake while the bus is moving as it will cause the bus to jerk to a stop and can cause an accident if used improperly. In the case of an emergency and the bus is simply rolling low speed (under 5 mph) then the emergency brake button can be pulled in order to stop the bus. It looks like this: http://www.apartswarehouse.com/Images/Products/298818-s.JPG
In the case where the driver becomes incapacitated at any time while the bus is moving at speeds greater than 5 mph, you can instruct students to put the gear shift in neutral which will stop the motor from propelling the wheels. Then instruct the student to keep a steady hand on the steering wheel guiding it to the side of the road. Once the bus has rolled to a stop or has dropped below 5 mph, then the student can pull the parking brake to stop the bus completely. I would not advise a student to cut off the bus engine using the keys until the bus has come to a near complete stop as the power going to the steering wheel will stop if the student cuts off the power too soon. That can make the bus hard to maneuver in an emergency.
Most bus companies have CB radios to use in the case of an emergency. Instruct students on how to access the radio and how to call for help in an emergency.
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No idea honestly, though a few of my friends offer bus cleaning services, inside and outside and charge approximately 50 dollars per bus. They aren't a professional cleaning service and are just looking to make a little money on the side. Personally, I pay for them to clean my bus because it is worth the 50 dollars to me. Theres alot of nooks and crannies on a bus that need to be cleaned as well as with newer buses, the holes in the ceiling can't get wet, so its easier to pay someone to do it.
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The button on the back wall of the bus is part of the child check safety system. Essentially whenever a bus driver returns to the bus yard or his/her home after a run where he/she has picked up students, they are supposed to do a walk through of the bus in order to ensure all students are off the bus. Newer buses require us to press the button at the back of the bus in order to stop or prevent an alarm from sounding (usually a beeping noise or the sound of the bus horn) before opening the door and exiting the bus. Failure to press the button and exiting the bus is much like breaking into a car with a car alarm. The alarm sounds and the driver is forced to walk to the back of the bus to shut it off.
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First, I'd be questioning his judgement for having alcohol knowing full well he is going to drive childen later. As far as the police are concerned, if the police have reason to believe he is under the influence or a parent has called it in reporting him to be under the influence, they can subject him to a random drug screen and a breathalyzer. I'm not sure about the BAC level as I am not a police officer nor do I drink.
Second, my policy is to avoid alcohol in any situation where I might need to be in full control of myself especially when driving children. I would not knowingly put my children at risk. If this individual is consuming alcohol and then driving children, he is essentially playing with fire because while with some professions alcohol may be accepted, when driving a school bus, it is likely not accepted.
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CPR Trainer
Just how effective is the Heimlich, really?
MBA Student
Is business school a party compared to law or med school?
Special Education Teacher
How come it often takes years to figure out that a kid is dyslexic?
That would be left up to the district you want to work for. Many of our drivers are semi-retired and still work a full time shift. The money is low, but its an easy job. That would also be something you would have to take up with the social security office. Good luck.
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Hi Alec!
First off - if you notice that the heater in the back is blowing, please let the bus driver know. Their arm may have inadvertently hit the button on the control panel which controls the heat blower. Secondly, most of the time if a driver gets too hot they turn the heat off under the hood or up in the drivers compartment by flipping a lever to stop the heat flow. Third, when you put 40-60 bodies in a small area, its going to be a little hot and uncomfortable. If the driver has air conditioning, they will put it on, but if there is no air conditioning, simply open a few windows on each side all the way down both sides of the bus and there will be a cross breeze that comes through which will cool off some of the interior of the bus.
There may be other reasons why the heat is needed on certain days, but most of that is due to the defrosting of the windshields and visibility. Bottom line is - if you're hot, let the bus driver know so they can adjust accordingly. If they don't, then simply relocate your seat away from the seats where the heaters are.
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Get a bus pass from the office. You need to bring a signed note from your parent or guardian to the office and they will issue you a bus pass (usually only good for one day). Trying to skip around on buses is not advised and in some districts can get you removed from riding the bus.
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