Driving
Driving
(29 May 2014, 3:04 pm)Marcus I love the way a small depot sounds. I can't imagine Hexham being staffed by more than 30 odd people? citaro5284 will know.
About a year ago I asked a PA at Chester about how many people actually worked at Chester, and she said there were 20 engineers, 13 clerical staff and 187 drivers. That last one blew me away, but I would assume that includes National Express.
Since then, I've noticed several drivers have left Chester, several have joined and a few have just randomly disappeared. I recall being told by Gary Wheatley that one went to work with a nice independent company in the countryside. I would imagine the amount of drivers would hover around the same number.
(29 May 2014, 3:04 pm)Marcus I love the way a small depot sounds. I can't imagine Hexham being staffed by more than 30 odd people? citaro5284 will know.
About a year ago I asked a PA at Chester about how many people actually worked at Chester, and she said there were 20 engineers, 13 clerical staff and 187 drivers. That last one blew me away, but I would assume that includes National Express.
Since then, I've noticed several drivers have left Chester, several have joined and a few have just randomly disappeared
On the other hand, when I went on the school trip to France last year, we hired a coach from Hodgson's, and the driver was called Andy.
He really was a nice guy, but he said that the reason he chose to do long distance work was because he drove for Bishop back in the late 90s; and only managed 3 weeks before being driven around the bend.
If you do go through with it; make sure your prepared for the obvious downsides.
(29 May 2014, 6:51 pm)Andreos Constantopolous Having lived in areas primarily served by Washington, Sunderland Rd and Chester over the years, there seem to have been a core that have been loyal for a significant period (one in particular at Washington has been there since at least the early 90's. There was an Indian guy based at Sunderland Rd who appeared around the same period), others have been there for a shorter period and there are others which come and go.
To be honest, it isn't just the bus industry like that. Wherever you work, there are members of staff who fall into each of those 3 categories.
(29 May 2014, 6:51 pm)Andreos Constantopolous Having lived in areas primarily served by Washington, Sunderland Rd and Chester over the years, there seem to have been a core that have been loyal for a significant period (one in particular at Washington has been there since at least the early 90's. There was an Indian guy based at Sunderland Rd who appeared around the same period), others have been there for a shorter period and there are others which come and go.
To be honest, it isn't just the bus industry like that. Wherever you work, there are members of staff who fall into each of those 3 categories.
(29 May 2014, 7:41 pm)Marcus When I had a conversation with one of Chester's leading drivers a while back; he said that he had been with GNE - 'on-off' for 14 years. Is that what you mean by 'come and go'?
I don't know if we're thinking of the same person, but many a time I've seen a driver at Sunderland Rd/Riverside whose of an ethnic backround. He was on 49s yesterday. He has a long white beard and seems really friendly.
(29 May 2014, 7:41 pm)Marcus When I had a conversation with one of Chester's leading drivers a while back; he said that he had been with GNE - 'on-off' for 14 years. Is that what you mean by 'come and go'?
I don't know if we're thinking of the same person, but many a time I've seen a driver at Sunderland Rd/Riverside whose of an ethnic backround. He was on 49s yesterday. He has a long white beard and seems really friendly.
(29 May 2014, 7:41 pm)Marcus When I had a conversation with one of Chester's leading drivers a while back; he said that he had been with GNE - 'on-off' for 14 years. Is that what you mean by 'come and go'?
I don't know if we're thinking of the same person, but many a time I've seen a driver at Sunderland Rd/Riverside whose of an ethnic backround. He was on 49s yesterday. He has a long white beard and seems really friendly.
(29 May 2014, 7:41 pm)Marcus When I had a conversation with one of Chester's leading drivers a while back; he said that he had been with GNE - 'on-off' for 14 years. Is that what you mean by 'come and go'?
I don't know if we're thinking of the same person, but many a time I've seen a driver at Sunderland Rd/Riverside whose of an ethnic backround. He was on 49s yesterday. He has a long white beard and seems really friendly.
(29 May 2014, 7:41 pm)Marcus When I had a conversation with one of Chester's leading drivers a while back; he said that he had been with GNE - 'on-off' for 14 years. Is that what you mean by 'come and go'?
I don't know if we're thinking of the same person, but many a time I've seen a driver at Sunderland Rd/Riverside whose of an ethnic backround. He was on 49s yesterday. He has a long white beard and seems really friendly.
(29 May 2014, 7:41 pm)Marcus When I had a conversation with one of Chester's leading drivers a while back; he said that he had been with GNE - 'on-off' for 14 years. Is that what you mean by 'come and go'?
I don't know if we're thinking of the same person, but many a time I've seen a driver at Sunderland Rd/Riverside whose of an ethnic backround. He was on 49s yesterday. He has a long white beard and seems really friendly.
(29 May 2014, 7:53 pm)Dan https://www.flickr.com/photos/emdjt42/5032821497
?
(29 May 2014, 7:49 pm)Tom Yes I know who you mean, a very nice driver.
(29 May 2014, 7:49 pm)Tom Yes I know who you mean, a very nice driver.
(29 May 2014, 8:00 pm)Marcus If only the rest could sort of act like him. Do you know what I mean? Say 'good morning' like he does when you get on. He is a really great guy.
I had a young lad (probably not even 20!) on the X66s once, and he was unbelievably canny. I know it sounds excessive, but I gave him a two quid tip when I got off 5389 with him. Really nice bloke.
(29 May 2014, 8:00 pm)Marcus If only the rest could sort of act like him. Do you know what I mean? Say 'good morning' like he does when you get on. He is a really great guy.
I had a young lad (probably not even 20!) on the X66s once, and he was unbelievably canny. I know it sounds excessive, but I gave him a two quid tip when I got off 5389 with him. Really nice bloke.
(29 May 2014, 7:59 pm)Dan Found the pic when I was going through adding history details for the B10BLEs, and later discussed the driver with Liam.
Didn't just manage to find him just like that!
(29 May 2014, 7:59 pm)Dan Found the pic when I was going through adding history details for the B10BLEs, and later discussed the driver with Liam.
Didn't just manage to find him just like that!
(29 May 2014, 7:53 pm)Dan https://www.flickr.com/photos/emdjt42/5032821497
(29 May 2014, 7:53 pm)Dan https://www.flickr.com/photos/emdjt42/5032821497
(29 May 2014, 8:02 pm)citaro5284 He has worked at Gateshead for a long time....never works a Friday
(29 May 2014, 8:02 pm)Marcus I've seen him do the Highwayman's, the 96/64s etc. If he was with Sunderland Rd, he must have learnt a couple of Winlaton routes if I saw him yesterday on 5281 on the Blaydon Racers?
Do they just have random rotas at Riverside, or is it possible he was just picking up overtime?
(29 May 2014, 8:02 pm)Marcus I've seen him do the Highwayman's, the 96/64s etc. If he was with Sunderland Rd, he must have learnt a couple of Winlaton routes if I saw him yesterday on 5281 on the Blaydon Racers?
Do they just have random rotas at Riverside, or is it possible he was just picking up overtime?
(29 May 2014, 8:04 pm)Andreos Constantopolous Used to always be on the Durham Road locals when I first became aware of him in early 90's.
(29 May 2014, 8:04 pm)Andreos Constantopolous Used to always be on the Durham Road locals when I first became aware of him in early 90's.
(29 May 2014, 8:02 pm)Marcus I've seen him do the Highwayman's, the 96/64s etc. If he was with Sunderland Rd, he must have learnt a couple of Winlaton routes if I saw him yesterday on 5281 on the Blaydon Racers?
Do they just have random rotas at Riverside, or is it possible he was just picking up overtime?
(29 May 2014, 8:02 pm)Marcus I've seen him do the Highwayman's, the 96/64s etc. If he was with Sunderland Rd, he must have learnt a couple of Winlaton routes if I saw him yesterday on 5281 on the Blaydon Racers?
Do they just have random rotas at Riverside, or is it possible he was just picking up overtime?
(22 Jun 2014, 12:22 pm)Mobbsy Thanks for all your comments folks. I sent my application form off yesterday! Fingers crossed...
(23 Jun 2014, 6:44 pm)Mobbsy Hexham first; Riverside second
