The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round

I lost my job a couple of years ago, and since then I continually look for a job which pays well, that is not a horrendous drive that I am paying more in fuel and vehicle upkeep to get to work and back than I am making.  The only job that I seemed to be able to find was working for a company where we traveled from store to store doing inventory.  I did this job years ago and it paid really well at the time.  Now, not so much and with the price of gas going up it was just not making sense financially to continue with that career.

At the end of May I was contacted by a company that inquired if I would ever consider a career driving.  I have considered for many years learning to drive a semi truck.  I love to travel, and see new things, I kind of have a wanderer's spirit, and adored going with the ex when we were married because he was an over the road driver, and I saw many states even if it was mainly interstate.  I said sure I love to drive, and they asked me to fill out a couple of applications.  Within a few minutes of submitting the applications I received a call from a recruiter.  They were looking for school bus drivers for the area where I live so would I be willing to train?  In order to train I would have to obtain a CDL permit, and a few endorsements.  The state test and the endorsements are for mainly big trucks but there is a short section on a chauffeur's license, school bus, and air brakes.  Oh my goodness just taking the test I had questions on tanker trucks, air pressure, stopping distances, haz mat placards, you name it, it was on the tests.  I passed all the tests and received my permit.  Took it proudly to the office, was then interviewed, and sent for a physical for a DOT (Department of Transportation) physical card, a criminal background check, a driving background check, and a drug test. 

At the beginning of July I began training to drive the bus.  The hardest part is the safety walk around called the pre trip inspection (which incidentally is basically the same for a big truck, only more!)  Lately I have been doing a lot of driving learning the school district, the roads, railroad crossings, some of the stops based upon the previous year. 

My daughters accused me of driving a bus like this. 

School Bus Drifting

I really don't drive this way.  But I am a fan of The Top Gear boys!

I finished my training, with all the required hours and took my skills and road test Thursday.   I had the toughest tester, the bus I learned on was out for repairs so I had a totally different bus, and I passed!  I now have a chauffeur's license, I can drive a vehicle with air brakes, school buses or trucks over 26,000 lbs as long as there is no trailer.  

I am kind of excited to start a new career.