Pardon the navel gazing

[Cranbiz]

Hi there, Welcome to buses.

Just remember what they teach you in Mod 1 training. There are 3 transportation divisions.....BUSES, watercraft and monorail....... in that order. :)

Do you already have your CDL? I can tell you that I did not have mine and I had 5 days of training and the CDL holders who had to recert had 4 days prior to the CDL test. I then had 4 days of location training and 2 days of hub training but all in all it was 3 weeks before I was turned loose on the guests at MK.

Still waiting for my next hub (I'm CR so I guess that it's not a high priority)

I wonder, if you work a monorail shift, do they still pay you at bus driver rate?


On the map, It's OK but a GPS is better. The map is a bit out of date as it does not have Western Way on it. But it's cool to look at though .

[Big Wallaby]

BUSES, Watercraft and Monorail, that is correct. But I like all three equally, and I always will. They each have their own dynamics which make them vastly different from the other two and in their own way challenging and neat. The buses are the workhorse, the watercraft are relaxing and the monorail is just plain cool.

Cran, you have a great signature. Mind if I steal it, twist it and see if I can make it new?

To answer your question, I do have a CDL. I have been driving luxury motor coaches and stretched limousines the last year, so I hope I don't feel like the bus is too small or something at "only" 40 feet. I'm looking forward to driving the RTS and the Gillig, but I don't have any interest in the Nova. It seems to have an ugly turning radius. However, it does look kinda cool. Very unique.

[Cranbiz]

Big Wallaby,

Go ahead, do with it what you may.

I actually like the Nova's better than everything else. They actually turn better than the Gillig's and of course everything turns better than the RTS. The only thing with the Nova's is watching the tail swing. Pulling in to close at the MK , you can clip a fence if you are not careful.

The Nova is an excellent bus for OKW and the new stop at SSR (Grandstand)

I used to drive fire trucks (20 year volunteer FF) before coming to FL so even thought I didn't have the CDL, I did have large vehicle experience.

Are you still in classroom training or have you actually started Mod 1 in bus driver training ?

I'll bet that you will pickup on the way Disney works quickly. Have fun on the obstacle course. If you want a challange, ask your trainer if you can train on the third course at POP. It's narrower than the others and is a great confidance builder prior to the DOT test course that's over at AK.

[Cranbiz]

I forgot to mention,

The hardest thing that most of my classmates who already had CDL's was the pre-trip.

You have got to do it the way thay teach it includine the wording and not the way you might have learned it in the past. I don't think that I'll ever forget "properly mounted and secure" or "cracked, loose or missing" for a long time.

The grey book is a good source for it and there is a yahoo groups web site for WDW bus training that has some additional material if you have trouble.

[Zazu]

Just remember what they teach you in Mod 1 training. There are 3 transportation divisions... BUSES, watercraft and monorail... in that order.

You see, this is *exactly* why folks who work the steam trains at MK develop an attitude problem toward these other modes of transportation. No respect!

It's not like we still had only one station -- we now have three, in case you haven't noticed. Hell, even the diesel-hydraulic-tarted-up-to-look-like-a-steam train at AK has two stations.

So why all the disrespect toward a transportation system that moves 85% of the guests who visit the park, moves them with fewer cast members, and has had only 12 days of downtime since 1971 (not counting hurricane shutdowns)?

:locomotiv = :grumpy:

[mechurchlady]

Being disabled I find the most important park transportation to be the trains. Many a day I would painfully waddle up the ramp to the train only to be met by kind people who were pleasant and helpful. I found the train at AK to make the trip pleasant and the CMs were very kind and helpful.

I could never have made it around Disneyland the last years I went if it were not for the trains and trolley. Hugs Zazu and thank you Zazu and all the train CMs for helping me out and getting me around the park.

[Big Wallaby]

I'm sorry, Zazu. You know the rest of the Transportation department is just jealous because the steam trains were Walt Disney's favorite.

That said, I really like all of them. Including the trains.

And Cran, the grey book is the best thing I have ever seen for learning a pretrip. I am, however, going to have a very difficult time NOT checking the oil for myself.

That's good to know about the different brands of buses, as well. How long did it take you to move from the RTS to the other two?

[Cranbiz]

Zazu,

I love trains and have the utmost repect (and envy) for those who operate them. Unfortunately, from what I've been told, they are not part of "Disney Transport" therefore they get overlooked in the transportation scheme of things.

Big Wallaby,

After the DOT test/recert you will have 2 days in the Nova, 1 to 2 days in the RTS and 2 days in the Gillig as part of your location training.

After that, the hub training will be on whatever is assigned to training for those 2 days.

Once trained at the MK hub, you will drive whatever the coordinator has a need for a driver. I have mostly had the RTS and the Nova. I have only had 3 Gilligs since the end of Feb.

[ktulu]

Trains rule :)

I'm thinking about taking the Steam Train tour on our next trip to WDW. I hear it's good.

[Big Wallaby]

More new news. My wife is going to be a lifeguard at the BYC. Don't know if that's an official acronym or not, so I'll give a prize of this nifty empty water bottle to the first person who guesses correctly :D: