As coach drivers, we have A LOT of downtime inbetween our drives. Last week’s topic was the length of our days and let’s be honest – there will be 2 hours of downtime minimum every day. There’s plenty of stuff to do during your downtime and the day has finally come to write an in-depth article about it.
Back when I was younger, I would never take the blame. It was just excuses, excuses, excuses. I was using my job as a scapegoat for literally everything you can imagine. Not fit? I’m a coach driver. Not doing any chores? I was at work all day long. I have no other skills? I don’t have time for that. Can’t get it up? Had a stressful drive back from the hotel.
And blaming everything else looks like the easy thing to do at first. Hell, to a degree it’s even forgiveable in our job. But whether you’re 25 or 65, the time will come to grow a pair and take some responsibility. It will make life easier on the long run. When you actually realise all the time you’ve spent doing nothing where you could have made something to be proud of, you’ll be thunderstruck.
First thing’s first – Work
When I don’t have that much time, I check out the coach. Everything I do during my downtime also means less work at the end of shift, which subsequently means more time at home with my loved ones.
What does this mean?
Change the lightbulb immediately – don’t wait until you get to the depot. That reminds me – always carry a few spare ones for each light type.
If the weather is nice and you’re not going to drive in a dirt road any time soon – give the beauty a wash on the outside. A proper outside wash lasts for 1.5-2 hours and it is a shame to do that in your free time. Plus your passengers will be really impressed. Just kidding, they wouldn’t recognise your coach from another one if you gave the a million bucks.
And as always – empty out the rubbish, clean up any mess there is and restock the fridge.
Little tip: Save wiping the dashboard for until the passengers start arriving. They LOVE to see you taking care of the coach.
Family Matters
Whether you have or haven’t been away for a long time – give somebody you love a surprise call. Believe me, they’ll love this and phone calls makes time apart so much easier. Not all of us have the same partner and some will be able to cope with your distance better than others. My missus is in the “others” so I spend much more time on calls and communication than you might and sometimes our quality time is better than the one we have together at home. Why? Beats me, but if she reads this she’ll tell me its my fault.
Another cool thing to do is to catch up with friends. We meet lots of people on our travels around the country and a lot of you who’ve been in the industry for a while know how many lifetime friends you can make. So if you’re visiting their town – why not give them a call?
Sometimes I’m “lucky” enough to travel with my workmates from the same company. More often than not, we end up having a great time. But at other times I really have other stuff to do (for example work on the blog) and I just can’t because its not easy to say no all the time. However if our interests differ so much than it will really be a pain in the ass for both of you to stick together in the downtime.
For once, be a tourist
Chance is you’re visiting a new place. Whether it’s an abandoned mining shaft or one of the great wonders of the world, I recommend going out for a tour with your group. Doing this I’ve had plenty of great memories and I’ve seen places I would and wouldn’t want to visit again. It’s also a good chance to try the local cuisine AND get your family some gifts.
Sightseeing is even more fun when you’re doing it with your colleagues who also enjoy it. Roaming around Venice, Prague and Vienna and looking for a good pub on a day off is one of the beautiful parts of this work.
By the time you’re reading this you probably think I have problems with alcohol. Fact is I never drink at home but I enjoy a pint of beer after a long drive before bed!
Not to mention all the laughs you’ll have together. I was walking down Charles bridge in Prague with my colleague last year. He saw a lady carrying a paper cup in front of her and decided to donate her some money as he thought she was asking. Ends up it was an american tourist holding a cup of hot coffee. She was not happy.
Just bloody do something in your downtime!
Whether you’re playing an instrument, reading a book or working out – you’re on a good path. It’s great when you have the time to do something for yourself during work hours. Getting to go to the gym at 10 AM in between school runs instead of 9 PM when you’re back from work? Awesome. Having the time to read a book or work on a side business while waiting in a café instead of in the bed where your wife is waiting for you? Even more awesome.
It may not be this good every day, but we really do have much more time than we think we do.
Let’s get going!