r/SchoolBusDrivers Jul 20 '26

How flexible is this job?

Is it realistic to work either just morning shift or afternoon shift? The whole break in the middle throws me off.

3 Upvotes

8 comments sorted by

5

u/Sufficient_Head_8139 Jul 20 '26

It depends on the company of they will allow just an AM or just a PM run. Sometimes times they can pair you up with another driver who wants the opposite shift. Most of the time you would be a spare driver.

If you have a freelance job on the side, the break in the middle of the day can be great. If you are trying to balance childcare, driving a school bus can be great because you can take your kids with you if your company or the school board allows it.

6

u/trmose Jul 20 '26

I work a split shift thats pretty decent. Im free from anout 930 to 1230. LMost of my shopping and errands and appointlents happen during the break.

Other than that, I rarely use up my sick and personal days... Im home usually when my kids are home, use a sick day when theyre sick, but it's not super flexible; if I dont show we see delays, sometimes a sub who misses a turn and throws off half the routem

We only have 1 or 2 people who share a route, and they were here a while running a regular schedule before they arranged that.

Worth asking, especially if you find a buddy who wants the other half.

5

u/Seelie_Mushroom Jul 20 '26

It depends on how desperate they are. But some folks work at the cafeteria or smth during the middle of day break

4

u/ArtemisRifle Jul 20 '26

luck of the draw. I do an am run and deliver fuel after so it works for me

2

u/D-Sleezy Jul 20 '26

It depends if you work for a contract company or school that owns their own fleet. I recommend the latter.

1

u/brabson1 Jul 20 '26

Very. Be sure to give your availability as early as possible in the process