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.
Not to my knowledge. Some buses are still not automatic, though most buses made today are automatic, and unless the driver has trained on a stick shift bus, then they can't drive it. There is extra training required for buses higher than 72 passenger because of the length of the bus.
Flat nose buses are unique in that the driver sits in front of the front wheels so it takes a little extra awareness to make turns around corners. Some drivers get spooked by the feeling of driving a vehicle like that and prefer a traditional style. Personally, I've driven both.
Because a sub doesnt know how the regular driver runs the route and their driving style is different from the regular drivers style
It depends on the district's policy and practices what routes are what.
They do it for the same reason a parent spanks their child. Often its a knee jerk reaction (and not a very mature one at that) in an effort to get the child to behave. It's done out of frustration and lack of options when the child hasn't faced consequences. Personally there is no reason to put safety at risk over a child standing up. As for your second question. Yes they're safe as long as they have had the same training that everyone else has had to get and obtain a drivers license.
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Probably pouring down rain where I could not see a few feet in front of me and I had to stop due to a tornado warning.
No my bus number used to be 68 now its 14.
Tobacco products are forbidden on school property. Buses are school property. If a kid has an e-cig, its illegal. That being said, generally I would confiscate it and turn it in to administration. I've also been known to look the other way on certain runs when it's strictly highschool kids if they have dip or other items as long as they don't make a scene with it or are obnoxious about it. Basically don't blow a smoke cloud on my bus or you will get caught.
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