School Bus Driver

School Bus Driver

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.

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1007 Questions

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Last Answer on February 07, 2021

Best Rated

Why is there such a shortage of bus drivers?

Asked by Maya almost 7 years ago

Because the job is severely underpaid for the hours and dedication we put in as drivers. Lots of places won't hire a person to work part time for the hours that we are available since our schedule is so unique and our pay isn't even close to what would be a livable wage.

After talking to some witnesses & another mom, I feel that my 5yr old is being suspended unfairly. He has been accused of throwing an object, when he simply only dropped it, and for getting up. I was told she writes kids up for talking. What can I do

Asked by Momof2 over 6 years ago

You can ask for the video tape to be pulled off the bus and reviewed by the administrators. Truthfully if he was consistently not staying in his seat and the administration saw that, then they are justified in suspending him. He may also have thrown an object not just dropped it. Point is there should be video of the incident in question. If he was suspended unfairly, the video would show and clear his name.

Why are parents and students so mean to subs? They are just trying to do their job and they are yelled at they are too early, too late, made a simple wrong turn and can easly turn around. Also kids are usually for them then their regular driver.

Asked by afasdfa almost 7 years ago

Subs have a more difficult job than regular drivers because they do take the brunt of problems if a kid misbehaves or is not out at the stop. That being said no route is without problems and problem kids. The trick is to figure out how to approach it.

What happens when a school bus has to enter gated neighborhood like how do you open the gate?

Asked by Mr. Dr. Professor Patrick almost 7 years ago

The bus driver is given the code by the association that owns the gate and generally like everyone else has to press in the code to open the gate. Some gated communities are open during certain periods of the day like commuter times to allow buses in and out. Some are open during the day and close only at night. Some require a remote to open and the bus is provided with that. There's ways around it. Some communities have a gate guard that will let a bus in and out.

Is it true that some bus drivers pull in to a school and wait 30 minutes even a hour just to be the first ones there? If you where a supervisor would you allow buses to wait as long as some do?

Asked by Rodney about 6 years ago

Yes it's true at least for my district. Personally that is on individual bus drivers call but as for me I am not a babysitter therefore i refuse to wait any longer than i have to.

Hello why are you a bus driver? Out of everything you could do with your life be a truck driver, police officer, fire fighter, lawyer, politician, and everything else WHY A BUS DRIVER?! God bless you by the way we do need more bus drivers but why

Asked by Winter about 6 years ago

Because I love my job.

Why do the flashing 8 way lights always wig wag? or at least for the most part

Asked by dfg almost 7 years ago

Mine go wag wig. Though in all actuality its likely to do with the visibility of the bus. Flashing lights alternating catch the eye faster than simple flashing lights.