Are Good Coach Drivers a Thing Of The Past?

Years come and go, but one thing never changes. It’s the little kids by the road asking you to honk your horn. Whether it’s in Wyoming, Germany, Pakistan or Queensland – at least one of those kids admire you, and want to become a coach driver just like you one day. In this post, I’d like to forget most of the problems we have with the job nowadays. Let’s talk about what makes a good coach driver!

Before we begin – Does age matter?

With the huge shortage of bus and coach drivers nowadays, countries around the world have been lowering the age requirement to be able to get a bus license, with the age being as low as 18 in the UK. Listening to various comments, whether online or live – it seems like a lot of older drivers are unhappy with this.

Being a young coach driver myself, I’ll state my opinion as objectively as possible.

I’m turning 26 this year, and I’ve been driving a coach since I was 21. That’s the minimum age required to become a bus or coach driver in continental Europe. Not afraid or ashamed to say I’ve had my struggles. A few scratches here and there, the worst thing was probably the broken bumper you can see on the homepage (in case you didn’t, here it is). However, this has nothing to do with my age.

This though, is nothing. Accidents happen to everyone, and in fact – the more you drive, the bigger the chance is you’ll end up in one. Having more experience means nothing because when you’re the most relaxed – that’s when something happens. My dad has had two car accidents in his life and he had both when exiting our backyard – hope you get something from that.

But, when it comes to growing up, maturing and having authority over other passengers – age certainly does matter. And this is the only reason why I think it’s not a good idea to become a bus or coach driver until you’re 24. Yes, even I struggled the first two years on the job.

The Traits of a Good Coach Driver

Patience is King

For starters, I’d argue patience is the most important trait of any driver, let alone a good bus and coach driver. It takes a great deal of patience to deal with obstacles we face on our job every day.

Some of us have patience with driving, but not when communicating with passengers. For others, its the opposite. But all of this is incomplete as only a fully patient driver is one who will be the best he can at his job.

Can you “become” more patient?

When it comes to driving, I was and sometimes, still am, an impatient person. Don’t get me wrong now – I won’t overtake like a lunatic. But when it comes to going around entering tight corners or reversing, my brain switch turns off and I just want to get it over with ASAP, which can end very badly.

But for some reason, I am very patient with people and love to help passengers in need, especially tourists. It might be because once a long time ago, I was also just a lost tourist looking for information. Being a good host goes a long way and is just as important as not scratching the bus. Don’t ever forget this. Some great drivers I know enjoy a much better status in their company because quality clients were so happy with them.

Listen to me now. I know this is going to sound woo-woo and hippie, as it did to me at first. But breathing exercises and short meditations really do help. And before you say no, meditations aren’t sitting in a gandhi pose and doing humming for hours.

If you’re a first timer and you’re struggling with patience – try this just for a few minutes every day:

• Sit in a comfortable position, wherever you can.
• Breathe in deeply through your nose, concentrating on the air coming in through your nostrils.
• Hold it in for a few seconds.
• Slowly breathe out through your mouth – this should take 7-8 seconds.
• Repeat.

Why does this work?

It makes your entire body and mind slow down for a moment, enjoying and focusing on the present. Practicing this will help you focus on the road better, and with having better and more easy-going conversations with other people.

Let me tell you a little secret. I take after my father and both of us are a bit hasty. Both with decisions and with words, and this was a huge problem for me. So, I do this practice from time to time, and if I actually stay consistent with it, it helps.

How You Do Anything Is How You Do Everything

When we’re on the road all the time, our coach is our home and we should treat it that way. I published a full guide on keeping your coach clean a few weeks ago, but here is another take on the topic:

Throughout your life you’ll meet a lot of people, and the more time you spend with them – you’ll see how they do things. Some people do things in a rush and just want to get it over with. Others are taking forever to do it and it still ends up being a bad job. Then there are people who are very tidy and professional in everything they do.

I know you’ve found yourself or someone you know in these people I’ve mentioned. However, no matter how you are at home – when it comes to being a good coach driver, you need to be the best version of you.

This section I’m going to devote to one of my colleagues. Let’s call him Randy, and let me tell you something…

Randy is OBSESSED with little gadgets that make cleaning his coach easier (and better). Even my article on keeping your coach clean which all of you guys loved comes nothing close to some things Randy does and has to make cleaning his coach easier. Here’s what I’ve seen him use till now:

• Pressure sprayer to keep his carpets fresh and clean after each ride
• Folding step stool so he can clean his side view mirrors perfectly
• Small squeegee to get the soap off smaller coach components

Most of you (including me) are thinking that we should keep the amount of things we own to a minimum when it comes to little stuff like this. And that makes perfect sense because more things to buy means more money to spend. However we’re all living off our coaches, and investing a little bit extra today goes a long way tomorrow. Especially if you want to save your time AND make a good impression.

Investing into your coach (even if you’re not the owner) is risk-free and vastly improves your quality of life on the road. Much better than dumping 8k$ into a 2k$ car and trying to sell it on craigslist. Plus, you can take back the stuff you bought anytime you want to.

A Good Coach Driver is a Gentleman

And not just while you’re driving. There is one thing I’ve learned from my more experienced colleagues.

Service is King.

You really have to show your passengers you’re at their service. For some of you this will be obvious and for the rest it’ll be a great lesson. After introducing yourself to the group you’re driving, start with instructing them on adjusting the overhead AC, for example. This leaves a great impression on you, showing you really want to help, but they will also be much more comfortable with you later on your journey, seeing that you’re not just a guy (or gal) driving the bus.

Here’s an example. Sometimes you’ll be in a restaurant with your group. However it looks like the place is understaffed and while all of you are in a rush to get to the next destination, the food seems to never come out. I’ve had quite a few situations like this. Offer the waiters to help out carrying out the dishes to your group’s tables. Both the waiters and your passengers will be very grateful. Also, the group will remember little stuff like this later when giving you your tip!

Go with the flow!

Depending on what region of our beautiful planet you (or your passengers) are coming from, you’ll experience all sorts of people. But one thing is for sure – it pays being good with your passengers. Especially if you’re going on a trip lasting several days.

If there’s a humorous dynamic on your coach and everybody is cracking up all sorts of jokes to each other, join them. Good people like to see you’re comfortable with joking on your own behalf – especially when you tell them funny stories from the road! They’ll be more comfortable and interested, plus you never know when you might meet a lifetime friend. Or at least someone you can drink a coffee with the next time you’re in town.

You Have An Eye For Details

Being observant is a trait not many people have. There’s also different kinds of being observant, but one is for sure. People who have the best of this trait are usually very successful in all parts of their life.

It’s the little things.

Whether you’re eating lunch with your group or cleaning your coach after a long day, being observant is one of the things that seem like a hassle in the moment, but are definitely worth it in the longer run.

This is what happened to me a month ago:

After finishing lunch with on a school trip, all the kids get up and leave, and after a brief inspection of the place, so do the teachers. I took some time responding to your comments on our facebook group. While everybody was outside, waiting for me to open the doors of the coach, I see a phone under one of the tables which belongs to one of the kids.

Some of you will say this “Looking after people’s stuff is not my problem, I’m a driver and not a babysitter. Who cares if they leave their stuff?”. Think about it, mate. If someone realises they left something 5 or 10 minutes later, are they going to drive back or will it be you? Hope you enjoy losing an extra 30 minutes you could’ve spent enjoy your time at home.

That’s just the start of it. I’ve even seen group leaders saying “we’re ready to go” when doing highway breaks and even I can see someone is missing. People switch off their minds all the time and whether we like it or not, it’s up to us to use our brains for them.

I’ve been really busy and had a lot of rides the past week and it’ll just get busier, but writing these articles and sharing them with you one of my favourite stuff to do lately. Sorry for posting this one a day later. If you’re on the road, have a safe trip, and if you’re at home – enjoy! Don’t forget to comment your opinion because your voice is always heard here!

I’ll see you next week!