Just passed my PCV test
Discussion
Foxtrot Oscar said:
Congratulations.
As someone who has worked in the Bus/Coach industry for nearly 20 Years all that I can say is PLEASE send it back and forget you ever had it.
Unless you are a mouth breather or completely thick it isn't for you.
Sorry.
As somebody who worked for a bus company (but not as a driver), I second this. All of your workmates are massive As someone who has worked in the Bus/Coach industry for nearly 20 Years all that I can say is PLEASE send it back and forget you ever had it.
Unless you are a mouth breather or completely thick it isn't for you.
Sorry.
s.Had a bit more of a think on this whilst out and about this afternoon and unfortunately my views remain the same.
I think the only thing that I would possibly do is abroad tour work and holidays if I was young, free and single. I'm not.
As the above chap pointed out all of your work mates will bes, no exceptions and the general public with the odd exception are all s. You will be spat at, swore at, physically abused, possibly robbed/mugged and generally treated like you are something that isn't fit to breathe the same air. Then there is the traffic and the absolute morons that you have to share the tarmac with, you will be cut up, brake tested, blocked in and generally treated like a complete moron as well as most of the above re general public. You will witness first hand some of the most idiotic and dangerous driving that happens on our roads on a daily basis.
There is that much red tape in this industry now it really isn't worth the hassle. Tacho hours, VOSA checks, Working time directive, health and safety, risk assessments, driver CPC, walk round checks etc etc
Oh and the money is absolutely rubbish.
I am still in the industry but on the management side and grateful that I generally don't have to deal with the general public because if I did on a day to day basis I really would find something else to do.
It is that bad.
If you are young seriously train to do something else. If its a career change please do something else.
Don't get me wrong it is handy to have as a stop gap until you find something else or train to do something else as there is usually plenty of jobs around but please don't think about making a career out of it. You will regret it.
When I started it was a good industry but the decline has been steady right from the start and it certainly never goes back up.
I think the only thing that I would possibly do is abroad tour work and holidays if I was young, free and single. I'm not.
As the above chap pointed out all of your work mates will be
s, no exceptions and the general public with the odd exception are all s. You will be spat at, swore at, physically abused, possibly robbed/mugged and generally treated like you are something that isn't fit to breathe the same air. Then there is the traffic and the absolute morons that you have to share the tarmac with, you will be cut up, brake tested, blocked in and generally treated like a complete moron as well as most of the above re general public. You will witness first hand some of the most idiotic and dangerous driving that happens on our roads on a daily basis.There is that much red tape in this industry now it really isn't worth the hassle. Tacho hours, VOSA checks, Working time directive, health and safety, risk assessments, driver CPC, walk round checks etc etc
Oh and the money is absolutely rubbish.
I am still in the industry but on the management side and grateful that I generally don't have to deal with the general public because if I did on a day to day basis I really would find something else to do.
It is that bad.
If you are young seriously train to do something else. If its a career change please do something else.
Don't get me wrong it is handy to have as a stop gap until you find something else or train to do something else as there is usually plenty of jobs around but please don't think about making a career out of it. You will regret it.
When I started it was a good industry but the decline has been steady right from the start and it certainly never goes back up.
No its great 
Honest!!
Don't get me wrong it's had its moments over the years and you get to meet some characters but sadly the moments have become so infrequent that they've stopped and the characters have all died off or left the industry altogether. Some that come through that seem to have a bit about them suss out pretty quickly how bad it is and move on.
Just re read all my posts on this and realized just how bad it sounds. It is.
To the OP Congratulations on passing your test it really isn't that easy these days and GOOD LUCK, you'll need it!
Honest!! Don't get me wrong it's had its moments over the years and you get to meet some characters but sadly the moments have become so infrequent that they've stopped and the characters have all died off or left the industry altogether. Some that come through that seem to have a bit about them suss out pretty quickly how bad it is and move on.
Just re read all my posts on this and realized just how bad it sounds. It is.
To the OP Congratulations on passing your test it really isn't that easy these days and GOOD LUCK, you'll need it!
I have mine tomorrow!
I've already worked at my depot since august as a Banksman and i know a lot of my workmates already and, the majority are alright, wouldn't spend time with them out of work though.
I don't think the money is that bad tbh, with the current climate, it's very hard to find a job with a half decent salary and not need certain qualifications. I've still no idea what i want to do in life, so it seems like a good way of earning cash etc till i know.
The violence and aggression from passengers that FO mentioned isn't common here at all, maybe people swearing and having a go occasionally, but not the physical harm and spitting, but that'll depend on the area obviously.
I've already worked at my depot since august as a Banksman and i know a lot of my workmates already and, the majority are alright, wouldn't spend time with them out of work though.
I don't think the money is that bad tbh, with the current climate, it's very hard to find a job with a half decent salary and not need certain qualifications. I've still no idea what i want to do in life, so it seems like a good way of earning cash etc till i know.
The violence and aggression from passengers that FO mentioned isn't common here at all, maybe people swearing and having a go occasionally, but not the physical harm and spitting, but that'll depend on the area obviously.
Thanks for all the comments. Its not somthing I want to be doing for the rest of my life, but with a little one on the way, and the current climate, work is work, and it doesnt have the pit falls I experienced with being self employed.
You will find assholes in all walks of life, so thats not an issue, and im well used to the idiots on the roads.
My previous career had more red tape than this, so again, im used to that sort of thing. I know its not going to make me a millionare, but if I can support the mrs through med school, ill be happy.
On route learning today.
Hope the other chap passed!
You will find assholes in all walks of life, so thats not an issue, and im well used to the idiots on the roads.
My previous career had more red tape than this, so again, im used to that sort of thing. I know its not going to make me a millionare, but if I can support the mrs through med school, ill be happy.
On route learning today.
Hope the other chap passed!
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