BusTalk

GBL Rebel

http://www.dnainfo.com/20110508/chelsea-hells-kitchen/drunk-tour-bus-driver-kills-pedestrian-hells-kitchen-cops-say

Sad. So much for this that's on the suspect's Facebook page, he lists one of his activities and interests as "I hate people who can't drive for s--t."

shortlineMCI · Age: 54 Joined: 07 May 2007 Posts: 241

This is horrible and it really affects all the drivers from other companies as well. So sad for everyone involved.

traildriver · Joined: 26 Mar 2011 Posts: 2458 Location: South Florida

After enduring the current DOT and police blitz in inspections due to the recent previous accidents, we were hoping things would quiet down and get back to normal. But with this and the other new incident, it will surely get much worse.
Companies need to screen drivers much better than they have been. Instead of hiring any warm body to drive their half-million dollar vehcles, with over 50 lives in their hands...they need to pay better to attract a more professional class of driver.

shortlineMCI · Age: 54 Joined: 07 May 2007 Posts: 241

Yes..DOT has really been checking us at Coach USA very closely as well, however it's mainly the guys that drive in the middle of the day. I haven't been spot checked being my tripper ends early in the morning and I don't pull out of the PA until early evening.

But I still think its a much better idea that DOT spot checks these companies that own two or three buses and hire these guys that come to work and sit behind the wheel wearing a golf tee, blue jeans and sneakers.

They are the ones that ruin it for the rest of us OTR drivers.

GBL Rebel · Posted: Sun May 15, 2011 3:55 pm Post subject:

traildriver · Joined: 26 Mar 2011 Posts: 2458 Location: South Florida

What you weat doesn't necessarily equate to how you drive. That said, I believe that a professional driver, who takes real pride at their proficiency behind the wheel, will want to dress sharp, to reflect that attitude. A driver in a sharp looking uniform will make a good first impression on passengers and gain their confidence that they are riding with a 'pro' as they board.
The condition of the bus does the same. Passengers will prefer to ride in a clean well-maitianed bus then a rolling wreck, regardless of its age.

shortlineMCI · Age: 54 Joined: 07 May 2007 Posts: 241

GBL Rebel · Posted: Thu May 19, 2011 10:44 am Post subject:

Put the company a side. If you have a jack*** on the wheel, it is problems you will get.

Bus on its side due to driver speeding, driver trys to run over police officer trying to stop bus and driver kills pedestrian while driving drunk. Of these three incidents, I don't think the name on the side of the bus would have changed anything. When you lay over between trips, a supervisor does not come out to make sure you are in the proper order to drive. Who verified you did not have a beer with the 2 slices of pizza for lunch? Nobody. YOU KNOW the difference between right and wrong. These clowns do not. That's my point, when judgement lacks on an individules part, this is what you get.

shortlineMCI · Age: 54 Joined: 07 May 2007 Posts: 241

Precisly. It is the individual that actually ruins it on a broad scale. So sad. Especially when it comes to the death of so many innocents who are just looking for a nice day out, not having to drive, so on and so on...

JimmiB · Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 1:32 am Post subject:

Quick story. Several years ago I did a weekend trip to a religious convention near D.C. Parked the bus behind the motel and was cleaning it when a bus from Maine parked near me. I went over to introduce myself. The driver opened the door and the marajuana smell drifted out. Had a girl sitting on his lap and a cooler of beer. Offered me a beer and I said not till later. I had to take my group to dinner. He said so did he, but his company didn't care what he did because he was their "ace driver".
The next morning we took our groups to the convention center. That afternoon, I went to pick up my group and returned them to the motel. I didn't see the other bus, so I went back to the convention center and his group was still there. I offered to take them back and they accepted. When they got off I asked their group leader where there bus was.
She said its at BWI airport waiting for a relief driver to be flown in. Seems he was drunk for the entire trip and she called the company.
I guess they DID care what he did. This was a well dressed driver in a brand new Prevost.

GBL Rebel · Posted: Fri May 20, 2011 1:37 pm Post subject:

Q65A · Posted: Sat May 21, 2011 10:59 am Post subject:

Agreed.
Clothes do not make a man more or less safety conscious.

shortlineMCI · Age: 54 Joined: 07 May 2007 Posts: 241