Do you think being a Bus driver is a skilled job?

[UrbanMan27]

Sorry about this random post.

But, what's your opinions on this? Also do you respect Bus drivers?

Yes and yes.
Do you know that a bus driver doesn't get paid when he / she isn't actually driving a bus?
By this I mean that a drivers shift might be say 8 hours per shift, but if for say two hours of that shift they're not actually driving a bus for whatever reason, then they only get paid for six hours, even though they're on shift for eight.

Yes I do and I have a lot of respect for bus and coach drivers, they have a lot of responsibility.

It's difficult to pass the training, I believe.

Skilled- well, yes, but not like a brain surgeon. Fairly skilled.
Tough- yes especially in urban areas.

I respect bus drivers very much.

I think it’s a job anyone who drives can get. Nothing to look up to or look down upon either. Just a regular job.

I am a crap, and very anxious, driver and I am in awe of the London bus drivers who seem to be able to manoeuvre their vehicles through tight spots and heavy traffic. I doubt I could do it in a much smaller car half the time.

I don’t think I respect or disrespect anyone on the basis of their job.

Yes and yes. I certainly couldn't do it. I don't think it's a job anyone who can drive could get! Christ there are some terrible drivers - I would not like to see some of them trying to manoeuvre a bus!

Personally I wouldn't have the confidence!

You keep telling yourself that 😂

So an unpaid break? Or are they doing other work in that time?

Really? Have you seen how some people drive?

Yes and yes. And the skills are across multiple levels. I use buses daily and have done for years. I can count on one hand the number issues I've come across.

Unpaid break, no other work in that time. Just waiting for the next job.

Yes and Yes.

They have a tremendous amount of responsibility

They also have to put up with some horrendous little shitsundesirable youths causing havoc quite frequently. I'm glad most buses have cctv these days for that reason, but they really should bring back thd bus conductor too imo - if not from a safety pov fir thd bus driver.

I don’t think there are any unskilled jobs. I think it’s a daft term. I’d respect a bus driver as much as anyone else.

I’m guessing it was traditionally classed as semi skilled because it’s a few months training (to learn to drive and then drive a bus plus the routes).

Absolutely yes and yes (from London), but not all bus drivers are skilled. The bloody 'let's screech the brakes at every stop and make everyone stumble' are my least favourite

Why are you asking about whether random strangers consider it as 'skilled job' and whether they respect bus drivers? Are you thinking of becoming one? Why would anyone's opinion matter other than yours?

Yes I applied to be a south london bus driver and couldn't even pass the van test! I have loads of respect for them

Yes - DH once applied - did a test drive in a bus and didn't make the cut - he said it was v. difficult.

Of course its a skilled job. You have to learn to drive a large vehicle, full of passengers and also deal with the public.

Wages are poor compared with HGV drivers hence a shortage as many are switching for better pay.

Yes absolutely.... scores of lives in their hands at any one time

I don't think I could drive a large vehicle like a bus confidently enough to manoeuvre through traffic and in and out of bus stops. I do think I could train for most jobs so yes, I think it is skilled.

Yes and yes, I couldn't do it!

Why?

My sister is a bus driver and so is her husband. They enjoy the job but the bus company are crooks. The one they work for is dreadful to its staff .

I regularly get buses in London, and am regularly in awe of their drivers' skill and resilience. Couldn't do it in a million years.