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?

Of course it is. Multiple tests and licenses needed, along with customer service skills, and the responsibility for passenger safety.

I think it has to be quite skilled.
I know someone who applied, who is quite a capable person. They backed out when they found out how much was involved in it all.

Absolutely yes. One of my worst case scenarios is that my dc’s lives depend on me reversing a bus or lorry.
I don’t rate their chances
I have complete respect for bus and lorry drivers. Awe even.

I just view it like any regular job and some are definitely better than others. My exes father was a horrible person and terrible driver. He bragged about leaving people at stops and taking off car wing mirrors. He found it hilarious to drive away from peope running for the bus.

Yes skilled. Do I respect them all? No because I've encountered some who should not be working with the public at all.

This is bollocks

Hm, let me see...in charge of a whacking great vehicle and all the lives on board; having to drive in stupidly laid out areas with cars abandoned by idiots on either side of the road in ALL weathers from blazing rampant sun to snow and black ice; putting your own life in danger during the most recent COVID-19 pandemic and if you drive through dodgy areas; coping with the cognitively vacant other drivers on the road; most of all, having to deal with members of the public - yes, I'd say so. (Yes, there are two bus drivers in my family though I'm not one of them.)

Person upthread who thinks "anyone who can drive" can do it - when are YOU applying for your bus licence?!

Yes to both. I can hardly drive or park my mini. I couldn't imagine being able to pass a complex test and be able to drive a bus. Also takes a strong person to handle the stupidity and abuse of the general public.

It is a skilled and very stressful job, that carries a lot of responsibility. My DP was a bus driver for a while and had all sorts to deal with in that time, including helping lost dementia patients and dealing with different medical and injury situations of the public too

I applied for a job as a bus driver, in 1982, between end of 1st degree exams and results being published

The minimum height restriction was 5ft 4". Reader Im 5ft 3.75" so failed in my application. Fortunately I passed exams after all and went on my way rejoicing.

Yes

Yes, I live on a route that has some scary hills and hairpins, they definitely need to be a skilled driver to manoeuvre the bus around and up/down them or rather coax the clapped out buses the company owns around the route. And they get so much shit from the public too.
Always polite and respectful towards them even if they're a bit grumpy, I deal with the public and know what that can be like, and without them I wouldn't be going anywhere!

Yes and yes but I respect people in general no matter their job, I don't respect a bus drive more or less than a doctor or plumber or whatever

Unless someone does something wrong or rude I just respect everyone the same

Much harder than driving a train, and for about 1/3 of the pay.

Most jobs are skilled. I'd define skilled as "I couldn't do the job with just a quick induction training". I think I'd need a lot more than that to learn to safely drive a bus and deal with the issues that come with passengers.

Semi skilled, but high in responsibility

Yes, lots of respect for bus drivers and HGV drivers.

And food delivery drivers and ambulance drivers.

Yea and yes. Anyone who thinks it’s an easy unskilled job wants to try just one day - that’s after they pass the medical…..

I drive. I really don't think you'd want me driving your bus 😅

Well yes. I don't want buses driven by unskilled drivers on the road, thanks. And I've seen the adverts on the backs of buses urging people to train for a stressful, tricky driving job for pretty shit money. I've had a clean driving licence for 30 years, and I am nowhere near capable of driving a bus.

Well, you're wrong. You need to pass a medical and eye exam, get the CPC hours and have a PCV allowance on your driving licence first. Not just be "anyone who drives"
I think if you need advanced training and extra licensing, it's by definition a skilled job.

Yes and yes. You have to drive a huge vehicle safely, make sure your passengers get on and off, remember the route and stops and I'm sure more recently put up with lots of unpleasant people and possibly abuse. They don't get paid enough imho

Every job is a skilled job. The term is meaningless imho.

Yes, they are underpaid, especially when compared to train drivers.

Yes. You need a PSV license and it takes skill to pass.
Remember they were essential workers during the pandemic as well.