| Author |
 Topic  |
|
|
BlueBirdDriver
Advanced Member
USA
216 Posts |
 Posted - 03/19/2002 : 3:10:36 PM
|
Hey Fellow Drivers
I'm not sure if any of you have this situation in your district or not but I just have to tell you about some things that are happening in mine.
First of all our Transportation Director left us in November this past year. There were some issues between him and other drivers and the school board, so he is no longer with us.
Our district had created this position only two years ago, and he was the first to fill it. Personally, I thought he was great. He took an interest in the drivers, stood up for the drivers, and learned alot about school transportation. Previously, the Administrative Assistant was in charge.
We were told after the fact that our Transportation Secretary, along with our retired Administrative Assistant, who had come back as an alumni director, was now in charge of transportation. Soon afterward, a notice was put up that yet another retired administrator, a high school principal, was in charge of transportation. I'll call him "Mr. C". Anyone confused yet? We as driver's wasn't sure who to turn to. Now we have someone "in charge" who only works 20 hours a week, whatever days he wants.
Some issues had come up with one of our OBI's who was training a new driver. When our OBI had explained to Mr. C about this trainee not being trained in one of our conventional buses yet, he did not know what a conventional bus was. He thought it was one of our Blue Bird transits. So the OBI explained to him what it was.
Last week both our retired administrators I mentioned started doing driver evaluations. Mr. C was riding with one driver who was preparing for a railroad crossing. Mr C asked him why he didn't have his "red lights" on? The driver had to explain to him that you do not use red lights at a railroad crossing. Red lights are for student pick up and drop off.
Mr C rode with the above mentioned OBI and commented on a turnaround that she done properly. He felt it was unsafe and wanted her to change it. The turnaround is on a fairly busy street, and the driver has been doing it for several years. He wanted her to change the stop so that she would turn down the street and pull into a cul-de-sac and back out into the street, something a school bus driver shouldn't do. She explained to him that a school bus driver is not allowed to back out into a street as he wanted her to do. What do u think is safer?
My concern here is why is this person in charge of school bus drivers ? It is apparent that he knows nothing, nor is interested in transportation at all. I could understand if he was interested and taking time to learn the rules and regulations of pupil transportation.
So do you feel I am out of line with my thoughts? Comments are welcomed.
Thanks for listening !!
BlueBirdDriver
|
|
|
rockpik98
Active Member
USA
44 Posts |
Posted - 03/19/2002 : 3:24:01 PM
|
BlueBirdDriver,
Mr "C" should be going to school to be bus driver not only thru your department, but the highway patrol. He should have the necessary credentials before telling a qualified driver how to do their job.
If the driver were to do what he had asked, who would be liable if an accident had occured? not him, he wasn't driving--get my point.
How many other driver's let unqualified personnel on their buses and let that person tell them how to do their job? If it were me, no way jose!
GOOD LUCK TO ALL DRIVERS--THEY'RE THE BEST!!!!
Mikey |
 |
|
|
get-m-there
New Member
7 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2002 : 08:21:34 AM
|
| hey there bluebirdriver. i sure know what your talking about here. been there, done that, and still there. |
|
|
|
MrBusDriver
Senior Member
USA
189 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2002 : 4:26:03 PM
|
quote:
Hey Fellow Drivers
I'm not sure if any of you have this situation in your district or not but I just have to tell you about some things that are happening in mine.
First of all our Transportation Director left us in November this past year. There were some issues between him and other drivers and the school board, so he is no longer with us.
Our district had created this position only two years ago, and he was the first to fill it. Personally, I thought he was great. He took an interest in the drivers, stood up for the drivers, and learned alot about school transportation. Previously, the Administrative Assistant was in charge.
We were told after the fact that our Transportation Secretary, along with our retired Administrative Assistant, who had come back as an alumni director, was now in charge of transportation. Soon afterward, a notice was put up that yet another retired administrator, a high school principal, was in charge of transportation. I'll call him "Mr. C". Anyone confused yet? We as driver's wasn't sure who to turn to. Now we have someone "in charge" who only works 20 hours a week, whatever days he wants.
Some issues had come up with one of our OBI's who was training a new driver. When our OBI had explained to Mr. C about this trainee not being trained in one of our conventional buses yet, he did not know what a conventional bus was. He thought it was one of our Blue Bird transits. So the OBI explained to him what it was.
Last week both our retired administrators I mentioned started doing driver evaluations. Mr. C was riding with one driver who was preparing for a railroad crossing. Mr C asked him why he didn't have his "red lights" on? The driver had to explain to him that you do not use red lights at a railroad crossing. Red lights are for student pick up and drop off.
Mr C rode with the above mentioned OBI and commented on a turnaround that she done properly. He felt it was unsafe and wanted her to change it. The turnaround is on a fairly busy street, and the driver has been doing it for several years. He wanted her to change the stop so that she would turn down the street and pull into a cul-de-sac and back out into the street, something a school bus driver shouldn't do. She explained to him that a school bus driver is not allowed to back out into a street as he wanted her to do. What do u think is safer?
My concern here is why is this person in charge of school bus drivers ? It is apparent that he knows nothing, nor is interested in transportation at all. I could understand if he was interested and taking time to learn the rules and regulations of pupil transportation.
So do you feel I am out of line with my thoughts? Comments are welcomed.
Thanks for listening !!
BlueBirdDriver
My suggestion to you would be to go to arrange a meeting with an administrator (not one of the 16 people in charge of your department!!) and tell them you would like to have more professional development, and perhaps get your local State Hwy Patrol and OBI's involved. As your administrator to make the meetings mandatory for all personnel, dept heads, drivers, mechanics, etc., and that way the drivers will benefit and your 16 bosses get at least a LITTLE bit of "School Bus 101." Just a thought.
Brian J. Whitta
Fostoria Community Schools
419-436-4105
FOSTORIA_BW@noeca.esu.k12.oh.us |
|
|
|
MamaLoca
Advanced Member
USA
400 Posts |
Posted - 03/21/2002 : 10:11:22 AM
|
It sometimes amazes me that the School Bus is the safest mode of transportation, bar none.
WHY? Glad you asked.
Your story sounds vaguely familiar to many of us who drive school bus as a profession. I must say that I drive for a responsible and consciensious Supervisor. I have, however, heard many stories about School Administrations who do not consider student transportation a serious profession. It is a shame that so many caring and responsible people are not considered to be as integral as they are.
I hope that at some point there will be an overhaul of opinions held by the powers that be concerning the important role School Bus Drivers play in the daily lives and overall well being of all children who ride buses to school, back home, to sporting events, and on field trips. Whenever an incident happens concerning a School Bus Driver there is always great concern about the charactor of that individual. After all, you get what you pay for.
If our children are as important as everyone asserts then why are we "Just" bus drivers, instead of professional drivers charged with the safety and well being of students.
Smile, it makes people wonder what you're up to.
http://www.canandaiguaschools.org/bus/ |
|
|
|
Thomas Ford 85-16
Top Member
USA
4177 Posts |
Posted - 03/21/2002 : 12:25:09 PM
|
The only time people really realize how important the buses and their drivers are is the drivers all call in sick/strike or all the buses fail the inspection (one district had all but one fail).
Stop at: http://www.buses.cjb.net
Forums: http://thebusboy.proboards2.com
Quote:
"The pacifist's task today is to find a method of helping and healing which provides a revolutionary constructive substitute for war."
-Vera Brittain |
|
|
|
mr.dave
Advanced Member
USA
414 Posts |
Posted - 03/21/2002 : 7:34:06 PM
|
Dude, you've been "Dilberted" big-time. If it's any consolation, this is now the way of the world. My wife is a system analist, and all of her recent bosses have been lawyers. None of the last three supivisors I had in banking knew what our department did. The theory is if the boss is not confused with knoledge of the job, he can expect more out of each employee each day.A good rule of thumb is "If the boss does not know the differance between steak and dogfood, eat the steak yourself."
On the loading lights at RR crossings, don't correct the fool. Encourage him to put out a memo stating the correct method as he sees it
Whatever happens do not do his paper work for him. It would only go unappriciated and your workload will just grow.
shalom dave
|
|
|
|
JK
Top Member
USA
7307 Posts |
Posted - 03/21/2002 : 8:39:52 PM
|
Dave,
Careful. Your sinister side is starting to show.
Actually, I worked with a boss, which happened to be blond, that could be a bit dizzy at times.
In a discussion about mirror check stations I mentioned that we did not have a check station that complied with FMS-(whatever).
The supervisor insisted we did and told us where it was. So, after the meeting, myself and a few others went to check-out the mirror check station. We found a large round mirror drivers use to check their brake lights. I looked at it and said, this isn't a mirror check station. Then one of the girls dabbed her hair while looking in the mirror. I laughed and mused, she must of misunderstood. We're not talking about a hair and makeup check station. We're talking about a bus mirrors check station. We're going to have to talk to that supervisor again. (jk)
|
|
|
|
BusBoy
Top Member
USA
2042 Posts |
Posted - 04/08/2002 : 08:56:51 AM
|
BlueBirdDriver,
I suggest your current or future director join the NAPT (National Association for Pupil Transportation). They now have a program threw the US Department of Transportation that people that work in a supervisors roll (Director, Asst. Director, supervisors, and Safety Managers) can take course to get certified and get a degree in the transportation field! You have to be in this roll to get this certification!
Go to the NAPT web site to find out more about this program.
|
|
|
|
tess
Senior Member
USA
85 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2002 : 09:14:43 AM
|
When I first became a driver, the principal was the coordinator. The following year they hired a very competent woman to do the job. She was fantastic! Stood up for us, bought the things the drivers needed, did numerous trips because of lack of sub drivers. This woman knew her job inside and out and what she didn't know she would find out.
I became an O.B.I. my second year. My boss and I talked about what we needed and worked together to make sure our drivers were prepared. I started a newsletter with information that they wouldn't normally see. Safety tips, and information that pertained to drivers.
She quit after her second year, and we were so unhappy. They hired a man for the job. I trained him the summer before school started to drive a bus. He's not as exceptional as our former boss, but he is learning. I often tell him of things we can do to improve our job.
We still have some problems and some of the drivers aren't happy with the way he does certain things, but he is willing to listen to our ideas. But at least it is one boss who does drive and knows the laws and what we face on a daily basis.
|
|
|
|
BlueBirdDriver
Advanced Member
USA
216 Posts |
Posted - 04/14/2002 : 10:45:16 AM
|
Thank you all for your responses.
Things have pretty much been the same around our garage. I haven't seen Mr. C for over a week now. When he is there, he spends all of his time in his office upstairs which is in the front of our building.
Several of the drivers had requested a computer to have for the use of updating route sheets, etc. We asked for the computer back in early January. We were told that we would have one in place soon. It finally showed up while we were on Spring Break. The funny thing is that it's sitting on the mechanics desk. Trust me, his desk is not a clean and easy to use workspace. The mechanic is using it for maintenance records and other things as well. We don't understand why us drivers cannot have access to the old Transportation Directors office where there was already a computer and a printer and a nice clean desk. It would be the perfect place to go in and work on routes, etc.
I guess I just don't understand these people.
Jason
BlueBirdDriver
|
|
|
|
BlueBirdDriver
Advanced Member
USA
216 Posts |
Posted - 04/25/2002 : 09:06:53 AM
|
Well more news from our garage this week...
You ready for this one? Starting in August we will have yet another new boss. Our old Superintendent who just retired in December has decided to come back as Transportation Director. These people never cease to amaze me. Why can't they just retire and stay that way.
Our current Transportation Secretary has been taking courses and is officially certified now to be a Director. The news was broke to her as well. She cried as she told me the news. She has been slapped in the face so many times by these people and now this.
These administrators cannot understand that the problems we have are caused by their stupid decisions. As the previous Superintendent our new boss told others that we weren't liked and that he would fire every one of us and hire a contractor. In a meeting we had with him before his retirement "we were hired by the board of education to transport children to and from school period".
How would any of you like to have this guy as your new boss?
We as drivers want to be treated fairly and with some respect. These administrators want us to drive our damn bus and keep our mouth shut.
How can we as a group of drivers let these people know that we do more than just drive the damn bus?
How can we get someone that cares about pupil transportation and cares about their employees? Personally, I would love to be a Transportation Director because I love buses and everything about them and the business. As we all know people are not flocking into school districts wanting to drive school buses. We are losing a good sub driver at the end of the year because of all the nonsense, and we have a veteran driver ready to throw in the towel.
I like my job and enjoy doing it, but it's all this nonsense that you have to deal with. It's very frustrating.
|
|
|
|
thomasvista2012
Top Member
USA
747 Posts |
Posted - 04/25/2002 : 11:49:48 AM
|
Oh stop your *****ing? You think your district is in bad shape. My friend, come down here to Miami. I will show you a screwed up, corrupt, totally incompetent establishment.
By the way Jason, I told you to get the animation I made off the WCS transportation site. It's plagerism buddy, don't you know?
|
|
|
|
BlueBirdDriver
Advanced Member
USA
216 Posts |
Posted - 04/25/2002 : 2:36:59 PM
|
Well Well Well,
What a nice response from Jason.
While typing my post I was just venting some frustration, like most everyone on here has done some time or other I'm sure. I'm not stupid and I know many other districts face the same issues and probably even worse. So if it looked like I was "*****ing", please excuse me Jason.
As far as the website, I don't believe anything on there belongs to you or has been copied from your site. I haven't visited your site for over a year now. But of course if I have once again made a mistake, please be sure to let me know by email.
Jason
BlueBirdDriver
|
|
|
|
Busrepair
Senior Member
121 Posts |
Posted - 04/30/2002 : 1:02:11 PM
|
I suggest you document everything you have written. Dates and times and names. Then contact the state board of education. Look at your rules and regs. from them Hopefully it has a clause that states what the district is responsible for.That would be my advisement. The other thing is you can bend the board members ears. Calls, reports. Anything that would be a violation of procedures such as you have stated above.
|
|
|
|
Rogue
New Member
5 Posts |
Posted - 05/09/2002 : 1:07:22 PM
|
You better get used to it. Everywhere you go, Transportation is regarded as a stepchild. If your secretary wants to be the Director of Transportation, tell her she better go get some coaching experience!
You ready for this one? Starting in August we will have yet another new boss. Our old Superintendent who just retired in December has decided to come back as Transportation Director. These people never cease to amaze me. Why can't they just retire and stay that way.
Our current Transportation Secretary has been taking courses and is officially certified now to be a Director. The news was broke to her as well. She cried as she told me the news. She has been slapped in the face so many times by these people and now this.
These administrators cannot understand that the problems we have are caused by their stupid decisions. As the previous Superintendent our new boss told others that we weren't liked and that he would fire every one of us and hire a contractor. In a meeting we had with him before his retirement "we were hired by the board of education to transport children to and from school period".
How would any of you like to have this guy as your new boss?
We as drivers want to be treated fairly and with some respect. These administrators want us to drive our damn bus and keep our mouth shut.
How can we as a group of drivers let these people know that we do more than just drive the damn bus?
How can we get someone that cares about pupil transportation and cares about their employees? Personally, I would love to be a Transportation Director because I love buses and everything about them and the business. As we all know people are not flocking into school districts wanting to drive school buses. We are losing a good sub driver at the end of the year because of all the nonsense, and we have a veteran driver ready to throw in the towel.
I like my job and enjoy doing it, but it's all this nonsense that you have to deal with. It's very frustrating.
[/quote]
|
|
|
| |
Topic |
|
Transportation Dummy
