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.

SubscribeGet emails when new questions are answered. Ask Me Anything!Show Bio +

Share:

Ask me anything!

Submit Your Question

1007 Questions

Share:

Last Answer on February 07, 2021

Best Rated

Sorry if this is a bit long but. We had a incident with a driver from the football team a few years back. We had this older lady who was really mean. So what happened was well I guess she yelled non stop at the foot ball players, the few cheerleaders, as well as even one of the adults on the bus all the way to the game. When they coaches, teachers, and sharpens would try to solve a problem so she would not get so mad she would immediately start screaming at whoever they where getting onto. I guess she went on a rant about her job, how bad they all are, and how they think their so rough and cool. This in it of its self is really nothing to write home about because sometimes drivers yell whatever. This lady though was cussing at times and when they got to the school they where going to play at the coach wanted to be let off at a certain point. The driver refused and there was a huge argument. They where screaming and cussing at eachother and told everyone to get the “F” off her bus and threatened to not pick them back up and they can go charter. This gets better after the game she was really upset the game ran late and threw a fit. She also threw a fit because they smelled bad and that they did not take a shower threaten to pull over at a truck stop and make them shower. She also made them go back to the school with the windows down at 70 miles per hour (roughly). She also argued with parents at the school.

Asked by Ryan about 5 years ago

First yes she should be reprimanded or at least told her behavior is unacceptable. Sometimes our jobs suck but it isn't appropriate to take it out on the kids or other adults on the bus. If she really hated her job that much then she shouldn't drive a bus. That being said the only issue where she might be in the right would be where the coach wanted the team dropped off. Sometimes as drivers we are given separate instructions on how to unload and where to safely unload.

How do you control kids when their being difficult? What kinds of disciplinary actions do you usually take

Asked by ****** over 5 years ago

I use a variety of positive reinforcement tactics. For most kids, a routine is best so assigning them a seat on the bus and a seatmate they're friends with alleviates 90 percent of behavior issues. The other 10 percent, I use positive rewards for good behavior and largely ignore the bad behavior. Sometimes with a difficult child, I assign them a "job" like making sure everyone is awake. Now occasionally even this method doesn't work and I do have to resort to writing a child up and turning them into the school but that is a last resort.

Have you seen the video of the guy getting yanked off that bus for not wearing a mask?

Asked by Kaleigh over 5 years ago

Yes. Given that it's been posted and a fairly widespread practice that for the protection of yourself and others that face masks must be worn, it doesn't surprise me in the least. There are many people out there who feel they are above what the governments can tell them what to do and whom simply won't follow rules. (Fake service dogs are a perfect example.)

is it legal for a bus to use a driveway as a turnaround?

Asked by Dog lover about 5 years ago

Yes. It is. Sometimes driveways are all we have that give us enough space to turn around at the end of a road.

Well bad. I heard she goes on rants, raves, and tirades and that she is really mean. That she has broken things and there are roomers of her putting her hands on people. Any advice thanks. Sorry for making it two questions I wanted to tell the story.

Asked by Ryan over 5 years ago

If she does put her hands on people, that's not okay. But consider your actions on the bus and try to get the other kids on your bus to stop acting out. Being mean for the sake of being mean is one thing but being mean but also being fair is another. If she holds everyone to the same standards then you may find you actually like her.

Why do bus drivers sometimes bounce in their seats

Asked by bus rider over 5 years ago

That's due to the driver having an air ride seat. The air ride seat allows the seat itself to cushion against the imperfections in the road. It's kinda like riding a horse if we hit a bumpy part of the road. It saves our backs from hurting as bad after our long routes.

What do you think of walk outs or a day where many drivers don’t go to work? Are you for it or do you think they should do their job or find another one? Have you ever took part in something like that?

Asked by ???? ???? over 5 years ago

Some states do not allow walking off a job or striking. It can be viewed as insubordination and can put someone's job at risk. If you want to make changes, best to petition for them properly through the right channels. I have not participated in a walk out or strike because i value my job and have some dignity.