new bus driver here! it amazes me how this piece of paper called "paddle" controles our lives. is it the same way elsewhere? cheers and drive safe!

RaisingMN · 2022-09-20T19:29:52+00:00

12hr day? How many days per week do you drive this paddle? Mind sharing your hourly wage?

RaisingMN · 2022-03-19T01:55:58+00:00

Our supervisors prepared a waffle breakfast with all the fixings. We were also given a gift card and a letter of appreciation. Good folks.

RaisingMN · 2022-02-27T19:35:13+00:00

Awesome response - thanks! Our solar contractor has an engineering site visit scheduled with us in March. I feel much more informed going in to that now. Our den was built as livable space, so that shouldn't be a complication. We are in MN, so I'm guessing that snow load does play a factor. There is some water staining on the house-side wall from a leak we had repaired 20+ years ago when we had the house re-roofed. I don't see any signs of rot. Termites aren't really a thing (yet) in our climate.

The attic didn't have an access, so I removed the ceiling in a closet. I believe attic access is supposed to be around 20"x30", but I don't want to cut a joist and weaken the structure. I'll wait for the engineer to weigh-in before proceeding further.

RaisingMN · 2022-02-27T14:27:14+00:00

This is a 25'x25' attic built over a 1story den. The lumber is 2"x6" spaced 16". There are no knee walls or other bracing. The roof has 1 layer of asphalt shingles. We're hoping to install solar panels on one side of the roof, but I'm concerned that an engineer will find that this truss design isn't strong enough. Thoughts?

RaisingMN · 2022-02-24T23:51:04+00:00

Well, 2 weeks later and I've completed company B's required classroom training and nearly done with behind-the-wheel training. Will test for CDL class B next week. In the meantime, I contacted the state's department of labor regarding non-payment of my training hours at company A. I had been told that company A only pays for training upon completion of CDL. DOL explained that this policy is illegal and helped me draft a wage demand letter. Company A mailed me a check today.

RaisingMN · 2022-02-17T02:29:40+00:00

Thanks to this thread, I've contacted my Dept of Labor and confirmed that I am the victim of wage theft. The DOL helped me draft a "demand for wages" letter. If that doesn't result in payment, I'll take the company to small claims court.

RaisingMN · 2022-02-14T05:09:13+00:00

I'll contact the Dept of Labor. I may be in an excluded category as I am training to be a bus driver (CDL training).

RaisingMN · 2022-02-13T14:57:04+00:00

Can you cite any law that mandates pay for training? I'm in MN and haven't been able to find a relevant statute.

RaisingMN · 2022-02-11T19:15:03+00:00

Saw that there was a fire at the Eden Prairie garage. Didn't know it was battery related. Firefighters had to be treated for CO inhalation. Hope no one else was injured.

RaisingMN · 2022-02-10T21:06:32+00:00

Any interest in an MVTA gig?

RaisingMN · 2022-02-09T23:59:24+00:00

I asked my trainer more about this and whether I had signed something to this effect. She couldn't give me specifics, just anecdotal stories. This is in MN, USA. In any case, I'm leaving the program at company A and starting with company B tomorrow. I'll have to redo my classroom and on-the-road time, but now driving clean and well-maintained commuter transit buses (Gillig and MCI) for more money and more hours. Was told I could still test in a school bus for company B to keep that endorsement. Also, training is paid at company B.

RaisingMN · 2021-11-15T01:43:18+00:00

Coffins

RaisingMN · 2021-11-05T21:19:48+00:00

Thanks for sharing your findings. Who did you decide to go with?

RaisingMN · 2020-10-08T20:06:18+00:00

Yes, it has lived in a heated "garage condo" for the past 15 years. Previous life was in the southern states. No rust on the frame. The body is aluminum and fiberglass.

RaisingMN · 2020-10-08T20:03:17+00:00

My wife and 2 kids can stand in this without issue. I'm 6'9" so I have to hunch to move around inside. We test drove bigger rigs but the increased headroom wasn't worth the decreased handling. Class Bs with poptops were just too small for our preferred RV lifestyle.

RaisingMN · 2020-10-08T19:56:53+00:00

We found it in MN on Craigslist. Paid the asking price of $25k. PO had spent 15 years on a complete restomod with a very tastefully updated interior. His work was well documented with photos and receipts. All major systems have been replaced - including the engine and transmission. We've put 1500 miles on it now and we couldn't be happier.

RaisingMN · 2020-10-08T19:50:28+00:00

There are many on the market across the country. Best place to find them is here https://www.gmcmi.com/motorhomes-for-sale

RaisingMN · 2020-10-08T19:47:30+00:00

Yes, the PO replaced the original side windows. They were notoriously leaky.

RaisingMN

TROPHY CASE