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Jared
Top Member
USA
1865 Posts |
 Posted - 10/09/2001 : 8:54:00 PM
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I have a topic that I have been thinking about for a while and I want to bring it to the forum to see what you all think.
I dont recall seeing any Engineers/Designers on this forum that work for Bus Body or Chassis companies, and I am wondering why. Honestly, I really dont understand why they wouldnt be here communicating with us. We being mechanics, drivers, passengers, admirers etc. you think we could get our voices heard.? School Bus Fleet is one of two major School Bus magazines, and the only school bus magazine with an intense Forum network of people who live and breath school buses.
A negative point about corporations. We all talk about how great mom and pa;s business are right? when you own a factory and you produce your end product, you have passion for that industry ( My family owns one, I know ). Maybe, just maybe, these people at the once mom and pa, now CORPORATIONS ( ie International, Ford, the big General, BlueBird; I mean Henlys , Chrysler; I mean Thomas ) dont give a crap about their end product. They have to many end products. My point is, is maybe thats why we dont interact with any engineers/designers from our favorite bus companies, because just maybe they dont care?
ok so that is the negative reason why we dont here from them,and get our voices heard, when someone thinks of a positive one, let me know.
sorry, I just completly rambled away,,,,but this was just my two cents about the subject.
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Thomas Ford 85-16
Top Member
USA
4177 Posts |
Posted - 10/10/2001 : 12:28:33 PM
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I completely agree with you. They don't seem to care as much as they used to. I liked it better when there was a variety of chassis choices and there was more quality.
Stop at: www.buses.cjb.net |
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thomas86_a
Top Member
USA
4413 Posts |
Posted - 10/10/2001 : 1:04:12 PM
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It would be nice if we could have an engineer from Thomas, Blue Bird, and International(amtran) to listen to what we have to say about the bus bodies what they should improve on, things they could improve on etc. They could really learn from us.
And have an engineer from International, Freightliner, GMC(that might not be necessary anymore), and Ford.
They could really learn from us, the mechanics from a mechanical standpoint, the drivers since they operate the things, and can tell you a lot about the individual buses they drive day in and day out, and safety features. Then the standpoint of the passenger. What they like/dislike the passengers in here probably wouldn't have as much to add, but they would be helpful.
86-A It will go in circles around your bus.
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B. Busguy33
Top Member
USA
3444 Posts |
Posted - 10/10/2001 : 4:33:03 PM
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If designers/engineers came onto this Forum, they most certainly would learn a lot from us. I am sure with all the information that we would give them, they may become motivated to manufacture a better product and actually take pride in their work. But on the other hand, since "The Big 3" is nothing but corporations, this is only a dream that we all have.
It would be nice to get some of them on here though. (You never know though, maybe there are a few who read these posts, but don't stand up and speak...they may just read them and move on.)
Bob
(B. Busguy33)
"Blue Bird: Always flyin' high above the rest... 
Blue Bird: One of America's Best!!!  " |
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Whiskers
Senior Member
92 Posts |
Posted - 10/11/2001 : 4:33:31 PM
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Obviously, design engineers that work for them don't have to drive them. As long as they remain anonymous, things will never change. The only sure way to change that is for customers to demand improvements.
There seems to be a pervasive attitude among the buyers of school buses that the product is "good enough" for the intended purpose.
I'm sure that if you ordered a new car and soon discovered that it was very uncomfortable to drive because the brake pedal was located fully to the left side of the centerline of the steering wheel, you would go back to the dealer and demand a refund. Or, you could just drive it and take the very real chance that one day you would stomp on the accelerator pedal instead of the brake in a panic situation (Ever hear of this??? At one time it was called "sudden acceleration syndrome"). Yet, how many people sent back their International Conventional for the same reason??? Their pedal configuration, coupled with that horrendous electronic accelerator, should have been reason enough to demand a refund.
What possible logic could there be to placing the button for the air horn on a 2000 FE Thomas to the left of and BEHIND the driver??? And yes, who put the button for activating the overheads adjacent to the one for retrieving engine codes.....Oh...and by the way, made them feel identical.
As long as school districts accept what is sent to them....things will never change. Too often, the decision is left to beaurocrats who care little about driver comfort or safety.... stepping down from the soapbox.....
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Brad Barker
Administrator
USA
874 Posts |
Posted - 10/12/2001 : 08:32:13 AM
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Personally I think they are afraid to make them selves known. I am always cussing them. I'd like to see an engineer work on the bus they design for a couple of years. Then maybe they would do it right. Our state directors are in contact with the engineers at Blue Bird however, we are starting to get a good repore with them. We sent representatives from our state back to the factory for special meetings with them to discuss problem areas. They have been very receptive and are now coming out to see what we have in the state of Utah next month. We can show them first hand what we experience. It is all due to our local Blue Bird vendors efforts to make things right with his customers and a lot of prodding from us but it worked.
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Designers/Engineers/etc. on this forum
