5 ms·

They're usually part-timers or neighborhood parents volunteering.

illnewsthat 7y ago
I have never heard of a bus driver being a volunteer position, is that something that happens near you? And, if so, is it a public school district?
- w8rbt 7y ago
  This has been my experience as well. It's either retirees or stay at home moms/dads that drive the buses part time. They may not be purely volunteer (no pay), but it's definitely a part time job. Couple of hours in the morning and afternoon. Also, it seems to be mostly in rural areas. Some drivers keep the buses at home during the school year. And, these are large, full size buses. If you live in a medium sized or large city, it's probably different.
  - smileysteve 7y ago
    The government benefits package has been a major selling point in the past; If you want a pension (or second one as a retiree) it can really help the ends meet. Pay in the 2000s was about $24k a year.
- ikeyany 7y ago
  It was in a school district that had two high schools, and my high school had 2,000 students. There were something like 15 elementary schools at the time. Yes, it is a public school district. Is that not normal?
gmadsen 7y ago
never heard of that. At least in California there are strict requirements and qualifications to be able to transport children on a school bus
- pnutjam 7y ago
  Driving a school bus requires a CDL in every state.
  - ikeyany 7y ago
    If they enforced it, then it must not be that hard to get. It looks like you just need to take a test to get one.
    - moftz 7y ago
      The test is a bit more involved than a normal driving test. A normal test just involves reading street signs and how to handle things like right of way, don't pass on the right, use your blinker, basic important topics. CDL tests ask questions about maintenance (how often to inspect tires?), about how big trucks move on the road compared to little cars (which kind of truck could get stuck on a RR crossing?), and misc stuff like hazmat diamonds. It's not the hardest test in the world but it's more studying than a normal DL test.
      - pnutjam 7y ago
        It also carries stricter enforcement of traffic violations, and mandatory drug testing. I got a ticket for an improper lane change and the judge asked if I had a CDL which seemed to imply it would have been revoked.

I have never heard of a bus driver being a volunteer position, is that something that happens near you? And, if so, is it a public school district?

w8rbt 7y ago
This has been my experience as well. It's either retirees or stay at home moms/dads that drive the buses part time. They may not be purely volunteer (no pay), but it's definitely a part time job. Couple of hours in the morning and afternoon. Also, it seems to be mostly in rural areas. Some drivers keep the buses at home during the school year. And, these are large, full size buses. If you live in a medium sized or large city, it's probably different.
- smileysteve 7y ago
  The government benefits package has been a major selling point in the past; If you want a pension (or second one as a retiree) it can really help the ends meet. Pay in the 2000s was about $24k a year.
ikeyany 7y ago
It was in a school district that had two high schools, and my high school had 2,000 students. There were something like 15 elementary schools at the time. Yes, it is a public school district. Is that not normal?

gmadsen 7y ago

never heard of that. At least in California there are strict requirements and qualifications to be able to transport children on a school bus

pnutjam 7y ago
Driving a school bus requires a CDL in every state.
- ikeyany 7y ago
  If they enforced it, then it must not be that hard to get. It looks like you just need to take a test to get one.
  - moftz 7y ago
    The test is a bit more involved than a normal driving test. A normal test just involves reading street signs and how to handle things like right of way, don't pass on the right, use your blinker, basic important topics. CDL tests ask questions about maintenance (how often to inspect tires?), about how big trucks move on the road compared to little cars (which kind of truck could get stuck on a RR crossing?), and misc stuff like hazmat diamonds. It's not the hardest test in the world but it's more studying than a normal DL test.
    - pnutjam 7y ago
      It also carries stricter enforcement of traffic violations, and mandatory drug testing. I got a ticket for an improper lane change and the judge asked if I had a CDL which seemed to imply it would have been revoked.