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Admin
Administrator
USA
1662 Posts |
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BigPapa
Advanced Member
215 Posts |
 Posted - 03/17/2017 : 10:02:30 AM
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| We utilize between 15 and 30 bus drivers in our shop. They work on our two service bays doing maintenance and safety inspections, do test drives with a mechanic, move buses around, assist our A/V team, operate our bus wash, and do general cleanup and floor cleaning. None work directly with a technician on major repairs, just the maintenance. They rotate a new "crew" in monthly so it gets spread around. It's worked well for us. |
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torque
Advanced Member
Canada
358 Posts |
Posted - 03/17/2017 : 10:04:06 AM
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| Interesting. Here in Ontario, you must be a licensed mechanic or a registered apprentice to do almost anything on any vehicle. We may get a driver to paint bumpers, wheels, touch up paint on body, patch seats, replace seat covers and clean interior and exterior of bus, but that is about all they are allowed to do, no repairs. |
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busrench
Active Member
31 Posts |
Posted - 03/17/2017 : 11:20:38 AM
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What's the deal with the guy's shirt in the top photo?
We're a small 8 bus school with 1 mechanic (me) and I utilize the help of a driver on a daily basis. Works well for us. |
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BigPapa
Advanced Member
215 Posts |
Posted - 03/17/2017 : 1:04:29 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by torque
Interesting. Here in Ontario, you must be a licensed mechanic or a registered apprentice to do almost anything on any vehicle. We may get a driver to paint bumpers, wheels, touch up paint on body, patch seats, replace seat covers and clean interior and exterior of bus, but that is about all they are allowed to do, no repairs.
Let me clarify, the drivers do things like check tire pressures, change light bulbs or lights, check oil and fluids, fill washer reservoirs, etc. |
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bwest
Administrator
United States
3820 Posts |
Posted - 03/17/2017 : 2:18:06 PM
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quote:
Originally posted by torque
Interesting. Here in Ontario, you must be a licensed mechanic or a registered apprentice to do almost anything on any vehicle. We may get a driver to paint bumpers, wheels, touch up paint on body, patch seats, replace seat covers and clean interior and exterior of bus, but that is about all they are allowed to do, no repairs.
Sounds like Canada is worse than Illinois! Yikes!! |
Bryan |
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scot1337
Senior Member
119 Posts |
Posted - 03/17/2017 : 3:43:03 PM
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| As long as the driver was mechanically inclined and competent I could see it being beneficial. Otherwise, I just see it as adding liability to an already high risk job. Especially working in the wonderful sue happy state of California! |
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RonF
Top Member
867 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2017 : 04:12:03 AM
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| I have 59 buses with just me the technician and a driver as a helper. He has been a helper here for 6 years now. He does my lubes and fluid changes, seats, some inspections and other little things. |
US Army retired CMBT |
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bwest
Administrator
United States
3820 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2017 : 05:27:42 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by RonF
I have 59 buses with just me the technician and a driver as a helper. He has been a helper here for 6 years now. He does my lubes and fluid changes, seats, some inspections and other little things.
Holy flooded with school buses, Batman! How on earth do you guys keep that many going with just the three of you? |
Bryan |
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RonF
Top Member
867 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2017 : 06:14:04 AM
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quote:
Originally posted by bwest
quote:
Originally posted by RonF
I have 59 buses with just me the technician and a driver as a helper. He has been a helper here for 6 years now. He does my lubes and fluid changes, seats, some inspections and other little things.
Holy flooded with school buses, Batman! How on earth do you guys keep that many going with just the three of you?
It's just 2 of us. I will say because I have a good preventive maintenance program and I work 10 hours a day. |
US Army retired CMBT |
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bwest
Administrator
United States
3820 Posts |
Posted - 03/20/2017 : 06:26:41 AM
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| I can hardly keep up with 17 units and all the comings and goings of the drivers! If your school doesn't appreicate you, they should! |
Bryan |
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Drivers as Mechanics' Helpers
