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.
Yes, some routes take upwards of 2 hours. Earliest stop I've heard is around 5:45 am. Though depending on the location of the children it can be slightly earlier to be able to get them and others to school by 7:15 am.
If my kids are waiting on the porch or at the door ready to dash out to the bus (not walk slowly) i will wait. However that is generally an exception.
It depends on district policy as to what is acceptable in certain circumstances. We live in an entitled world where the thought process is me first and never tell me "no". Sadly this is not how the world works primarily and the sooner kids learn this concept the better. For me, if a child is a chronically late person, they get bus left and i will not return to pick them up. If the child has never been late and was just having a bad morning or an off morning, i might consider going back if its not too far out of my way. We also have a policy that they need to be out at each stop 5 min prior to avoid issues like this.
Most bus companies have a radio system that allows buses to communicate with each other. Though generally the frequency is not available to the public and we cannot communicate with other buses outside the district. Occasionally our frequencies will interfere and interact with the 911 tone out for emergency response and we hear the dispatch. Or can hear the police channel of another city.
Day Trader
Radio program/music director
McDonald's Manager
Rode, yes. Driven, no.
We generally deep clean the buses at least once per year. By that I mean get in every nook and cranny, dig out trash between the seat and walls, scrape gum off the bottom of the seats. Wash the ceiling. In the mean time, we do sweep our buses at minimum once a week. During cold and flu season we spray the seats down with disinfectant spray or wipe them down with lysol wipes and spray or clean the windows.
Some things are outdoors events so they are affected by the weather. Other times road conditions may be dangerous for travel. Each school system takes these things into consideration before cancelling activities.
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