Alberta Gravel Truck Drivers

Yeah, a school bus is harder*.

A Class 3 isn't hard. You already have a Class 2; just get your air and go!

Okay, a little training on a manual would be good, but don't over think it.

My wife has a Class 2 and air. She drove school bus for awhile, but now drives for Calgary Transit. I would put her in a truck long before any number of mooks that have "experience".

*I rode with my wife; if I had to drive a school bus (or transit, for that matter) I would choke out my cargo.

 

I was considering city transit, good job, but worried about crazy people that get on board, heard many horror stories. And the c-train always dealing with bad drivers and turning a car into a pancake, especially at Marlborough. Thought about being a cabbie too, but that again, lots of crazies. Being a woman, scared to deal with certain individuals, especially on night runs.
I really just need to get my foot in the door as far as getting more experience and move up from there. Thanks for the advice, I will start with the class 3 driving and then look over my options. I know years ago, gravel truck companies were begging school bus drivers to come work for them, not sure if that's still the case. I know when I first started training for my school bus job, it was intimidating, but after a certain period of time, I really started to love it. Handling the kids is another story, but driving a "big rig" is great.

 

Thanks for the lead, I'll have to try that out!! I'm trying to get through the summer and take my Q endorsement toward the end of August. Still have kids to take care of and then I can get some part/full time work if possible. Good luck to you if you land a job with them. From what I'm seeing, seems like truck owners are getting shafted as far as pay, not much pay left over once most goes to the truck. I love watching Deadliest Catch, same for them, don't get enough crab, most of the money goes to the boat. I'd hate to own one of those.

 

That's who I would recommend also. No personal experience, just the fact they have been around for quite awhile, run good looking equipment and I've never heard anything bad.

 

If you are interested in transit, don't let fear of the unknown deter you (seems to be a theme in your posts). Yes, you run nights (split shift, actually) when starting out, but the likelihood of having a real problem is very, very low. All the buses have multiple cameras, panic buttons and both the police and Transit Protective Services are quick to respond. And Transit's policy is to just disengage if there is a problem... let the appropriate authorities take care of it.

You couldn't pay me enough to be a cabbie.

 

Cab drivers. Worst scum on the road IMO.

 

Mike Vail runs a hell of a good operation. Another good dump truck operator is Pidherneys out of Rocky Mountain House.

 

Awesome, thanks for the high 5 on that one, I'll keep them in mind!!

 

Great!! thanks for the advice!!