DickyNick:
I know this is a truck drivers forum, but I was just wondering if anyone on here is also a PCV license holder and has experience of coaches. I’m asking specifically about coach driving as well, not public buses.
What’s the job like? Earning potential in comparison to an HGV tramper, ie if your away with the coach on a week long (or more) U.K. or euro holiday? Is there a standard pay structure in the industry like we get on trucks? Such has hourly or daily rate plus tax free nights out on top? How much do companies actually expect you to be away from home? Pros and cons of it in comparison to trucks?
Any other info would be great from anyone who’s done the job and has experience. And if you have, for what reason did you move from there to the trucks?
Thanks in advance
Apologies for not being specifically a truck question, although I am asking also for similarities/difference (other than the obvious such as your load can talk back to you and moan at you) and pros/cons…moderator if you want to move the thread then fair dos
I have a licence for both and have driven both HGV and PSV and coaches as well as buses, I have also been an operator in both too.
As a driver I would say the main difference is probably in cleaning the vehicle funnily enough. In coach driving you are expected to clean it inside and out and that can be a pain with so many windows! Also pillocks ramming apple cores etc into weeny little rubbish/ash trays.
Generally the pay is worse in coaches but you can gain a lot in tips particularly on tours, although in reality most coach work is private hires. Your personality is important on coaches - who wants a miserable moaning so and so? It also helps to be genuine and honest not a bullsh***er. If doing tours gen up on your local history and stories. People do appreciate it. Get to know where to stop and the deals/speed of throughput. You don’t want a 45 minute stop turning into an hour and half ‘cos you tuned up following two of Shearings’ finest do you at a place that can really only cater for 50 odd at a time. In general if as a coach driver you are genuine, pleasantly presented, have a dry rather than crass sense of humour you are off to a good start. Remember while most people like a joke you have to remember you are carrying a section of the great British public and making a joke out of something you and maybe 2/3 of the punters think funny might not go down with the other 1/3. So a bit of people awareness is a pre-requisite.
Truck driving is much more solitary, which is probably why many do it. After all if some r soul cuts you up you can bleep and cuss as much as you like and unless you have inward facing cameras who cares. But you can’t really start ■■■■■■ and jeffing with a bus load of punters on board so think about how you are in your attitudes to drivers and driving.
Driving a coach is easier but you are in full view of 50 odd punters so if you goof up a turn at a junction it won’t be just other road users to worry about! Both have their merits. Generally speaking coach driving is more sociable hours but you invariably get a lot of waiting around and wedding parties can be a pain collecting at 2 and 3 in the morning and then the invariable 'can you just drop me here driver or can you just go to Greenways Avenue etc etc instead of dropping off at the bus stop you collected from at the start of the hire. Then at the end you gotta clean it…
A couple of tips if coach driving. a - get yourself a short handled broom for going under seats (i.e cut the handle in half). b - if doing evening parties with young people take a spew bucket, some disinfectant and a mop and squeezer bucket and anyone feeling queezy sit them at the front. Easier to pull up and be ill in the gutter than over a row of seats. People can get gobby after drinking but usually it is good natured - just bear that in mind.
Also you may be handling cash (customers paying for their hire) so sort that out with your boss/customers at the outset when they’re sober.
