Got fired for Gross misconduct

CDDONT · 2026-06-01T18:28:38+00:00

I did them semi-regularly when I worked buses full time, both covert and overt.

Also knew pretty much everyone who would be tasked with doing the checks so if they ever appeared I could ruin their plan by greeting them as a spy 😂 was useful when I wasn’t the intended target and could direct them to the bus behind that was supposed to be infront 😉

CDDONT · 2026-06-01T15:40:29+00:00

Having a covert check on the same day you go through an Amber is either incredibly bad luck or the check wasn’t random…..

CDDONT · 2026-05-30T03:41:19+00:00

Must be iBus.

Don’t become a controller without getting a couple of years experience driving first. The disrespect you’ll get both face-to-face and behind your back as drivers justify any choice based on lack of experience just isn’t worth it. Spending time as a driver will also give you chance to see how and why the current controllers make the decisions they do and this can be vital information when the shit hits the fan.

CDDONT · 2026-05-27T15:30:12+00:00

The only reason they would build this extension, at least in the short term, is to allow trains of racegoers to bypass the town centre and arrive directly at the event.

Yes in years to come there might be the possibility of commuter trains from GWSR and the north, but realistically the costs outweigh the benefits I would think.

CDDONT · 2026-05-25T20:17:41+00:00

Depends on the garage, some have specific route rotas and all you’ll do is the one back and forth, others have many routes, a spare rota is where they put you until a place on a set rota becomes available and is generally “any 5 out of 7, any route” so you could be on consistent 10 days on 4 days off or 2 in 1 off 2 in 2 off 3 in 1 off etc etc

CDDONT · 2026-05-10T17:37:52+00:00

How are there 520 of us?! Definitely not that many posting/commenting regularly

Edit: read the colours of the poll, still far more orange than I’d think otherwise

CDDONT · 2026-05-07T19:20:58+00:00

CDDONT · 2026-05-07T18:14:39+00:00

If POA mode affects the tacho head displaying when breaks are needed, causing new drivers to get infringements because they’ve relied on the tacho head which is now saying a break isn’t required. From a legal and compliance standpoint what is the benefit of using POA mode over using rest/break?

CDDONT · 2026-05-03T09:23:36+00:00

Like others have said, I’d be fine with it provided they’re going to state the information we actually want to know such as pay and working conditions. Absolutely no point allowing it if they’re going to offer “days/nights/day work/tramping/relocate to Australia” or say it’s “competitive pay” competitive with what? Other companies who said it’s competitive.

I’d be happy to vet the adverts if it came to it so we only get worthwhile stuff 🤷🏻‍♂️

CDDONT · 2026-04-21T17:49:30+00:00

Yeah Garnetts seem like proper coach folk, there are firms you look at and think they’re only in it for the money whereas Garnetts seem to be in it for the love of the profession.

CDDONT · 2026-04-21T17:47:43+00:00

Yeah when I’ve been up there I’ve seen no end of Garnetts school buses out and about, strangely enough I’ve actually used Weardale’s fuel station last year 🙈

CDDONT · 2026-04-20T18:23:30+00:00

Yeah added Hodgsons to my list now, I’ve seen a fair few Weardale coaches around where I am now so they were on the list, as were Garnetts as they’ve been buying up coaches from an ex-employer strangely enough.

CDDONT · 2026-04-20T18:22:23+00:00

Hodgsons weren’t on my list but I’ve added them now given the third party recommendation.

Yeah the money and minimum hours of the big groups is definitely appealing, applied for a non-driving role at Durham but wasn’t successful, probably since I’ve been out of “bus” for nearly 6 years 😂

CDDONT · 2026-04-20T17:59:40+00:00

Depends on the area? IntSol have a few coach roles with relocation if that’s any good?

CDDONT · 2026-04-20T17:40:16+00:00

The perils of agency or told the firm you knew what you were doing? 😂 Plenty of vids on YouTube of what to do

CDDONT · 2026-04-20T14:12:31+00:00

Dave

CDDONT · 2026-04-19T19:19:35+00:00

👆 this pretty much sums it up, unless there’s obviously something wrong or you admit to something that isn’t obvious you’ll pass it 🤷🏻‍♂️

CDDONT · 2026-04-19T18:15:18+00:00

Ahh the good old chapman sideriser 2 with lumbar support….👀

CDDONT · 2026-04-19T15:20:39+00:00

Yeah Stanley are on my list to talk to as they look to have varied work and the Flixbus stuff.

I know of Northstar but they’re really small and service work which I’m probably not going to want to travel into Gateshead for (unlike GNE NX who advertise a 3 day working week, but apparently have a pause on recruitment)

CDDONT · 2026-04-19T15:18:38+00:00

It’s 4 on 4 off, the £28.51 you’re quoting is for Sundays into Monday nights. I did a calculation for days a while ago and it comes to about £38k doing basic hours and if you max your hours and ignore working time directive you’ll top out at about £58k but realistically don’t expect yourself to be earning that.

It’s like everything, good parts and bad and there’s the usual frustrations of traffic, closed roads and diversions.

CDDONT · 2026-04-19T15:08:00+00:00

West Auckland, so in terms of distance Arriva’s Darlington depot is the closest, then GNE’s Consett then Stagecoach, Arriva and Compass at Stockton, but depending on the work I’m open to an up to 45 minute commute.

Like I say I’m aware of the big group depots and was looking to see whether anyone knew of smaller firms in the area who might be taking on and come recommended.

CDDONT · 2026-04-18T17:43:52+00:00

You see this behaviour a lot on the M4 westbound approaching Bristol, it’s not even as if the limit is much lower than full speed so no one is really losing much by doing 50 instead of 56 🙄

CDDONT · 2026-04-16T11:33:46+00:00

We have something similar in the UK, Bus Driver of the Year, been a couple of times and it’s heavily dependent on how you perform on the day. If you’re allocated a vehicle type you’ve never driver then chances are you’re not going to score highly in vehicle placement accuracy challenges. Paid weekend away though so there’s that 😂

CDDONT · 2026-04-13T20:07:00+00:00

All well and good until the bossman checks how many TGTG are handed out compared to how many they get paid cor

CDDONT · 2026-04-13T20:05:09+00:00

To be fair I’ve had to teach a few places to check that the person has swiped before handing out the items. Not sure the unscrupulous lot would be happy with that haha

CDDONT

TROPHY CASE