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JC Theriault
Top Member
Canada
1326 Posts |
 Posted - 08/05/2007 : 8:52:08 PM
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I'm still driving buses but not school buses. I started last week with Coach Canada (part of Coach USA / Stagecoach Group) and am assigned on their airport shuttle routes here in Montreal.
I get to drive brand new NovaBus LFS transit buses with air-conditioning and comfy air-ride drivers seats! So far the job has been great, very easy going work conditions except for the occasional tight turn seeing how the old contractor ran buses that were 30'x 96" or shorter and the new operator has 40' x 102" units on the same routes. The parking lots were a challenge for the first 2 days.
Perhaps I'll get the chance to take on some work in the motorcoach and doubledecker fleets once I get a few months in at the airport.
JC |
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IC
Top Member
USA
3413 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2007 : 8:55:54 PM
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| Way to go, JC! |
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AMTK207
Senior Member
United States
110 Posts |
Posted - 08/06/2007 : 06:00:01 AM
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| Awesome, keep us updated! |
First Student 224933: 2003 Thomas Minotour, T444E/7.3l Powerstroke Diesel engine, white roof/tinted windows, front/rear AC |
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Jake
Top Member
USA
3527 Posts |
Posted - 08/06/2007 : 06:25:43 AM
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Sounds good! Keep us updated, too.
-Jake |
Yellow & Black
A new forum community dedicated to school bus driving, operations, maintenance and enthusiasts!
Come join the discussion! |
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Lifestar Fe
Top Member
United States
521 Posts |
Posted - 08/06/2007 : 10:29:36 AM
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| Congradulations! It sounds like it should be nicer than school bus driving (better pay, no screaming kids, nicer buses, etc) Keep us updated. |
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JC Theriault
Top Member
Canada
1326 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2007 : 5:10:09 PM
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Thanks for the comments! I'm loving the job so far and its so nice driving NEW buses seeing how the last new bus I was assigned to was in 1994. Every fleet I've work on or any assigned buses since then has been at least 10 years old.
Here are a couple of links to videos showing the type of bus I'm driving:
Video of the NovaBus LFS being built: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUZoNJZERJk
Video of a recent Fredericton (NB) Transit LFS: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g-zQWmaeAA&mode=related&search=
Listen to the signal light "chime", same as the ones I'm driving, very subtle.
This one gives a great audio sensation of what passengers and the driver hear on these new units. The ever-expanding STM (Montreal Transit Corp.) low-floor fleet is 100% NovaBus. Our buses are the same specs with a few changes such as luggage racks and upgraded flooring. I love the whine the transmission makes going from 2nd to 3rd :)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PR_C_alJ2vQ&mode=related&search=
JC |
Edited by - JC Theriault on 08/08/2007 5:28:09 PM |
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Kodie
Top Member
United States
2028 Posts |
Posted - 08/08/2007 : 5:33:52 PM
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| Very Interesting, I like those buses. Now why dont they make videos like that for school buses? Thanks for sharing |
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JC Theriault
Top Member
Canada
1326 Posts |
Posted - 11/13/2007 : 01:25:21 AM
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Well I'm done driving with this employer as of December 10th and headed back to Atlantic Canada. Not sure what my exact plans are but I am looking into re-entering the bus business, possibly running a Girardin coach-seated minibus for sightseeing or group charters in Moncton NB. Just taking my time on the business idea and will enjoy the Christmas festivities before tackling it.
JC |
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Peter
Top Member
USA
1057 Posts |
Posted - 11/13/2007 : 06:45:54 AM
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| Why the departure? Do you take jobs and keep them until you get bored, then moving on to something different? |
Spicer is nicer. |
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Thomas Ford 85-16
Top Member
USA
4177 Posts |
Posted - 11/13/2007 : 08:08:02 AM
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| Perhaps it was seasonal? Good luck with your new business start-up. It's always fun to hear from operators, so I look forward to hearing about your endeavor. |
Mike's Bus Yard - http://buses.zwebpages.com - Since 1999
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JC Theriault
Top Member
Canada
1326 Posts |
Posted - 11/13/2007 : 12:27:32 PM
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I'm leaving because of a few reasons, the first is that I've realised I'm not a big city person - much happier in the smaller city or rural setting where I grew up. 45 minute rush hours back home are nice compared to the 3 hour ordeal here. The second is that the workplace has a few issues when it comes to employee behaviour and management not dealing with the disrespect shown toward us drivers by the airport staff when assigned to their parking lot routes. Trust me when I say middle school kids are much better behaved. I don't get paid enough to deal with infighting and having flight attendants chew me out for the most stupid reasons.
The job was great otherwise as having brand new buses to drive meant less headaches when it came to breakdowns etc. And the general manager was awesome when it came to other issues not directly tied to the airport contract.
JC |
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New job!
