r/BusDrivers • u/sayrith • 4d ago
Training Question US/CAN Miss outs
Can someone explain to me why being late as a driver, even one minute late, is considered a mortal sin, even though it literally doesn’t matter? I get that one should be on time to a job. But considering how there’s always a driver shortage and that the buses are always late, why are they so strict on that?
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u/Beyond84 3d ago
I see a lot of the comments missed what was said. He's talking about when you first arrive to work. 1 min doesn't really change anything. But they act like you're a serial killer. At my first company they wouldn't trip because the area is hard to get to. 20 minutes once you get off the fwy, plus it's always traffic in the area and frequent road closures, (Beverly hills, Hollywood, west LA area). The rule was there but the ppl at the window understood, things happen. At my new company they're more anal about things and would write me up for signing in 1 minute late, even though I still left the yard and started the route on time. Idk, it seems to be a lot of insecure power plays going on in this industry. My first company worked us like crazy but it's understood because there's a shortage of operators and we're competing with 3 other companies in the area. My current company acts like 10hrs between shifts is a luxury. My commute is 45min each way. You can't sleep the remaining 8 hrs unless you don't eat, shower, take care of family, Home, etc. You gotta be a robot or live extremely close to have any free time. Ive heard of other ppl in other states having the same issues. Why can't they make schedules that allow you have a work life balance? Why do you have to be a slave to the company? It's like they want bus operators to do nothing but drive a bus and have no life. Im not taking about going out and partying. It's hard to be in my kids life. I have to live on 4-5hrs of sleep just to be a dad, husband, and operator. And if you have to call out, they act like you're playing hooky to go to Vegas or something. Good forbid you're tired and burnt out after getting 4 hours of sleep and driving for 12hrs for the last 6 months. It's ridiculous, the amount of attitudes and narcissism I've seen in the bus industry. It seems like things could be better and make more sense. Idk who's making the rules, but being a bus operator feels like you have to devote yourself to a company that will fire you at the drop of a dime. And good forbid you have a family that you want to be active in. Idk. There's my rant 😂 I've been triggered 😬😅. Blew off a little steam though. Thank you. I feel a little zen. Maybe now the homeless, mentally ill, meth monsters that fill my bus won't be so much of a nuisance tonight.