Should I become a Coach Driver?

[Sammo123]

I’ve been looking to get out of the motor industry for a while now. After numerous job applications for roles outside of the MI and numerous replies saying I have not progressed to the next stage I’m getting quite disheartened.

I saw a vacancy on Indeed for a Trainee Coach Driver with National Express. The money isn’t too bad and they train me for free. It’s four on two off which isn’t ideal but not the end of the world. I applied and had a face to face interview via Google Meetings. That went well and they have progressed me to the assessment day next week.

What I want to know is, is it an enjoyable job, or is it something I’ll come to dislike quite quickly?

[leggly]

The load talks to you. It’s a no from me.

[Jaguar99]

National Express is a good way into coach driving but whether it’s for you will only be clear once you have done it. Some guys love it, others can’t stand it. I have only ever done bits of NX when covering for other operators and it’s been ok. Too much driving for my liking as one of the aspects of coach driving I like is the time off at the destination (which you don’t get with NX). I also enjoy the variety and each day being different. NX will give you steadier shift patterns and you will know where you are going (and where you can park) before you set out. Coach driving you plan each day as they can be very different.

Basically, it’s horses for courses and you need to find what you like. NX is regular and planned, touring and day trips has more variety but less regular shift patterns, school contracts and trips probably somewhere in between.

If you have any specific questions let me know…..

[normalbloke]

Do the SLF still sing’ For he’s a jolly good fellow’ at the end?

[DavePanda]

Go for it, get some experience then apply to a local company, you'll find they pay a lot more and the work is a lot more varied.

[AMC243]

Funnily enough I'm looking to go bus driving myself. What I gather from my partner, who used to drive for NX, is that you get out what you put in. Coaches beat service buses because there are fewer stops. Smile and wave. You'll need a thick skin. It's not all bad but keep in mind you're dealing with the public. On your assessment they're not looking for driving mastery, they're looking for basic competence and teachability - they don't want someone who has to be taught how to drive, or worse, someone who thinks they know it all. After all, they want to spend their time and money to teach you how to handle a large vehicle safely. He also said 'bus companies are all wkers' so take that as you will.

[Sammo123]

I went along to the assessment on Wednesday and had no issues. I've been sent the email saying the job is mine, but I'm still not 100% sold on the idea. I think it's the money side of things more than anything else that's making me unsure. It's going to be a drop in wages from what I currently earn and although I'm sick of the job I do and industry I work in I don't know if going elsewhere for less money is going to be the right move.

[vulture1]

What is the pay? I dropped dropped a jobevel for less pay and loving it now.

[Jaguar99]

I always say that if you do a job you hate the gap between pay days feels very long. Even if it is a nice big pay cheque in the middle of the month when you are fed up this is often little consolation

There is truth in the old saying that if you do a job you love, you never work a day in your life. The opposite is also true

Did they say that there is a lock in clause to pay for the training?

[Sammo123]

Jaguar99 said:

I always say that if you do a job you hate the gap between pay days feels very long. Even if it is a nice big pay cheque in the middle of the month when you are fed up this is often little consolation

There is truth in the old saying that if you do a job you love, you never work a day in your life. The opposite is also true

Did they say that there is a lock in clause to pay for the training?

Yes it’s a two year lock in clause to pay for the training, however I am welcome to leave and pay the balance at any stage.

[Jaguar99]

Sammo123 said:

Yes it’s a two year lock in clause to pay for the training, however I am welcome to leave and pay the balance at any stage.

Sounds pretty normal for a big company that is training you. Can you afford to buy yourself out should you drastically change your mind and want a sharp exit?

When I got my license (admittedly 25 years ago) I contacted some small local companies and asked them about training and one did train me up in my spare time for free with no lock in clause. Are you too far down the other route to ask around (as all companies are drying out for drivers right now)

With regard to you still not being sure if you will go for it, what’s giving you doubts? Is it just the drop in income or is it other aspects?

[I Know Nothing]

Used to know someone who had a small coach business and was offered a job if i passed my PSV,

doing hen nights to Blackpool really did not appeal to me, on the other hand taking school parties on ski trips to Italy or OAPs on summer breaks to around UK or Spain would have been nice I guess. Money was rubbish but tips were good.

Is this answer relevent? Ah well my pennies worth

[lost in espace]

I did a temp job at Currys delivering goods. A PSV driver also joined, he said it was a rubbish job. He did Alps tours too.

[Silvanus]

I think I'd put coach/bus driver right up there in the list of jobs I'd least like to do

[manracer]

I guess it all depends what type of person you are, I have 2 examples.

1. My dad was an engineer for 30 years and a bit of a bus spotter. He got made redundant and got a job with Arriva. He stayed 13 years until retirement. Says he loved it, chatting to people etc.

2. My nephew, hot head and a boy racer. He applied to the local bus company about a year ago, they trained him up and let him loose. I didnt think he would last, I thought he would get road rage and or crash/hurt a passenger with driving style, but no. He doesnt love it but doesnt hate it either.

I guess only you know. Just be careful how they lock you in for paying back the training should you decide you dont like it after 3/6 months etc.

I on the other hand would hate it, stopping all the time, people being rude, dealing with the public but most importantly the responsibility you bear for the money you get.

[shakotan]

My main issue about becoming a coach driver would be the whole 'wearing a tie with a short-sleeved shirt' *shudder*

[Truckosaurus]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

My parents, because they are old, often take coach tours.

The drivers seem to be onto a winner, with numerous side hustles selling snacks and drinks, doing bonus day trips on days when the tour has a rest day, plus whatever kick backs they get from stopping at certain services/cafes/gift shops/etc.

[Sammo123]

After discussing it with Mrs Sammo I decided it wasn't the job for me. The drop in wages was a big consideration but also having to work some weekends came into the decision.

Guess I'll have to keep looking.

Thanks for all the advice.

[HTP99]

What is the money like, I don't think bus drivers get paid that well, well not enough when you consider dealing with the general public and the responsibility?

[Jaguar99]

HTP99 said:

What is the money like, I don't think bus drivers get paid that well, well not enough when you consider dealing with the general public and the responsibility?

Depends where you are. Typically in the region of £10-£15 per hour although that is increasing quite quickly right now as there is a shortage of drivers

Bus driver rates are normally a bit higher than coach driver rates because historically coach drivers made up the difference in tips, backhanders and other incentives. This is rarer now and most coach drivers just get their wages and maybe the odd cup of tea. Bus drivers also drive all day where coach drivers generally don’t

Annual earnings round here (Herts/North London) are in the region of £25-£35k